اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ وَأَبْدِلْهُ دَارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهِ وَأَهْلاً خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ وَزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِنْ زَوْجِهِ وَأَدْخِلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعِذْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ أَوْ مِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ
O Allah, forgive him, have mercy upon him, give him strength and pardon him. Make his entrance (into Jannah) honorable, and widen his abode. Cleanse him with water, snow, and hail, and purify him from sins as a white garment is purified from dirt. Give him in exchange a home better than his home, and a family better than his family, and a spouse better than his spouse. Admit him into Jannah, and protect him from the torment of the grave or from the torment of the Fire.
Allahummaghfir lahu warhamhu wa 'aafihi wa'fu 'anhu wa akrim nuzulahu wa wassi' madkhalahu waghsilhu bil-ma'i wath-thalji wal-baradi wa naqqihi minal-khataya kama yunaqqath-thawbul-abyadu minad-danasi wa abdilhu daaran khairan min daarihi wa ahlan khairan min ahlihi wa zawjan khairan min zawjihi wa adkhilhul-Jannata wa a'idhhu min 'adhaabil-qabri aw min 'adhaabin-naar.
When to Read
This comprehensive supplication is primarily recited during the Janazah (funeral) prayer for any deceased Muslim. Beyond the Janazah, we can make this dua, or parts of it, whenever we remember a departed loved one. It is particularly pertinent when making dua for someone who may have led a challenging life, made mistakes, or perhaps even caused difficulty for others, yet died upon Islam. Our role is to ask Allah for His boundless mercy and forgiveness, recognizing that only Allah knows the true state of hearts and deeds. It’s an act of deep humility and hope, entrusting their affair to the Most Merciful.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a heart full of hope in Allah's mercy. Whether in the Janazah prayer or as a personal supplication, focus on the meaning of each phrase, acknowledging Allah's attributes of forgiveness, mercy, and generosity. When reciting it for a specific individual, personalize the intention to that person. Turn towards the Qiblah if possible, and raise your hands in supplication if making it outside of a formal prayer.
Virtues & Benefits
Making dua for the deceased is a profound act of charity and an expression of our belief in the afterlife. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us that a deceased person benefits immensely from the prayers of living Muslims. This particular dua, recited by the Prophet ﷺ himself for a deceased individual, encompasses nearly every aspect of divine mercy: forgiveness for sins, protection from punishment, ease in the grave, and entry into Paradise with superior blessings. For those who may have struggled with their character or committed wrongs during their lives, this dua becomes a powerful intercession. It reminds us that Allah's mercy is vast and can encompass even those who had a difficult past, so long as they died as Muslims. Our prayers are a hopeful plea to Allah to overlook their faults and shower them with His infinite grace. It also brings immense reward to the one making the dua, reflecting compassion and solidarity within the Muslim community.
Source & Authentication
Awf ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ offered a funeral prayer and I (Awf ibn Malik) memorized from his supplication: "O Allah, forgive him, have mercy upon him, give him strength and pardon him. Make his entrance (into Jannah) honorable, and widen his abode. Cleanse him with water, snow, and hail, and purify him from sins as a white garment is purified from dirt. Give him in exchange a home better than his home, and a family better than his family, and a spouse better than his spouse. Admit him into Jannah, and protect him from the torment of the grave or from the torment of the Fire." Awf ibn Malik said: I saw Allah's Messenger ﷺ supplicating for him to such an extent that I wished I had been that dead person. (Sahih Muslim 963)