اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِفُلانِ بنِ فُلانٍ، وَارْفَعْ دَرَجَتَهُ في المَهْدِيِّينَ، وَاخْلُفْهُ في عَقِبِهِ في الغابِرِينَ، وَاغْفِرْ لَنا وَلَهُ يا رَبَّ العالَمِينَ، وَافْسَحْ لَهُ في قَبْرِهِ وَنَوِّرْ لَهُ فيهِ
O Allah, forgive [full name of deceased], and elevate his rank among those who are guided. And grant his descendants a successor from the remaining ones. Forgive us and him, O Lord of the worlds. And make his grave spacious and illuminate it for him.
Allahummaghfir li [full name of deceased], warfa' darajatahu fil mahdiyyeen, wakhlafhu fi 'aqibihi fil ghabireen, waghfir lana wa lahu ya Rabb al-'alamin, wapsah lahu fi qabrihi wa nawwir lahu fih.
When to Read
This dua is particularly poignant for a deceased person who may have left behind unfinished business, debts, or unfulfilled religious obligations. It can be recited at any time, especially during funerals, upon visiting the grave, or as a regular supplication for the deceased.
How to Read
When reciting, clearly state the deceased's full name in place of '[full name of deceased]'. Focus on the sincerity of your intention and the weight of seeking Allah's mercy for the departed soul. While this specific wording is for a male, a female version would use feminine pronouns.
Virtues & Benefits
Seeking forgiveness and mercy for the deceased is a highly encouraged act in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us that a Muslim's supplication for his brother in his absence is readily accepted by Allah. This dua specifically asks for forgiveness, elevation of status, and a comfortable resting place in the grave, all of which are immense blessings for the deceased. It addresses the hope that Allah will care for their family and forgive any shortcomings.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her): She said: 'I asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: 'O Messenger of Allah, what should we say when we visit the dead?' He said: 'Say: O Allah, forgive him and grant him steadfastness, and say: O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, our present and our absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whoever among us You keep alive, let him keep Islam, and whoever among us You cause to die, let him die upon faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not let us go astray after him.' *(Note: The provided JSON entry uses a slightly different, but widely accepted, phrasing for a male deceased, specifically addressing elevation and succession, often found in similar supplications for the deceased, and is directly associated with the general practice of supplicating for the departed, as exemplified by the hadith context.)*