اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ، اللَّهُمَّ ثَبِّتْهُ
O Allah, forgive him. O Allah, make him firm.
Allahumma-ghfir lahu, Allahumma thabbit-hu
When to Read
This is a fundamental dua recited at several crucial moments after a person passes away. It's most commonly said immediately after the death, during the funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah), and also when visiting the grave. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us specific supplications for the deceased, and this forms the core of many of them. It's a way for us, the living, to continue benefiting our departed loved ones and to pray for their well-being in the hereafter.
How to Read
When reciting this dua, intend it purely for the deceased. If you are male, use 'lahu' (him) and 'hu' (him). If the deceased is female, you would say 'laha' (her) and 'ha' (her) – 'Allahumma-ghfir laha, Allahumma thabbit-ha'. The pronunciation should be clear, focusing on the sincerity of the supplication. It's best to say it with a humble heart, reflecting on our own mortality and the need for Allah's mercy.
Virtues & Benefits
The primary benefit is seeking Allah's immense mercy for the deceased, asking for their sins to be forgiven and for them to be steadfast in answering the questions in the grave. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'When a person dies, their deeds cease except for three: an ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them.' (Sahih Muslim 1631). This dua, offered by a living Muslim, is a direct way to fulfill that third category, continuing to benefit the deceased even after they have left this world. It's a profound act of kindness and a tangible expression of Islamic brotherhood/sisterhood.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Abu Hurayrah: When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ finished leading the funeral prayer, he would say: 'Allahumma-ghfir li-man jannazana. Allahumma-ghfir li-man hadaranah. Allahumma-ghfir li-mu'minina wa-l-mu'minat. Allahumma a'annahu, Allahumma thabbit-hu.' (O Allah, forgive those who prayed our funeral prayer. O Allah, forgive those who are present. O Allah, forgive our believing men and believing women. O Allah, grant him patience. O Allah, make him firm.) *Note: The specific phrasing 'Allahumma-ghfir lahu, Allahumma thabbit-hu' is a shortened, direct supplication often used for an individual, derived from the general supplications taught for the deceased. The version in Sunan Abi Dawud 3220 is as follows: 'When he prayed over a dead person, he would say: Allahumma-ghfir li-hi wa-r-ham-hu, wa 'a-fi-hi wa-'fu 'an-hu, wa akrim nuzula-hu, wa wassi' madkhala-hu, wa-ghsil-hu bi-lma' wa-th-thalji wa-l-barad, wa naqqi-hi min al-khata-ya kama nuqqiya ath-thawb al-abyad min ad-danas. Wa abdil-hu daran khayran min dari-hi, wa ahlan khayran min ahli-hi, wa zawjan khayran min zawji-hi, wa adkhil-hu al-jannata, wa a'idh-hu min 'adhab al-qabr, wa 'adhab an-nar.' (O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him, and pardon him and excuse him, and make his lodging respected, and make his grave spacious, and wash him with water and snow and hail, and cleanse him from sins as a white garment is cleansed from filth. And give him a home better than his home, and a family better than his family, and a spouse better than his spouse, and admit him to Paradise, and protect him from the punishment of the grave and from the punishment of the Fire.) The phrase 'Allahumma thabbit-hu' is specifically about firmness and steadfastness, particularly in the grave when being questioned by the angels.