A question families ask
What do you say when a Muslim dies?
Say innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn: “we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.” Then pray for the one who has died, and say only good, because the angels say āmīn to what is said. Short and sincere is enough: “May Allah forgive him and have mercy on him.”
In more detail
-
When you hear the news
These are the words Allah praised in the Qurʾān. Umm Salamah heard the Prophet ﷺ say that whoever is struck by a loss and says them, with “O Allah, reward me in my affliction and give me better than it in exchange,” Allah will reward them and give them something better in its place.
-
For the one who has died
When Abū Salamah died, the Prophet ﷺ closed his eyes and prayed for him by name. Pray in your own words, in any language; any sincere duʿāʾ is heard.
-
Say what is good
When you are with the sick or the dead, say what is good, for the angels say āmīn to what you say.
-
What not to say
Do not say for certain where they are: say “we hope” and pray, rather than declare. Weeping is a mercy; striking the face, tearing clothes and crying out against Allah’s decree are not.
Read the full guides
Other questions
Each point gives the sources it rests on. Not a fatwā and not legal advice. · Sources · Something wrong? Tell us