Have you noticed some of those attending who shy away from joining the Solat Janazah ~ funeral prayer when invited to join the congregation at either the home of the deceased or at the local surau / masjid where the janazah has been prepared by washing and shrouded / 'kapan'ed ready for burial at the nearby Kubr ~ cemetery?
Chances are that those people might not be knowledgeable about the correct ways to perform the Solat Al Janazah ~ Muslim Funeral prayer according to our faith of Al Islam?
Well, I'd like to help share the basics of performing such an important prayer. It falls under Fardhu Kifayah. The Obligatory Deed. Social Obligation.
The Solat Al Janazah is usually performed and carried out by members of the male congregation amongst the Muslims. Not obligatory upon the Muslimahs ~ Muslim females.
Just like preparing for the compulsory or sunnah prayers, the Solat Janazah requires one to be clean, free from Hadas Al Akbar (Major Impurity) or Hadas Al Asghar (Minor Impurity) and to have taken the ablution correctly.
In these modern times, it is important that we who are members of our local Muslim community, make it a point to learn about this very important social obligation towards those amongst us who pass away.
What more if the deceased is one of our loved ones, family, neighbors, friends or someone whom we loved and respected amongst our society?
Do not assume that the Solat Al Janazah is very difficult to carry out. It is not.
Its simpler than the solat as we know it.
Its importance supersedes that of the optional Solat Sunnats.
There are 7 rukuns or key rules relating to performing the Solat Al Janazah.
They are:
- Stating one's Niyyat @ intention before performing the Takbiratul Ihram.
- Standing straight facing the qiblat.
- Reciting the Takbir 4 times.
- Reciting the Surah Al Fatihah.
- Salawat to the Blessed Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alaihi Wassallam.
- Making Do'a for the deceased.
- Giving the Salam to Malaikats Raqib and Atid Alaihis Salams.
The Niyyat @ Intention
- The niyyat @ intention for performing the Solat Al Janazah upon a male deceased Muslim is :
'Usalli 'alaa haazal mayyiti arba'a takbiiratiin (imaaman / makmuumaan) lillahi ta'aala'.
meaning: " I perform the solat for this dead body with four takbirs as an (Imam / Makmum) in the name of Allah Al Mighty".
- The niyyat @ intention for performing the Solat Al Janazah upon a female deceased Muslimah is:
'Usalli 'alaa haazihil mayyitati arba'a takbiiratiin (imaaman / makmumaan) lillahi ta'ala'.
meaning: " I perform the solat for this dead body with four takbirs as an (Imam / Makmum) in the name of Allah Al Mighty".
The jamaah @ congregation are encouraged to stand closely in 3 rows or more as there is no ruku' or sujud in the Solat Al Janazah. Best is to have either 3, 5 or 7 rows or more if there are lots of attendees.
I am writing this for the benefit of those of us who will be the makmum @ jamaah of the Solat Al Janazah.
Once the Imam raises his hands in Takbiratul Ihram, you follow suit and then recite Surah Al Fatihah. Just like any other Sunnat prayers.
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alamin.
Ar Rahman nir Rahim.
Malikiyaum mid din.
Iyya qanak budu wa iyya qanas ta iin.
Ihh dii nass sirraatal mustaqim.
Siiraatal ladzi na an am ta 'alaihim
Ghairill magh dhubi 'alaihim
Wa ladh dhaa liin.
Aamin.
When the Imam raises his hands with the 2nd Takbiratul Ihram saying Allahu Akbar, the makmum recites the Salawat :
Allahumma salli alaa Sayyidina Muhammad
It is best to recite the full Salawat as what we recite at the end of our final Attahiyyat :
Allahumma salli alaa Muhammad , Wa 'aala aalihi Muhammad,
Kama saalaita alaa Ibrahim , Wa 'aala aalihi Ibrahiim,
Wabarik alaa Muhammad, Wa 'alaa aalihi Muhammad,
Kama barakta 'alaa Ibrahiim, Wa 'alaa aalihi Ibrahiim,
Fiil 'aalamiina Innaka Hamiiduun Maajiid
When the Imam raises his hands and says the 3rd Takbir 'Allahu Akbar!', we the makmum after bringing our hands back into the Qiyyam position, are to recite the following do'a for the deceased:
'Allahummaghfirrlahu (if it is for a male deceased Muslim)~(lahaa for female)
meaning" O Allah, please grant forgiveness for (him / her)
The best do'a would be :
meaning:
After the Imam raises his hands and Takbir's for the 4th and final time, and we place our hands in the Qiyyam position, we are enjoined to recite this do'a:
meaning:
After reciting this do'a, the Imam gives the Salam (Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh). First to the right (wajib) then to the left (optional).
Then the Imam makes the following do'a @ prayers for the deceased before him.
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Once the Imam raises his hands in Takbiratul Ihram, you follow suit and then recite Surah Al Fatihah. Just like any other Sunnat prayers.
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alamin.
Ar Rahman nir Rahim.
Malikiyaum mid din.
Iyya qanak budu wa iyya qanas ta iin.
Ihh dii nass sirraatal mustaqim.
Siiraatal ladzi na an am ta 'alaihim
Ghairill magh dhubi 'alaihim
Wa ladh dhaa liin.
Aamin.
When the Imam raises his hands with the 2nd Takbiratul Ihram saying Allahu Akbar, the makmum recites the Salawat :
Allahumma salli alaa Sayyidina Muhammad
It is best to recite the full Salawat as what we recite at the end of our final Attahiyyat :
Allahumma salli alaa Muhammad , Wa 'aala aalihi Muhammad,
Kama saalaita alaa Ibrahim , Wa 'aala aalihi Ibrahiim,
Wabarik alaa Muhammad, Wa 'alaa aalihi Muhammad,
Kama barakta 'alaa Ibrahiim, Wa 'alaa aalihi Ibrahiim,
Fiil 'aalamiina Innaka Hamiiduun Maajiid
When the Imam raises his hands and says the 3rd Takbir 'Allahu Akbar!', we the makmum after bringing our hands back into the Qiyyam position, are to recite the following do'a for the deceased:
'Allahummaghfirrlahu (if it is for a male deceased Muslim)~(lahaa for female)
meaning" O Allah, please grant forgiveness for (him / her)
The best do'a would be :
- Allaahummaghfir (lahu or lahaa) warhamhu,
- Wa 'aafihi wa'fu anhu,
- Wa akrim muzullahu,
- Wa was si' madqhallahu,
- Wagh silhu bil maa i wat thalji walbarad,
- Wanaqqihi minal khaataayya,
- kamaa yunaqhqath thauball abyaaduu minadd daanas,
- Waa abdillhuu daaran khairamm min daariih,
- Wa ahlan khairam min ahlih,
- Wa zaujan khairam min zaujih,
- Wa ad khilhul jannata,
- Wa 'a 'izhu min azaabil qabr,
- Wa fitnatihi,
- Wa min azaabbin naar.
meaning:
- " O Allah, please grant (him / her) forgiveness,
- Bless him / her, Please forgive him / her
- And forgive all (his/her) mistakes,
- Raise the status of the place (he/she) is returning to
- and make his/her grave spacious
- and cleanse (him/her) of all (his/her) wrongdoings so that (he/she) will be as clean as a piece of white cloth that is free from dirt
- and replace his village with a better one
- and a (husband/wife) who is much better than (his wife/her husband)
- and place (him/her) in Paradise
- and save (him/her) from Hell's torture."
After the Imam raises his hands and Takbir's for the 4th and final time, and we place our hands in the Qiyyam position, we are enjoined to recite this do'a:
- "Allaahumma laa tahrimnaa ajrahu,
- Walaa taftinnaa ba'dahu,
- Waghfirlanaa walahu,
- wal ikhwaaninal laziina sabaquunaa bil iimaan,
- Walaa taj-'al fii quluubiina ghillall lillaziina aamanuu
- Rabbanaa innaka ra-uufurr rahiim."
meaning:
- "O Allah, please do not forget Your rewards for us
- and please don't give us slander afterwards,
- and grant forgiveness on us and on (him/her)
- and also on our devout brothers before us,
- and please do not instill in our hearts hatred/jealousy towards the men of faith,
- Indeed You are All Merciful and All Loving."
After reciting this do'a, the Imam gives the Salam (Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh). First to the right (wajib) then to the left (optional).
Then the Imam makes the following do'a @ prayers for the deceased before him.
- 'Allahumma 'inna [name the person] fee thimmatika
- Wa habli jiwaarika
- Faqihi min fitnatil-qabri
- Wa 'athaabin-naari
- Wa 'Anta 'ahlul-wafaa'i walhaqqi
- Faghfir lahu warhaw hu
- 'Innaka 'Antal-Ghafoorur-Raheem.
meaning
- O Allah, surely [name the person] is under Your Protection
- And in the rope of Your Security
- So, save him from the trial of the grave
- And from the punishment of the Fire
- You fulfill promises and grant rights
- So Forgive him and have mercy on him
- Surely You are Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
As each country's Muslims live by their own individual society's culture and traditions, the way people pay their respects to the deceased differs according to their norms and traditions thus it is up to them to observe post burial practices as they wish as long as it does not go against the teachings of Islam.
Here in Malaysia's mostly Sunni Muslim traditions, the gathered congregation pay their respects to the just departed by either pouring on scented water or scattering of flower petals on to the grave.
In Saudi Arabia, none of such practices are observed whilst in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, they have their own ways to pay their respects to their just departed and buried.
In Islam, it is haram to erect permanent edifices or gravestones containing photos or pictures of the deceased but over in the Middle Eastern countries such as Iran, Iraq, etc, I have seen media pictures showing just that.
Here is a video I shot showing the burial of Allahyarham Nasir P.Ramlee, son of Malaysia's legendary actor/singer/comedian/ director/ composer/etc.
May Allah have Mercy on us when it is our time to return to Him, our Supreme Creator. Ameen.
Let's recite Al Fatihah to all our departed members of our family and the ummah in general.
Al Fatihah!