5 Authentic Duas for the Deceased in Islam

Making dua for the deceased is a way to ask Allah for forgiveness, mercy, and a good reward in the Hereafter for someone who has passed away. Islam teaches Muslims to pray for deceased believers and seek forgiveness for them.

This guide shares five duas and supplications connected with death, funeral prayer, and burial. Each section includes Arabic text where available, English transliteration, translation, and a reference. The duas are presented with care so that Quranic verses, Prophetic supplications, and guidance after burial are not confused with one another.

1. Dua for the Deceased During Salat al-Janazah

During Salat al-Janazah, Muslims ask Allah to forgive the deceased and grant them mercy. One supplication reported in Sahih Muslim asks Allah to forgive the deceased, show mercy to them, grant them well-being, and pardon them.

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ

Transliteration:

Allahummaghfir lahu, warhamhu, wa ‘afihi, wa‘fu ‘anhu.

English translation:

“O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, grant him well-being, and pardon him.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Funerals. See the supplications reported in Sahih Muslim.

This is a short supplication asking Allah to forgive the deceased and show mercy to them. When praying for a woman, the Arabic pronouns need to be changed to the feminine form. If you are unsure how to make the change, you can use a verified funeral supplication that includes the correct wording.

The dua is appropriate to the purpose of funeral prayer: asking Allah to forgive the person who has died. It should not be presented as a guarantee of a particular outcome, because forgiveness and mercy belong to Allah.

2. Dua for All Deceased Muslims

Muslims can also make dua for deceased believers as a group. A supplication reported in Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi asks Allah to forgive those who are alive and those who have died, as well as those present and absent.

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا

Transliteration:

Allahummaghfir lihayyina wa mayyitina.

English translation:

“O Allah, forgive those of us who are alive and those of us who have died.”

Reference: Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 1024. Read the narration in Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi.

This wording is the opening part of a longer supplication. When quoting the complete dua, use the full Arabic text and translation from the cited hadith rather than presenting this short excerpt as the entire narration.

You can use this supplication when praying for deceased family members, relatives, friends, or other Muslims. It also reminds us that dua is not limited to one person: Muslims may ask Allah to forgive the wider community of believers.

3. Dua Asking Allah for Mercy for the Deceased

A further supplication for a deceased person is published by Islamic Relief UK with a reference to Al-Hakim. It expresses the deceased person’s need for Allah’s mercy.

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ عَبْدُكَ وَابْنُ أَمَتِكَ احْتَاجَ إِلَى رَحْمَتِكَ وَأَنْتَ غَنِيٌّ عَنْ عَذَابِهِ

Transliteration:

Allahumma ‘abduka wabnu amatika ihtaja ila rahmatika, wa anta ghaniyyun ‘an ‘adhabihi.

English translation:

“O Allah, Your servant, the son of Your female servant, is in need of Your mercy, while You are free of any need to punish him.”

Reference: Al-Hakim, 1/359, as cited by Islamic Relief UK in its duas for the deceased.

This wording expresses a person’s dependence on Allah and need for His mercy. It is a reminder to pray humbly for the deceased rather than assume that a particular dua guarantees forgiveness.

When using a supplication attributed to a hadith collection or scholar, retain the reference provided by the source and avoid describing it as having a particular level of authenticity unless that grading has been verified.

4. What to Say After Burying the Deceased

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ instructed Muslims to seek forgiveness for a deceased person after burial and ask Allah to grant them steadfastness, because they would then be questioned.

The narration is recorded in Sunan Abi Dawud.

Meaning of the Prophetic instruction:

“Seek forgiveness for your brother, and ask Allah to grant him steadfastness, for he is now being questioned.”

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 3221.

This narration teaches Muslims what to do after burial: ask Allah to forgive the deceased and grant them steadfastness. The wording above gives the meaning of the instruction; it is not a direct Arabic dua quoted from the narration.

You can make dua in your own words, asking Allah to forgive the deceased and grant them steadfastness. Do not attribute a different Arabic formula to the Prophet ﷺ unless its wording and source have been checked.

5. What to Say When You Hear About Someone’s Death

When Muslims hear news of a death or face a loss, the Quran teaches them to say:

Arabic:

إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ

Transliteration:

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji‘un.

English translation:

“Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we will return.”

Reference: Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:156. Read the verse on Quran.com.

This statement reminds Muslims that all people belong to Allah and will return to Him. It is a Quranic phrase for times of loss and hardship. It is not a funeral dua specifically asking for forgiveness, but it is relevant when someone passes away.

When offering condolences, you can also speak kindly to the grieving family and make dua for the deceased. There is no need to claim that a particular phrase or count is required unless there is reliable evidence for that instruction.

How to Make Dua for a Marhoom

A marhoom is a person who has passed away. When making dua for a deceased loved one, keep the focus on asking Allah for forgiveness and mercy.

You can:

• Ask Allah to forgive the deceased and have mercy on them.

• Use a supplication reported in the Quran or hadith, keeping its wording and reference accurate.

• Pray for deceased family members, friends, and other Muslims.

• Make dua after burial by seeking forgiveness and asking Allah to grant the deceased steadfastness, as taught in the narration in Sunan Abi Dawud 3221.

• Avoid claiming that a fixed number of repetitions or a particular routine guarantees forgiveness unless reliable evidence supports that claim.

If the deceased was a woman, use a verified version of the supplication with feminine wording where needed. When quoting Arabic, check the full text rather than changing pronouns without reviewing the sentence.

Can You Give Charity on Behalf of Someone Who Has Died?

Yes. A report in Sahih Muslim describes a man who asked the Prophet ﷺ whether giving charity on behalf of his deceased father would benefit him. The Prophet ﷺ answered that it would.

Reference: Sahih Muslim 1630.

Another narration mentions three things that continue to benefit a person after death: ongoing charity, knowledge that benefits others, and a righteous child who prays for them.

Reference: Sahih Muslim 1631.

These narrations provide evidence for charity on behalf of a deceased person and for the benefit of a righteous child’s supplication. They do not establish that every charitable act must follow a particular amount, schedule, or fixed ritual.

Conclusion

Making dua for the deceased is a way to ask Allah for forgiveness and mercy for those who have passed away. The Quran teaches Muslims what to say when facing loss, and hadith reports include supplications for funeral prayer, prayers for deceased believers, and guidance after burial.

Use the Arabic wording and references carefully, and avoid unsupported claims about fixed counts or guaranteed results. You can also give charity on behalf of a deceased loved one, as supported by the narration in Sahih Muslim 1630.

May Allah forgive the deceased, have mercy on them, and grant patience to their families. Ameen.