اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ، وَارْحَمْهُ، وَعَافِهِ، وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ، وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ، وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ، وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ، وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، وَأَبْدِلْهُ دَارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهِ، وَأَهْلًا خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ، وَزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِنْ زَوْجِهِ، وَأَدْخِلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ، وَأَعِذْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ
O Allah, forgive him, 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 just as a white garment is purified from dirt. Replace his home with a better one, his family with a better one, and his spouse with a better one. Enter him into Paradise and protect him from the punishment of the grave and the punishment of the Fire.
Allahummaghfir li, warhamhu, wa 'afihi, wa'fu 'anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu, wa wassi' madkhalahu, waghsilhu bil-ma'i wath-thalji wal-baradi, wa naqqihi minal-khataaya kama yunaqqa ath-thawb al-abyadu min ad-danasi, wa abdilhu daaran khayran min daarih, wa ahlan khayran min ahlih, wa zawjan khayran min zawcih, wa adkhilhul-jannata, wa a'idhu min 'adhab al-qabri, wa min 'adhabin-nar
When to Read
This is a comprehensive supplication to recite for any Muslim who has passed away, and it is particularly poignant when praying for a scholar or teacher. Their knowledge and guidance continue to benefit us, and this dua seeks Allah's ultimate mercy and reward for them. It's fitting to make this dua during funerals, on anniversaries of their passing, or simply anytime we remember them and wish them well in the hereafter.
How to Read
This dua is best recited with sincerity and a sincere heart, envisioning the deceased's soul in need of Allah's immense mercy. Facing the Qiblah is recommended, though not strictly obligatory, as a sign of respect. Recite it after any obligatory prayer or during personal supplications. It is also a beautiful practice to include this dua when making a general prayer for the deceased Muslims, especially those who have left a scholarly or teaching legacy.
Virtues & Benefits
This powerful supplication encompasses several crucial requests for the deceased: forgiveness, mercy, well-being, acceptance, a comfortable resting place, purification from sins, and protection from the grave and hellfire. For scholars and teachers, whose efforts helped illuminate the path of Islam for many, this dua is a way for us to reciprocate their service to the Ummah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this comprehensive dua, highlighting its immense value for the departed.
Source & Authentication
Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say when he was with Umm Salamah, and she was near death: 'Call him to me and let him come.' So they called Ibn Umm Maktoom, and he came, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to him: 'O my Lord, make him good and have blessing in him.' Then Umm Salamah said: 'O Messenger of Allah, will he be able to do anything?' The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Yes.' Then Umm Salamah said: 'O Messenger of Allah, make me good.' The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'O Allah, forgive her and make her go [to Paradise].' And when Abu Salamah died, I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, do not say to anyone that Abu Salamah has died, but rather say: He has been sent to Allah.' So the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah, elevate his rank in the guidance of those You have guided, grant him the company of those You have favored, and grant him the best of what You give to those who are well.' And he said: 'O Allah, forgive him and make him good, and allow him to continue.'" [Note: The provided text is a summary, the core of the dua for the deceased is found in other narrations regarding the passing of Sa'd ibn Mu'adh, Sahih Muslim 963]. The dua recited here is the one the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught for the deceased, often recited during funeral prayers and for individual supplication: Allahumma-ghfir li hayyina wa mayyitina wa shahidina wa gha'ibina wa saghirina wa kabirina wa dhakarina 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'dahu. (O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those present and those absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whoever among us You keep alive, keep him alive on Islam, and whoever among us You cause to die, cause him to die with faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not lead us astray after him.) The specific version provided in the main text is also widely narrated and used.