اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِمَيِّتِنَا ، وَزِدْهُ ، وَلَا تُفْتِنَّا بَعْدَهُ ، وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلَهُ
O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those present and those absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whoever You keep alive among us, keep him alive in Islam, and whoever You cause to die, cause him to die in Faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of its reward and do not cause us to go astray after him.
Allahumma-ghfir li-mayyitinā, wa zid-hu, wa lā taftinnā ba'dahu, waghfir lanā wa lah
When to Read
This comprehensive dua is highly recommended to be recited after the funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah). It's a moment when the community gathers with the intention of seeking mercy and forgiveness for the departed soul, and also for themselves.
How to Read
The funeral prayer itself is a communal obligation (fard kifayah). Following the prayer, it is the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ to supplicate for the deceased. This dua can be recited individually or collectively after the Imam finishes his supplication. Focus on the sincerity of your intention and the weight of the request being made to Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua after the funeral prayer carries immense benefit. It’s an act of mercy towards the deceased, asking Allah to forgive their sins, increase their reward, and grant them a high station. Simultaneously, it's a plea for oneself and the living community, asking Allah to protect us from trials and keep us steadfast in faith. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this prayer, signifying its importance and efficacy in seeking Allah's grace for both the departed and the survivors.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet (ﷺ) taught them how to pray the funeral prayer. He would say: Allahumma-ghfir li-hayyinā wa mayyitinā, wa shāhidinā wa ghā'ibinā, wa saghīrinā wa kabīrinā, wa dhakarinā wa unthānā, Allahumma man aḥyaytahu minnā fa-aḥyihī ‘alā al-Islām, wa man tawaffaytahu minnā fa-tawaffahu ‘alā al-Imān, Allahumma lā taḥrimnā ajrahū wa lā tuḍillanā ba‘dahū. (The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught them how to pray the funeral prayer. He would pray: O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those who are present among us and those who are absent, our males and our females, our young and our old. O Allah, whoever You keep alive of us, keep him alive on Islam, and whoever You cause to die of us, cause him to die in faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of the reward for him, and do not let us be led astray after him.) — Sunan Abi Dawud 3201