The janazah (funeral) prayer is a short prayer performed in congregation for a deceased Muslim, consisting of four takbirs, with no rukū' or sujūd. It is fard kifāyah — when part of the community performs it, the obligation is lifted from the rest. In this guide you will find its full performance, the duas recited and frequently asked questions.
Structure · 4 takbirs, no rukū'/sujūdRuling · Fard kifāyah
The janazah prayer is a short prayer performed in congregation for a deceased Muslim, consisting of four takbirs and performed entirely while standing, with no rukū' or sujūd. It must be performed before burial, once the body has been washed and shrouded.
This guide is based on the Hanafi school as taught by Türkiye's Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet).
01
Definition
What is the janazah prayer?
The janazah prayer is a short four-takbir prayer performed for a deceased Muslim, asking Allah's mercy and forgiveness for them. It has no rukū' or sujūd; the entire prayer consists of dua and salawat recited while standing. This is its most fundamental difference from other salahs.
The main purpose of the janazah prayer is to ask Allah's forgiveness for the deceased and to fulfil the last duty of Muslim brotherhood. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If forty Muslims pray the janazah prayer for a Muslim and intercede for him, not associating any partners with Allah, Allah will accept that intercession" (Muslim).
02
Ruling
Ruling and importance
The janazah prayer is fard kifāyah. This means "when some members of the community fulfil it, the obligation is lifted from the rest." So if at least one person from the community attends a janazah, the other Muslims do not fall into sin. However, if no one attends, the entire community bears the responsibility.
In practice, attending the janazah whenever possible is considered ihsan. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that one of the six rights of a Muslim over another is to follow his funeral (Muslim). Attending the janazah of a neighbour, relative or acquaintance is especially recommended.
03
Congregation
Who performs it, and where?
The janazah prayer is performed in congregation; it is not prayed alone. The imam may be a relative of the deceased, a person authorised by the family, or the mosque's appointed imam. The congregation typically consists of male Muslims, though women may also attend; in Türkiye women usually stand in a separate area inside the mosque.
The janazah prayer is commonly performed in the mosque courtyard or in an open area. Performing it inside the mosque is makruh in the Hanafi school but permitted in the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools. Row arrangement: the coffin is placed in front of the imam, the congregation behind. Forming three rows is the recommendation of the Prophet (peace be upon him); the rows should be tight and straight.
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Step-by-step
Step-by-step performance
The janazah prayer consists of four takbirs and is performed in this order:
Make the intention and take the first takbir.The coffin is placed in front and the congregation lines up behind the imam. The imam intends: "I intend to perform the funeral prayer for this deceased person who is present, for the sake of Allah, and to lead those who follow me." The congregation intends: "I intend to perform the funeral prayer for this deceased person and to follow the imam." The imam and congregation together say "Allāhu Akbar," raising the hands to the ear/shoulder level and then folding them below the navel (men) or on the chest (women).
Recite the Subhānaka (with the additional phrase).After the first takbir, the Subhānaka is recited; however, there is an addition specific to the janazah prayer: the phrase "wa jalla thanā'uka" (= and how exalted is Your praise) is added at the end of the usual Subhānaka. Full text: "Subhānaka Allāhumma wa bi-hamdik, wa tabāraka-smuk, wa ta'ālā jadduk, wa jalla thanā'uka, wa lā ilāha ghayruk." It is recited silently.
Second takbir — Recite the Salli and Bārik duas.The imam, without raising the hands, says only "Allāhu Akbar" for the second takbir; the congregation does the same. Then the Salli-Bārik duas are recited silently: "Allāhumma salli alā Muhammad…" and "Allāhumma bārik alā Muhammad…". This is sending salawat upon the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Third takbir — Recite the funeral dua.After the third takbir is taken, a specific dua for the deceased is recited. The common text: "Allāhumma-ghfir li-hayyinā wa mayyitinā wa shāhidinā wa ghā'ibinā wa saghīrinā wa kabīrinā wa dhakarinā wa unthānā. Allāhumma man ahyaytahu minnā fa-ahyihi 'ala'l-Islām; wa man tawaffaytahu minnā fa-tawaffahu 'ala'l-īmān, wa khussa hādha'l-mayyita bi'r-rawhi wa'r-rāhati wa'l-maghfirati wa'r-ridwān." If one does not know this dua, at the least say three times "Allāhumma-ghfir lahu" (if the deceased is male) or "Allāhumma-ghfir lahā" (if female).
Fourth takbir — Brief silent supplication.After the fourth takbir, one pauses briefly in silent supplication (e.g. "Rabbanā ātinā fid-dunyā hasanatan…"). This short pause is sunnah; no extended waiting is required.
Give the tasleem — right and left.Turn first to the right and then to the left, saying "As-salāmu alaykum wa rahmatullāh." With the tasleem the janazah prayer is complete. Before the congregation disperses, it is mustahabb to say a brief final dua for the deceased.
Total duration is approximately 3-5 minutes. The imam takes the takbirs ALOUD; the duas are recited SILENTLY by the congregation.
05
Duas
Janazah duas
Three main duas recited in the janazah prayer:
Subhānaka (with the special addition): "Subhānaka Allāhumma wa bi-hamdik, wa tabāraka-smuk, wa ta'ālā jadduk, wa jalla thanā'uka, wa lā ilāha ghayruk." (Only in the janazah prayer is "wa jalla thanā'uka" added.)
Salli-Bārik: "Allāhumma salli alā Muhammadin wa alā āli Muhammad…" and "Allāhumma bārik alā Muhammadin wa alā āli Muhammad…" (The same Salli-Bārik duas recited in tashahhud.)
Funeral dua (dua for the deceased): "Allāhumma-ghfir li-hayyinā wa mayyitinā wa shāhidinā wa ghā'ibinā wa saghīrinā wa kabīrinā wa dhakarinā wa unthānā…" This classical dua is narrated in Muslim. Whoever does not know it should at least say three times "Allāhumma-ghfir lahu/lahā" (forgive him/her).
In meaning, all three duas cover: 1) Praise and glorification of Allah, 2) Sending salawat upon the Prophet (peace be upon him), 3) Asking forgiveness and mercy for the deceased. A heartfelt supplication is accepted; it is not required to know the text perfectly by heart.
06
Special Cases
Children and special funerals
Child's janazah: Since children who have not reached puberty are not accountable for sin, instead of the dua of forgiveness a different dua is recited: "Allāhumma-j'alhu lanā faratan wa-j'alhu lanā ajran wa dhukhran wa-j'alhu lanā shāfi'an wa mushaffa'an" (O Allah, make this child a source of reward and an intercessor for us). The other three takbirs are the same. This dua is narrated in Tirmidhi.
Miscarriage (siqt): If the infant showed signs of life before dying, the standard child's janazah prayer is performed. For miscarried infants who showed no signs of life in the womb, no janazah prayer is performed; the body is washed, shrouded and buried.
Martyr's janazah: A martyr killed in battle is not washed or shrouded; the janazah is prayed and burial is performed in the clothes the martyr was wearing (Hanafi). The martyr's janazah prayer itself is identical to a normal janazah prayer.
In absentia (ghā'ibī) janazah: When the body is elsewhere (plane crash, lost at sea, fallen in war), the Hanafi school does not permit the in absentia janazah; however, it is permitted in the Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools.
07
Hatırla İslam
In Hatırla İslam
The Hatırla İslam app includes a visual step-by-step section that explains how to perform the janazah prayer. The duas of each of the four takbirs are shown in Arabic, transliteration and English meaning together — an ideal learning tool for newcomers.
You can also start a khatm (Quran completion) for a deceased loved one; the duas section gives you access to duas commonly recited at funerals, such as Surah Yāsīn and Surah al-Mulk.
08
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How many takbirs are in the janazah prayer?
The janazah prayer consists of four takbirs. Each takbir begins a section: 1) the first takbir + Subhānaka (with the addition "wa jalla thanā'uka"), 2) the second takbir + Salli-Bārik (salawat upon the Prophet), 3) the third takbir + funeral dua, 4) the fourth takbir + brief dua + tasleem. There is no rukū' or sujūd; the entire prayer is performed while standing.
How many rakahs is the janazah prayer?
The janazah prayer is not a "rakah"-structured prayer in the classical sense. It has no rakah structure (no rukū', no sujūd). The entire prayer is performed standing, with four takbirs, three duas and one tasleem. Total duration is on average 3-5 minutes. This is its most fundamental difference from other salahs.
On whom is the janazah prayer obligatory?
The janazah prayer is fard kifāyah; that is, when some members of the community fulfil it, the obligation is lifted from the rest. Otherwise the whole community is sinful. Every Muslim man (and woman, if she wishes) who has reached puberty, is sane and healthy may participate; even one person is enough.
Does the janazah prayer have a specific time?
The janazah prayer has no specific fard time; it is performed as soon as the body has been washed and shrouded and is ready. It is commonly performed after the dhuhr, after the asr, or after Jumu'ah prayer. Performing it during the makruh times (sunrise, sunset, exact noon) is disliked; these times should be allowed to pass first.
If not performed inside the mosque, where is it performed?
The janazah prayer is most commonly performed in the courtyard of the mosque, in an open area, at the cemetery, or in front of the home of the deceased. Performing it inside the mosque is makruh in the Hanafi school but permitted in the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools. In Türkiye the common practice is to perform it in the outer courtyard of the mosque. The rows are formed with the coffin in front and the congregation behind the imam.
Is the dua different for a child's janazah?
Yes. Since children who have not reached puberty are not held accountable for sin, instead of the dua of forgiveness a different dua is recited: "Allāhumma-j'alhu lanā faratan wa-j'alhu lanā ajran wa dhukhran wa-j'alhu lanā shāfi'an wa mushaffa'an" (O Allah, make this child a source of reward and an intercessor for us). For a boy say "j'alhu," for a girl "j'alhā." The other three takbirs are the same.
Can burial take place without the janazah prayer?
No, it is not religiously permitted. The janazah prayer is fard kifāyah and must be performed before burial. In extraordinary circumstances (war, pandemic, etc.) the janazah prayer can be performed at the graveside or after burial; the prayer performed at the graveside after burial is called the "ghā'ibī (in absentia) funeral prayer."
Is it a sin not to attend a janazah prayer?
It is sufficient that at least one Muslim attends a janazah prayer (fard kifāyah). If no one in the community attends, all are accountable. However, attending the janazah of a neighbour, relative or acquaintance is ihsan and brings great reward. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "A Muslim has six rights over another Muslim; one is to follow his funeral" (Muslim). Attending the janazah whenever possible is recommended.
How does one follow the imam in a janazah prayer?
Following the imam in a janazah prayer is similar to a normal prayer, but with some differences: 1) The imam takes the takbirs ALOUD; the duas are recited SILENTLY; the congregation recites their duas silently. 2) The imam folds his hands after the first takbir; he does not raise them again for subsequent takbirs (Hanafi). 3) The congregation must be on the same takbir as the imam; they must not be one takbir ahead or behind.
How are the rows arranged in the janazah prayer?
The coffin is placed in front of the imam, and the congregation lines up behind the imam. Whether there is one row or many rows is not important; rows form according to the number of attendees. The Prophet (peace be upon him) recommended that there be three rows in the janazah prayer; even if only two people come, it is mustahabb that they form two rows of one each. Rows should be straight and tight.
What is the ghā'ibī (in absentia) janazah prayer?
The ghā'ibī janazah prayer is the funeral prayer performed for a deceased person whose body is elsewhere (e.g. plane crash, lost at sea, fallen in war). It is not permitted in the Hanafi school; the body must be physically present. It is permitted in the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools; the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed in this manner for the Negus, king of Abyssinia (Bukhari).
Is there a difference between the janazah of a woman and a man?
The structure of the prayer is identical — four takbirs, the same duas. Only the pronoun part of the funeral dua after the third takbir changes: for a male, "Allāhumma-ghfir lahu"; for a female, "Allāhumma-ghfir lahā." If there are multiple deceased (mixed women and men), the pronoun becomes "lahum" (for them). For a child, an entirely different dua is recited (see above).
