Muslim Funeral Prayer in English: Complete Transliteration Guide

Why You Need This Before the Janazah

If you grew up in the UK or US and your Arabic literacy is limited, attending a janazah prayer can feel isolating. The imam leads the prayer, the congregation follows, and you're standing there uncertain of what to recite between each takbir.

The janazah prayer is short — typically three to five minutes — but its structure varies by school: Sunni practice uses four takbirs, while Shia Ja'fari prayer uses five. This guide gives you the full transliteration and English meaning for the Sunni steps, so you can participate with confidence rather than standing in silence.

The Structure: Takbirs, No Prostration

Salat al-Janazah is unlike any other Islamic prayer. It's performed entirely standing. There are no bowings (ruku), no prostrations (sujud), no sitting. No adhan (call to prayer) or iqamah is announced. Sunni schools use four takbirs; Shia Ja'fari prayer uses five. The imam simply begins, and the congregation follows.

All participants must be in a state of wudu (ritual ablution) and face the Qiblah. The shrouded body lies on a stretcher or in a simple casket in front of the imam, perpendicular to the congregation.

Step by Step: What to Recite

First Takbir

Raise your hands to shoulder or ear level and say: "Allahu Akbar" (God is the Greatest).

After folding your hands (Hanafi: below the navel; Shafi'i/Hanbali: at the chest; Maliki: arms at sides), Sunni schools differ on what is recited here: Shafi'i practice treats Surah Al-Fatiha as obligatory, while Hanafi and Maliki practice treat it as optional praise or supplication. Where your congregation recites it, say it silently:

"Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil 'aalameen. Ar-Rahmanir Raheem. Maaliki yawmid-deen. Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een. Ihdinas-siraatal mustaqeem. Siraatal ladheena an'amta 'alayhim, ghayril maghdoobi 'alayhim walad-daalleen. Ameen."

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to God, Lord of all the worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us along the straight path — the path of those You have blessed, not those who have earned Your anger, nor those who have gone astray. Amen.

Second Takbir

Say "Allahu Akbar" (without raising your hands in the Hanafi school; other schools raise them).

Recite the Salawat (blessings upon the Prophet), specifically the Durud Ibrahim — the same prayer recited in the final sitting of daily prayers:

"Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala aali Muhammadin, kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala aali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidun Majeed. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala aali Muhammadin, kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala aali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidun Majeed."

O Allah, send Your grace upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent grace upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.

Third Takbir

Say "Allahu Akbar".

This is the heart of the janazah prayer — the supplication specifically for the deceased. Recite silently:

"Allahummaghfir lahu warhamhu, wa 'aafihi wa'fu 'anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu, wa wassi' mudkhalahu, waghsilhu bil-maa'i wath-thalji wal-baradi, wa naqqihi minal-khataya kama yunaqqath-thawbul-abyadu minad-danasi. Wa abdilhu daaran khayran min daarihi, wa ahlan khayran min ahlihi, wa zawjan khayran min zawjihi. Wa adkhilhul-Jannata, wa a'idhhu min 'adhabil-qabri wa min 'adhabin-naar."

O Allah, forgive them and have mercy on them, grant them well-being and pardon. Honor their resting place and expand their entry. Wash them with water, snow, and hail, and cleanse them of their sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt. Replace their home with a better home, their family with a better family, and their spouse with a better spouse. Admit them to Paradise and protect them from the torment of the grave and the punishment of the Fire.

Note: For a female deceased, replace "lahu" with "laha" and adjust the masculine pronouns accordingly throughout. In practice, many imams recite a gender-neutral collective version.

Fourth Takbir

Say "Allahu Akbar".

Recite a brief closing supplication:

"Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu, wa la taftinna ba'dahu, waghfir lana wa lahu."

O Allah, do not deprive us of their reward, do not try us after them, and forgive us and them.

Then conclude with the tasleem (peace greeting): turn your head to the right and say "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah" (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you). Some schools turn to both sides; the Hanafi school turns right only.

If You Can't Memorize Everything

The janazah prayer is short enough that many diaspora Muslims keep a printed card with the transliterations in their pocket during the funeral. If you plan to read from one, ask the imam or follow your congregation's practice.

If you're attending a janazah and don't know any of the recitations, follow the imam's instructions and stand quietly with the congregation; ask the imam beforehand what to do if you need to refer to a transliteration card.

The Complete Prayer in Your Hands

Our Muslim Funeral — UK/US Diaspora guide includes a printable janazah prayer card with full transliteration, alongside the complete funeral planning checklist — so you can hand different sections to the people who need them.