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Method of Janazah Prayer
1. ‘Make’ the intention (niyyah) by saying (in any language): “I intend to pray for the sake of Allah Most High and to supplicate (du'a) for the deceased.” Also, make the intention of following the imam.
2. Say the first takbir after the imam and read the thana' (“SubhanakAllahumma wa bi hamdika ...”).
3. Say the second takbir after the imam and read salat 'ala 'l-Nabiyy (durud sharif - i.e. “Allahumma salli 'ala ..." and "Allahumma barik 'ala ...”).
4. Say the third takbir after the imam and supplicate (du'a). It is best to say the words of du'a that have been transmitted from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in hadith. The following du'a may be said in praying the janazah of a deceased adult:
The following du'a should be said when praying the janazah of a deceased child:
5. Say the fourth takbir after the imam, and then say the salam after the imam. Nothing should be said after this fourth takbir. Remain silent and wait for the imam to say the salam before you say it. As none of the imams will be adherents to the hanafi madhhab, they will say just one salam to the right. You may add a second salam to the left. This is the completion of janazah salah. This is the du'a prescribed by Allah Most High and His Messenger (peace be upon him).
Note: Unlike the two ‘Id prayers, there is no raising of hands except at the beginning, when saying the opening takbir (takbirat al-tahrimah). Do not copy those around you, who may be raising their hands at every takbir.
Preparing the deceased Preparing the deceased for burial is the responsibility of the Muslim community. The deceased body is handled with respect, and great care and gentleness. The washing and preparation for burial are performed by those of the same gender as the deceased.
Immediately after death, those in attendance should gently close the eyes of the deceased and say the simple supplication for those afflicted by a calamity. To God we belong and unto Him is our return. (Quran 3:185)
Items needed at Ghusl Khana
• Kaffan 60” width
• Agharbatti (incense sticks)
• 4 bath sheets
• 3 big sheets for satr and handling
• Jugs/buckets
• Scissors
• Cotton wool packs
• Canfor
• Plasters
• Disposable gloves
• Sandal wood mix
• Ittar
• Bin bags
Length of the Kafan (shrouding)
When shrouding the body, one should remember the kafan material is white. No other colour should be used. The Messenger of Allah(Sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) has stated, “Shroud the deceased in a white kafan” (Nizame Shariah)
It is quoted in the Hadeeth that ,”Shroud your deceased in a good kafan as on meeting other dead people, they become happy on looking at the quality of their kafan.” (Nizame Shariah) • Chaader (envelope) – long enough to be tied on both ends of the body(atleast one foot longer on each side)
• Ijaar/tehband (trouser) – Length from head to toe • Orni (scarf) – enough to take from middle of back to below the chest (3 arm length, approx. 1 and half yards)
• Kafni/khamees(dress) – from neck to below knees, both sides should be equal from back and front, cut should be made at the chest. Slit a little at the neck • Sina bandh – from above the chest to thighs (Ref. Barkate Shariat Bara’e khawateen/Nizaame Shariah )
The method of bathing and shrouding the deceased Bathing the deceased: • Firstly make sure that the area or room in which the ghusl is going to be given is a place of privacy so no extra people apart from those women bathing can see anything.
• Crush some Kafoor (moth balls) in a bucket of warm (not too hot) water as will need later.
• Encircle the bathing table with incense sticks 1, 3 , 5 0r 7 times, then lay the deceased facing anyway that is comfortable and easy to bath. There is no particular position to lay the deceased.
• Now cover the body with a thick cloth or blanket(satr) so that when the bathing is done nothing is exposed through. Undress the deceased from under the covering.
• Women who will bath, wear latex gloves and first pour warm water over body.
• Now istinja will be done front and back with cotton wool. One must not directly see the body but work from under the top covering.
• Next the four faraidh of wudhu will be carried out. When washing the face with cotton wool wipe the teeth, lips and the nostrils and place small balls of cotton in the nostrils to prevent water going in. Wash the face thrice forehead to chin and earlobe to earlobe, followed by the arms from fingertips up to and including the elbows, then the masah of the head as done for wudhu and finally the feet from the toes including the ankles and between the toes.
• Now wash the hair with simple soap or gram flour (besan) if nothing available plain water will suffice.
• Turn the whole body to the left and wash the right side of the body from head to toe with either berry leaves soaked water or if not available plain warm water will suffice. Then turn the body to the right and repeat on the left side.
• Now the body will be supported in a sitting position as much as possible and gently press the abdominal area to empty any matter from the bowel and bladder. Keep the water pouring over so it washes out straight away. Sometimes this is carried out at the beginning of ghusl but if done near the end it has maximum benefit because the body is thoroughly warm and will make it easier to release any impurities. Please note this DOES NOT invalidate the ghusl.
• Finally pour the kafoor water that was prepared earlier from the head to toe and pat dry the body with clean towels. Always handle the body gently. (Ref. Barkate Shariat Bara’e khawateen )
Shrouding the deceased
Method of laying out the Kafan
Five pieces of kafan will be laid out as follows on the shrouding tray or on the floor:
• Seena band
• Lifafah(envelope)
• Tehband (trouser)
• Orni (scarf)
• Kafni (dress)
(The full kafan should be encircled with incense three, five or seven times) (Ref. Barkate Shariat Bara’e khawateen )
Method of putting the kafan on
1. Flip over one layer of the kafni and place the deceased on the bottom layer of kafni. Now bring over the flipped layer through the head opening over the body.
2. Now put sandalwood (khushbu) over the whole body. The parts of the body that touch the ground in sajda is where kafoor will be rubbed. I.e. the forehead, the nose, the hands, the knees and the feet.
3. Now divide the hair into two equal parts, bringing each side to the front, covering the chest area left and right.
4. Now the orni will be placed from the back waist all the way over the front of the face, like a niqab, covering the face to the waist front. (NB the deceased should not be made to wear the scarf like it was during the lifetime of the deceased as this is against the sunnah.)
5. Now the tehband will be first wrapped from the left to the right, and then from the right to the left.
6. Now the lifafah will be wrapped first from the right then the left, ensuring the opening is on the right.
7. Now the seena band should be wrapped in the same way.
8. Finally the strings should be tied, one at the feet, one at the waist and one at the head. (Ref. Barkate Shariat Bara’e khawateen )
Common misunderstandings
• The women to give Ghusl should be with Taharaat. It is disliked for a Junub or a woman with Haiz to give Ghusl but if they do, it will be done. There is absolutely no Karaahat if a woman without Wudhu gives Ghusl. The woman to give Ghusl should be one who can complete the entire Ghusl. If she sees anything good, e.g the face becomes bright, a fragrance emanated from the body then she should relate it to other women, but if she sees anything bad she should not narrate it to anybody. (Alamghiri)
• The husband of a woman deceased cannot bath or touch her but to see her face is not disallowed. (Durre-Mukhtaar) That which is famous amongst the masses i.e. the husband cannot carry, see or place the Janaaza in the Qabr is absolutely incorrect. Only bathing and touching the body by hand is not permitted. The Janaaza is touched by the hands of strangers, carried on their shoulders and taken till the Qabr by them so what to say of the husband. (Fataawa Razvia)
• One Ghusal is sufficient for a Junub or a woman with Haiz or Nifaas that has died. No matter how many factors make Ghusl Wajib they will all be completed by one Ghusl. (Durre- Mukhtaar)
• There is no harm if cotton is placed in the ears, nose, mouth or other open areas after bathing but it is better if is not placed. It is impermissible Makrooh-e-Tahrimi and a sin to comb the hair of the Mayyat, cut her nails or to extract, cut or shave hair from anywhere. The Hukm is that the Mayyat should be buried in whatever condition she dies. (Alamghiri, Durre-Mukhtaar)
• The shariah does not disallow nor is there any sin in the cooking of food or lighting of fire or stove in the funeral home. Due to the affliction of death however the bereaved do not do so. Therefore it is Sunnah that food is cooked and sent for the bereaved family on the first day only with love and persistence used for them eating it. Food should not be sent on the second day and the food prepared should not be for more than the bereaved family. Other people there should not partake of it. (Fataawa Razwiya) (Ref, Sunni Bahishti Zewar – Heavenly Jewels)
1. ‘Make’ the intention (niyyah) by saying (in any language): “I intend to pray for the sake of Allah Most High and to supplicate (du'a) for the deceased.” Also, make the intention of following the imam.
2. Say the first takbir after the imam and read the thana' (“SubhanakAllahumma wa bi hamdika ...”).
3. Say the second takbir after the imam and read salat 'ala 'l-Nabiyy (durud sharif - i.e. “Allahumma salli 'ala ..." and "Allahumma barik 'ala ...”).
4. Say the third takbir after the imam and supplicate (du'a). It is best to say the words of du'a that have been transmitted from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in hadith. The following du'a may be said in praying the janazah of a deceased adult:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا ، اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ ، وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الْإِيمَانِ
The following du'a should be said when praying the janazah of a deceased child:
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ لَنَا فَرَطًا وَاجْعَلْهُ لَنَا أَجْرًا وَذُخْرًا وَاجْعَلْهُ لَنَا شَافِعًا وَمُشَفَّعًا
5. Say the fourth takbir after the imam, and then say the salam after the imam. Nothing should be said after this fourth takbir. Remain silent and wait for the imam to say the salam before you say it. As none of the imams will be adherents to the hanafi madhhab, they will say just one salam to the right. You may add a second salam to the left. This is the completion of janazah salah. This is the du'a prescribed by Allah Most High and His Messenger (peace be upon him).
Note: Unlike the two ‘Id prayers, there is no raising of hands except at the beginning, when saying the opening takbir (takbirat al-tahrimah). Do not copy those around you, who may be raising their hands at every takbir.
Preparing the deceased Preparing the deceased for burial is the responsibility of the Muslim community. The deceased body is handled with respect, and great care and gentleness. The washing and preparation for burial are performed by those of the same gender as the deceased.
Immediately after death, those in attendance should gently close the eyes of the deceased and say the simple supplication for those afflicted by a calamity. To God we belong and unto Him is our return. (Quran 3:185)
Items needed at Ghusl Khana
• Kaffan 60” width
• Agharbatti (incense sticks)
• 4 bath sheets
• 3 big sheets for satr and handling
• Jugs/buckets
• Scissors
• Cotton wool packs
• Canfor
• Plasters
• Disposable gloves
• Sandal wood mix
• Ittar
• Bin bags
Length of the Kafan (shrouding)
When shrouding the body, one should remember the kafan material is white. No other colour should be used. The Messenger of Allah(Sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) has stated, “Shroud the deceased in a white kafan” (Nizame Shariah)
It is quoted in the Hadeeth that ,”Shroud your deceased in a good kafan as on meeting other dead people, they become happy on looking at the quality of their kafan.” (Nizame Shariah) • Chaader (envelope) – long enough to be tied on both ends of the body(atleast one foot longer on each side)
• Ijaar/tehband (trouser) – Length from head to toe • Orni (scarf) – enough to take from middle of back to below the chest (3 arm length, approx. 1 and half yards)
• Kafni/khamees(dress) – from neck to below knees, both sides should be equal from back and front, cut should be made at the chest. Slit a little at the neck • Sina bandh – from above the chest to thighs (Ref. Barkate Shariat Bara’e khawateen/Nizaame Shariah )
The method of bathing and shrouding the deceased Bathing the deceased: • Firstly make sure that the area or room in which the ghusl is going to be given is a place of privacy so no extra people apart from those women bathing can see anything.
• Crush some Kafoor (moth balls) in a bucket of warm (not too hot) water as will need later.
• Encircle the bathing table with incense sticks 1, 3 , 5 0r 7 times, then lay the deceased facing anyway that is comfortable and easy to bath. There is no particular position to lay the deceased.
• Now cover the body with a thick cloth or blanket(satr) so that when the bathing is done nothing is exposed through. Undress the deceased from under the covering.
• Women who will bath, wear latex gloves and first pour warm water over body.
• Now istinja will be done front and back with cotton wool. One must not directly see the body but work from under the top covering.
• Next the four faraidh of wudhu will be carried out. When washing the face with cotton wool wipe the teeth, lips and the nostrils and place small balls of cotton in the nostrils to prevent water going in. Wash the face thrice forehead to chin and earlobe to earlobe, followed by the arms from fingertips up to and including the elbows, then the masah of the head as done for wudhu and finally the feet from the toes including the ankles and between the toes.
• Now wash the hair with simple soap or gram flour (besan) if nothing available plain water will suffice.
• Turn the whole body to the left and wash the right side of the body from head to toe with either berry leaves soaked water or if not available plain warm water will suffice. Then turn the body to the right and repeat on the left side.
• Now the body will be supported in a sitting position as much as possible and gently press the abdominal area to empty any matter from the bowel and bladder. Keep the water pouring over so it washes out straight away. Sometimes this is carried out at the beginning of ghusl but if done near the end it has maximum benefit because the body is thoroughly warm and will make it easier to release any impurities. Please note this DOES NOT invalidate the ghusl.
• Finally pour the kafoor water that was prepared earlier from the head to toe and pat dry the body with clean towels. Always handle the body gently. (Ref. Barkate Shariat Bara’e khawateen )
Shrouding the deceased
Method of laying out the Kafan
Five pieces of kafan will be laid out as follows on the shrouding tray or on the floor:
• Seena band
• Lifafah(envelope)
• Tehband (trouser)
• Orni (scarf)
• Kafni (dress)
(The full kafan should be encircled with incense three, five or seven times) (Ref. Barkate Shariat Bara’e khawateen )
Method of putting the kafan on
1. Flip over one layer of the kafni and place the deceased on the bottom layer of kafni. Now bring over the flipped layer through the head opening over the body.
2. Now put sandalwood (khushbu) over the whole body. The parts of the body that touch the ground in sajda is where kafoor will be rubbed. I.e. the forehead, the nose, the hands, the knees and the feet.
3. Now divide the hair into two equal parts, bringing each side to the front, covering the chest area left and right.
4. Now the orni will be placed from the back waist all the way over the front of the face, like a niqab, covering the face to the waist front. (NB the deceased should not be made to wear the scarf like it was during the lifetime of the deceased as this is against the sunnah.)
5. Now the tehband will be first wrapped from the left to the right, and then from the right to the left.
6. Now the lifafah will be wrapped first from the right then the left, ensuring the opening is on the right.
7. Now the seena band should be wrapped in the same way.
8. Finally the strings should be tied, one at the feet, one at the waist and one at the head. (Ref. Barkate Shariat Bara’e khawateen )
Common misunderstandings
• The women to give Ghusl should be with Taharaat. It is disliked for a Junub or a woman with Haiz to give Ghusl but if they do, it will be done. There is absolutely no Karaahat if a woman without Wudhu gives Ghusl. The woman to give Ghusl should be one who can complete the entire Ghusl. If she sees anything good, e.g the face becomes bright, a fragrance emanated from the body then she should relate it to other women, but if she sees anything bad she should not narrate it to anybody. (Alamghiri)
• The husband of a woman deceased cannot bath or touch her but to see her face is not disallowed. (Durre-Mukhtaar) That which is famous amongst the masses i.e. the husband cannot carry, see or place the Janaaza in the Qabr is absolutely incorrect. Only bathing and touching the body by hand is not permitted. The Janaaza is touched by the hands of strangers, carried on their shoulders and taken till the Qabr by them so what to say of the husband. (Fataawa Razvia)
• One Ghusal is sufficient for a Junub or a woman with Haiz or Nifaas that has died. No matter how many factors make Ghusl Wajib they will all be completed by one Ghusl. (Durre- Mukhtaar)
• There is no harm if cotton is placed in the ears, nose, mouth or other open areas after bathing but it is better if is not placed. It is impermissible Makrooh-e-Tahrimi and a sin to comb the hair of the Mayyat, cut her nails or to extract, cut or shave hair from anywhere. The Hukm is that the Mayyat should be buried in whatever condition she dies. (Alamghiri, Durre-Mukhtaar)
• The shariah does not disallow nor is there any sin in the cooking of food or lighting of fire or stove in the funeral home. Due to the affliction of death however the bereaved do not do so. Therefore it is Sunnah that food is cooked and sent for the bereaved family on the first day only with love and persistence used for them eating it. Food should not be sent on the second day and the food prepared should not be for more than the bereaved family. Other people there should not partake of it. (Fataawa Razwiya) (Ref, Sunni Bahishti Zewar – Heavenly Jewels)
Deceased
Preparation