اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِفُلانِ بْنِ فُلانٍ ، وارْفَعْ دَرَجَتَهُ في المَهْدِيِّينَ ، واخْلُفْهُ في عَقِبِهِ في الغابِرِينَ ، واغْفِرْ لَنا وَلَهُ يا رَبَّ العالَمِينَ ، وافْسَحْ لَهُ في قَبْرِهِ وَنَوِّرْ لَهُ فيهِ
O Allah, forgive [name of deceased] son of [name of deceased's father], elevate his rank 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-fulan ibn fulan, warfa' darajatahu fil-mahdiyyin, wakh'lufhu 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 specifically taught for the deceased. It's a beautiful supplication to make when you hear of someone's passing, especially if you know they may have struggled with guidance or lived a life where such guidance wasn't prominent. You can recite it individually, or it can be part of a collective supplication for the deceased.
How to Read
When reciting, clearly state the name of the deceased and their father's name where indicated by 'fulan ibn fulan'. The sincerity and intention behind your dua are paramount. Remember that Allah hears all and responds to sincere supplications made for the sake of the deceased.
Virtues & Benefits
Making dua for the deceased is a vital part of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'When a person dies, all their deeds come to an end except for three: an ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them.' (Sahih Muslim 1631). This specific dua seeks forgiveness, elevation of status, and comfort for the deceased, acknowledging that we all fall short and need Allah's mercy. It's a practical way to fulfill our duty to those who have gone before us.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed over a dead person, he would say: 'O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those who are present among us and those who are absent, our children and our elders, our males and our females. O Allah, whoever You keep alive of 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 that.' And when he prayed over a dead person, he would say: 'O Allah, forgive [name of deceased] son of [name of deceased's father], elevate his rank 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.'