اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِفُلانٍ، وَارْفَعْ دَرَجَتَهُ في المَهْدِيِّينَ، واخْلُفْهُ في عَقِبِهِ في الغابِرينَ، واغْفِرْ لَنا وَلَهُ يا رَبَّ العالَمينَ، وافْسَحْ لَهُ في قَبْرِهِ، وَنَوِّرْ لَهُ فيهِ.
O Allah, forgive [name], and raise his rank among those who are guided. Appoint 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 [name], warfa' darajatahu fil-mahdiyyeen, wakh-lufhu fi 'aqibihi fil-ghabireen, waghfir lana walahu ya Rabb al-'alamin, wafsah lahu fi qabrihi, wa nawwir lahu feeh.
When to Read
This dua is especially recommended when attending the funeral prayer of a deceased relative or when visiting their grave. It can also be recited anytime, anywhere, with the intention of seeking Allah's mercy for the departed soul. Making dua for the deceased is a continuous act of kindness that benefits them immensely in the hereafter.
How to Read
When reciting this dua, it is customary to say the name of the deceased where '[name]' is indicated. The emphasis is on sincerity and heartfelt supplication. It's a beautiful practice to raise your hands during the dua, as is the general etiquette for supplication. This dua can be recited individually or by a group.
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us specific supplications for the deceased, highlighting the immense reward and mercy that such duas bring. Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: an ongoing charity, knowledge that is benefited from, or a righteous child who supplicates for them." (Sahih Muslim 1631). This hadith underscores the profound impact of a child's or relative's dua for the deceased. This specific supplication asks for forgiveness, elevation of rank, a good legacy, and comfort in the grave, encompassing the essential needs of the deceased in the afterlife.
Source & Authentication
The full context for this specific wording comes from narrations describing the Prophet's (peace be upon him) supplications for the deceased. While variations exist, the core elements of asking for forgiveness, mercy, and comfort in the grave are consistent. For example, it is narrated that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed over a deceased person, he would say: "Allahumma-ghfir li hayyina wa mayyitina, wa shahidina wa gha'ibina, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa dhakarina wa unthana, Allahumma man ah yawtah minna fa-ah-yih 'ala al-Islam, wa man tawaffaytahu minna fatawaffahu 'ala al-iman, Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu wa la tudhillana 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 You keep alive of us, keep him alive on Islam, and whoever You cause to die of us, cause him to die on faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not cause us to go astray after him). (Sahih Muslim 904). The mentioned dua for a specific individual is a more personalized version of seeking Allah's immense mercy for the departed.