اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا، وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا، وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا، وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا، اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الإِسْلاَمِ، وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الإِيمَانِ، اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهُ، وَلاَ تُضِلَّنَا بَعْدَهُ
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 cause to live among us, let him live upon Islam, and whoever You cause to die among us, let him die upon faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of its reward, and do not lead us astray after it.
Allahumma ighfir li hayyina wa mayyitina, wa shahidinah wa gha'ibinah, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa dhakarinah wa unthana. Allahumma man ahyaytahu minna fa ahyihi 'alal-Islam, wa man tawaffaytahu minna fa tawaffahu 'alal-iman. Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu, wa la tudillana ba'dahu.
When to Read
This is a general supplication for the deceased, but it carries special weight when one knows or suspects the deceased may have had a last-minute repentance. Reciting this regularly for all Muslims who have passed, and specifically for those whose circumstances are unknown or potentially complex, is highly recommended. It's a profound way to offer solace and mercy, acknowledging that only Allah knows the true state of a person's heart at the end.
How to Read
This dua is best recited with sincerity and humility. When you make this supplication for a specific individual, imagine them before you and imbue your words with heartfelt desire for Allah's forgiveness and mercy for them. It can be recited individually or as part of a group prayer for the deceased, such as after a funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah) or during visits to the grave. The key is the intention and the earnest plea to Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua encapsulates the essence of seeking Allah's mercy for the departed. It covers all categories of people, ensuring no one is left out. For someone who repented at the last moment, this dua is particularly crucial. It acknowledges the divine wisdom in accepting repentance, even at the eleventh hour, and supplicates for that repentance to be accepted and for the individual to be counted among the people of faith at the time of death. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this dua to assure that the deceased, regardless of their past, receive the benefit of our ongoing connection to Allah through prayer.
Source & Authentication
‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) taught him the Tashahhud and then said: 'What prayer should I say?' He said: 'Say: O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, grant me well-being, and provide for me.' (Sahih Muslim 926). Later, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught the companions a more comprehensive funeral prayer dua: ‘Ubaidullah ibn ‘Abdullah narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: 'I prayed behind Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) on a Friday. He prayed two rak'ahs, reciting al-Fatihah and a surah in each rak'ah. He prayed the Friday prayer and then turned and spoke about the story of the Ansar and their death. He said: 'The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) taught us the prayer for the dead, saying: 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 cause to live among us, let him live upon Islam, and whoever You cause to die among us, let him die upon faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of its reward, and do not lead us astray after it.'' (Sahih Muslim 464). This specific wording is for the funeral prayer, and its principles apply to making dua for the deceased at any time.