اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِفُلانٍ، وارْحَمْهُ، وعافِهِ، واعْفُ عَنْهُ، وأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ، ووَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ، واغْسِلْهُ بالماءِ والثَّلْجِ والبَرَدِ، ونَقِّهِ مِنَ الخَطايا كَما نُقِّيَتِ الثَّوْبُ الأبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، وأَبْدِلْهُ دارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهِ، وأَهْلًا خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ، وزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِنْ زَوْجِهِ، وأَدْخِلْهُ الجَنَّةَ، وأَعِذْهُ مِنْ عَذابِ القَبْرِ، ومِنْ عَذابِ النَّارِ
O Allah, forgive [name of deceased], have mercy upon him, grant him well-being, pardon him, honor his reception, make his grave spacious, cleanse him with water, snow, and hail. Purify him from sins as white linen is purified from dirt. Grant him a home better than his home, a family better than his family, and a spouse better than his spouse. Admit him to Paradise, and protect him from the punishment of the grave and from the punishment of the Fire.
Allahumma-ghfir li [name of deceased], war-hamhu, wa 'aafihi, wa'fu 'anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu, wa wassi' madkhalahu, waghsilhu bil-maa'i wath-thalji wal-baradi, wa naqqihi minal-khataaya kama nuqqiyat-thawbul-abyadu minad-danasi, wa abdilhu daaran khayran min daarihi, wa ahlan khayran min ahlihi, wa zawjan khayran min zawjihi, wa adkhilhul-jannata, wa a'izhu min 'adhabil-qabri, wa min 'adhabin-naari.
When to Read
This is a general supplication for any deceased Muslim. While there isn't a specific dua prescribed for someone who denied Allah's attributes, this comprehensive dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, is the most appropriate and beneficial for any departed soul. Its generality allows us to invoke Allah's mercy and forgiveness for all their shortcomings, including potential theological errors made during their life, especially when sincerity and repentance are sought by the deceased during their life, or by their family and friends after their passing.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a heartfelt plea to Allah. It's best to say it while facing the Qiblah, with conviction in Allah's mercy. You can say it individually, or as part of a group prayer for the deceased. Replace '[name of deceased]' with the actual name of the person you are praying for. The Prophet ﷺ taught this dua when praying over a deceased person, so it is highly recommended to make it a regular part of your supplications for the departed.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua is a direct teaching from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for praying over the deceased. Its comprehensive nature covers forgiveness, mercy, comfort in the grave, and protection from hellfire. Invoking Allah's forgiveness for a deceased person is one of the most beneficial acts for them after their passing, as it directly impacts their state in the hereafter. While the specific nuance of denying Allah's attributes is sensitive, the general plea for Allah's comprehensive mercy and forgiveness through this dua is the established way to benefit the deceased. Allah's mercy is vast, and this dua encapsulates our hope for that mercy to encompass the deceased.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Awf ibn Malik al-Ashja'i: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ led the funeral prayer, and I memorized from his supplication as he was saying: "O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him, grant him security and pardon him, honor his reception and make his grave spacious, and wash him with water and snow and hail, and cleanse him from his sins as a white garment is cleansed from dirt, and give him a home better than his home, and a family better than his family, and grant him the ability to enter Paradise and protect him from the punishment of the grave [and from the punishment of Hell-fire]." (He said: The narrator said: Until I wished that I could be that deceased person.)