اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا، وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا، وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا، وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا، اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الإِسْلاَمِ، وَمَنْ تَوَفَّى مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الإِيمَانِ، اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهُ وَلاَ تُضِلَّنَا بَعْدَهُ
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 cause to live from among us, let him live upon Islam, and whoever You cause to die from among us, let him die upon faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not cause us to go astray after him.
Allahumma ighfir li hayyina 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 fa tawaffahu 'ala al-iman. Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu wa la tudhillana ba'dah.
When to Read
This comprehensive dua is especially relevant when praying for a deceased person whose affairs are uncertain due to a potential entanglement with minor shirk. While we cannot definitively judge the state of anyone's heart or final moments, this supplication encompasses a broad plea for forgiveness and a steadfast end on faith, which is beneficial for all deceased Muslims. It can be recited during funeral prayers (Salat al-Janazah) or anytime one makes dua for the deceased.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a humble heart, seeking Allah's mercy for the deceased. Face the Qiblah if possible, and raise your hands in supplication. Focus on the meaning of each phrase, acknowledging Allah's absolute power to forgive and guide. This dua is meant to be recited as a standalone supplication or as part of the general supplications made for the deceased.
Virtues & Benefits
This powerful dua, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, covers all aspects of the Muslim community, living and deceased. It is a profound request for Allah's forgiveness for any shortcomings, including potential minor shirk which is associating partners with Allah in matters less severe than major shirk, such as excessive reliance on charms or superstitions. The dua also asks for a life lived and a death met upon Islam and Iman (faith), offering hope for the deceased's ultimate salvation. By asking not to be deprived of the deceased's reward and not to be led astray, we seek continued guidance for ourselves in the wake of loss.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said when he led the funeral prayer: 'Allahumma ighfir li hayyina 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 fa tawaffahu 'ala al-iman. Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu wa la tudhillana ba'dah.' (Translation: 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 cause to live from among us, let him live upon Islam, and whoever You cause to die from among us, let him die upon faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not cause us to go astray after him.)