Honouring Souls in Their Final Resting Place:
Dua for dead person in Islam | Visiting the dwellings of those who have departed from this worldly life presents a precious opportunity for reflection, remembrance, and supplication. It can be a humbling experience that reminds us of our ultimate journey to Allah s.w.t. In this article, we will learn the appropriate duas and supplications recommended during visits to the cemetery.
Our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would often visit the graveyard, reflecting upon the brevity of this earthly life and praying for the departed. His humility and compassion serve as a guide for us when interacting with such spaces.
Dua for a dead person in Islam | Basic Etiquettes
Firstly, let’s familiarize ourselves with some basic etiquette when visiting a cemetery according to Islamic guidelines:
- Ensure your attire and overall behavior are modest and respectful.
- Approach the cemetery with humility, recognizing it as a sacred space.
- Avoid stepping over graves or sitting on them.
- Speak softly and refrain from laughing or engaging in worldly discussions.
Dua for dead person in Islam | Supplications to Recite in cemetery
Upon entering the cemetery, it is Sunnah to recite the following dua:
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الدِّيَارِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ، وإِنَّا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ بِكُمْ لَاحِقُونَ ويرحم الله المستقدمين منا والمستأخرين، نسأل الله لنا ولكم العافية
Transliteration:
As-salāmu ‘alaykum ahl ad-diyār, min al-mu’minīna wa al-muslimīn, wa innā in shā’a Allāh bi-kum, lakihqūna. Wa yarhamu Allāhu al-mustaqdemeena minnā wa al-musta’khirīn, nass’alu Allāh lanā wa lakum al-‘āfiyah.
Translation:
Peace be upon you, O inhabitants of the dwellings (graves), from among the believers and the Muslims, and we are, Allah willing, following you. May Allah have mercy on the early ones and the late ones among us, we ask Allah for wellness for us and for you.
Explanation:
This is a supplication often recited when visiting the graves of Muslims. It is filled with greetings and prayers for both the living and the departed, emphasizing the unifying belief in life after death and the resounding hope for Allah’s mercy and wellbeing. It’s a comforting prayer that eases the sorrow of separation by reminding us that we will, insha’Allah, reunite with our departed loved ones in the Hereafter. This dua serves as a remembrance of our own inevitable journey, fostering a sense of urgency and humility to make the most of our time in this transient world, while always seeking Allah’s mercy and wellness for ourselves and others.
It is a reminder to reflect on the transient nature of life and to seek mercy and forgiveness for ourselves and for those who have passed away.
Dua for dead person in Islam | Praying for Maghfira
A dua that was recited by the Prophet ﷺ:
اللهمّ اغْفِرْ له وَارْحَمْهُ، وَاعْفُ عنْه وَعَافِهِ، وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ، وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ، وَاغْسِلْهُ بمَاءٍ وَثَلْجٍ وَبَرَدٍ، وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الخَطَايَا كما يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، وَأَبْدِلْهُ دَارًا خَيْرًا مِن دَارِهِ، وَأَهْلًا خَيْرًا مِن أَهْلِهِ، وَزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِن زَوْجِهِ، وَقِهِ فِتْنَةَ القَبْرِ وَعَذَابَ النَّارِ
Allahumma, ighfir lahu warhamhu, wa’fu ‘anhu wa ‘afihi, wa akrim nuzulahu, wa wasi’ mudkhalahu, wa ghsilhu bimaa’in wa thaljin wa baradin, wa naqqihi min al-khataaya kamaa yunaaqath-thawb al-abyadu minad-danas, wa abdilhu daaran khayran min darihi, wa ahlan khayran min ahlihi, wa zawjan khayran min zawjihi, wa qih fitnata al-qabri wa ‘adhaba an-naar.
O Allah, the Most Merciful and Forgiving, we humbly beseech You to forgive and have mercy on [desceased person’s name]. Grant them Your forgiveness and pardon their sins. Envelop them in Your boundless mercy and shower them with Your blessings. May their final resting place be a noble abode, more beautiful and serene than their earthly dwelling. Bless them with a righteous spouse and a loving family. Protect them from the trials of the grave and the torment of the Hellfire.
O Allah, purify them from their sins, just as a pure white garment is cleansed from impurities. Replace their current abode with a better home in Paradise, and surround them with righteous companions and loved ones. Shield them from the tribulations of the grave and the punishment of the Hellfire.
Dua for dead person in Islam | Praying for a Forgiveness
When standing over a grave, you can recite additional prayers for the well-being of the deceased in the hereafter, for Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and a peaceful journey into paradise. A recommended dua is:
(name) اللهم اغفر لـ
بقدر حاجته/ها، و اغفر لي و لوالدي و لجميع المسلمين و المسلمات. آمين
Which transliterates to:
Allahumma ighfir li [name of the deceased ] bi-qadr haajatihi/ha, wa ighfir li wa li-walidayya wa li-jamee’il muslimin wa’l muslimat. Ameen.
“O Allah, forgive [mention the name of deceased if known] to the extent that he/she is in need of it, and forgive me, my parents and all the Muslim men and women. Ameen.”
This humble supplication is a poignant invocation, uniting us with our deceased loved ones under the tender mercy of Allah. It is not only a plea for forgiveness for the one who had departed, but a reminder for ourselves and the entire Ummah of our shared need for Allah’s mercy.
These divine interactions are more than just a visit to a grave—it’s a moment of reflection, prayer, and submission to Allah. Our words serve not only to comfort the dead but to instill in our hearts a humbling reality of our worldly existence.
May we, in our endeavours, treat these visits as an opportunity to reflect on the temporary nature of our lives and the everlasting life in the hereafter. May our prayers comfort and bless the souls of our departed brothers and sisters, and inspire us to make the most of our lives in the way of Allah. Ameen.
