How to Perform Salat al-Janazah (Funeral Prayers): A Step-by-Step Guide
Death is a realty and an unavoidable part of this world, and especially when our loved one passes away, it is our duty to Perform Salat al-Janazah for their soul and seek forgiveness for them. In this regards we perform Salat al-Janazah, which is also known as funeral prayers. It is an Islamic way to honor the deceased and to ask for Allah for his mercy and blessings upon them. In this blog, we are going to provide a comprehensive step-by-step guide that covers all the aspect of “how to perform Salat al-Janazah (Funeral Prayers)”. Understanding the Importance of Salat al-Janazah (Funeral Prayers): Salat al-Janazah is greatly important in Islam, as it is declared right upon live Muslims to perform prayer for him. It is an expression of solidarity with the grieving family and a reminder of the transience of life. This prayer serves as an act of Dua (supplication) for the deceased person to have peace in the afterlife. The Timing of Salat al-Janazah (Funeral Prayers): Salat al-Janazah is allowed to perform at any time except during the prohibited prayer timings, which are three times: a. When sun is rising. b. At the time of noon. (right when sun is in the middle of sky) c. At the sunset time. Note: All these times least for about 20 minutes, and are depend on location and date. So one should ask a scholar or google it when funeral time is needed to be conduct. The Number of Takbeers : The Salat al-Janazah has four (4) Takbeers (it is nothing but saying “Allahu Akbar”). After each Takbeer a specific supplications and actions are needed to do. It is important to make sure the following before performing Salat al-Janazah Step-by-Step Guide to Performing Salat al-Janazah Step 1: The very first thing we need to do is Intention (Niyyah). It means you need to bring a thought-image in your heart that you are performing pray for the deceased, seeking Allah’s mercy, and following the Imam’s lead. It is preferred to say the same stuffs by your tongue too. Step 2: Salat al-Janazah would be only perform in congregation. Now formation of the Congregation would be take place. Where the Muslims community gather and stand in lines like regular prayers. The more people participating, the greater be the reward for the deceased. Note: In Salat al-Janazahboth deceased and performer will get rewards. In Salat al-Janazah the one who stand in the last row will get more reward as compare to the one who is standing in first row. While in regular prayer the one who is standing in first row will get more rewards. Step 3: Standing in Prayer Position yourself in rows behind the Imam, facing the Qiblah (direction of the Kaaba in Mecca). Note: there are total four (4) takbeers “Allahu Akbar” that are must needed to say otherwise the prayer is not acceptable. Step 4: First Takbeer, The Imam would start the prayer by raising his hands up to shoulders or ears and saying “Allahu Akbar.” You need to follow the Imam and raise your hands. Note: Both the Imam and you need to rise your hands for the first Takbeer only, not the rest of the Takbeers. Step 5: After the first Takbeer you need to recite “Sana” silently. Saying “Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka, wa jal-la sana-o-ka wa la ilaha ghairuka.” Step 6: Now the Imam will utter second Takbeer After completing “Sana”, without rising hands and you need to follow him by saying Takbeer Step 7: After saying 2nd Takbeer we need to send Blessings (Dorood) upon the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), recite the Salawat (blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad), saying, “Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ‘ali Muhammadin, kama sallaita ‘ala Ibrahim wa ‘ala ‘ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majeed.” Note: there are several kinds of “Dorood”, you can recite any one of them. Step 8: Third Takbeer, after sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), now say the third Takbeer and need to seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for the deceased. Step 9: This is the moment to make supplication (dua) for the dead person. Asking the kind Allah to grant them Jannah (Paradise) and forgive their sins. Dua both for male and female: For male and female”Allahumma ghfir lihayyina wa mayyitina, wa shahidina wa gha’ibina, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa dhakarina wa unthana. Allahumma man ahyaytahu minna fa-ahyihi ‘ala al-Islam, wa man tawaffaytahu minna fa-tawaffahu ‘ala al-Iman. Allahummaa la tahrimna ajrahu wa la taftinna ba’dahu. Allahumma ihdini wa ihdina wa a’fini wa a’finina, wa zukni wa zukina, wa rzuqni wa rzuqina. Allahumma ghfir lihayyina wa mayyitina, wa shahidina wa gha’ibina, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa dhakarina wa unthana, Allahumma man ahyaytahu minna fa-ahyihi ‘ala al-Islam, wa man tawaffaytahu minna fa-tawaffahu ‘ala al-Iman.” And for child if female: child if female”Allahumma ij’alha lana faratan wa ij’alha lana ajran wa zukhran wa anzurha mina al-fitnati ma zaharat minha wa ma batanat. Allahummma ighfir laha, warhamha, wa’afiha, wa’fu’anha, wa akrim nuzulaha, wa wassi’a makhrajaha, wa’qsilha bil-ma’i wa thalji wal-baradi, wa naqqiha minal-khataya kama yunaqqa al-thawbu al-abyadu mina al-danas. Allahumma abdilha daran khayran min dariha, wa ahlan khayran min ahliha, wa zawjan khayran min zawjiha. Allahumma adkhilha al-jannata, wa a’izha min ‘adhabi al-qabri wa ‘adhabi al-nar.” And for child if male: “Allahumma iij’alhu lana faratan wa ajran wa zukhran wa anzurhu mina al-fitnati ma zaharat minha wa ma batanat. Allahumma ighfir lahu, warhamhu, wa’afihi, wa’fu’anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu, wa wassi’a makhrajuhu, wa’qsilha bil-ma’i wa thalji wal-baradi, wa naqqihi minal-khataya kama yunaqqa al-thawbu al-abyadu mina al-danas. Allahummma abdilhu daran khayran min darihi, wa ahlan khayran min ahlihi, wa zawjan khayran min zawjihi. Allahumma adkhilhu al-jannata, wa a’izhu min ‘adhabi al-qabri wa ‘adhabi al-nar.” Step 10: Now fourth Takbeer, The Imam would utter the 4th Takbeer and right after it two “Salams” “As-Salam-u-Alaikum wa-rahmatullahiand” to right side and “As-Salam-u-Alaikum wa-rahmatullahi” to left side. You need to follow him with Takbeer (without rising