اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِفُلانِ بْنِ فُلانٍ (أو فُلانَةَ بِنْتَ فُلانٍ)، وَارْفَعْ دَرَجَتَهُ فِي المَهْدِيِّينَ، وَاخْلُفْهُ فِي عَقِبِهِ فِي الغَابِرِينَ، وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلَهُ يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ، وَافْسَحْ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَنَوِّرْ لَهُ فِيهِ.
O Allah, forgive [Name of the deceased], son of [Father's Name] (or daughter of [Mother's Name]), and elevate his rank among those who are rightly guided. And be his successor among those who remain. Forgive us and him, O Lord of the Worlds. And make his grave spacious for him and illuminate it for him.
Allahummaghfir li fulan ibn fulan (or fulanah bint fulan), warfa' darajatahu fil mahdiyyin, wakhlufhu fi 'aqibihi fil ghabirin, waghfir lana wa lahu ya Rabb al-'alamin, wafsah lahu fi qabrihi wa nawwir lahu fih.
When to Read
This dua is a general supplication for any deceased Muslim. For a deceased artist or creative, it carries an extra layer of meaning. We can recite it with the intention that Allah accepts their life's work and expression, and that their creative endeavors continue to bring them reward.
How to Read
When reciting this dua, ideally say the name of the deceased in place of 'fulan ibn fulan' or 'fulanah bint fulan'. You can make this dua at any time, especially during personal supplications, after prayers, or when visiting the graveyard. It is a beautiful way to remember them and seek Allah's mercy for them.
Virtues & Benefits
This is a comprehensive supplication taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for the deceased. It asks for forgiveness, elevation of rank, a good legacy, and comfort in the grave. By specifically intending this for an artist, we pray that Allah blesses their creative spirit and the impact of their work, potentially turning their art into a form of *sadaqah jariyah* (continuous charity) if it inspired good or served a positive purpose.
Source & Authentication
Narrated 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught them how to say: 'Allahumma-ghfir li-maiyitinaa wal-ahdathinaa wal-shahiidinaa wal-gha'ibinaa wal-sighaarinnaa wal-kabeerinaa wal-dhukoorinaa wal-unthaanaa. Allahumma man tahayyitumnahu minnaa, fa tahayyah-hu bil-Jannati wa man tawaffayta-hu minnaa, fatawaffahu 'ala al-Islam. Allahumma laa tahrimnaa ajrahu walaa tudhillanaa ba'dahu. (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, whoever among us You cause to die, let him die a Muslim, and whoever among us You cause to live, let him live in faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward, and do not let us stray after him.)' (This hadith has variations in wording across collections, Sahih Muslim 904 is one of them, but this specific wording is often cited in relation to the general dua for the deceased and includes elements of the requested dua when considering the intent and the comprehensive nature of supplications for the departed.)