اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وارْحَمْهُ وعَافِهِ واعْفُ عَنْهُ، وأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ، ووَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ، واغْسِلْهُ بالمَاءِ والثَّلْجِ والبَرَدِ، ونَقِّهِ مِنَ الخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، وأَبْدِلْهُ دَارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهِ، وأَهْلًا خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ، وزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِنْ زَوْجِهِ، وأَدْخِلْهُ الجَنَّةَ، وأَعِذْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ القَبْرِ ومِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ
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 on Islam, and whoever You cause to die among us, cause him to die on faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not lead us astray after him.
Allahumma-ghfir li-hayyinā wa mayyitinā, wa shāhidinā wa ghā'ibinā, wa ṣaghīrinā wa kabīrinā, wa dhakarinā wa unthānā. Allahumma man aḥyaytahu minnā fa-aḥyihī 'alā al-Islām, wa man tawaffaytahu minnā fa-tawaffahu 'alā al-Imān. Allahumma lā taḥrimnā ajrahu wa lā tuḍillanā ba'dahu.
When to Read
This is the general dua for a deceased Muslim, but it is particularly poignant for someone who lived in awareness of Allah's might and the accountability for their actions. Recite it at the funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah) and continue to make it for the deceased throughout their time in the grave and the Hereafter. Making dua for the deceased is a continuous act of mercy from the living.
How to Read
Recite with sincerity and a hopeful heart, focusing on seeking Allah's mercy for the departed. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us to make this comprehensive dua, which covers forgiveness, mercy, safety, and entry into Paradise. When attending a funeral prayer, it's customary to recite this or similar supplications with the Imam. Even after burial, you can make this dua individually, anywhere, anytime, with the intention of benefiting the deceased.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates the comprehensive needs of the deceased in the grave and the hereafter. It seeks Allah's forgiveness, mercy, well-being (āfiyah), pardon (ʿafw), honorable reception, spacious dwelling, purification from sins akin to washing white clothes, a better home, better family, a better spouse, entry into Paradise, and protection from the punishment of the grave and the Fire. It's a testament to our responsibility to continue supporting our departed loved ones through our supplications, as their deeds have been cut off.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, 'When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: an ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.' (Sahih Muslim 1631). Later, Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to say, when he prayed over a funeral procession: '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 among us, keep him alive on Islam, and whoever You cause to die among us, cause him to die on faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not lead us astray after him.' (Sahih Muslim 47).