Funeral Prayer

The funeral prayer is performed for the deceased. It is a prayer for the dead. The funeral prayer is performed to ask Allah for forgiveness of the sins and shortcomings of a Muslim brother or sister, and to perform the last duty for them. The funeral prayer is a fard-i kifayah (collective obligation). The pillars of the funeral prayer are four takbirs (Allahu Akbar) and standing. Giving salam (greeting) is obligatory. There is no bowing (ruku') or prostration (sajda) in the funeral prayer. It is not performed during disliked times (makruh times). Taking ablution (wudu) is also necessary for the funeral prayer.

How to Perform

6 Steps

The deceased, washed and wrapped in a shroud, is placed on the musalla stone at the place where the prayer will be performed.
The deceased is placed in front of the congregation. The imam leading the prayer stands at the level of the deceased's chest.
The congregation stands in rows behind the imam, facing the qibla.

When making the intention, it is stated whether the deceased is male or female, and whether they are a son or a daughter.
The imam makes the intention: 'I intend, for the sake of Allah, to perform the funeral prayer for the deceased (if the deceased is male) and to pray for this man.'
The congregation makes the intention: 'I intend, for the sake of Allah, to perform the funeral prayer for the deceased (if the deceased is male) and to pray for this man, following the imam.'
(Note: If the deceased is female: 'To pray for this woman', if a child: 'To pray for this son/daughter'.)
If someone in the congregation doesn't know the gender: 'I intend, for the sake of Allah, to perform this funeral prayer led by the imam, to pray for the deceased, and to follow the imam.'

After making the intention, the imam says 'Allahu Akbar' aloud, followed by the congregation silently, taking the first takbir. As in other prayers, they raise their hands to ear level and then place them below their navel.
The imam and the congregation silently recite the Subhanake.
The phrase 'wa jalla sana'uk,' which is not recited in other prayers, is also recited in the Subhanake.

After reciting the Subhanake, without raising their hands, the imam says 'Allahu Akbar' aloud, and the congregation silently takes the second takbir.
Both the imam and the congregation silently recite 'Allahumma salli wa Allahumma barik'.

Then, without raising their hands, the third takbir is recited by saying 'Allahu Akbar,' and the funeral prayer is recited.
Those who do not know the funeral prayer can recite Surah Al-Fatiha or the Qunut prayers instead.
Those who do not know the Qunut prayers can recite the verse, 'Rabbena atina fiddunya haseneten wa fil'ahireti haseneten wa qina azabanar.'

After this, without raising the hands, the fourth takbir is recited, saying 'Allahu Akbar'.
Without reciting anything, the head is first turned to the right and 'Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah' is said.
Then the head is turned to the left and 'Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah' is said, and thus the funeral prayer is completed.