How to Perform Janazah Prayer: A Step-by-Step Guide for Muslims

Janazah According to Islamic rituals, the Janazah Prayer (صلاة الجنازة‎) is an obligatory funeral prayer for every Muslim. This prayer is Fard Kifayah [ some works of Ghaib]; hence, all are absolved if a group prays it. But if it is not sung, responsibility for the performance rests upon all members of society.

Janazah prayer is a way to honor and show respect for the deceased. It is also an act of supplication made as one prays for Allah’s mercy upon them. So, let’s start with the Janazah prayer method and learn how to perform Janazah in Islam.

What is the Janazah Prayer?

Janazah is a prayer for the Dead in Islam. It is a dual in which Muslims gather to ask forgiveness for the deceased and request Allah (SWT) have mercy on them. Janazah differs from regular prayers (Salah) because it lacks bowing or prostration. The supplication of the deceased is takbir (Allahuakbar), followed by specific duas.

The Importance of Janazah Prayer

The Janazah prayer is the due of the deceased from living beings, as stated by The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is a gesture of compassion and community duty, which aids the departed transition into life after death.

Hadith:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: مَنْ شَهِدَ الْجَنَازَةَ حَتَّى يُصَلِّيَ فَلَهُ قِيرَاطٌ وَمَنْ شَهِدَ حَتَّى تُدْفَنَ كَانَ لَهُ قِيرَاطَانِ قِيلَ: وَمَا الْقِيرَاطَانِ؟ قَالَ: مِثْلُ الْجَبَلَيْنِ الْعَظِيمَيْنِ

(صحيح البخاري)

Translation:

Narrated Abu Huraira (RA): The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:

“Perhaps he who attends a funeral until the prayer is offered may get one qirat, and if he follows it up to burial, can receive two.” The question came: What are two pirates? He replied, “Like two huge mountains.

(Sahih Bukhari)

This Hadith excellently highlights the great reward of attendance at Janazah prayer and burial.

How to Perform Janazah Prayer

THE JANAZAH PRAYER: The Janazah prayer is simple and follows a particular sequence. In this post, I will explain it step-by-step.

1. Make the Intention (Niyyah)

Make the Niyyah (intention) in your heart that I am performing Janazah Salat for this deceased; Allah has mercy on him.

2. First Takbeer

Put your hands up, and say “Allahu Akbar” (الله أكبر).

• First Takbeer: After the first takbir, you should read Sura Al-Fatihah (the open)

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ. الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ. الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ. مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ. اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ. صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ

Translation:

In the name of Allah the most gracious the most Merciful.

Hallelujah to Allah, the Lord of the Universes.

Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim.

Lord of the Day of Requital.

We bow to You alone and seek from You alone.

O Lord help us follow the right path, the Middle path.

The path of Your chosen ones not the path of Your disobedient ones.

3. Second Takbeer

The second Takbeer is done after Surah Al Fatihah; again, raise your hands and say Takbir Allahu Akbar.

Then you will do another Takbeer and say Salat al-Ibrahimiyya (Saying blessings on the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)).

4. Third Takbeer

The third Takbeer should be recited after raising your hands and saying “Allahu Akbar” after doing Salat al-Ibrahimiyya.

Then, follow that with a dua for the deceased. One of the recommended supplications is:

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ وَأَبْدِلْهُ دَارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهِ وَأَهْلًا خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ وَزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِنْ زَوْجِهِ وَأَدْخِلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعِذْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَعَذَابِ النَّارِ.

Translation:

O Allah, have mercy on him, forgive him, indemnify him, and let the dust take his affair.’ Do him honor at his reception, lengthen his tomb, and wash him with water, snow and ice. Cleanse him from sins as the garment in which one is dressed is washed from the stain. Oh, replace his home with a better home, family with a better family, and wife with a better wife. Say to him: ‘Let him enter Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the grave and the punishment of the Fire.

You can also make other dua for the deceased, whether to Allah to find mercy for them or to forgive them for their sins.

5. Fourth Takbeer

Raise your hands and give the fourth Takbeer saying “Allahu Akbar.”

At the fourth Takbeer, you can make your personal Dua and also ask for forgiveness of all Muslims (current & dead).

End the Prayer with Tasleem

Regarding the Janazah prayer, after the prayer, do not face the left; instead, turn right and say Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah(السلام عليكم ورحمة الله)

Manners and Little Extras

• Facing the Qiblah: Like all other prayers in Islam, the Janazah prayer is performed with people’s backs facing the Qiblah—the Kaaba in Makkah.
• No Ruku or Sujood: The Janazah salah differs from the regular salah in that it does not involve standing in prayer (ruku) or prostration (sujood).
• Praying in Congregation: It is recommended that the Janazah prayers be performed in the congregation so that more people can pray for the deceased.
• Dua for All Believers: Lastly, it is advised to send dua for every single deceased Muslim and everybody in the Ummah, asking Allah subhaanah to have mercy on them all.

Conclusion

The Janazah prayer is an integral part of Islamic funeral rites as it highlights the communally required act of paying respect to and asking Allah for forgiveness on behalf of The deceased. Muslims performing this prayer are not only fulfilling a religious obligation.