اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِفُلانٍ، وَارْفَعْ دَرَجَتَهُ في المَهْدِيِّينَ، واخْلُفْهُ في عَقِبِهِ في الغابِرينَ، واغْفِرْ لَنا وَلَهُ يا رَبَّ العالَمينَ، وافْسَحْ لَهُ في قَبْرِهِ وَنَوِّرْ لَهُ فيهِ
O Allah, forgive [Name of the deceased], elevate his station among those who are guided, and be his successor among those who remain. Forgive us and him, O Lord of the worlds. Make his grave spacious and light it up for him.
Allahummaghfir li-Fulān, warfa' darajatahu fil-mahdiyyīn, wakh-lufhu fī 'aqibihi fil-ghābirīn, waghfir lanā wa lahu yā Rabbal-'ālamīn, wafsah lahū fī qabrihi wa nawwir lahū fīhi.
When to Read
This is a general supplication for a deceased Muslim. It is particularly poignant when we remember someone who struggled with backbiting, as this dua asks for forgiveness for them and for us, acknowledging our own shortcomings.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely, with a heart full of compassion and hope for the deceased. Visualize Allah's mercy enveloping them. If you are supplicating for a specific individual, replace 'Fulān' with their name. It's best to say it after Salah, during the night, or any time you make personal supplication (dua).
Virtues & Benefits
This powerful supplication, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, encompasses several essential requests for the deceased: 1. **Forgiveness (Maghfirah):** Directly asking Allah to forgive the sins of the deceased, which is the most crucial need of a departed soul. 2. **Elevation of Rank:** Seeking to raise their status in the sight of Allah, especially among the guided. 3. **Legacy:** Praying for Allah to protect their family and descendants left behind. 4. **Mercy:** A broader plea for both the deceased and the living. 5. **Comfort in the Grave:** Requesting Allah to ease their passage in the grave, a crucial transitional phase. While the hadith doesn't specifically mention backbiting, the general nature of asking for forgiveness is universal. For someone who struggled with this sin, such a comprehensive dua is especially fitting, as backbiting is a serious offense that can weigh heavily on a person's account.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Umm Salamah that Abu Salamah died, and two of her children were with her. She said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I have no guardian to marry me, so shall I marry?' He said: 'Yes.' She said: 'Who would propose to a girl who has these two little sisters?' He said: 'A woman can marry off her daughters to whomever she wishes.' Then Abu Salamah’s brother came to her, and she said to him: ‘Will you marry me?’ He said: ‘I will not do that until I have a guardian from among the people of the tribe of Asad.’ She said: ‘I will not do that until I marry.’ She said: ‘O Allah, if you know that this is better for me than marrying Abu Salamah, then make it so.’ Then Abu Salamah’s brother married her. She said: 'Then I said: O Allah, make for me in the place of Abu Salamah a successor who is better than him, and do not make me dependent on any of your creation.' And Allah granted her the marriage of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. She said: 'Then I said: O Allah, forgive him, raise his station among those who are guided, and let him be succeeded by his progeny among those who remain. Forgive us and him, O Lord of the worlds.' So, I said this when I said it. And she said: 'Then I asked Allah to make his grave spacious and to illuminate it for him.' And Allah gave her that.