Invocation - Dua for the Deceased in Islam

Dua for a deceased person in Arabic

Among the most well-known supplications for a deceased person is the following dua:

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ وَالْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ

Transliteration: Allahumma ghfir lahu warhamhu wa ‘afihi wa‘fu ‘anhu wa akrim nuzulahu wa wassi‘ mudkhalahu wa-ghsilhu bil-ma’i wath-thalji wal-barad, wa naqqihi mina adh-dhunubi wal-khataya kama yunaqqa ath-thawbu al-abyadu mina ad-danas.

Translation: O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, protect him, pardon him, honor his place of arrival, expand his entrance, wash him with water, snow and hail, and purify him from sins and mistakes as a white garment is purified from dirt.

Allahumma ghfir lahu warhamhu: dua for the deceased

The phrase Allahumma ghfir lahu warhamhu is one of the simplest and most important duas to recite for a deceased person.

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ

Transliteration: Allahumma ghfir lahu warhamhu.

Translation: O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him.

This supplication may be recited after hearing about someone’s death, during the funeral prayer, after burial or at any time when remembering the deceased.

Dua for the deceased in transliteration

For those who cannot yet read Arabic, transliteration can help them begin reciting essential supplications.

Here is an easy formula to memorize:

Allahumma ghfir lahu warhamhu

Translation: O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him.

For a deceased woman, one says:

Allahumma ghfir laha warhamha

Translation: O Allah, forgive her and have mercy on her.

For several deceased people, one may say:

Allahumma ghfir lahum warhamhum

Translation: O Allah, forgive them and have mercy on them.

Prayer for the dead in Islam

A prayer for the dead in Islam is not limited to one single formula. A believer may ask Allah for every good for the deceased: forgiveness, mercy, light in the grave, protection from punishment and entry into Paradise.

In English, one may say:

O Allah, forgive our deceased, have mercy on them, expand their grave, fill it with light, raise their rank among the guided and grant them a beautiful dwelling with You.

It is permissible to pray for a deceased person in English, especially if one does not yet know the Arabic supplications. However, learning the Arabic formulas helps preserve the reported supplications and better understand their meaning.

Dua for deceased Muslims

It is also recommended to make general supplications for deceased believing men and women.

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ، الْأَحْيَاءِ مِنْهُمْ وَالْأَمْوَاتِ

Transliteration: Allahumma ghfir lil-mu’minina wal-mu’minat wal-muslimina wal-muslimat, al-ahya’i minhum wal-amwat.

Translation: O Allah, forgive the believing men and believing women, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the living among them and the dead.

This supplication allows the believer to include all Muslims in a request for forgiveness and mercy.

Dua for my deceased father

When a father passes away, his child can continue to benefit him through supplication. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that a person’s deeds come to an end after death except for certain things, including the supplication of a righteous child.

For a deceased father, one may say:

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِأَبِي وَارْحَمْهُ وَاجْعَلْ قَبْرَهُ رَوْضَةً مِنْ رِيَاضِ الْجَنَّةِ

Transliteration: Allahumma ghfir li abi warhamhu waj‘al qabrahu rawdatan min riyadi al-jannah.

Translation: O Allah, forgive my father, have mercy on him and make his grave a garden from the gardens of Paradise.

Dua for my deceased mother

Losing a mother is a deeply painful trial. One of the best things a child can do is ask Allah to grant her forgiveness, mercy and a high rank with Him.

For a deceased mother, one may say:

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِأُمِّي وَارْحَمْهَا وَارْفَعْ دَرَجَتَهَا فِي الْمَهْدِيِّينَ

Transliteration: Allahumma ghfir li ummi warhamha warfa‘ darajataha fi al-mahdiyyin.

Translation: O Allah, forgive my mother, have mercy on her and raise her rank among the guided.

What should you ask Allah for a deceased person?

When praying for the dead, one may ask Allah for many blessings:

• forgiveness of their sins;
• Allah’s mercy;
• light in their grave;
• expansion of their grave;
• protection from the punishment of the grave;
• a high rank in the Hereafter;
• entry into Paradise;
• reunion with the righteous and guided.

These requests remind the believer that the true success of the deceased lies in Allah’s mercy.

When should you recite a dua for the deceased?

A dua for a deceased person may be recited at different times:

• when hearing about their death;
• during the funeral prayer;
• after burial;
• when visiting the cemetery;
• during moments of reflection;
• after prayer;
• when remembering the deceased;
• during Ramadan or times when dua is especially hoped to be accepted.

The most important thing is to supplicate with sincerity, humility and hope in Allah’s mercy.

Can you make a dua for the deceased in English?

Yes, it is permissible to make a dua for a deceased person in English. Whoever does not know Arabic can ask Allah in their own language to forgive the deceased, have mercy on them and grant them Paradise.

However, learning the supplications in Arabic allows one to come closer to the reported formulas and better understand the words recited in moments of grief.

Mistakes to avoid when praying for the dead

When making dua for a deceased person, it is important to avoid certain mistakes:

• despairing of Allah’s mercy;
• saying words that contradict faith;
• exaggerating in lamentation;
• thinking that supplications no longer benefit after death;
• forgetting to ask for forgiveness and mercy;
• neglecting beneficial deeds such as charity or spreading useful knowledge.

Islam teaches balance: sadness is natural, but the believer keeps trust in Allah and continues to pray for the one who has passed away.

Related duas and Islamic reminders

You may also read these related supplications about forgiveness, hardship, illness and protection:

• Dua for forgiveness from Allah
• Duas to seek Allah’s help
• Dua of the oppressed in Islam
• Dua against the evil eye in Islam
• Dua for the sick in Islam

Learn to read supplications in Arabic

Reading supplications in transliteration can help at the beginning, but learning Arabic allows you to pronounce duas better, understand their meanings and read the Quran with more presence of heart.

Discover our online Arabic classes, our online Quran classes and our online Islamic studies classes to progress with a qualified teacher.

FAQ about dua for a deceased person

What dua should I recite for a deceased person?

You may recite: Allahumma ghfir lahu warhamhu, which means: O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him. For a woman, one says: Allahumma ghfir laha warhamha.

What is the dua for a deceased person in Arabic?

A short supplication is: اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ. It means: O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him.

How do you make a prayer for the dead in Islam?

You may ask Allah to forgive the deceased, have mercy on them, expand their grave, fill it with light and raise their rank in the Hereafter.

What dua can I recite for my deceased father?

You may say: Allahumma ghfir li abi warhamhu, which means: O Allah, forgive my father and have mercy on him.

What dua can I recite for my deceased mother?

You may say: Allahumma ghfir li ummi warhamha, which means: O Allah, forgive my mother and have mercy on her.

Can I make a dua for a deceased person in English?

Yes, it is permissible to ask Allah in English to forgive the deceased, have mercy on them and grant them Paradise.

What does Allahumma ghfir lahu warhamhu mean?

This supplication means: O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him. It is one of the simplest and most well-known formulas for praying for a deceased person.

Conclusion

A dua for a deceased person is a prayer of mercy and hope. It allows the believer to ask Allah for forgiveness, light, peace and a beautiful place in the Hereafter for the one who has passed away.

Even after death, the supplications of loved ones can be a source of good for the deceased. A Muslim therefore keeps trust in Allah’s mercy and continues to pray for their departed loved ones with sincerity.