How to Pray Janazah

Co-authored by Belal Elkadri and Nihal Shetty

Last Updated: September 25, 2025 Approved

The traditional prayer of an Islamic funeral, the Janazah, is a moving and heartfelt way to remember and bless the deceased. Attending a funeral can be emotionally difficult, and this prayer allows you to find solidarity in the Muslim community. We’re here to show you all the steps of how to pray the Janazah in this comprehensive guide.

How to Perform Janazah

Islam expert Belal Elkadri says to place the deceased in front of the imam and have everyone face Mecca. Start with the takbir, then recite the opening chapter of the Quran silently. Follow with an Allahu Akbar, an Abrahamic prayer, two more Allahu Akbars, then conclude the prayer.

1

Line up in rows behind the imam.

Download Article

The Janazah is performed standing in straight lines. These lines face the Qiblah, and it’s recommended that there are at least 3 of them. Women stand in rows behind the men. Take your place among the other men or women—the imam stands in front of you, by the body of the deceased.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Before attending the funeral, it’s customary to perform wudu, the traditional Islamic purification ritual. Wudu is best performed at home, before the funeral.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}

2

State your intention to pray (niyya).

Download Article

Alert Allah that you intend to make a prayer for the dead. You don’t have to say this out loud—you can state your intention to pray in your head, and in whatever language is most comfortable for you. You can use your own words, but as a suggestion, try saying something like:^{[3]
X
Research source}
- “I intend to pray for the sake of Allah Most High and to supplicate for the deceased.”

3

Follow the imam for the first takbir.

Download Article

The first takbir signals the beginning of the Janazah. The imam says “Allahu Akbar” (“God is great”), and the audience repeats this phrase.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Mufti Samir Wahid
Islam Expert

Expert Interview} For many Muslims, it’s customary to raise your hands to your ears while saying the takbir, then lower them.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Before the first takbir, there is no adhan or iqama (the traditional calls to prayer). The Janazah starts immediately.

4

Pray for refuge from Shaytan.

Download Article

The imam then leads the audience in a prayer for safety from evil. After the first takbir, the imam calls for protection from Satan, the accursed. While he performs this prayer out loud, you can recite these words silently:^{[6]
X
Research source}
- “A’ūdhu billāhi minash-shaytānir-rajīm”
- Meaning: “I seek refuge from Satan, the outcast.”

5

Recite the Surah al-Fatihah.

Download Article

The congregation then recites the first chapter of the Qu’ran. The imam will do this aloud, while you can recite this chapter in your head. Some imams may choose to recite an additional passage from the Qu’ran afterward—this isn’t strictly necessary, but it’s fairly common. Surah al-Fatihah goes as follows:^{[7]
X
Research source}
- “Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil 'aalameen Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem Maaliki Yawmid-Deen Iyyaaka na'budu wa lyyaaka nasta'een Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem Siraatal-lazeena an'amta 'alaihim ghayril-maghdoobi 'alaihim wa lad-daaalleen”
- Meaning: “In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All praise belongs to God, Lord of the Universe, the Beneficent, the Merciful and Master of the Day of Judgment. Lord, You alone We do worship and from You alone we do seek assistance. Lord, guide us to the right path, the path of those to whom You have granted blessings, those who are neither subject to Your anger nor have gone astray.”

6

Say the second takbir.

Download Article

He once again says “Allahu Akbar,” and the audience follows his lead. During this takbir, you can choose to raise your hands to your ears once again, leave them by your sides, or keep them folded in front of you.^{[8]
X
Research source}

7

Recite the durood-e-Ibrahim.

Download Article

After the second takbir, it’s customary to pray for Muhammad (PBUH).^{[9]
X
Expert Source

Mufti Samir Wahid
Islam Expert

Expert Interview} Say this prayer out loud, along with the rest of the audience. The imam will lead you in prayer. These salutations to Muhammad and His family are the same as those you would offer during your daily prayers. Recite the following words:^{[10]
X
Research source}
- “Allahumma Salle ‘Alaa Muhammadinw Wa’Alaa Aali Muhammadin Kamaa Sallaeta ‘Alaa Ibraaheema Wa’Alaa Aaali Ibraaheema Innaka Hameedum Majeed. Allahumma Baarik ‘Alaa Muhammadinw Wa’Alaa Aali Muhammadin Kamaa Baarakta ‘Alaa Ibraaheema Wa’Alaa Aaali Ibraaheema Innaka Hameedum Majeed”
- Meaning: “O Allah, send peace on Prophet Muhammad and to the family of Prophet Muhammad as you sent peace on Prophet Ibrahim and the family of Prophet Ibrahim. Indeed, you are praiseworthy and glorious. O Allah, bless the Prophet Muhammad and the family of Prophet Muhammad as you blessed Prophet Ibrahim and the family of Prophet Ibrahim. Indeed, you are praiseworthy and glorious.”

8

Say the third takbir.

Download Article

Follow his lead as he says “Allahu Akbar.” Raising your hands to your ears is optional once again—you can also choose to keep them respectfully folded in front of you or by your sides.^{[11]
X
Research source}

9

Perform a dua for the dead.

Download Article

The dua is your opportunity to personally pray for the deceased. After the third takbir, you can take some time to pray to Allah in your head in whatever language feels most comfortable to you. This prayer can a personal one where you express your heartfelt wishes for the deceased to find peace. However, if you want to use a traditional dua, this one is particularly well-known:
- “Allaahum-maghfir lihayyinaa, wa mayyitinaa, wa shaahidinaa, wa ghaa’ibinaa, wa sagheerinaa wa kabeerinaa, wa thakarinaa wa ‘unthaanaa. Allaahumma man ‘ahyaytahu minnaa fa’ahyihi ‘alal-‘Islaami, wa man tawaffaytahu minnaa fatawaffahu ‘alal-‘eemaani, Allaahumma laa tahrimnaa ‘ajrahu wa laa tudhillanaa ba’dahu.”
- Meaning: “O Allah! Forgive our living and our dead, those who are with us and those who are absent, our young and our old, our men and our women. O Allah, whoever you give life from among us, give him life in Islam, and whomever you take away from us, take him away in Faith. O Allah, do not forbid us their reward and do not send us astray after them.”

10

Say the fourth takbir.

Download Article

He says “Allahu Akbar” for the last time, and the audience repeats after him. During this takbir, you can raise your hands to your ears, keep them folded in front of you, or hold them by your sides.^{[12]
X
Research source}^{[13]
X
Expert Source

Mufti Samir Wahid
Islam Expert

Expert Interview}

11

End the prayer with a taslim.

Download Article

The imam will say “As-salāmu ʿalaikum wa-raḥmatu-llah” (“Peace and blessings of God be unto you”). Repeat this phrase while turning your head to your right. Unlike during regular prayers, many Muslims only perform this taslim a single time to their right, rather than both to their left and right.^{[14]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Unless you have difficulties with mobility, this prayer is performed entirely while standing up.^{[15]
X
Expert Source

Mufti Samir Wahid
Islam Expert

Expert Interview} There is no bowing or prostration during the Janazah.^{[16]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0