Salat al-Janazah: How to Pray the Islamic Funeral Prayer

When a Muslim passes away, the community's collective duty is to wash and shroud the body, carry it to the prayer place, offer Salat al-Janazah (the funeral prayer), and bury it. Of these, the funeral prayer is among the most important acts of solidarity and mercy a believer can offer. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever attends the Janazah until the prayer is completed will have a qirat of reward, and whoever attends until the burial will have two qirats." He was asked what a qirat is, and said: "Like two great mountains." (Bukhari, Muslim)

Fard Kifayah: The Communal Obligation

Salat al-Janazah is fard kifayah—a collective obligation. If a sufficient number of Muslims in the community perform it, the obligation is lifted from the rest. But if no one performs it, every Muslim in the community who knew of the death is sinful. This is why awareness of the prayer and its method is important for every adult Muslim, not only scholars or imams.

Who May Pray It, and Conditions

• The prayer is valid for every Muslim who has reached puberty and is of sound mind.
• Both men and women may pray Salat al-Janazah.
• The person praying must be in a state of ritual purity (wudu at minimum; see our wudu guide).
• The prayer should be offered facing the qiblah.
• The body of the deceased must be present (or nearby); in exceptional cases scholars have allowed the absence prayer over a deceased who died far away.

How to Pray Salat al-Janazah, Step by Step

Unlike the five daily prayers, Salat al-Janazah has no ruku' (bowing) or sujud (prostration). It is performed standing, and consists of four takbirs with specific recitations between them:

1. First Takbir: Stand and raise your hands to the earlobes, say Allahu Akbar, then recite Surah Al-Fatihah silently (and optionally a short surah after it, in the Shafi'i view).
2. Second Takbir: Say Allahu Akbar (raising hands is recommended), then recite the Salawat Ibrahimiyyah—the same prayer upon the Prophet ﷺ recited in the tashahhud of daily prayer.
3. Third Takbir: Say Allahu Akbar, then make sincere du'a for the deceased. The Prophet ﷺ taught several supplications for this moment.
4. Fourth Takbir: Say Allahu Akbar, pause briefly or make a short du'a, then give Salam to the right (and optionally to the left as well).

The Du'a for the Deceased (After the Third Takbir)

You may also pray specifically for the deceased, such as: "Allahumma-ghfir lahu wa-arhamhu wa-'āfihi wa-'fu 'anhu" — "O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, grant him safety, and pardon him." (Muslim)

Where to Stand Relative to the Body

The imam's position differs based on the gender of the deceased. For a male deceased, the imam stands at the level of the head. For a female deceased, the imam stands at the middle of the body. The congregation stands behind the imam in rows, just as in regular prayer. (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)

Common Questions About Salat al-Janazah

Every Muslim should be prepared to fulfil this obligation. To ensure your own purity before the prayer, review how to pray the five daily prayers—the same wudu and qiblah awareness applies.