Islamic Janazah Guidelines & Step-by-Step Rulings Janazah Guidance
1Immediate Actions Upon Death
1. Close the eyes and mouth: Gently close the eyes of the deceased, tie a soft clean cloth under the chin and over the head to keep the mouth closed, and straighten the limbs before rigor mortis sets in.
2. Cover the body: Cover the entire body with a clean white sheet.
3. Supplicate for forgiveness: Recite Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un and pray: “O Allah, forgive them and elevate their rank among the guided.”
4. Obtain Medical Pronouncement: Request the hospital or hospice death release paperwork needed by the coroner, funeral home, and cemetery.
5. Contact Funeral Share USA: Call our 24/7 Bereavement Hotline at +1 (800) 555-CARE to initiate immediate mortuary intake and mutual-aid case handling.
Ritual Washing (Ghusl)
Conducted by trustworthy pious Muslims of the same gender (or spouse). The body is washed an odd number of times (at least three), beginning with wudu without putting water in the mouth/nose, using water with lotus leaves (Sidr) or gentle soap, ending with fragrant camphor (Kafoor).
Shrouding (Kafan)
Simple, clean, inexpensive white cotton wraps without extravagance or silk. For men, three pieces of cloth are customarily used; for women, five garments are used. Scenting the shroud with permissible non-alcoholic attar is an authentic Sunnah.
Funeral Prayer (Salatul Janaza)
Offered standing without ruku’ or sujud across four Takbeers: 1st Takbeer: Surah Al-Fatihah; 2nd Takbeer: Salawat Ibrahimiyyah; 3rd Takbeer: Sincere Du’a for forgiveness; 4th Takbeer: Supplication for all Muslims and Tasleem.
Earth Burial (Ad-Dafn)
The body is laid gently in the grave on its right side facing the Qiblah. Those lowering the body recite: Bismillahi wa 'ala millati Rasulillah. Shroud ties are undone, three handfuls of earth are cast, and the grave is slightly mounded one handspan high.
Authentic Du'a for the Deceased (From Sahih Muslim)
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ
“O Allah, forgive him and have mercy upon him, give him peace and pardon him, honor his reception and expand his grave...”
Our volunteer bereavement committee assists families around the clock.