how to pray janazah prayer

When you came into this world, you came in with adhan and no salah. When you leave this world, you leave with salah and no adhan. This profound reality serves as a reminder that the span of our life is like the time between the adhan and salah. Just as we were born destined to depart, so too will we one day follow that path. In light of this, understanding how to pray janazah prayer becomes essential. Salat al-Janazah, the funeral prayer, is not only a final act of supplication for the deceased but also a reminder for the living that death is inevitable and that our time in this world is fleeting. By learning how to pray salatul janazah, we fulfill an important right of one Muslim upon another, while also reflecting on the reality that we too will one day be the ones in need of this prayer.

Janazah prayer overview

The Janazah prayer serves as a meaningful ritual for us to say goodbye to our loved ones. This prayer, known as Salat al-Janazah, is considered a fard kifaya, a communal duty that must be carried out by someone within the community, though not necessarily by each person. It is different from the standard prayer format, incorporating four takbirat, each followed by distinct supplications. These takbirat provide moments for the community to offer prayers for the deceased, ask for forgiveness, and contemplate the fleeting nature of life. Although its structure differs from the conventional salah, the Janazah prayer possesses deep spiritual importance, bringing the Muslim community together in a ultimate gesture of compassion and remembrance for the departed.

How to perform janazah prayer

Performing Janazah prayer is a simple yet profound act of worship that serves as a final farewell to a deceased person. 

How to pray the janazah prayer step by step:

1. Start with the first Takbeer (Allahu Akbar): Stand facing the deceased, with the body placed in front of you. Raise your hands and say Allahu Akbar to begin the prayer.
2. Recite Surah Al-Fatiha: After the first Takbeer, recite Surah Al-Fatiha silently, just as you would in any regular prayer.
3. Second Takbeer: Say Allahu Akbar again. After this Takbeer, recite Salawat on the Prophet (peace be upon him), typically the Salat al-Ibrahimiya:
   اللهم صلِّ على محمد وعلى آل محمد كما صليت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم، إنك حميد مجيد.
4. Third Takbeer: Recite “Allahu Akbar” for the third time. Following this, offer a supplication (Du’a) for the deceased, asking Allah to grant them forgiveness and His mercy. A suitable Du’a to recite is:

اللهم اغفر له وارحمه، وعافه واعفُ عنه.

1. Fourth Takbeer: Subsequent to the fourth Takbeer, offer a Du’a encompassing yourself, the entirety of the Muslim community (Ummah), and the deceased. 

A comprehensive Du’a that can be recited for both the living and the deceased is:

اللهم اغفر لحيينا وميتنا وشاهدنا وغائبنا وصغيرنا وكبيرنا وذكرنا وأنثانا… (O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those who are present and those who are absent, our younger ones and the older, our males and females.. )

1. Tasleem: To finalize the prayer, turn your head to the right and say “Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah,” either once or twice, in accordance with the specific jurisprudential school or the Imam’s custom.

Why do we say that duaa during janaza prayer?

The scholars mention is that what are the ingredients of an accepted dua? An accepted dua has what? Hamd, praise of Allah Subh’anaHu Wa Ta-A’la, and then it ends with salawat on the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam. And so the salatul janazah has the perfect formula of dua by assuring that we have praise and that we have prayers upon the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam before we pray upon 

Janazah as a right of the Muslim on the Muslim

Janazah is one of the key rights that a Muslim has upon another, as highlighted by the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam. In a beautiful narration, he outlined five essential rights that Muslims owe to each other, and attending and following the janazah is one of the most significant among them. 

1. The first right is to respond to the Salaam, fostering a sense of unity and peace within the community.
2. The second is visiting the sick, offering comfort and support in times of vulnerability.
3. The third act is participating in the janazah, a practice that unites the Muslim community in a profound demonstration of compassion and unity. Upon a person’s death, it becomes our duty to offer the Salat al-Janazah and join the funeral cortege, guaranteeing that the deceased is shown the highest honor and that their loved ones are given the assistance they require.
4. The fourth right is accepting invitations, which should be extended to all Muslims, regardless of their social standing.
5. The fifth is responding to a sneeze with “YirhamukAllah,” extending a small yet meaningful gesture of care. 

These five rights, including the right to follow the janazah, are integral to maintaining the ties of brotherhood and reminding us of our shared responsibility in both life and death.

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Conclusion

The wise person is the one that puts their own janazah in front of them and lives their life in accordance with that Salatul Janazah. The prophet taught us not only the unique way of how to pray janazah prayer but also the profound lesson it holds: the need for humility, sincerity, and a constant readiness for the Hereafter.

Adhering to the principles embodied by the janazah prayer involves a constant pursuit of righteousness, a proactive seeking of forgiveness, and a sustained spirit of compassion and thankfulness, with the awareness that each passing moment draws us nearer to our ultimate reunion with Allah. At Noor Institute, our goal is to cultivate these principles in our students, guiding them towards a life of purpose and awareness through the study of Arabic, the Quran, and Islamic teachings. Noor Institute equips students to harmonize their deeds with the precepts of Islam, ensuring that each lesson and every instant is a chance to attain Allah’s compassion and acceptance.

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Frequently asked questions

• Is there a difference in praying for the dead, whether it is a man or a woman?

There is no difference in the structure of the Janazah prayer for a man or a woman. The only distinction is that, when the deceased is a woman, the imam stands at her middle, while for a man, the imam stands at the head. Additionally, the imam may use feminine pronouns when making the du’a for a woman.