Body Prayer: Positions, Procedures, Prayer Readings, Unseen Prayers
Kullu nafsin zaikatul maut or every living thing will surely die. Because this world is not a place to live but a place to die. Therefore, as Muslims, we must know how to perform the funeral prayer when a fellow Muslim dies. So we can take care of it.
Table of contents
Ruling on the Prayer of the Body
The legal funeral prayer is fardhu kifayah, This is based on the command of the Prophet Muhammad to pray for the corpses of fellow Muslims.
From Abu Hurairah radhiallahu'anhu, he said:
أنَّ رسولَ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ كان يُؤتى بالرجلِ الميتِ ، عليه الدين. فيسأل ( هل ترك لدَينه من قضاءٍ ؟ ) فإن حدث أنه ترك وفاءً صلَّى عليه. وإلا قال ( صلُّوا على صاحبِكم)
Meaning:
"The Messenger of Allah (SAW) was brought to him a male corpse. The man is still in debt. Then he asked: "Does he have a legacy that can pay off his debt?". If someone says that the person has inheritance that can pay off his debt, the Prophet will also pray for him. If not, then he said: "Pray for your brothers" (HR Muslim no. 1619).
In fact, it is highly recommended for as many Muslims as possible to pray for the dead. So that he gets intercession.
The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi Wasallam said:
مَا مِنْ مَيِّتٍ تُصَلِّي عَلَيْهِ أُمَّةٌ مِنْ الْمُسْلِمِينَ يَبْلُغُونَ مِائَةً كُلُّهُمْ يَشْفَعُونَ لَهُ إِلَّا شُفِّعُوا فِيهِ
"It is not a Muslim who dies, then he is prayed for by the Muslims in large numbers reach a hundred people, all praying for him, surely they can intercede for the dead that” (HR. Muslim no. 947).
The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi Wasallam also said:
مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ مُسْلِمٍ يَمُوتُ فَيَقُومُ عَلَى جَنَازَتِهِ أرْبَعُونَ رَجُلا، لا يُشْرِكُونَ بِالله شَيْئاً إِلا شَفَّعَهُمُ اللهُ فِيهِ
"There is not a Muslim who dies, then he is prayed for by forty people who do not commit shirk" against Allah in the slightest, except that Allah will intercede for the corpse for their sake." (HR. Muslim no. 948).
The virtue of praying the corpse
The following are some of the virtues of the funeral prayer based on several arguments and hadiths, including:
1. Hastening good for the corpse
As explained in HR. Muttafaq 'alaih above if hastening the management of the corpse, including praying, is hastening the goodness for the corpse. This applies to those who died in a state of faith (shalih).
But if the corpse during its lifetime has been wrong, then hastening its management is tantamount to putting down evil.
2. Giving intercession to the dead
From 'Aisha radhiyallahu 'anha, she said that the Messenger of Allah said:
مَا مِنْ مَيِّتٍ يُصَلِّى عَلَيْهِ أُمَّةٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ يَبْلُغُونَ مِائَةً كُلُّهُمْ يَشْفَعُونَ لَهُ إِلاَّ شُفِّعُوا فِيهِ
Meaning:
"There is not a corpse that is prayed for (with the funeral prayer) by a group of Muslims who reach 100" people, then all of them intercede (pray for good for him), then intercession (their prayers) will be given." (HR. Muslim no. 947)
3. Get a lot of good / great reward
From Abu Hurairah, he said that the Messenger of Allah said:
مَنْ شَهِدَ الْجَنَازَةَ حَتَّى يُصَلِّىَ عَلَيْهَا فَلَهُ قِيرَاطٌ ، وَمَنْ شَهِدَ حَتَّى تُدْفَنَ كَانَ لَهُ قِيرَاطَانِ. قِيلَ وَمَا الْقِيرَاطَانِ قَالَ مِثْلُ الْجَبَلَيْنِ الْعَظِيمَيْنِ
"Whoever sees a corpse until he prays it, then for him one qiroth. Then whoever sees him until he is buried, then for him two qiroth." Then someone asked, "What? what do you mean by two qiroth?” Rasulullah SAW then replied, "The two qiroth are like two big mountains." (HR. Bukhari no. 1325 and Muslim no. 945)
In Muslim history:
« مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَى جَنَازَةٍ وَلَمْ يَتْبَعْهَا فَلَهُ قِيرَاطٌ فَإِنْ تَبِعَهَا فَلَهُ قِيرَاطَانِ ». قِيلَ وَمَا الْقِيرَاطَانِ قَالَ « أَصْغَرُهُمَا مِثْلُ أُحُدٍ ».
"Whoever prays the corpse and does not accompany the body, then for him (reward) one qiroth. If he comes to follow his body, then for him (reward) two qiroth." Then there are those who ask, "What?" what do you mean by two qiroth?” "The smallest size of the two qiroth is Mount Uhud", he replied SAW. (HR. Muslim no. 945).
4. Carrying out the Apostle's orders
The Messenger of Allah said: "Pray for your corpses".
That way, carrying out the funeral prayer, it means that we have practiced one of the commands of the Prophet Muhammad.
5. Make it easy for the dead
From Malik bin Hubairah, he said that the Messenger of Allah said:
مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَمُوتُ فَيُصَلِّى عَلَيْهِ ثَلاَثَةُ صُفُوفٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ إِلاَّ أَوْجَبَ
Meaning:
"There is no Muslim who dies and is prayed for by three rows of Muslims except that their prayers will be answered immediately." (HR. Tirmidhi no. 1028 and Abu Daud no. 3166. Imam Nawawi mentions in Al Majmu '5/212 that this hadith is hasan. Shaykh Al Albani mentions this hadith hasan when a friend says).
6. Great benefit
By doing the funeral prayer correctly, then we will get great benefits. With that, kit has fulfilled his family's rights, comforting their feelings which will certainly get a big reward.
Conditions for the Valid Prayer of the Body
The following are some of the conditions for a valid funeral prayer, including:
- The person who performs the funeral prayer must be a Muslim.
- In a pure state from small and large hadas, the body, clothes, and place are pure.
- Covering the aurat is like doing any other prayer.
- The body has been washed.
- Facing towards the Qibla, unless the prayer is performed on the grave or the unseen prayer.
- The body being prayed for is a Muslim or Muslim.
- The body to be prayed for has been in a clean condition or has been bathed.
- Meanwhile, wrapping the corpse in a shroud is not included in the legal requirements for the funeral prayer. Therefore, it is permissible to perform funeral prayers on bodies that have been washed even though they have not been shrouded.
Pillars of Prayer for the Body
The pillars of the funeral prayer consist of 7 pillars, including:
- Intention
- Takbir with four takbiran
- Stand up for those who can
- Reading Surah Al-Fatihah
- Read sholawat on Prophet Muhammad after the second takbir
- Prayer to the corpse after the third takbir
- Regards
Praying the corpse means praying for the corpse by carrying out 4 takbirs.
Every Muslim has the right to pray for the corpse, but there are people who are most entitled to pray for the corpse, including:
- The person who is willed, provided that the person being willed is not a wicked person or a heretic.
- Ulama/religious leader
- Parents of corpses
- Children from the corpse down
- Closest family
- Muslims
Position of Prayer for the Body
Praying for the bodies of women and men is not the same. This is based on the position and also the reading of the prayer.
The following is the position of his corpse, among others:
1. Female Body
The procedure for the funeral prayer for female corpses is that the position of the priest is in the direction of the umbilical cord. While for congregation his position is behind the imam in the order of the maximum of adult men, then adult women. Meanwhile, the number of rows, if possible, is odd.
2. Male corpse
The procedure for praying for the male corpse is in a position parallel to the head of the corpse.
To pray for the corpse, its location in the mosque is prioritized. If the location of the mosque is far away, it can be done at home or the nearest prayer room.
Whoever misses attending the funeral prayer, the main thing is to pray after being buried. And whoever is buried and has not been prayed for, then pray over his grave.
The Intention of Reading the Prayer of the Body Prayer
1. The intention of the female corpse
Reading:
اُصَلِّى عَلَى هَذِهِ الْمَيِّتَةِ اَرْبَعَ تَكْبِرَاتٍ فَرْضَ الْكِفَايَةِ مَأْمُوْمًا ِللهِ تَعَالَى
"Ushollii 'alaa haadzihill mayyitati arba'a takbirootin fardhol kifaayati ma'muuman lillaahi ta'aalaa"
Meaning:
"I intend to pray on this corpse by doing four takbir fardlu Kirayah, as a congregation for Allah taala."
2. The intention of the male corpse
Reading:
اُصَلِّى عَلَى هَذَاالْمَيِّتِ اَرْبَعَ تَكْبِرَاتٍ فَرْضَ الْكِفَايَةِ مَأْمُوْمًا ِللهِ تَعَالَى
"Ushalli'alaahadzal mayyiti arba'a takbiraatin fardlal kifaayati ma'muuman lillahit ta'aala"
Meaning:
"I intend to pray on this corpse by doing four takbir fardlu Kirayah, as a congregation for Allah taala."
Procedure for the funeral prayer
1. female corpse
1. Preceded by intention.
2. The funeral prayer has 5 takbirs.
3. After doing the first takbir read Surah Al Fatihah. Then do the takbir again, after the second takbir, then read sholawat:
اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلىَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلىَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَماَ صَلَّيْتَ عَلىَ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلىَ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنـَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ اَللَّهُمَّ باَرِكْ عَلىَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلىَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَماَ باَرَكْتَ عَلىَ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلىَ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنـَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
"Allahumma sholli alaa muhammad wa ala aali muhammad. Kamaa sholaita ala ibroohim wa ala aali ibroohim. Innaka hamiidun majiid."
"Allahumma baarik ala muhammad wa ala aali muhammad. Kamaa baarokta ala ibroohim wa ala aali ibroohim. Innaka hamidun majiid."
Meaning:
"O Allah, bestow blessings on Prophet Muhammad and the family of Prophet Muhammad as you have given blessings on Prophet Ibrahim. Bless the Prophet Muhammad and the family of the Prophet Muhammad as you have blessed the family of Prophet Ibrahim and his family. In this world You are the Most Praised and Most Exalted God."
4. Then the third takbir. After takbir then read:
"Allahummagh Firla"haa waa warhamhaa wa'aafihaa wa'fuanhaha.“
5. After that, the fourth takbir and after takbir then read:
"Allahumma la tahrim naa ajrahaa walaa taftinnaa ba'dahaa waghfirlanaa walahaa."
6. Then greeting to the right and also to the left in a standing position.
2. Male corpse
1. Preceded by intention.
2. The funeral prayer has 4 takbirs.
3. After doing the first takbir then read Surah Al Fatihah.
4. Then takbir returns, and after the second takbir, you recite sholawat:
اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلىَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلىَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَماَ صَلَّيْتَ عَلىَ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلىَ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنـَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ اَللَّهُمَّ باَرِكْ عَلىَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلىَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَماَ باَرَكْتَ عَلىَ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلىَ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنـَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
"Allahumma sholli alaa muhammad wa ala aali muhammad. Kamaa sholaita ala ibroohim wa ala aali ibroohim. Innaka hamiidun majiid."
"Allahumma baarik ala muhammad wa ala aali muhammad. Kamaa baarokta ala ibroohim wa ala aali ibroohim. Innaka hamidun majiid."
Meaning:
"O Allah, bestow blessings on Prophet Muhammad and the family of Prophet Muhammad as you have given blessings on Prophet Ibrahim. Bless the Prophet Muhammad and the family of the Prophet Muhammad as you have blessed the family of Prophet Ibrahim and his family. In this world You are the Most Praised and Most Exalted God."
5. Then the third takbir. After takbir then read:
"Allahummagh Firla"hu wow warhamhu wa'aafihu wa'fuanhu.”
6. After that, the fourth takbir and after takbir then read:
"Allahumma la tahrim naa ajrahu walaa taftinnaa ba'dahu waghfirlanaa walahu."
7. Next greetings to the right and left in a standing position.
*) All the procedures for the funeral prayer above are the correct funeral prayer procedures according to the sunnah regulations.
The third takbir
In the third takbir reading you can also read a prayer for the dead. This is based on a hadith from Abu Umamah. Among the prayers that you can read are:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا نَقَّيْتَ الثَّوْبَ الْأَبْيَضَ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ وَأَبْدِلْهُ دَارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهِ وَأَهْلًا خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ وَزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِنْ زَوْجِهِ وَأَدْخِلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعِذْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَمِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ
"Allahummaghfirlahu wahamhu wa'aafihi wa'fu anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu wawassi' madkhalahu wa aghsilhu minal khathaayaa kamaa yunaqqats tsaubulabyadlu minad danas. Wa abdilhu daaraan khairam mind daarihi wa ahlan khairam min experthi wa ad khilhul jannata waaidzhu min 'adsaabil qabri wa min 'adsaabin naar."
Meaning:
"O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him. Save and forgive him. Give honor to him, widen the place of entry, bathe him with water, ice and snow. Cleanse him from his iniquity as You have cleaned a white garment from dirt. Replace for him a better house than his house, a better family than his original family, a better wife than his original wife. Enter him into heaven, protect him from the punishment of the grave and the punishment of hell" (HR Muslim no. 963).
If the corpse is a woman, then you change the pronunciation."hu" Becomes "Ha", as in the example above.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا
Meaning:
“O Allah, forgive those who live among us and those who are dead, those who are present and those who absent, (also) small children and adults, men and women among us "(HR At Tirmidhi no. 1024, he said: "Hasan Sahih").
Fourth Takbir
In this fourth takbir, if the body is not yet mature, it is replaced with the following prayer:
Reading:
اَللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ فَرَطًا وَذُخْرًا لِوَالِدَيْهِ، وَشَفِيْعًا مُجَابًا. اَللَّهُمَّ ثَقِّلْ بِهِ مَوَازِيْنَهُمَا وَأَعْظِمْ بِهِ أُجُوْرَهُمَا، وَأَلْحِقْهُ بِصَالِحِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ، وَاجْعَلْهُ فِيْ كَفَالَةِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ، وَقِهِ بِرَحْمَتِكَ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيْمِ، وَأَبْدِلْهُ دَارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهِ، وَأَهْلاً خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ. اَللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِأَسْلاَفِنَا، وَأَفْرَاطِنَا وَمَنْ سَبَقَنَا بِاْلإِيْمَانِ
"Allaahummaj 'alhu farothon wa dzukhron liwaalidaihi, wa syafi'an mujaaban. Allahumma tsaqqil bihi mawaaziinahumaa wa a'zhim bihi ujuurohumaa, wa alhiqhu bishoolihil mu'miniin, waj 'alhu fii kafaalati ibroohiim, wa qihi birohmatika 'adzaabal jahiim, wa abdilhu daaron khoiron min daarihi, wa ahlan khoiron min expert. Allahummaghfir li-aslaafinaa, wa afroothinaa wa man sabaqonaa bil iimaan.”
Meaning:
"O Allah, make the death of this child a glorified reward, a saving for his parents and an intercessor whose prayers are answered. O Allah, with this calamity, weigh the scales of their deeds and give them a great reward."
"Gather this child with those who are pious and make him cared for by Prophet Ibrahim. Protect him with Your mercy from the torment of the Hellfire. Give a better house than his house (in this world), give a family (in Heaven) that is better than his family (in this world). O Allah, forgive our predecessors, our children, and those who preceded us in faith."
C. Prayer After Prayer for the Body
Reading:
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّى عَلٰى سَيِّدِنَامُحَمَّدٍوَعَلٰى اٰلِ سَيِّدِنَامُحَمَّدٍ. اَللّٰهُمَّ بِحَقِّ الْفَتِحَةِ.اِعْتِقْ رِقَابَنَاوَرِقَابَ هٰذَاالْمَيِّتِ (هٰذِهِ الْمَيِّتَتِ) مِنَ النَّارِ٣× اَللّٰهُمَّ اَنْزِلِ الرَّحْمَةَ وَالْمَغْفِرَةَعَلٰى هٰذَالْمَيِّتِ (هٰذِهِ الْمَيِّتَتِ) وَاجْعَلْ قَبْرَهٗ(هَا)رَوْضَةًمِنَ الْجَنَّةِ.وَلاَتَجْعَلْهُ لَهٗ (لَهَا) حُفْرَةًمِنَ النِّيْرَانِ.وَصَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى خَيْرِخَلْقِهٖ سَيِّدِنَامُحَمَّدٍوَاٰلِهٖ وَصَحْبِهٖ اَجْمَعِيْنَ وَالْحَمْدُلِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ
"Bismillaahirrahmaanirrahiim, Allahumma sholli 'alaa sayyidinaa Muhammadin wa'alaa aali sayyidinaa Muhammadin."
"Allaahumma bihaqqil fatihati i'tiq riqaa banaa wariqaaba haadzal mayyiti (haadzihil mayyitati) waj'al qabrahuu (haa) roudhotan minal jannati. Walaa taj'alhu lahuu (lahaa) hufratan minanniiraani. Washollallaahu 'alaa khoiri kholqihi sayyidinaa Muhammadin wa aalihii washohbihii ajma'iina walhamdulillaahi rabbil 'aalamiina."
Meaning:
“O Allah, pour out mercy on our lord Prophet Muhammad and on the family of Prophet Muhammad. O Allah, with the blessing of Surah Al Fatihah, free us from sin and the sins of this corpse are tormented from the fire of hell (3 times)."
"O Allah, pour out mercy and forgive this corpse. And make his grave a comfortable garden from heaven and do not make his grave a pit of hell. May Allah give mercy to all His noble creatures, namely our lord Prophet Muhammad and his family and also all of his friends. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds."
Prayer for the Unseen Body
If you receive news that a relative, relative or close friend of yours has died and because of the distance you cannot mourn. So in Islam you can do the unseen prayer to keep sending prayers.
The difference between the funeral prayer and the occult prayer is among others:
- The occult prayer is performed without the body, while the funeral prayer is performed in front of the corpse.
- Intention reading.
The similarity between the funeral prayer and the unseen prayer lies in the movements and readings.
Here is the intention reading:
For Priest
A. female corpse
“Ushalli alal mayyitati (mention the name of the body) alghooibi arba'a takbiroti fardhol kifaayati imaaman lillahi ta'ala"
Meaning:
"I intend to perform the occult prayer on the corpse (name of the corpse) with four takbirs to become an imam because of Allah ta'ala."
B. Male corpse
“Ushalli alal mayyiti (mention the name of the body) alghooibi arba'a takbiroti fardhol kifaayati imaaman lillahi ta'ala"
Meaning:
"I intend to perform the occult prayer on the corpse (name of the corpse) with four takbirs to become an imam because of Allah ta'ala."
For Makmum
A. female corpse
“Ushalli alal mayyitati (mention the name of the body) alghooibi arba'a takbiroti fardhol kifaayati ma'muuman lillahi ta'ala"
Meaning:
"I intend to perform the occult prayer on the corpse (name of the corpse) with four takbirs to become makmum because of Allah ta'ala."
B. Male corpse
“Ushalli alal mayyiti (mention the name of the body) alghooibi arba'a takbiroti fardhol kifaayati ma'muuman lillahi ta'ala"
Meaning:
"I intend to perform the occult prayer on the corpse (name of the corpse) with four takbirs to become makmum because of Allah ta'ala."
For bodies whose identity is unknown
Priest
"Usholli ala man shola alaihi arba'a takbiroti fardhol kifayati imaaman lillahi ta'ala"
Meaning:
"I intend to perform the occult prayer as an imam over a corpse which is prayed four times takbir fardhu kifayah for Allah ta'ala."
Congregation
"Usholli ala man shola alaihi arba'a takbiroti fardhol kifayati ma'muuman lillahi ta'ala"
Meaning:
"I intend to perform the occult prayer as a congregation for the corpse which is prayed four times takbir fardhu kifayah for Allah ta'ala."
Procedure for Taking Care of a Baby's Body
Babies who were born and died immediately and were born before 6 months of pregnancy. This 6 month old baby is alive but inside he is still not perfect.
To take care of infant deaths in cases like this, there are several provisions that you must pay attention to, because the time the baby dies is taken care of by the Muslim obligation to the corpse.
Rules for taking care of a baby's corpse:
- If the baby has been born and the baby screams for a while and then dies, then the ruling is like a dead child. Need to be bathed, shrouded, prayed and then buried.
- Babies born without screams and die immediately, while their body shape is perfect, then they are only required to bathe, shroud and then bury.
- Babies who are born without screams and die immediately and their shape is not perfect, then they are obliged to bury them.
Conclusion
The funeral prayer for women and men differs in position and reading. Likewise with the occult prayer. As well as for the baby's corpse there are several provisions that need to be known before taking care of the corpse.
The reward for the person who performs the funeral prayer is very large, especially if that person also goes to his funeral.
Question
The following are some questions related to funeral prayers, including:
اُصَلِّى عَلَى هَذِهِ الْمَيِّتَةِ اَرْبَعَ تَكْبِرَاتٍ فَرْضَ الْكِفَايَةِ مَأْمُوْمًا ِللهِ تَعَالَى
اُصَلِّى عَلَى هَذَاالْمَيِّتِ اَرْبَعَ تَكْبِرَاتٍ فَرْضَ الْكِفَايَةِ مَأْمُوْمًا ِللهِ تَعَالَى
Adadi in the direction of the umbilical cord.
Be in line with the head of the corpse.
The occult prayer is performed without the body, while the funeral prayer is performed in front of the corpse. And different reading intentions.