Salaat al-Janaazah

by Asma bint Shameem

Salaat al-Janaazah is the funeral prayer that is read when a Muslim passes away.

Praying Salaat al-Janaazah is a fardh kifaayah which means that if a few in the community pray it, then the rest of the community is absolved of its obligation.

But if no one does it, then the whole community is sinful.

It is the deceased person’s right as a Muslim that we pray this Salaat over him, even if had committed major sins.

And this is a source of great reward for the one who reads it.

🌿The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats."

It was said: "What are the two qiraats?"

He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

🔵 How to read Salaat al-Janaazah

Salaat al-Janaazah has FOUR takbeeraat.

There are no rukoo or sujood and when the Imaam leads the people, the men stand in front of the women in rows just like the regular Salaah.

Step by Step

🔺1. Raise your hands and say Allaahu Akbar

🔺2. Seek refuge with Allaah from the Shaytaan:

Aoodhu billaahi min ash-Shaytaan-nir-rajeem.

🔺3. Say the Basmalah:

Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem

🔺4. Read Surah al-Faatihah.

You HAVE to read Surah al Faatihah. If you don’t, your Salaah is not complete.

🔺5. Raise your hands and say Allaah Akbar.

🔺6. Send blessings and salutations on the Prophet ﷺ like we do in Salaah at the end of Tashahhud.

Allaahumma sali alaa Muhammad....

all the way to the end.

(Durood Ibraheem)

🔺7. Raise your hands and say Allaahu Akbar

🔺8. Make duaa for the deceased.

It’s best to make duaa in Arabic. But if you don’t know it, you can say ANY duaa in ANY language.

You can even READ the duaa on your phone or from a book since this is not a fardh prayer.

🔺9. Raise your hands and say Allaah Akbar

🔺10. Some ulama allow making duaa here for yourself and for the ummah.

🔺11. Say salaam by turning towards the right and say Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaah

That’s it. You’re done.

🔺 Some Important points

🔵 Do I HAVE to recite Surah al-Faatihah?

Yes.

In order for the prayer to be valid, you must recite al-Faatihah.

🍃 Sheikh ibn Baaz said:

“It is obligatory, as the Prophet ﷺ said: “Pray as you have seen me praying.”

And he ﷺ said: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

(Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 13/143)

🔵 Can women pray it too?

Yes.

Salaat al-Janazah is to be read by men AND women.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

" WHOEVER attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward)...:”,

He did NOT say “MEN ONLY”.

If this prayer was for men only, he would have specified it.

🔵 Some ulama are of the opinion that it’s necessary to raise the hands in the first takbeer only and you don’t have to raise your hands for the other three takbeeraat.

So if someone does not raise their hands in the subsequent takbeeraat, their salaah is valid.

🔵 If the Imaam you’re following makes two salaams, meaning to the right and the left, instead of just to the right, then remember it’s important to follow the Imaam.

And Allaah knows best.