Janazah Prayer
The Janazah (funeral) prayer is a communal obligation (Fard Kifayah). If some Muslims in the community perform it, the obligation is fulfilled for all. It is performed standing. There is no Ruku (bowing) or Sujud (prostration). There is no Adhan or Iqamah.
Select your Madhab to see specific differences highlighted:
Prerequisites
- Must be in a state of Wudu (ablution)
- Clean clothes and clean place of prayer (Tahara)
- Face the Qiblah
- The Imam stands level with the head and shoulders of a male deceased, or the abdomen of a female deceased
- Avoid Makruh times (sunrise, zawaal, sunset)
First Takbeer: Opening
Make your Niyyah (intention) for Salatul Janazah. The Imam will say the Takbeer without Iqamah.
Illustration: Raise hands between shoulders and ears
Raise your hands between your shoulders and ears and say:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest
Then fold your arms, right hand over left.
Hanafi position: Recite the Thana (opening supplication): Subhanaka Allahumma. Surah Al-Fatiha is not recited.
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ وَجَلَّ ثَنَاؤُكَ وَلَا إِلَٰهَ غَيْرُكَ
Subhanaka Allahumma wa bi hamdika, wa tabaraka-smuka wa ta'ala jadduka, wa jalla thana'uka, wa la ilaha ghayruk
Glory be to You, O Allah, and all Praises are due to You. Blessed is Your name and exalted is Your majesty, and Your praises are elevated. There is none worthy of worship but You.
Second Takbeer: Durood
Say the Takbeer:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest
Hanafi position: Do not raise your hands for this Takbeer. Keep them folded.
Then recite Durood Ibrahim (Salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ). All Madhabs agree upon this:
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala aali Muhammadin, kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala aali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala aali Muhammadin, kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala aali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidun Majid.
O Allah, send Your Blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your Blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious. O Allah, bestow Your Blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You bestowed Your Blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious.
— al-Bukhari, 3370; Muslim, 406
Third Takbeer: Dua for the Deceased
Say the Takbeer:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest
Hanafi position: Do not raise your hands for this Takbeer. Keep them folded.
Then make Dua for the deceased. The following dua is recommended:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا ، اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الْإِيمَانِ
Allahumma-ghfir li hayyina wa mayyitina, wa shahidina wa gha'ibina, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa dhakarina wa unthana. Allahumma man ahyaytahu minna fa ahyihi 'alal Islam, wa man tawaffaytahu minna fa tawaffahu 'alal Iman.
O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those who are present and those who are absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whomsoever You keep alive from among us, let them live upon Islam, and whomsoever You cause to die from among us, let them die upon faith.
— Abu Dawud, 3201; al-Tirmidhi, 1024
Illustration: Hands folded, making dua silently
Fourth Takbeer: Salaam
Say the Takbeer:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest
Hanafi position: Do not raise your hands. After the Takbeer, give Salaam to both sides (right then left).
Then say the Salaam:
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah
Illustration: Turning head to the right for Salaam , then to the left
In the Hanafi Madhab, you give Salaam to both sides, first turning your head to the right, then to the left.
Summary of Key Differences Between Madhabs
| Aspect | Hanafi | Shafi'i / Hanbali / Maliki |
|---|---|---|
| After 1st Takbeer | Thana (opening dua) | Surah Al-Fatiha |
| Raising hands | Only at 1st Takbeer | At every Takbeer |
| Salaam | Both sides (right then left) | Right side only (one Salaam sufficient) |
Important: If you are unsure about any aspect of the prayer, consult a local scholar or Imam. The differences between Madhabs are based on valid scholarly interpretations and all are accepted. Follow the guidance of your local community.