اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ وَأَبْدِلْهُ دَارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهِ وَأَهْلاً خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ وَزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِنْ زَوْجِهِ وَأَدْخِلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعِذْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَمِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ
O Allah, forgive him and have mercy upon him, keep him safe and sound, and grant him an honorable reception. Make his entrance wide and cleanse him with water, snow, and hail. Purify him from sins as a white garment is purified from filth. Give him in exchange a home better than his home, and a family better than his family, and a spouse better than his spouse. Admit him into Paradise and protect him from the torment of the grave and the torment of the Fire.
Allahummaghfir lahu warhamhu wa 'afihi wa'fu 'anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu wa wassi' madkhalahu, waghsilhu bil-ma'i wath-thalji wal-barad, wa naqqihi minal-khataya kama yunaqqath-thawbul-abyadu minad-danas. Wa abdilhu daran khayran min darihi, wa ahlan khayran min ahlihi, wa zawjan khayran min zawjihi. Wa adkhilhul-jannata wa a'idh-hu min 'adhabhil-qabri wa min 'adhabin-nar.
When to Read
When we lose someone, especially someone who truly struggled in this life, our hearts ache not just for their absence but for their ultimate peace. This profound dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself, is primarily recited as part of the Janazah (funeral) prayer, specifically after the second *takbir*. It's the core of our supplication for the deceased during this prayer. However, you can and should recite it any time you make dua for a departed Muslim, whether a family member, a friend, or any believer who has passed away. Imagine the weight lifted from their shoulders as these words ascend to Allah.
How to Read
Reciting this dua is a moment of deep connection, both with Allah and with the departed soul. If you are praying the Janazah, this dua comes after the second *takbir* (Allahu Akbar). Whether in the formal prayer or making a personal supplication, recite it with a sincere heart, understanding each phrase. Focus on the vast mercy of Allah, His ability to forgive all sins, and His power to grant a beautiful abode in the Hereafter. Raise your hands if you are making a personal dua outside of Salah, and let your voice carry your earnest plea for your loved one. Remember the person, their journey, and their need for Allah's boundless grace.
Virtues & Benefits
The immense blessings of reciting this specific dua are manifold: 1. **Divine Forgiveness and Mercy:** The Prophet ﷺ taught us this supplication, emphasizing that seeking Allah's forgiveness (`Allahummaghfir lahu`) and mercy (`warhamhu`) is paramount for the deceased. These are the keys to a tranquil passage in the Hereafter. 2. **Ease and Honorable Reception:** We ask Allah to grant them ease (`wa 'afihi`) and an honorable reception (`wa akrim nuzulahu`). For those who faced hardships, this prayer is a direct plea for comfort and respect in their new dwelling. 3. **Purification from Sins:** The supplication's vivid imagery of cleansing with water, snow, and hail, and purifying from sins "as a white garment is purified from filth," reflects our hope for their complete purification before Allah. This is a profound benefit, as even minor sins can be a burden. 4. **Superior Abode and Companionship:** By asking Allah to replace their earthly home, family, and spouse with better ones in Paradise, we are seeking the ultimate upgrade in existence, a testament to the eternal rewards for believers. 5. **Protection from Torment:** A crucial part of this dua is seeking refuge for the deceased from the torment of the grave (`'adhabhil-qabri`) and the torment of the Fire (`'adhabin-nar`). This protection is a profound mercy from Allah. 6. **Following the Sunnah:** Reciting this dua is an act of following the exact practice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which itself carries immense reward and blessings. As 'Awf b. Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned, he saw the Prophet ﷺ supplicating with such intensity that he wished he was the deceased, highlighting the immense value of this prayer.
Source & Authentication
'Awf b. Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) supplicating in the funeral prayer, and I committed his supplication to memory, and it was: "Allahummaghfir lahu warhamhu wa 'afihi wa'fu 'anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu wa wassi' madkhalahu, waghsilhu bil-ma'i wath-thalji wal-barad, wa naqqihi minal-khataya kama yunaqqath-thawbul-abyadu minad-danas. Wa abdilhu daran khayran min darihi, wa ahlan khayran min ahlihi, wa zawjan khayran min zawjihi. Wa adkhilhul-jannata wa a'idh-hu min 'adhabhil-qabri wa min 'adhabin-nar." 'Awf (b. Malik) said: I saw with my own eyes the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) supplicating for him (the dead man) to such an extent that I wished I were that dead person.