How to Perform Janazah (Funeral) Prayer Step by Step

The Janazah prayer is a special prayer for Muslims who have passed away. It is a way for family, friends, and the community to ask Allah (SWT) to forgive the person who has died and grant them peace in the afterlife. Every Muslim should learn how to perform this prayer. It is simple, but it is important.

In this blog, you will learn how to perform the Janazah prayer step by step. We will use easy words and short sentences to help you understand it clearly.

What Is Janazah Prayer?

The Janazah prayer is also called the funeral prayer. It is done after a Muslim passes away. This prayer is different from the daily prayers. It has no ruku (bowing) or sujood (prostration). People stand in rows and pray for the dead person.

This prayer is done in congregation. That means many people pray together. It is a communal obligation (Fard Kifayah). If some people in the community pray it, others are not sinful. But if no one prays, the whole community will be at fault.

Before You Pray Janazah

Here are some things to do before you pray the Janazah:

1. Make Wudu (Ablution)

You must be clean before offering any prayer. So, make wudu just like you do for regular Salah.

2. Wear Clean Clothes

Wear clean and modest clothes. It is a sign of respect for the dead person.

3. Face the Qiblah

Stand facing the Kaaba (Qiblah) in Makkah.

4. Body Placement

The body of the dead person should be placed in front of the people. If the body is a man, the Imam stands at his head. If it is a woman, the Imam stands at her middle.

Who Can Perform Janazah Prayer?

Any Muslim can perform the Janazah prayer. Usually, the Imam leads it. But if there is no Imam, any Muslim man who knows the prayer can lead it.

Men usually perform this prayer. Women can also pray, but in many places, they stand in a separate area.

Janazah Prayer Step by Step

Let’s go through the steps of the Janazah prayer in order. There are four Takbirs in this prayer.

Step 1: Make the Intention (Niyyah)

Start with the intention in your heart. You do not need to say it out loud. Just think:

“I am praying Janazah for the sake of Allah, for this dead Muslim.”

Stand quietly with this intention.

Step 2: First Takbir – Say “Allahu Akbar”

Raise your hands and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest).

Then place your hands on your chest like you do in regular Salah.

Now recite Surah Al-Fatihah (the Opening Chapter of the Quran):

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem
Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil ‘alameen
Ar-Rahman-ir-Raheem
Maliki Yawm-id-Deen
Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta’een
Ihdinas-siraatal mustaqeem
Siraatal-ladheena an’amta ‘alayhim
Ghayril-maghdoobi ‘alayhim wa lad-daaalleen. Ameen

Step 3: Second Takbir – Say “Allahu Akbar”

Without raising your hands, say “Allahu Akbar” again.

Now recite the Salawat (Durood) on the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin
Kama sallayta ‘ala Ibraheema wa ‘ala aali Ibraheem
Innaka Hameedun Majeed
Allahumma baarik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin
Kama baarakta ‘ala Ibraheema wa ‘ala aali Ibraheem
Innaka Hameedun Majeed

Step 4: Third Takbir – Say “Allahu Akbar”

Say “Allahu Akbar” again (without raising hands).

Now make du’a for the dead person. You can use any short du’a or say this common one:

Allahummaghfir lihayyina wa mayyitina
wa shahidina wa gha’ibina
wa sagheerina wa kabeerina
wa dhakarina wa unthana.

Allahumma man ahyaytahu minna fa-ahyihi ‘ala al-Islam
wa man tawaffaytahu minna fatawaffahu ‘ala al-eemaan.

You can also say:

Allahummaghfir lahu warhamhu wa ‘aafihi wa’fu ‘anhu.

(Translation: O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, and pardon him.)

If the dead person is a woman, say “Allahummaghfir laha” instead of “lahu.”

If there are many people, say “lahum.”

Step 5: Fourth Takbir – Say “Allahu Akbar”

Say “Allahu Akbar” one last time (again, without raising hands).

Now make a short du’a for all Muslims:

Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu wa la taftinna ba’dahu.
Waghfir lana wa lahu ya Rabb al-‘Aalameen.

(Translation: O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not test us after him. Forgive us and him.)

Step 6: End the Prayer with Tasleem

After the fourth Takbir and short du’a, end the prayer by saying Salaam to the right:

As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah

You can also say it to the left, but the right side is necessary.

Summary of Janazah Prayer Steps

Important Things to Remember

• This prayer has no bowing or prostration.

• You should stand with calm and respect.

• It is okay to pray silently except for Takbirs and Salaam.

• Try to memorize the short du’as and Surah Al-Fatihah.

• If you forget a step, follow the Imam.

• If you join late, complete your missed Takbirs after the Imam finishes.

What Happens After Janazah Prayer?

After the Janazah prayer, the body is taken to the graveyard (Qabristan). Muslims perform the burial quickly. Men lower the body into the grave. Du’a is made again for the dead. The family and friends may stay for a short while and pray.

Why Janazah Prayer Is Important

Janazah prayer shows respect and love for the person who died. It reminds us that we will all return to Allah one day. It also brings reward for those who take part in it.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“Whoever attends the funeral until the prayer is offered will have a reward like one mountain of gold. Whoever stays until burial will have a reward like two mountains.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

So, always try to attend Janazah when you can.

Final Words

Learning how to perform Janazah prayer is a blessing. It helps us honor the dead and follow the Sunnah. The steps are simple and easy to learn. Try to teach others too. It will benefit you and your community.

May Allah forgive all our loved ones who passed away. May He guide us to live good lives and die with faith. Ameen.