How to Perform Salat al-Janazah: The Four Takbirs and What to Recite

What Makes This Prayer Different

Salat al-Janazah is unlike every other Islamic prayer. There is no bowing (ruku), no prostration (sujud), and no set number of rakaat. The entire prayer is performed standing, from beginning to end. It is a communal obligation (fard kifayah) — if a sufficient number of Muslims perform it, the obligation is lifted from the rest of the community. But if no one performs it, the entire community bears the sin.

The prayer is typically led by the local imam in a mosque courtyard, a public prayer ground (musalla), or directly at the cemetery. The body of the deceased is placed in front of the imam, and the congregation forms odd-numbered rows behind them, all facing the Qibla (the direction of Mecca).

The Four Takbirs: Step by Step

The structure of Salat al-Janazah revolves around four declarations of Allahu Akbar (called takbirs). Each takbir marks a transition to the next recitation. Here is what happens at each stage:

First Takbir

Raise your hands to your ears (or shoulders for women), say Allahu Akbar, then fold your hands — right over left — at your chest or navel. Silently recite Surah Al-Fatiha in your heart. This is the same opening chapter recited in every daily prayer, but here it is said without moving the lips.

Second Takbir

Say Allahu Akbar again (without raising your hands — the hand-raise is only for the first takbir, though the Shafi'i school raises hands at each takbir). Recite the Salat al-Ibrahimiyyah, the sending of blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad and his family. This is the same formula used in the final sitting (tashahhud) of daily prayers:

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala aali Muhammadin, kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala aali Ibrahima, innaka hameedun majeed. Allahumma baarik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala aali Muhammadin, kama baarakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala aali Ibrahima, innaka hameedun majeed.

Third Takbir

Say Allahu Akbar and make sincere supplication (dua) for the deceased. This is the heart of the funeral prayer — the moment where the congregation collectively asks Allah to forgive, show mercy to, and elevate the soul of the person who has died. A widely used supplication is:

Allahumma ighfir lahu warhamhu wa 'aafihi wa'fu 'anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu wa wassi' mudkhalahu, waghsilhu bil-ma'i wath-thalji wal-baradi, wa naqqihi minal-khataya kama yunaqqath-thawbul-abyadu minad-danasi.

("O Allah, forgive them and have mercy on them, grant them well-being and pardon them. Make their resting place honorable and spacious, wash them with water, snow, and ice, and purify them from sins as a white garment is purified from filth.")

Adjust the pronouns based on the gender of the deceased — lahu (for him), laha (for her), lahum (for them, if multiple).

Fourth Takbir

Say Allahu Akbar and recite a brief prayer for the bereaved family and the wider Muslim community. Then give the concluding salutation (taslim) — turning your head to the right and saying Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah. Some schools also turn to the left for a second taslim, but the single right-side salutation is sufficient.

Where to Stand in the Congregation

The imam stands in front of the body. Traditionally, for a deceased male the imam stands at the level of the head; for a deceased female the imam stands at the level of the waist, though practice varies by school. The congregation lines up behind the imam in odd-numbered rows. If you arrive late and find the prayer already started, join immediately — do not wait for a specific takbir. Complete any missed takbirs after the imam finishes.

Common Mistakes

Trying to bow or prostrate. New attendees sometimes instinctively follow the movement patterns of daily prayer. Salat al-Janazah has no bowing and no prostration. If you see the person next to you moving to bow, do not follow — stay standing.

Skipping the prayer because you do not know the exact Arabic. The third takbir's supplication can be made in any words you know. A sincere prayer for the deceased in your own language is better than silence.

Arriving late and waiting outside. If the prayer has started, step into the rows and join at whatever takbir is happening. Make up any missed takbirs after the imam's taslim by quickly reciting the appropriate portion for each one.

The North African Context

In Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, the funeral procession from the mosque to the cemetery is accompanied by a distinctive antiphonal chant — one half of the procession calls out La ilaha illa Allah ("There is no god but Allah") and the other half responds simultaneously with Muhammadur Rasulullah ("Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah"). This rhythmic dhikr carries the bier through the streets and is one of the most recognizable sounds of a Maghribi funeral.

Upon burial, after the grave has been filled, the imam leads a final prayer. A designated person then stays behind to recite the Adhan (call to prayer) directly into the grave — intended to comfort the soul of the deceased as it faces the questioning of the angels Munkar and Nakir.

If you are preparing for a North African Muslim funeral and need the full sequence — from death registration through burial and the mourning period — our Muslim Funeral — North Africa guide covers every step with country-specific timelines and worksheets.