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 and those who are absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whoever You keep alive among us, keep him alive upon Islam, and whoever You cause to die among us, cause him to die upon faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward, and do not let us stray after him.
Allahumma ighfir li hayyina wa mayyitina, wa shahidina wa gha'ibina, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa dhakarinna wa unthana. Allahumma man ahya'tahu minna fa ah'yihi 'ala al-Islam, wa man tawaffaytahu minna fa tawaffahu 'ala al-iman. Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu, wa la tudhillana ba'dahu.
When to Read
This comprehensive dua is recommended to be recited whenever you pray for the deceased, especially during funeral prayers (Salat al-Janazah). It is also a beautiful supplication to make for any Muslim who has passed away, whether recently or long ago, at any time of the day or night. Making this dua individually or collectively for a loved one who has left this world is a profound act of mercy and connection.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and a humble heart, focusing on the meaning of seeking Allah's forgiveness and mercy for the deceased. It is best recited standing, as in the funeral prayer, but can also be recited while seated or at any other time. Turn your heart towards Allah, remembering the departed and asking for His ultimate grace upon them. The act of making dua for them is a reflection of our love and concern, and a way to continue benefiting them even after they have left this earthly life.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encapsulates a complete supplication for the deceased, covering all aspects of their life and death. It seeks Allah's forgiveness for their sins, acknowledges their presence or absence from our lives, and encompasses all ages and genders. The crucial part asking Allah to keep us upon Islam and the deceased upon faith highlights the ultimate goal of a good end. By asking not to be deprived of their reward and not to go astray after them, we are also seeking blessings for ourselves and continuity of faith within our families and the Ummah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this dua, showing its immense value in benefiting those who have passed on and in strengthening our own connection to faith. (Sunan Abi Dawud 4029)
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'When one of you prays for the dead, he should say: O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those who are present and those who are absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whoever You keep alive among us, keep him alive upon Islam, and whoever You cause to die among us, cause him to die upon faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward, and do not let us stray after him.'