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Islamic Funeral Services
Janazah (Funeral Etiquette)
Preston Mosque offers a Janazah Burial Service for muslims across Victoria, ensuring that Muslims are buried according to Islamic burial rites.
Our Janazah Burial Service assists the deceased family with the following:
- Obtaining the death certificate.
- Moving the deceased to the mosque and then to the cemetery.
- Preparing the deceased for the burial (ghusl).
- Making the arrangements for the funeral service (Janazah).
- Making the arrangements for the burial.
One of the most difficult times that we have to face is the devastating period we go through when someone very dear and precious is no longer with us. The feelings of bereavement and deprivation overcome us and we tend to go into a state of depression and grief. It is at this stage that we require the emotional support of close family and friends.
Islam teaches us to condole with our brothers and sisters in the way of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is wrong to wail and complain with the thought of showing discontent with Allah.
Instead, the lamenter should speak a few words and recite any dua (prayer) for the deceased. The quality of patience should remain within the mourners for this is what Allah Almighty has commanded for us.
While expressing sympathy towards the distressed and anguished person, one should try to minimize the pain and suffering of the afflicted by mentioning the great reward for patience and the eternal life of the hereafter.
As Muslims, we should start off with the verse: إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun Taken from Surah Baqarah Chapter 2 Verse 156, which translate to “We surely belong to Allah and to Him we shall return” We can then, add on a condolence message to tag along with it:
- May Allah s.w.t. grant you and your family sabr (sabar) in this difficult time, and reward you with Khair both in this world and the next. Ameen.
- May Allah s.w.t. grant him/her Jannatul-Firdaus and forgive his/her sins. May He make his/her grave a place of comfort and light.
If you would like any information or assistance, you can contact 0417 889 956.
May Allah S.W.T. grant you and your family SABR (Patients) in this time of difficulty, make it easy for you and reward you with Khair (Good) both in this world and the next.
Ameen.
Funeral Contact Details
Jamal Mohammed | Funeral Director | [email protected]
Janazah service is held at 90 Cramer Street, Preston VIC
Funeral service is held either at:
Northern Memorial Park (Fawkner Cemetery)
Address: 56 Box Forest Rd, Glenroy VIC 3046
Maddingley General Cemetery
Address: Cemetery Rd, Maddingley VIC 3340
Death Registration Form
Fill out the death registration form to have the death certificate processed. It will take 2-4 weeks to receive the death certificate.
FAQs
For information on current costs or to arrange a burial service, kindly contact one of the Janazah Burial Service representatives, noted below.
Jamal Mohammad
Funeral Director
0417 889 956
The deceased is buried in the Muslim area, at either Northern Memorial Park (Fawkner Cemetery) or Maddingley Park (Bacchus Marsh). The family of the deceased decides which cemetery based on the cost, convenience and plot availability.
Under normal circumstances, if a plot is available the deceased is buried within 24 hours. If the deceased dies late on a Friday, on the weekend or a public holiday then the burial costs charged by the cemetery increases hence the family may elect to wait until the next working day. In addition, delays may occur if the government requires an autopsy.
As there are costs incurred in the burial, such as the plot, use of the hearse and preparation of the deceased for burial, the Janazah Burial Service is not free. The fees are the responsibility of the deceased’s family although in some cases, it may be covered by insurance.
The cost of the Janazah Burial Service varies according to the cemetery used and the burial time.
Janazah Prayer Steps
This easy to follow 10 steps guide will show you exactly how to pray the Janazah prayer according to the Sunnah.
All references provided are from the authentic (sahih) and reliable (hasan) hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Step #1 – Preconditions of the Janazah Prayer
- Make sure you have wudu and face the qiblah just like any other prayer.
- The body of the deceased should already be washed and shrouded and placed in front of the congregation.
- There is NO Adhan or Iqamah for the Janazah Prayer. The congregation will line up and the prayer will simply start with the first takbeer (Allahu Akbar).
- There is NO prostration (sajda/sujood) or bowing (ruku) in the Janazah prayer. So do not leave a gap in front of you as you would do in a normal prayer for prostration. You will not be bowing down at any point. Stand close to the person in front of you. A foot apart from the person in front is okay.
- Stand shoulder to shoulder, feet to feet to the person either side of you as prescribed in the sunnah.
The Janazah prayer is a silent prayer except for the takbirs (Allahu Akbar) and taslim (salam) at the end.
Step #2 – The First Takbir
The Janazah prayer is only one rakah (unit). There are four takbirs (saying Allahu Akbar loudly) in the Janazah prayer all in the same rakah.
The Imam leading the Janazah prayer will say the first takbir out loud (i.e. Allahu Akbar).
Follow the Imam and raise your hands up to the ears or shoulders and then fold them. Placing the right hand over the left just like you would do in the normal five daily prayers.
Those who follow the Hanafi school of thought raise their hands up to the ear lobes and fold them around the navel.
The Maliki will leave their arms hanging to their sides.
The Shafi and Hanbalis will generally raise their hands to the shoulder level and fold them on the chest.
All methods are acceptable with evidence found in the Sunnah.
English Transliteration: Allāhu akbar
English Translation: Allah is Greater (than all else).
Evidence: Four Takbirs
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) informed us about the news of the death of An-Najash on the day he died. He went out with us to the prayer area and we aligned in rows and he said four takbirs (Allahu Akbar) for the funeral prayer.
[Sahih al-Bukhari • Book 23, Hadith 89 • Graded Authentic]
Evidence: Raising hands for starting the prayer
Narrated Salim bin `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him):
My father said, “Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) used to raise both his hands up to the level of his shoulders when opening the prayer”
[Sahih al-Bukhari • Book 10, Hadith 129 • Graded Authentic]
Step #3 – Seek Refuge in Allah from Shaytan
Before reciting the Qur’an first seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan(Satan) the accursed.
Recite this silently.
The dua for seeking refuge from Shaytan is as follows:
English Transliteration: a’ūdhu billāhi minash-shaytānir-rajīm
English Translation: I seek refuge in Allah from the Satan the outcast
Evidence: Seek refuge in Allah
So when you recite the Qur’an, (first) seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled (i.e. the accursed). – [Quran 16:98]
Source: https://quran.com/16/98
Step #4 – Recite Surah Al-Fatiha
- Recite the first chapter of the Qur’an – The Opener (Surah Al-Fatiha) Recite this silently.
English Transliteration: Bismillāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm. Al ḥamdu lillāhi rabbi l-’ālamīn. Ar raḥmāni r-raḥīm. Māliki yawmi d-dīn. Iyyāka na’budu wa iyyāka nasta’īn. Ihdinā ṣ-ṣirāṭ al-mustaqīm. Ṣirāṭ al-laḏīna an’amta ‘alayhim ġayril maġḍūbi ‘alayhim walāḍ ḍāllīn
English Translation: In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. (All) praise is (due) to Allah, Lord of the worlds. The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, Sovereign of the Day of Recompense. It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked (Your) anger or of those who are astray.
Evidence: Reading Surah Al-Fatiha
Narrated Talha bin Abdullah bin Auf:
I offered the funeral prayer behind Ibn `Abbas (the cousin of the Prophet). He recited Surah Al-Fatiha and said, “You should know that it (i.e. recitation of Al-Fatiha) is the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
[Sahih Al-Bukhari • Book 3, Hadith 32 • Graded Authentic]
Optional: Some schools of thoughts read a short Surah after Surah Al-Fatiha. This is acceptable but it is not narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) read anything else after the first chapter of the Qur’an. So if you recite Surah Al-Fatiha that is sufficient and closer to the Sunnah.
Step #5 – The Second Takbir
The Imam leading the Janazah prayer will say the second takbir out loud (i.e. Allahu Akbar).
It is Sunnah to raise your hands to the level of the shoulders with every takbir in the five daily prayers. From this the scholars say it is preferable to raise your hands with every takbir in the Janazah prayer too.
Raise your hands to the shoulders/ears when the Imam says takbir. Then fold your hands.
The Hanafi school of thought in general does not raise their hands after the first takbir. This is a difference of opinion among the scholars.
English Transliteration: Allāhu akbar
English Translation: Allah is Greater (than all else).
Evidence: Raising the hands with takbir
Narrated by Salim bin `Abdullah who reported that his father said:
“Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) used to raise both his hands up to the level of his shoulders when starting the prayer. And on saying the Takbir for bowing. And on raising his head from bowing he used to do the same and then say “Sami`a l-lahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa laka l-hamd.” And he did not do that (i.e. raising his hands) in prostrations”
[Sahih Al-Bukhari • Book 10, Hadith 129 • Graded Authentic]
Step #6 – Recite Salutations on Prophet Muhammad PBUH and His Family
Next pray to Allah to send His peace and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his family. Similar to how you would do in the five daily prayers while in the sitting position.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ❁ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ❁ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ ❁ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ❁ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ❁ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
English Transliteration: Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalá Muḥammad wa ʿalá āli Muḥammad, kamā ṣallayta ʿalá Ibrāhīm wa ʿalá āli Ibrāhīm, innaka Ḥamīdun Majīd. Allāhumma bārik ʿalá Muḥammadin wa ʿalá āli Muḥammad, kamā bārakta ʿalá Ibrāhīm, wa ʿalá āli Ibrāhīm, innaka Ḥamīdun Majīd
English Translation: O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You sent prayers upon Abraham and the family of Abraham. You are indeed worthy of praise, full of glory. And send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon Abraham and the family of Abraham. You are indeed worthy of praise, full of glory.
Step #7 – The Third Takbir
The Imam leading the Janazah prayer will say the third takbir out loud (i.e. Allahu Akbar).
Raise your hands to the level of the shoulders/ears when the Imam says takbir. Then fold your hands.
English Transliteration: Allāhu akbar
English Translation: Allah is Greater (than all else).
Step #8 – Supplicate (Du’a) for the deceased
Now you will supplicate to Allah and seek forgiveness and mercy for the deceased.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) would make various supplications (duas) for the deceased. Some of them I have mentioned below from the Sunnah.
If you find it difficult to memorize duas in Arabic then in the simplest form you can just repeat:
English Transliteration: Allâhummaghfir lahum
English Translation: Oh Allah forgive them
The Janazah prayer is a communal obligatory prayer NOT an individual obligation. Since it is not an individual obligatory prayer it is permissible to make dua in any language in the funeral prayer.
So this du’a portion of the prayer can be in any language you are familiar with.
The main emphasis here is not the language of your dua as Allah understands all languages. It is your sincerity and humility.
Whether you make dua in Arabic or English, know that salah (prayer) is an act of devotion and sincerity. So sincerely beseech Allah to forgive the deceased when you supplicate for them.
Evidence: Sincere supplication for the deceased
Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When you pray over the dead, make a sincere supplication for him.
[Sunan Abi Dawud • Book 21, Hadith 111 • Graded Reliable (Hasan)]
Below are some duas from the Sunnah which the Prophet (peace be upon him) would pray for the deceased.
Sunnah Du’a #1
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ وَاغْسِلْهُ بِمَاءٍ وَثَلْجٍ وَبَرَدٍ وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ وَأَبْدِلْهُ دَارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهِ وَأَهْلاً خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ وَزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِنْ زَوْجِهِ وَقِهِ فِتْنَةَ الْقَبْرِ وَعَذَابَ
النَّارِ
English Transliteration: Allâhummaghfir lahu wa rhamhu wa âfihi, wa fu anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu, wa wassi mudkhalahu, wa ghsilhu bi-l-mâ’i wa th-thalji wa-l-baradi. Wa naqqihi mina-l-khatâya kamâ naqqayta th-thawba-l-abyad mina d-danasi. Wa abdilhu dâran khayran min dârihi, wa ahlan khayran min ahlihi, wa zawjan khayran min zawjihi. Wa dkhilhu-l-jannata wa aidh-hu min adhâbi-l-qaqbr wa adhâbi n-nâr.
English Translation: O Allah, forgive and have mercy upon him, excuse him and pardon him, and make honourable his reception. Expand his entry, and cleanse him with water, snow, and ice, and purify him of sin as a white robe is purified of filth. Exchange his home for a better home, and his family for a better family, and his spouse for a better spouse. Admit him into the Garden, protect him from the punishment of the grave and the torment of the Fire.
Evidence:
‘Anas b. Malik said:
I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say (while offering prayer on a dead body):
O Allah! forgive him, have mercy upon him. Give him peace and absolve him. Receive him with honour and make his grave spacious. Wash him with water, snow and hail, cleanse him from faults as is cleaned a white garment from impurity. Requite him with an abode more excellent than his abode, with a family better than his family, and with a mate better than his mate, and save him from the trial of the grave and torment of Hell.
‘Auf b. Malik said: I earnestly desired that I was the dead person to receive the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) as this dead body had (received).
[Sahih Muslim • Book 11, Hadith 111 • Graded Authentic]
Sunnah Du’a #2
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الإِيمَانِ وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الإِسْلاَمِ اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهُ وَلاَ تُضِلَّنَا بَعْدَهُ
English Transliteration: Allâhumma ghfir li-hayyinâ wa mayyitinâ, wa shâhidinâ wa ghâ’ibinâ, wa saghîrinâ wa kabîrinâ, wa dhakarinâ wa unthânâ. Allâhumma man ahyaytahu minnâ fa-ahyihi alâ-l-islâmi. Wa man tawaffaytahu minnâ fa-tawaffahu alâ-l-îmâni. Allâhumma lâ tahrimnâ ajrahu wa la tudillabâ ba dahu.
English Translation: O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those present and those absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whom amongst us You keep alive, then let such a life be upon Islam, and whom amongst us You take unto Yourself, then let such a death be upon faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not let us stray after him.
Evidence:
Narrated by Abu Hurayrah: When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prayed over a dead person, he said:
O Allah, forgive those of us who are living and those of us who are dead, those of us who are present and those of us who are absent, our young and our old, our male and our female. O Allah, to whomsoever of us You give life, grant him life as a believer, and whomsoever of us Thou takest in death take him in death as a follower of Islam. O Allah, do not withhold from us the reward (of faith) and do not lead us astray after his death.
[Sunan Abi Dawud • Book 21, Hadith 113 • Graded Authentic]
Step #9 – The Fourth Takbeer
The Imam leading the Janazah prayer will say the fourth and final takbir out loud (i.e. Allahu Akbar).
Raise your hands to the level of the shoulders/ears when the Imam says takbir. Then fold your hands.
You may continue to seek forgiveness and supplicate for the deceased if the Imam is silent for a while.
Usually the Imam will proceed to conclude the Janazah prayer after a short pause. This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to hasten the burial.
English Transliteration: Allāhu akbar
English Translation: Allah is Greater (than all else).
Evidence:
Narrated by Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said “Hurry up with the dead body (i.e. hasten the burial of the deceased). For if it was righteous, you are forwarding it to welfare. And if it was otherwise, then you are putting off an evil thing down your necks.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari • Book 23, Hadith 73 • Graded Authentic]
Step #10 – End the Prayer with Taslim
The Imam will conclude the Janazah prayer by turning his head to the right and saying the Taslim. Follow the imam and turn your head to the right and say “As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāh”.
ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّٰهِ
English Transliteration: As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāh
English Translation: Peace be upon you and the Mercy of God
The authentic hadīth in Ad-Daruquthni and Al-Hakim state the Prophet only did taslim to the right once. So doing taslim to the right once is an obligation.
Other narrations mention the Prophet (peace be upon him) did salam to the left.
Hanafis combine the hadith and do salam on both the right and left side. Both are acceptable and references can be found in the Sunnah.
Ultimately you’ll be following the imam in Janazah prayer. So if the Imam does one taslim, then turn to the right. If he does two then you’ll be doing it on both sides.
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