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How to pray Salat al-Janazah

Salat al-Janazah is the prayer for a deceased Muslim. It is fard kifayah: when some of the community pray it, the rest are freed of the duty. It is prayed standing, with no ruku or sujud.

Step by step

1. Intention to pray the funeral prayer for this deceased, following the imam.
2. First takbir, raising the hands. Then recite al-Fatiha (Shafi'i, Hanbali) or the Thana, "Subhanakallahumma…" (Hanafi).
3. Second takbir. Recite the Salawat Ibrahimiyya, as in the final sitting of prayer.
4. Third takbir. Make dua for the deceased (Dua for Janazah Prayer (Funeral Prayer), Janazah Dua for Forgiveness).
5. Fourth takbir. A short dua for yourself and the believers, then salam to the right (and left).

Good to know

• Hands are raised at the first takbir in the Hanafi school, and at every takbir in the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools.
• Late-comers join at the next takbir and complete what they missed before the body is lifted.
• The Prophet ﷺ said whoever attends a funeral until the prayer is offered has a reward like a mountain (Bukhari, Muslim).

Duas for the deceased and condolence →