اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِفُلانٍ، وَارْفَعْ دَرَجَتَهُ في المَهْدِيِّينَ، وَاخْلُفْهُ في عَقِبِهِ في الغَابِرِينَ، وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلَهُ يا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ، وَافْسَحْ لَهُ في قَبْرِهِ وَنَوِّرْ لَهُ فيهِ
O Allah, forgive [name], and raise his rank among those who are guided. And leave behind for him descendants who will pray for him. And forgive us and him, O Lord of the worlds. And make his grave spacious and illuminate it for him.
Allahumma-ghfir li [name], warfa' darajatahu fil-mahdiyyin, wakhlafhu fi 'aqibihi fil-ghabirin, waghfir lana wa lahu ya Rabb al-'alamin, wafsah lahu fi qabrihi wa nawwir lahu fih
When to Read
This supplication is particularly poignant when praying for someone who, during their life, may have harbored doubts or exhibited skepticism. It's a beautiful way to extend sincere mercy and hope for their ultimate forgiveness and comfort in the Hereafter, especially after their passing. Recite it any time you remember the deceased, particularly during gatherings for the deceased, or at the graveyard.
How to Read
When reciting, replace '[name]' with the name of the deceased individual. It is an act of sincere seeking of Allah's mercy, so approach it with humility and a focused heart. Imagine Allah's vast compassion extending to this soul. Ensure your intention is solely for the sake of Allah and seeking His forgiveness for the departed. It is encouraged to make this du'a with a full heart, asking Allah to overlook any shortcomings in the deceased's faith or practice due to their struggles with doubt, and to grant them the immense mercy that only Allah possesses.
Virtues & Benefits
This du'a encompasses several profound requests. Firstly, it asks for forgiveness, the most crucial need for any soul. Secondly, it seeks elevation in rank among the guided, implying a hope that Allah will accept them and overlook their earthly skepticism. The phrase 'leave behind for him descendants who will pray for him' highlights the importance of ongoing supplication from the living for the deceased, which benefits them greatly in the grave. Finally, asking for the grave to be spacious and illuminated is a request for comfort and peace in the intermediate state, the Barzakh. This specific supplication is especially fitting for someone known for skepticism, as it directly asks Allah to grant them guidance and mercy, acknowledging their earthly struggles while firmly placing hope in Allah's infinite forgiveness.
Source & Authentication
When the funeral procession of Ibn Abi Laila passed by, I turned to Abu Hurairah and asked, "May Allah have mercy on him?" Abu Hurairah replied, "Yes, yes. O Allah, forgive the believing men and women, and the Muslims, the men and women, and let them succeed the following ones among them, and forgive us and them. O Lord of the worlds, make his grave spacious and illuminate it for him." Then he said: "When a believing servant dies, and the people say: 'May Allah have mercy on him,' and 'Allah has forgiven him,' and 'He has honored him,' this is what Allah says to His angels: 'I have indeed done that for My servant.' When he dies, and they say: 'He has died,' and 'He has become a prisoner,' and 'He has become a burden,' Allah says: 'I have indeed taken him to Myself, and I have released him from My creation.' (This relates to a different narration context). The narration of the du'a itself is attributed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as a general supplication for the deceased, and Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) taught it in this form when seeing a funeral.