Namaz-e-Janaza, or the Funeral Prayer in Islam, is a congregational prayer offered for the deceased. It serves as a significant act of worship seeking Allah's forgiveness and mercy for the departed soul. This prayer, classified as Fard-e-Kifayah (a communal obligation), demonstrates the unity and compassion of the Muslim community in supporting the deceased's journey to the Hereafter.
The Story of The Shroud Thief
During a woman’s funeral prayer, a shroud thief joined the gathering and later memorized the location of the grave. At night, he dug up the grave to steal the shroud. Suddenly, the deceased spoke: “SubhanAllah! A forgiven person’s shroud is being stolen by a man who is also deserving of forgiveness! Listen, Allah Almighty has forgiven me and all those who prayed my funeral prayer, including you who were part of it.” Hearing this, he immediately covered the grave again and repented sincerely.
(Shuab al-Iman, 7/8, Hadith: 9261)
The First Gift In The Grave
Someone asked the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “What is the first gift given to a believer when they enter the grave?” The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Forgiveness is granted to those who prayed their funeral prayer.”
(Shuab al-Iman, Vol. 7, Pg. 8, Hadith: 9257)
Reward For Attending A Funeral
Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) asked Allah: “O Allah, what reward does a person receive who joins a funeral solely for Your pleasure?” Allah replied: “When that person dies, angels will accompany their funeral, and I will forgive them.”
(Sharh al-Sudoor, Pg. 97)
Reward As Big As Mount Uhud
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Whoever, out of faith and for the reward, leaves home to join a funeral, prays the funeral prayer, and stays until burial will receive two Qirats of reward. Each Qirat is equivalent to Mount Uhud. Whoever prays the funeral prayer and returns will receive one Qirat of reward.”
(Sahih Muslim, Pg. 472, Hadith: 945)
The First Funeral Prayer Led By The Prophet ﷺ
Funeral prayers began during the time of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him). Angels recited four Takbirs during his funeral prayer. In Islam, the command to offer funeral prayers became obligatory in Madinah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ led the funeral prayer for Hazrat Asad bin Zurarah (may Allah be pleased with him), who passed away nine months after the migration.
(Referenced from Fatawa Razawiyyah, Vol. 5, Pg. 375)
Funeral Prayer As Fard Kifayah
The funeral (Janaza) prayer is Fard Kifayah (a communal obligation). The imam should stand near the chest of the deceased during the funeral prayer. However, if no one performs it, everyone is aware that it is sinful. Congregation is not a condition for the funeral prayer; even one person can fulfill the obligation. Denying its obligation is an act of disbelief.
(Bahar-e-Shariat, Vol. 1, Pg. 825)
Essential Acts & Sunnahs In Funeral Prayer
The funeral prayer(Namaz e Janaza) has two obligatory acts and three Sunnahs:
Obligatory Acts
- Reciting four Takbirs.
- Standing during the prayer.
(Durr al-Mukhtar, Vol. 3, Pg. 124)
Sunnahs
- Reciting the opening supplication (Thana).
- Sending blessings on the Prophet ﷺ (Durood).
- Praying for the deceased.
(Bahar-e-Shariat, Vol. 1, Pg. 829)
How To Perform Funeral Prayer (Hanafi Method)
- The follower should intend: “I intend to perform this funeral prayer for Allah, praying for this deceased, behind this imam.”
- The imam and followers raise their hands to the ears, say “Allahu Akbar,” and tie their hands below the navel. Recite Thana (adding “وَجَلَّ ثَنَاؤُكَ وَلَا إِلٰهَ غَيْرُكَ”).
- Say “Allahu Akbar” without raising the hands, and recite Durood Ibrahim.
- Say “Allahu Akbar” without raising your hands and pray for the deceased.
- Say “Allahu Akbar,” lower the hands, and conclude with Salam on both sides, intending peace for the deceased, angels, and attendees.
(Bahar-e-Shariat, Vol. 1, Pg. 829)
Supplications In Funeral Prayer
For An Adult (Man Or Woman):
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الْإِيمَانِ
Translation: “O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those present and those absent, our young and our elderly, our males and our females. O Allah, whoever You keep alive from us, keep them alive in Islam, and whoever You cause to die from us, let them die in faith.”
(Al-Mustadrak Lil Hakim, Hadith: 1366)
Prayers for Deceased Children
For A Boy:
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ لَنَا فَرَطًا وَّاجْعَلْهُ لَنَا أَجْرًا وَّذُخْرًا وَّاجْعَلْهُ لَنَا شَافِعًا وَّمُشَفَّعًا
Translation: “O Allah, make him a forerunner for us, make him a reward and a treasure for us, and make him an intercessor for us whose intercession is accepted.”
(Kanz al-Daqaiq, Pg. 52)
For A Girl:
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهَا لَنَا فَرَطًا وَّاجْعَلْهَا لَنَا أَجْرًا وَّذُخْرًا وَّاجْعَلْهَا لَنَا شَافِعَةً وَّمُشَفَّعَةً
Translation: “O Allah, make her a forerunner for us, make her a reward and a treasure for us, and make her an intercessor for us whose intercession is accepted.”
Praying With Shoes On Or Off
If you wear shoes while offering the funeral prayer, both the shoes and the ground beneath must be clean. If you stand on your shoes, only the soles of the shoes and the ground beneath them need to be clean.
(Fatawa Razawiyyah)
No Ghaibana (Absentia) Funeral Prayer
The presence of the deceased is mandatory for the funeral prayer (Namaz e Janaza). Praying in absentia is not permissible. It is also preferred for the imam to stand near the chest of the deceased.
Number of Rows In Funeral Prayer
It is preferred to have three rows during the funeral prayer. The Prophet ﷺ said: “If three rows pray the funeral prayer of a person, their forgiveness is ensured.”
If there are only seven people, one serves as the imam, three form the first row, two form the second, and one form the third row.
(Sharh al-Sudoor, Pg. 588)
Conclusion
Namaz-e-Janaza is a profound act of worship reflecting the unity and compassion of the Muslim community. By performing this prayer with sincerity, believers seek Allah's mercy for the departed and immense rewards for themselves. For a deeper understanding of such rituals and to learn Salah comprehensively, Join the Awwal Quran to explore Islamic teachings in depth.
