Salat al-Janazah: Islamic Funeral Prayer
What is Salat al-Janazah (Islamic funeral prayer)?
Salat al-Janazah (صلاة الجنازة) is Islamic funeral prayer—communal obligation performed standing throughout. Consists of 4 Takbirs ("Allahu Akbar") with recitations: Al-Fatiha/thana, Salawat on Prophet, Dua for deceased, brief dua and Taslim. Takes 5-10 minutes. Held at mosque after ghusl, before burial. Men and women may attend.
- Structure: 4 Takbirs standing (no ruku or sujood)
- Duration: 5-10 minutes total
- Location: Usually mosque, sometimes cemetery or funeral home
- Obligation: Communal (fard kifayah)—if some pray, all Muslims fulfilled
- Reward: 1 Qirat for prayer, 2 Qirats for attending burial (hadith)
- Who attends: Family, friends, community—even those who didn't know deceased
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- Performed standing throughout—no bowing or prostration
- Consists of four Takbirs (saying "Allahu Akbar")
- Usually held at the mosque, but can be at cemetery or funeral home
- Both men and women may attend and participate
- The more people who pray, the better for the deceased
- Typically takes 5-10 minutes
What is Salat al-Janazah?
Salat al-Janazah (صلاة الجنازة) is a special prayer performed for a deceased Muslim. Unlike regular prayers, it:
- Is performed entirely while standing
- Has no ruku (bowing) or sujood (prostration)
- Is a communal obligation—if some Muslims perform it, the obligation is fulfilled for all
- Can be performed at any time (no forbidden prayer times apply)
- Is performed in congregation, led by an Imam
Who should attend?
The funeral prayer is typically attended by:
- Family members and close relatives
- Friends and community members
- Regular mosque attendees—even those who didn't know the deceased
Attending for reward
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever attends the Janazah until the prayer is finished will have one Qirat of reward. Whoever attends until the burial is finished will have two Qirats of reward." A Qirat is described as being like Mount Uhud in reward.
How Salat al-Janazah is performed
The prayer consists of four Takbirs with specific recitations between each:
Step-by-step structure
- First Takbir – "Allahu Akbar" (raise hands as in regular prayer)
Then recite: Surah Al-Fatiha (or thana/sanaa in Hanafi school) - Second Takbir – "Allahu Akbar"
Then recite: Salawat upon the Prophet (Allahumma salli ala Muhammad...) - Third Takbir – "Allahu Akbar"
Then recite: Dua for the deceased (see below) - Fourth Takbir – "Allahu Akbar"
Then: Brief dua, then Taslim (turning head right saying "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah")
Note on madhab differences
Different schools of Islamic jurisprudence have slight variations. Shafi'is raise hands for each takbir; Hanafis raise only for the first. Hanafis recite thana instead of Al-Fatiha after the first takbir. Follow the practice of your local mosque and Imam—the prayer is valid in all schools.
The dua for the deceased
After the third Takbir, a supplication is made for the deceased. A commonly used dua is:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا نَقَّيْتَ الثَّوْبَ الْأَبْيَضَ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ
Allahummaghfir lahu warhamhu wa 'afihi wa'fu anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu wa wassi' mudkhalahu, waghsilhu bil-ma'i wath-thalji wal-barad, wa naqihi minal-khataya kama naqqaitath-thawbal-abyada minad-danas.
"O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him and give him strength and pardon him. Be generous to him and cause his entrance to be wide. Wash him with water, snow and ice, and cleanse him of his sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt."
For a female deceased
The same dua is used but with feminine pronouns: "laha" instead of "lahu", etc. The Imam will typically announce whether the deceased is male or female before the prayer.
Position of the Imam and congregation
The body is placed in front of the congregation with the Imam standing in a specific position:
- For a male deceased – the Imam typically stands at the level of the head (Hanafi view) or chest (other schools)
- For a female deceased – the Imam stands at the level of the middle (waist area)
- Multiple bodies – if praying for multiple deceased, men are placed nearest the Imam, then women, then children
Note: The exact positioning varies between schools of thought. Follow the practice of the Imam leading the prayer.
Where is Janazah prayer held?
In the UK, Janazah prayer is typically held at:
Mosque
Most common location. The body is brought to the mosque after ghusl, the prayer is performed in the prayer hall or courtyard, then the body proceeds to the cemetery.
Cemetery
Some cemeteries have prayer facilities or covered areas. Janazah is performed at the graveside before burial, allowing mourners to attend the prayer and burial together.
Funeral home
Muslim funeral directors may have prayer rooms. This is useful when mosque access is limited or for private family prayers.
Timing and announcements
Janazah prayers are typically announced to the community:
- After congregational prayers – commonly after Dhuhr (midday) or Asr (afternoon) prayers
- Mosque announcements – posted on mosque notice boards, WhatsApp groups, websites
- Urgently arranged – for same-day burials, word spreads quickly through the community
Multiple Janazah prayers
It is permissible to pray Janazah for the same deceased more than once. Those who missed the main prayer can pray Janazah at the grave, even after burial.
Etiquette for attending
When attending Janazah prayer:
- Perform wudu – ritual ablution is required as with any prayer
- Dress modestly – appropriate clothing for the mosque
- Maintain silence – avoid unnecessary conversation
- Stand in rows – form straight rows behind the Imam
- Focus on the prayer – make sincere dua for the deceased
Women and Janazah prayer
Women can and do attend Janazah prayers in the UK:
- Most UK mosques accommodate women for Janazah
- Women typically pray in a separate section or behind men
- Some mosques allow women at graveside; others do not
- Check with the specific mosque about their arrangements
After Janazah prayer
Following the prayer, the body is taken directly to the cemetery for burial:
- Those who can attend burial are encouraged to do so
- The body is transported by hearse or carried if close
- At the grave, more duas are recited
- Each person may place three handfuls of earth in the grave
- The grave is filled and a simple marker may be placed
Janazah in absentia (Salat al-Ghaib)
When a Muslim dies in a place where Janazah prayer cannot be performed for them, Muslims elsewhere can pray Salat al-Ghaib:
- Same structure as regular Janazah prayer
- Performed facing qibla (not towards the deceased)
- Commonly performed for Muslims who die in disasters, persecution, or remote locations
Summary checklist
Before attending Janazah prayer:
- ☐ Perform wudu (ablution)
- ☐ Dress modestly and appropriately
- ☐ Know the time and location
- ☐ Arrive a few minutes early
- ☐ Review the dua for the deceased if unfamiliar
- ☐ Prepare to follow the Imam if unsure of procedure
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