Islamic Funeral Rites (Janazah)

From the moment of death through ghusl, kafan (shrouding), salat al-janazah (funeral prayer), and burial. May Allah make every step easy.

If someone has just passed

Say "Innā li-Llāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn" ("Indeed we belong to Allah and to Him we return"). Close their eyes gently. Cover the body with a clean sheet. Contact your local mosque for help with the next steps. In the UK, the body is usually moved to the mosque or an Islamic burial service (e.g. Gardens of Peace, MAB, Al-Rahma Funerals) — they handle ghusl + kafan + burial coordination. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged early burial, so move quickly but without panic.

Step 1 — Ghusl al-mayyit

Washing the body

Performed by the same gender (male washes male, female washes female — except spouses or young children, who can be washed by close family). Done in odd numbers (3, 5, 7) of washes. The intimate parts are kept covered throughout. Performed at the mosque or a designated washing facility — most family members are not present for this.

If you are doing this yourself: refer to Sahih al-Bukhari 1253 and a knowledgeable scholar. Most UK mosques have a trained team.

Step 2 — Kafan (shrouding)

Shrouding in white cloth

The body is wrapped in three white sheets (men) or five (women). The cloth should be simple, white, clean — no embroidery, no markings. The Prophet ﷺ was wrapped in three white Yemeni sheets (Sahih al-Bukhari 1264).

Step 3 — Salat al-Janazah

The funeral prayer

A brief congregational prayer. The body is placed in front of the imam, who stands at the head of a man or the middle of a woman. The community stands behind in rows.

Prayed standing throughout — no ruku, no sujood. Four takbirs (Allāhu Akbar):

After 1st takbir: Recite Surah Al-Fatiha silently.

After 2nd takbir: Send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ (the same Salawat from your daily prayer's tashahhud).

After 3rd takbir: Make du'a for the deceased. The most-recommended:

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ، وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ، وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ، وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ، وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ

Allāhumma ghfir lahu wa rḥamhu, wa ʿāfihi wa ʿfu ʿanhu, wa akrim nuzulahu, wa wassiʿ mudkhalahu, wa ghsilhu bi-l-māʾi wa-th-thalji wa-l-barad.

"O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him, give him peace and pardon him, honour his place of arrival, expand his entry, and wash him with water and snow and ice…" (Sahih Muslim 963 — for a female, replace "lahu" with "lahā" etc.)

After 4th takbir: A brief silence or general du'a, then conclude with the salām to the right (single salām, not two).

Step 4 — Burial

Carrying + lowering the body

The body is carried to the cemetery. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged walking with the bier (Sahih Muslim 944). The body is laid in the grave on its right side, facing the Qibla. Usually three handfuls of earth are thrown by close relatives, with the words:

مِنْهَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ وَفِيهَا نُعِيدُكُمْ وَمِنْهَا نُخْرِجُكُمْ تَارَةً أُخْرَى

Minhā khalaqnākum wa fīhā nuʿīdukum wa minhā nukhrijukum tāratan ukhrā.

"From it (the earth) We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will bring you out another time." (Quran 20:55)

Step 5 — After burial

Du'a for the deceased

The Prophet ﷺ would stand by the grave after burial and say:

اسْتَغْفِرُوا لِأَخِيكُمْ وَاسْأَلُوا لَهُ التَّثْبِيتَ، فَإِنَّهُ الْآنَ يُسْأَلُ

Istaghfirū li-akhīkum wa-sʾalū lahu t-tathbīt, fa-innahu l-ʾāna yusʾal.

"Ask forgiveness for your brother, and ask Allah to make him steadfast — for he is now being questioned." (Abu Dawud 3221)

For the family

The 3-day mourning + condolence

Mourning lasts three days for general mourning, and four months and ten days for a widow (iddah).

When visiting the bereaved, say:

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا أَخَذَ، وَلَهُ مَا أَعْطَى، وَكُلُّ شَيْءٍ عِنْدَهُ بِأَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى

Inna li-Llāhi mā akhadh, wa lahu mā aʿṭā, wa kullu shayʾin ʿindahu bi-ajalin musammā.

"Indeed to Allah belongs what He takes, and to Him belongs what He gives, and everything with Him has an appointed time." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1284 — the Prophet ﷺ said this to console his daughter Zaynab on the death of her child)

Avoid

Loud wailing, tearing clothes, slapping cheeks (forbidden in sahih sources). Women may cry softly; this is permitted. Avoid eulogies that exaggerate. Sadaqah jariyah on the deceased's behalf is among the most beloved acts — give in their name.