اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِزَوْجَتِي (أو زَوْجِي) وَارْحَمْهَا (أو ارْحَمْهُ) وَعَافِهَا (أو عَافِهِ) وَاعْفُ عَنْهَا (أو عَنْهُ) وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهَا (أو نُزُلَهُ) وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهَا (أو مُدْخَلَهُ) وَاغْسِلْهَا (أو اغْسِلْهُ) بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ وَنَقِّهَا (أو نَقِّهِ) مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ وَأَبْدِلْهَا (أو أَبْدِلْهُ) دَارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهَا (أو دَارِهِ) وَأَهْلًا خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهَا (أو أَهْلِهِ) وَزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِنْ زَوْجِهَا (أو زَوْجَتِهَا) وَأَدْخِلْهَا (أو أَدْخِلْهُ) الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعِذْهَا (أو أَعِذْهُ) مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ (وَعَذَابِ النَّارِ)
O Allah, forgive my wife (or husband), have mercy upon her (or him), grant her (or him) security and pardon. Make her (or his) resting place honorable and spacious. Cleanse her (or him) with water, snow, and hail. Purify her (or him) from sins as a white garment is purified from dirt. Grant her (or him) a dwelling better than her (or his) dwelling, and a family better than her (or his) family, and a spouse better than her (or his) spouse. Enter her (or him) into Paradise and protect her (or him) from the torment of the grave and the torment of the Fire.
Allahummaghfir li zawjati (or zawji) warhamha (or warhamhu) wa 'aa'ifiha (or 'aafih) wa'fu 'anha (or 'anhu) wa akrim nuzulaha (or nuzulahu) wa wassi' mudkhalaha (or mudkhalahu) waghsilha (or waghsilhu) bil-ma'i wath-thalji wal-baradi wa naqqiha (or naqqih) minal-khataaya kama yunaqqath-thawbul-abyadu minad-danasi wa abdilha (or abdilhu) daaran khayran min daariha (or daarihi) wa ahlan khayran min ahliha (or ahlihi) wa zawjan khayran min zawjiha (or zawjatiha) wadkhilha (or adkhilhu) al-jannata wa a'idhha (or a'idhhu) min 'adhaabil-qabri (wa 'adhaabin-naari)
When to Read
This dua is profoundly suited for recitation upon hearing of the passing of a spouse, or at any time one wishes to remember and make supplication for a deceased spouse. It's particularly poignant for those in their later years, reflecting on a lifetime shared and seeking Allah's ultimate mercy for their departed partner.
How to Read
Recite with sincerity and a heart full of remembrance for your spouse and love for Allah. Face the Qiblah if possible, raise your hands in supplication, and ask with conviction. It is recommended to personalize the dua by stating the name of your spouse where indicated, and to reflect on the meaning of each phrase as you recite it. Making repeated du'a for the deceased is a beautiful act of remembrance and kindness.
Virtues & Benefits
Making dua for a deceased person is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and a means of continuous reward for them. It demonstrates love, compassion, and adherence to the teachings of Islam. Allah's Messenger ﷺ said: "When a person dies, all their deeds end except for three: a continuous charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them." (Sahih Muslim 1631). This dua encompasses seeking Allah's forgiveness, mercy, and protection for the departed spouse, qualities that are most needed in the grave and the hereafter.
Source & Authentication
Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that she heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying: "If you see a sick person or a dead person, say good words, for the angels say 'Amin' to whatever you say." Umm Salamah said: "When Abu Salamah died, I came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, Abu Salamah has died.' He said: 'Say: O Allah, forgive him and raise his ranks among those who are rightly guided, and compensate his successors among those who remain. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not cause us to go astray after him.'" (Sahih Muslim 963 - This is the Hadith that contains the essence of the dua, though the full wording provided in the entry is a composite that is widely used and encompasses the seeking of Allah's mercy in the grave and for protection from the Fire, based on other similar supplications taught by the Prophet ﷺ for the deceased.)