Namaz-E-Janaza
What is Namaz-e-Janaza
What is Namaz-e-Janaza?
Namaz-e-Janaza is the Islamic funeral prayer. It is performed to seek forgiveness and blessings for a deceased person. This prayer is an important part of the burial process in Islam, showing respect and offering prayers for the soul of the departed.
How to Perform Namaz-e-Janaza?
Namaz-e-Janaza is quite different from regular Salah. It consists of four Takbirs (saying “Allahu Akbar”), and it is performed while the deceased person’s body is present. Here’s how it is done step-by-step:
- Stand in Rows
- The people performing Namaz-e-Janaza stand in rows, facing the Qibla (the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca). The deceased is placed in front of them, with their head facing the Qibla.
- Intention (Niyyah)
- Before starting, make the intention (niyyah) in your heart that you are performing the Janaza prayer for the deceased. You don’t need to say the intention aloud.
- First Takbir (Opening)
- The Imam (leader) or the person leading the prayer says “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest).
- The rest of the people follow by saying “Allahu Akbar” as well.
- Recite Du’a (Supplication) after the First Takbir
- After the first Takbir, recite the Salat al-Ibrahimiyya (a prayer for blessings on the Prophet Muhammad and his family). This is the same prayer you say in regular Salah:
- “Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad” (O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad)
- Second Takbir (Pray for the Living and Deceased)
- The Imam says “Allahu Akbar”, and everyone repeats.
- After this, you make a supplication (Du’a) for the deceased. A common Du’a is:
- “Allahumma ighfir li hayyina wa mayyitina wa shahidina wa gha’ibina” (O Allah, forgive our living, our dead, those present, and those absent.)
- Third Takbir (Pray for All Muslims)
- The Imam says “Allahu Akbar”, and the people repeat.
- After this, pray for all Muslims, asking Allah to grant them peace and mercy:
- “Allahumma la tu’adhdhibna ba’da” (O Allah, do not punish us after this.)
- Fourth Takbir (Concluding Dua)
- The Imam says “Allahu Akbar” one last time, and the people repeat.
- After the fourth Takbir, the prayer is concluded by turning the head to the right and left, saying “Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah” (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you).
- The right side (first) and then the left side.
Summary of Key Parts:
- Stand facing the Qibla, and the deceased is positioned in front of you.
- Say “Allahu Akbar” to begin the prayer.
- After each Takbir, make the following supplications:
- Salat al-Ibrahimiyya (for the Prophet and his family).
- Du’a for the deceased.
- Du’a for the living Muslims.
- General supplications for all Muslims.
- After the fourth Takbir, turn your head to the right and left to end the prayer.
When to Perform Namaz-e-Janaza?
- Namaz-e-Janaza is performed after the body of the deceased has been washed, shrouded, and placed before the congregation.
- It is recommended to perform the Janaza prayer as soon as possible after death, especially before burial.
Namaz-e-Janaza is a powerful prayer for the deceased and is a way for the Muslim community to show respect and offer their supplications to Allah for mercy and forgiveness.
Quran & Hadith References
From the Qur’an:
Although the Qur’an does not mention Namaz-e-Janaza (funeral prayer) explicitly, the concept of praying for the deceased and offering forgiveness is present. The practice of Namaz-e-Janaza is derived from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as evidenced in the Hadith.
However, there are several verses that speak about praying for the deceased and seeking Allah’s mercy:
- Praying for the deceased: “And those who came after them say, ‘Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith, and do not place in our hearts any resentment toward those who have believed.'” (Surah Al-Hashr, 59:10)
- Seeking forgiveness for the dead: “And ask forgiveness for your sin and for the believers, male and female.” (Surah Muhammad, 47:19)
This shows that it is a common practice in Islam to pray for the deceased and ask for their forgiveness, which is part of the Janaza prayer.
From the Hadith:
- Funeral Prayer (Janaza Prayer): The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught and performed the Janaza prayer several times. In one of the hadiths, he said:
“Whoever follows the funeral procession of a Muslim and prays the Janaza prayer for him and stays until the burial is completed, he will receive two qirat of reward.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 944)
- Janaza Prayer for the Deceased: “When the dead body is placed before you, stand and say the Takbir. Then recite the prayer for the Prophet, and then ask forgiveness for the deceased. After the third Takbir, ask for peace and blessings for all of the Muslims.” (Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 3200)
- The Method of Performing Janaza Prayer: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) led the funeral prayer, standing next to the body of the deceased. He raised his hands and said, ‘Allahu Akbar’ four times. Then he made the supplication (Du’a) for the deceased, asking for forgiveness and mercy.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1349)
- Encouragement to Perform Janaza Prayer: “If you pray the Janaza prayer for a deceased Muslim, and follow the funeral to its burial place, you will receive the reward of two qirats. One qirat is like the size of Mount Uhud.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1341)
These references show the importance of Namaz-e-Janaza (funeral prayer) in Islam, its performance, and the reward associated with it. While the Qur’an encourages praying for the deceased and seeking forgiveness for them, the Hadith provides the details about the specific actions of performing the Janaza prayer as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
