The Sukon Janazah Guide
What to do when a Muslim passes away
Contents
1. At the time of death
What to say
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un
Indeed we belong to Allah, and to Him we will return.
Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:156
- Gently close the eyes and the mouth, and straighten the limbs.
- Cover the body with a clean sheet.
- Make dua for the person and speak only good.
- Inform family, the local masjid and, in India, get the death certificate process started (a doctor’s certificate or hospital papers).
- Arrange the burial quickly — the Sunnah is not to delay without need.
2. Ghusl — washing the body
Ghusl is done by Muslims of the same gender (a husband or wife may wash their spouse). Keep the awrah covered at all times.
- Make the intention and say “Bismillah”.
- Gently clean any impurity.
- Perform Wudu for the deceased (without putting water in the mouth and nose, in many schools).
- Wash the whole body an odd number of times — three, five or more — starting from the right side, with water and lote leaves or soap; camphor in the last wash.
- Dry the body gently.
3. Kafan — the shroud
| For | Sunnah number of cloths |
|---|---|
| Man | 3 white sheets |
| Woman | 5 pieces: an outer sheet, a sheet, a long shirt, a head cover and a chest cloth |
Plain white cotton is the Sunnah. Avoid expensive cloth.
4. Salat al-Janazah
The funeral prayer is a communal duty (fard kifayah). It is prayed standing, with no ruku and no sujud, and with four takbirs.
- First takbir: recite the opening praise (Sana) — or Al-Fatihah in the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools.
- Second takbir: recite the Durood Ibrahim.
- Third takbir: make dua for the deceased.
- Fourth takbir: then the salam to the right (and left).
Dua for the deceased
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ
Allahummaghfir lahu warhamhu wa afihi wa’fu anhu
O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, keep him safe and pardon him.
Sahih Muslim 963
5. Burial
- The grave faces the Qibla; the body is laid on its right side facing the Qibla.
- Those placing the body say: “Bismillahi wa ala millati Rasulillah” (In the name of Allah and on the way of the Messenger of Allah) — Sunan Abu Dawud 3213.
- Mourners each throw three handfuls of soil.
- After burial, stay a while and make dua that the person stays firm when questioned.
6. Mourning and the family
Mourning for a relative is up to three days. A widow observes iddah of four months and ten days (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:234), or until delivery if she is pregnant.
- Neighbours and relatives should send food to the family (Jami at-Tirmidhi 998).
- Avoid wailing, tearing clothes and customs with no basis in the Sunnah.
- Pay the person’s debts from the estate first, then carry out the will (up to one-third), then divide the inheritance by the Quranic shares.
7. Continuing good for the departed
Make dua, give charity on their behalf, complete their unfinished Hajj if they could not, and keep ties with the people they loved. Sukon can help with Janazah arrangements, Isaal-e-Sawab and Sadaqah Jariyah.
Scholar review. This guide is general guidance, written to be accepted by the major schools, with differences noted where they matter. It is being reviewed by Sukon’s Scholar panel. For a question about your own situation, ask a verified scholar — always free.
© INDO CHATS PRIVATE LIMITED. Written for Sukon. Free to read, print and share unchanged for non-commercial use, with credit to Sukon (sukon.in). Quran and hadith references are given with every quotation.