What is Namaz e Janaza?
Introduction
In every Islamic funeral, Muslims gather in an assembly to offer the prayer known as Namaz-e-janaza.This sacred ritual is recited to seek forgiveness for the deceased, whether young or old, man or woman. It’s a final Dua for the dead, a farewell embedded in Islamic rites passed through generations.
Each Namaz carries different forms of duas, based on the age and gender of the one who has passed. The duty of performing Salat al-Janazah is a fard al-kifaya, a shared responsibility among Muslims. If a few people comply, the burden lifts; if none do, the entire community becomes obligated.
Namaz E Janaza Prayer: How Muslims Perform the Funeral Ritual
The Namaz e janaza is an Islamic funeral prayer performed by Muslims as part of sacred rituals in Islam. Also called Salat e Janaza, this Funeral Prayer is a Farhd e Kafaya, meaning if some perform it, others are free of responsibility. It’s a gathering where a group seeks forgiveness from God (Allah) for the died person, in true worship.
The imam leads by standing at the front, facing the qiblah, with the body placed before him.
Mourners form odd ranks, begin with silent recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha that precedes the spoken portion. The Janazah prayer, done in Arabic, skips Ruku, includes two duas, and asks for ALLAH’s mercy, grace, and to be just.
Namaz E Janaza Dua:
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.
English Translation:
“O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those present and absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whomsoever You keep alive from among us, keep him alive in Islam, and whomsoever You cause to die from among us, let him die in faith”.
Urdu Translation:
“اے اللہ ہمارے زندہ اور ہمارے مردہ، حاضر و غائب، ہمارے جوان اور بوڑھے، ہمارے مرد اور ہماری عورتوں کو بخش دے، اے اللہ، تو ہم میں سے جسے زندہ رکھے اسے اسلام پر زندہ رکھ، اور جسے تو ہم میں سے موت دے اسے ایمان پر موت دے”۔
Lessons from Hadith
Namaz e Janaza is a different kind of prayer without Adhan or Iqamah, but having Wudu is important. It is a silent Salat e Janazah with Takbirs like Allahu Akbar, no Ruku or Sajdah, ending with Tasleem or salam. Peoples should know how to perform it correctly.
The deceased is placed in front of the Imam, who stands alone facing the qiblah. For a man, the Imam stands near the head; for a woman, he stands in the middle. This follows Hadith and shows respect in the prayer.
How to Pray Namaz e Janaza Step by Step;
Namaz e Janazah is a special prayer with only one rakah and four takbirs, each saying Allahu Akbar loudly. The Muqtadee must make the niyyat clearly before starting, saying the intention for the deceased behind the Imam. Then, both Imam and Muqtadee raise their hands and begin the simple Takbir steps to complete the prayer.
Step #1 – The First Takbir
The Imam leading Namaz e Janazah begins by saying the first takbir loudly (Allahu Akbar). Follow the Imam by raising your hands up to your ears or shoulders, then fold them by placing the right hand over the left, just as you do in the regular five daily prayers.
الله أكبر
English Translation:
Allah is Greater (than all else)
Urdu Translation
Seeking Protection from Shaytan
After saying the Takbir and folding your hands, begin reciting the Qur’an. But before you start, first seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan (Satan), the cursed one, to protect your prayer and focus.
Transliteration:
English Translation:
Urdu Translation:
Begin with Surah Al-Fatiha and Dua Sana
After seeking protection from Shaytan, quietly recite Surah Al-Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Qur’an, known as The Opener.
Transliteration:
English Translation:
Step #2 – The Second Takbir
The Imam says the second Takbir (Allahu Akbar) aloud. Raise your hands to your ears or shoulders, then fold them over your chest. Get ready for the next supplication.
الله أكبر
Sending Salutations on the Prophet ﷺ
After the second Takbir, keep your hands folded and softly recite salutations upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his family. Ask Allah to send peace and blessings upon him, just as He did for Prophet Ibrahim (A.S).
Step #3 – The Third Takbir
The Imam says the third Takbir (Allahu Akbar). Raise your , handsthen fold them.Now, make duaa for the deceased.
الله أكبر
Praying for the Deceased
After the third Takbir, ask Allah to forgive and have mercy on the deceased. The Prophet ﷺ made various duas for this, taken from the Sunnah. You may recite any of these authentic supplications.
Du’a # 1
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.
Step #4 – The Fourth Takbir
The Imam says the fourth and final Takbir aloud (Allahu Akbar).
Raise your hands to your ears or shoulders, then fold them again.
If the Imam pauses, you may continue making du’a for the deceased silently.
Ending the Prayer with Taslim
After the final du’a, say the last Allahu Akbar, lower your hands, and turn your head to both sides for salaam.
The Imam ends the Janazah prayer by turning his head to the right and saying the Taslim:
ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّٰهِ
English Translation:
