What to Recite When Somebody Dies in Islam?
Are you a Muslim searching for effective duas or surahs to recite when praying for a deceased person? Maybe you want to seek Allah’s help in seeking patience.
The Quran provides numerous verses for those grieving the loss of a loved one. As Allah (SWT) has said in the Quran, when faced with a disaster, say:
إِنَّالِلَّهِوَإِنَّآإِلَيۡهِرَٰجِعُون
[Al-Bakarah 2:156] Source: https://quran.com/2/156
“ Surely to Allah, we belong and to Him”.
Narrated AbuHurayrah:
[Sunan Abi Dawud 3199] Source: https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3199
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: When you pray over the dead, make a sincere supplication for him.
Grieving the death of a loved one can be difficult and heartbreaking. But within Islam, there is no more comforting method than to read Quranic verses in supplication to Allah (SWT). These prayers bring peace so that our beloved deceased will remain eternally encircled by His mercy.
I have curated an extensive blog post on whether you seek comfort after your loss or simply seek insight into Islamic funeral etiquette; read on as we take an in-depth look at what to recite when somebody dies in Islam.
What Should You Say When a Muslim Dies?
AbuHurayrah narrates it: “When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) 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 Thou givest life grants him life as a believer, and whomsoever of us Thou takest in death, take him in the end as a follower of Islam. O Allah, do not withhold the reward (of faith) from us and not lead us astray after his death.”
[Sunan Abi Dawud 3201] Source: https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3201
We should fervently pray for the deceased, humbly beseeching Allah (SWT) to forgive them and grant them life as true Muslims.
In addition, sadaqah must be offered to give back spiritually what was taken away physically. Furthermore, through reciting specific dua taught by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), we can seek assistance from Allah while grieving over our losses with patience.
Here are some duas recommended when someone dies:
“اْإِنَّالِلَّهِوَإِنَّآإِلَيۡهِرَٰجِعُونَ”
[Al-Bakarah 2:156] Source: https://quran.com/2/156
“Surely to Allah, we belong, and to Him, we will ˹all˺ return.”
“أَلَآإِنَّلِلَّهِمَافِيٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِوَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖقَدۡيَعۡلَمُمَآأَنتُمۡعَلَيۡهِوَيَوۡمَيُرۡجَعُونَإِلَيۡهِفَيُنَبِّئُهُمبِمَاعَمِلُواْۗوَٱللَّهُبِكُلِّشَيۡءٍعَلِيمُۢ”
[Surah An-Nur 26:64] Source: https://quran.com/24/64
” Indeed to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. He knows well what you stand for. And on the Day all will be returned to Him, He will inform them of what they did. For Allah has perfect knowledge of all things”.
قُللِّلَّهِٱلشَّفَٰعَةُجَمِيعٗاۖلَّهُۥمُلۡكُٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِوَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖثُمَّإِلَيۡهِتُرۡجَعُونَ(٤٤)
[Surah 39:44] https://quran.com/39/44
“All intercession belongs to Allah ˹alone˺. To Him belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. Then to Him you will ˹all˺ be returned.”
What to Read When Your Loved One Dies in Islam?
Finding solace during deep sorrow and severe pain can be difficult. Fortunately, various ways exist in Islam to help cope with losing a loved one.
Reading passages from the Quran is an essential part of this healing process; these words remind us that death is natural and Allah’s mercy abounds throughout our lives.
Some recommended verses include surah fatiah, surah yasin, surah al-mulk, surah al-waqiah and surah al-hashr – all providing comfort during trying times like none other.
In addition to reading the Quran, several duas and tasbeehs may help bring comfort. Some examples include dua for sadness and grief include:
وَلِلَّهِمُلۡكُٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِوَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖوَإِلَىٱللَّهِٱلۡمَصِيرُ ٤٢
[Al-Bakrah 24:42] Source: https://quran.com/24/42
“To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. And to Allah is the final return.”
وَلِلَّهِغَيۡبُٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِوَٱلۡأَرۡضِوَإِلَيۡهِيُرۡجَعُٱلۡأَمۡرُكُلُّهُۥفَٱعۡبُدۡهُوَتَوَكَّلۡعَلَيۡهِۚوَمَارَبُّكَبِغَٰفِلٍعَمَّاتَعۡمَلُونَ١٢٣
[Hud: 11:123] Source: https://quran.com/11?startingVerse=123
To Allah, ˹alone˺ belongs the knowledge of what is hidden in the heavens and the earth. And to Him, all matters are returned. So worship Him and put your trust in Him. And your Lord is never unaware of what you do.
In addition to the Quranic verses, duas can be read to remember and honor the deceased. These duas express gratitude for the life of a loved one and ask for mercy on their souls in the afterlife.
Finally, Hadiths guide how others have dealt with grief from losing a loved one. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was known to be kind and compassionate when comforting those who were grieving, saying, “Allah will not burden a soul beyond its capacity”
https://sunnah.com/muslim:126 .
Hadiths such as this provide insight into coping with our emotions in the face of unexpected loss.
Hazrat Musa (R.A) prayed,
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِأَخِى وَأَدْخِلْنَا فِى رَحْمَتِكَ ۖ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ ١٥١
[Hud: 7:151] Source: https://quran.com/7/151
“My Lord! Forgive me and my brother! And admit us into Your mercy. You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.”
How Should You Pray for the Dead Person?
Remember that Allah (SWT) has infinite power and mercy. To honor the deceased, make sincere supplications to ask for their forgiveness, peace, restfulness and ease of mind from Allah (SWT). It is highly recommended to recite Surah Al-Fatiha the opening chapter of the Quran, which reads:
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ١
“In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٢ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
All praise is due to Allah alone, the Sustainer of all worlds.
مَـٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ ٤إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
٥ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ ٦ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ ٧٣
It is You (O Allah) we worship, and it is You (O Allah) we ask for help”
[Al-Fatiah] Source: https://quran.com/1
How Can You Benefit the Dead Person Through Charity?
According to The Quran, supplicating and donating to charity on behalf of the departed are two essential practices for showing mercy towards them.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also highlighted that we should earnestly implore Allah’s forgiveness for our deceased family members and wish for their admittance into Jannah. These acts of kindness can profoundly influence their souls even when they are gone.
In conclusion, we must recognize death as a part of the life cycle and view it from a tranquility perspective. Reflecting on passages from the Quran and reciting prayers for our departed loved ones can be profoundly calming in moments of grief.
In times of grief and sorrow, we honor our dearly departed by not only reflecting upon Hadiths to find comfort but also offering charity in their name. Additionally, supplication for the deceased is an excellent practice that will bring peace and goodness to their soul in the afterlife. May Allah (SWT) grant us all mercy during this time of remembrance.
What to Recite for Seeking Allah’s Help in Having Patience?
When facing heartache, Muslims trust in Allah to provide them comfort. Through meaningful Quran recitations, heartfelt duas (supplications), and Tasbeeh (words praising God’s name), faithful believers can find solace from sorrowful events and achieve inner peace.
The Quran provides many verses of comfort, such as Surah Al-Baqarah:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ ١٥٥
[ Al-Baqrah 2:155] Source https://quran.com/2/155
We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure.
Reciting duas is an incredible way to handle the grief and distress of death. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that if anyone says, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raaji’oon” when a believer passes away, Allah will reward them like He rewards the deceased.
Reading such powerful words from The Quran can give us solace during sadness and mourning.
Hadith on Death of Loved One
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) articulated that when we experience the loss of a loved one, rather than expressing grief through loud wailing, we should offer serene and supportive words like “Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raaji’oon (Indeed we belong to Allah and indeed to Him shall we return).” This profound phrase helps us remember our place before God under His watchful eye.
It is essential to remember that death, though distressing and sad, is a natural part of life. Allah (SWT) has created everything in the world with an aim – even hardships can bring about blessings for Muslims as Hazrat Ayesha (R.A) narrated:
“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, ‘No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even though it were the prick he receives from a thorn.’The sorrowful events we experience may not seem blessed at first glance; however, they serve their purpose alongside every joyous moment.”
[Vol. 7, Book 70, Hadith 544] Source: https://sunnah.com/bukhari:5640
Conclusion
Death is an inevitable part of life; as Muslims, we must never forget this. When coping with tragedy or anguish, Allah (SWT) can be a source of solace by engaging in the Quran, making Dua (supplications), chanting Tasbeeh (words of glorification) or reading hadiths related to mortality.
Let us find solace in the assurance that our beloved ones will be welcomed into paradise with grace and mercy. Through embracing patience and reverence for Allah’s mightiness, let us help each other through these trying times. May we be blessed by Allah to receive peace and comfort, Ameen!
