Dua for the Deceased

When a person dies their deeds end but for three, among them a righteous child who supplicates for them. Your supplication is a charity that does not stop, and it benefits them more than anything said at the graveside.

The best known is the funeral-prayer supplication narrated by Muslim from 'Awf ibn Malik, who said: 'I memorised from the Prophet's supplication over the deceased until I wished I were that deceased person.'

Two cautions: much of what circulates as a 'moving dua for the dead' has no basis, and supplication for the dead is properly a private matter between you and Allah — not a post to be shared.

The funeral-prayer supplication

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ، وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ، وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ، وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ، وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ، وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، وَأَبْدِلْهُ دَارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهِ، وَأَهْلًا خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ، وَزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِنْ زَوْجِهِ، وَأَدْخِلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ، وَأَعِذْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَمِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ

Allahumma ighfir lahu warhamhu, wa 'afihi wa'fu 'anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu, wa wassi' mudkhalahu, waghsilhu bil-ma'i wath-thalji wal-barad, wa naqqihi minal-khataya kama yunaqqath-thawbul-abyadu minad-danas, wa abdilhu daran khayran min darih, wa ahlan khayran min ahlih, wa zawjan khayran min zawjih, wa adkhilhul-jannah, wa a'idhhu min 'adhabil-qabri wa min 'adhabin-nar.

O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him; grant him well-being and pardon him; honour his resting place and widen his entry; wash him with water, snow and hail; cleanse him of sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt; give him a home better than his home, a family better than his family, a spouse better than his spouse; admit him to Paradise, and protect him from the punishment of the grave and from the punishment of the Fire.

Plain text (no diacritics)

اللهم اغفر له وارحمه، وعافه واعف عنه، وأكرم نزله، ووسع مدخله، واغسله بالماء والثلج والبرد، ونقه من الخطايا كما ينقى الثوب الأبيض من الدنس، وأبدله دارا خيرا من داره، وأهلا خيرا من أهله، وزوجا خيرا من زوجه، وأدخله الجنة، وأعذه من عذاب القبر ومن عذاب النار

After burial

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ، اللَّهُمَّ ثَبِّتْهُ

Allahumma ighfir lahu, Allahumma thabbithu.

O Allah, forgive him. O Allah, make him firm.

Plain text (no diacritics)

اللهم اغفر له، اللهم ثبته

On visiting graves

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الدِّيَارِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ بِكُمْ لَاحِقُونَ، نَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ لَنَا وَلَكُمُ الْعَافِيَةَ

As-salamu 'alaykum ahlad-diyari minal-mu'minina wal-muslimin, wa inna in sha'a Allahu bikum lahiqun, nas'alullaha lana wa lakumul-'afiyah.

Peace be upon you, dwellers of these abodes among the believers and the Muslims. We will, Allah willing, join you. We ask Allah for well-being for us and for you.

Plain text (no diacritics)

السلام عليكم أهل الديار من المؤمنين والمسلمين، وإنا إن شاء الله بكم لاحقون، نسأل الله لنا ولكم العافية

When

In the funeral prayer, after the third takbir.
After burial: the Prophet ﷺ would stand and say, 'Seek forgiveness for your brother and ask that he be made firm, for he is being questioned now.'
When visiting graves, and at any time thereafter.

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Common questions

What is the authentic dua for the deceased?

'O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him, grant him well-being and pardon him, honour his resting place and widen his entry…' (Muslim).

Does the supplication of someone other than a child benefit the dead?

Yes — a Muslim's supplication for a fellow Muslim in their absence is answered, whether living or dead.