Janaza Service

Salat al-Janazah, or the Islamic funeral prayer, is a collective obligation (fard kifayah) performed by the Muslim community to seek forgiveness and mercy for the deceased. This prayer is unique in that it consists solely of standing postures without bowing (ruku) or prostration (sujood). Here’s a step-by-step guide to performing Salat al-Janazah:

1. Intention (Niyyah): Begin by silently intending in your heart to perform the funeral prayer for the deceased, seeking Allah’s forgiveness and mercy for them.
2. First Takbeer: The Imam initiates the prayer by saying “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest). Congregants follow by raising their hands to the earlobes or shoulders and then placing the right hand over the left on the chest, similar to the regular prayer posture.
3. Recitation of Al-Fatihah: After the first takbeer, silently recite Surah Al-Fatihah (the Opening Chapter of the Quran).
4. Second Takbeer: The Imam says “Allahu Akbar” again without raising the hands. Following this, recite the Salat al-Ibrahimiyyah (Abrahamic Prayer):”Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibraheem wa ‘ala aali Ibraheem, innaka Hameedun Majeed. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama barakta ‘ala Ibraheem wa ‘ala aali Ibraheem, innaka Hameedun Majeed.”

   (O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Abraham and the family of Abraham. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Abraham and the family of Abraham. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.)

5. Third Takbeer: The Imam says “Allahu Akbar” for the third time. After this, supplicate for the deceased. One of the supplications from the Sunnah is:”Allahumma ighfir lihayyina wa mayyitina wa shahidina wa gha’ibina wa sagheerina wa kabeerina wa dhakarina wa unthana. Allahumma man ahyaytahu minna fa-ahyihi ‘ala al-Islam, wa man tawaffaytahu minna fa-tawaffahu ‘ala al-eemaan.”

   (O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those present and those absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whoever You keep alive from among us, keep them alive upon Islam, and whoever You cause to die from among us, cause them to die upon faith.)

6. Fourth Takbeer: The Imam says “Allahu Akbar” for the fourth and final time. After a brief pause, conclude the prayer by turning your head to the right and saying “Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah” (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you).

It’s important to note that Salat al-Janazah should be performed in congregation, with the body of the deceased placed in front of the Imam. The Imam typically stands at the level of the head and shoulders if the deceased is male, and at the midsection if female. Participants should be in a state of ritual purity (having performed wudu) and maintain proper attire covering the ‘awrah (parts of the body that should be covered according to Islamic guidelines).