How to pray Janazah
Janazah is a fard kifayah, a communal obligation. If some members of the community pray it, the obligation is lifted from all. It is the shortest and simplest of Islamic prayers: standing only, four takbirs, specific duas between each, ending with salam. No ruku, no sujud. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever prays the funeral prayer and does not follow it, he has one qirat of reward. Whoever follows it until burial has two qirats, and a qirat is like mount Uhud.' Sahih al-Bukhari 1325.
After the body is washed and shrouded, before burial
Quiet (silent dua between takbirs). Only the imam says the takbirs aloud.
Standing only, 4 takbirs, no ruku or sujud
Can be prayed at any time of day or night, though the three forbidden times should be avoided unless delay would harm the body.
What makes Janazah distinct
- 1
Entirely standing. No bowing or prostrating.
- 2
Four takbirs in total, with specific duas between each.
- 3
No tashahhud, no second surah after al-Fatihah.
- 4
Ended with salam to the right (and optionally to the left).
- 5
A communal obligation (fard kifayah), not an individual one.
Special steps for Janazah
After the 1st takbir: recite Surat al-Fatihah
Raise your hands at the first takbir (some raise at all four, some only at the first depending on school), then fold them over your chest and recite al-Fatihah silently.
After the 2nd takbir: send salawat on the Prophet ﷺ
Recite the same Ibrahimi salawat from your five daily prayers.
After the 3rd takbir: dua for the deceased
The Prophet ﷺ taught several duas at this point. The one below is the most widely transmitted. If the deceased is a woman, adjust pronouns (lahu to laha, etc.).
After the 4th takbir: brief dua
A short pause with any further dua, then end with salam.
End with salam
Turn head right: As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah. Some schools consider one salam sufficient, most add a left salam as in the daily prayers.
FAQs about Janazah
Can I pray janazah for a non-Muslim relative?+
No. The janazah prayer as taught by the Prophet ﷺ is for Muslims only, because the duas between takbirs ask for forgiveness and Paradise. For a non-Muslim loved one, make personal dua for mercy in their lifetime and for your own peace.
Can I pray janazah without a body present (in absentia)?+
Most scholars allow it in specific cases: when a Muslim has died in a place where no one prayed over them, or when a scholar of universal benefit to the ummah has died. The Prophet ﷺ prayed in absentia for the Negus of Abyssinia.
What if I arrive late to the janazah?+
Join from the takbir the imam is on, and complete the missed takbirs after the imam ends. You do not miss out on the prayer.
Do women pray janazah?+
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ permitted women to attend. In some cultures women do not walk in the funeral procession afterward, but praying the janazah itself is permitted for all.
Is there a specific time when janazah is forbidden?+
The Prophet ﷺ forbade burial at the three forbidden times (sunrise, zenith, sunset), but if delay would cause harm, it is permitted. The prayer itself can be offered at any time.
Learn the full prayer
Every daily prayer builds on the same 2-rak'ah pattern: wudu, the takbir, al-Fatihah, a surah, ruku, sujud, tashahhud, and salam. Learn the complete walkthrough once and every prayer makes sense.