Dua & Sunnah

The Prophet's ﷺ Dua for the Dead: Seeking Mercy and Elevation

Prophetic Duas
Sahih HadithSunan Abi Dawud 5072

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 among us and those who are absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whomsoever You keep alive among us, keep him alive upon Islam, and whomsoever You cause to die, cause him to die upon faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not cause us to go astray after him.

Allahumma-ghfir li-hayyina wa mayyitina, wa shahidina wa gha'ibina, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa dhakarina wa unthana. Allahumma man ahyaytahu minna fa-ahyihi '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 supplication is particularly suited for offering at funerals, during Eid prayer (as part of the funeral prayer for the community), or anytime one wishes to pray for the deceased, whether known or unknown. It's a general supplication that encompasses all believers, living and dead, making it a powerful prayer at any time.

How to Read

This dua is typically recited in Arabic. It can be recited individually or as part of congregational prayers like the *Salat al-Janazah* (funeral prayer). The intention behind the dua is crucial: a sincere plea to Allah for mercy and steadfastness. It's recommended to recite it with a heart full of humility and dependence on Allah.

Virtues & Benefits

This dua encapsulates profound petitions. It asks for Allah's forgiveness for all Muslims, both those currently alive and those who have passed on. It also seeks Allah's grace to keep us steadfast on Islam if we are living and to grant us a good end upon faith if our time of death approaches. By asking not to be deprived of the deceased's reward, we implicitly seek Allah's blessings that might have been connected to them. The final request, 'do not cause us to go astray after him,' is a plea for continued guidance and a reminder of the impact the righteous have on us, even after they are gone.

Source & Authentication

Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) taught us in the prayer to say: 'Allahumma-ghfir li-hayyina wa mayyitina, wa shahidina wa gha'ibina, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa dhakarina wa unthana. Allahumma man ahyaytahu minna fa-ahyihi 'ala al-Islam, wa man tawaffaytahu minna fa-tawaffahu 'ala al-iman. Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu wa la tudhillana ba'dahu.' (O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those who are present among us and those who are absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whomsoever You keep alive among us, keep him alive upon Islam, and whomsoever You cause to die, cause him to die upon faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not cause us to go astray after him.)
Sahih HadithSunan Abi Dawud 5072
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