اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا، وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا، وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا، وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا، اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الإِسْلامِ، وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الإِيمَانِ، اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهُ وَلاَ تُضِلَّنَا بَعْدَهُ
O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those who are present among us and those who are 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 among us, cause him to die in faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not lead us astray after him.
Allahumma ighfir lihayyina wa mayyitina, wa shahidina wa gha'ibina, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa dhakarinā wa unthana. Allahumma man ahyaytahu minna fa'ahyihi 'ala al-Islam, wa man tawaffaytahu minna fatawaffahu 'ala al-iman. Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu wa la tudhillana ba'dahu.
When to Read
This is the comprehensive funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah) that we make for any deceased Muslim, regardless of their past deeds. While we cannot specifically target the sin of lying in a dua for the deceased without knowing Allah's judgment on them, this general prayer encompasses all Muslims and asks for Allah's forgiveness and mercy for them. It's recited as part of the Janazah prayer before the burial, and individual supplications can also be made for the deceased at other times.
How to Read
This dua is recited during the Salat al-Janazah. It is the fourth takbir (saying 'Allahu Akbar') in the prayer, after which the Imam recites this supplication. For those praying behind the Imam, they listen and intend to make this dua. Individually, one can make similar supplications for the deceased after their passing, especially during times of remembrance and reflection.
Virtues & Benefits
The benefits of this dua are immense as it's a Sunnah practice taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It's a collective supplication for the entire Muslim community, seeking Allah's mercy for those who have passed on. It reminds us of our shared responsibility towards each other in life and in death, and the importance of seeking Allah's forgiveness for our loved ones. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'When a person dies, his deeds stop except for three: a continuous charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.' (Sahih Muslim 1631). This dua, made by a living Muslim, falls under the category of a righteous person praying for the deceased.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'When a person dies, his deeds stop except for three: a continuous charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.' (Sahih Muslim 1631). The prayer itself taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Sahih Muslim 1504 is: 'Allahumma ighfir lihayyina wa mayyitina, wa shahidina wa gha'ibina, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa dhakarinā wa unthana. Allahumma man ahyaytahu minna fa'ahyihi 'ala al-Islam, wa man tawaffaytahu minna fatawaffahu 'ala al-iman. Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu wa la tudhillana ba'dahu.'