Supplications for calamity, at a death, in the funeral prayer, in condolence, and when visiting graves, with sources and a transliteration guide.
AI-generated English narration.
These are supplications for a death or a calamity. The Arabic is the reliable text; the transliteration is only a pronunciation aid. The funeral prayer itself is explained in the lesson on Salat al-Janazah. A general supplication for hardship and distress is in the lesson on hardship.
Key points
- When a calamity strikes, the Qur’an describes the patient as saying that we belong to Allah and to Him we return.
- Umm Salamah reported the Prophet’s teaching to add: O Allah, reward me for my affliction and give me something better in exchange.
- The Prophet ﷺ made a supplication for Abu Salamah when he closed his eyes at his death, and told the family to say only good.
- His supplication in the funeral prayer, his message of condolence, and the greeting for the graveyard are reported.
Practical steps
- At a calamity, say “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un” and the supplication that follows it.
- At a death, make supplications for the deceased and say only good words.
- In the funeral prayer, make the supplication for the deceased; see the lesson on the funeral prayer.
- To comfort someone, you can use the Prophet’s words of condolence.
- When visiting a graveyard, greet the people of the graves with the words the Prophet ﷺ taught.
Qur’an
“Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return."”
Surah Al-Baqarah (2) — 2:156
When to read: said at a time of calamity
Hadith
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. Allahumma'-jurni fi musibati, wa akhlif li khayran minha.
We belong to Allah and to Him shall we return; O Allah, reward me for my affliction and give me something better than it in exchange for it.
Sahih Muslim, no. 918 .
When to read: For anyone struck by a calamity (Umm Salamah). She said it after the death of Abu Salamah.
Allahumma-ghfir li Abi Salamah, warfa' darajatahu fil-mahdiyyin, wakhlufhu fi 'aqibihi fil-ghabirin, waghfir lana wa lahu ya Rabbal-'alamin, wafsah lahu fi qabrihi, wa nawwir lahu fih.
O Allah, forgive Abu Salama, raise his degree among those who are rightly guided, grant him a successor in his descendants who remain. Forgive us and him, O Lord of the Universe, and make his grave spacious, and grant him light in it.
Sahih Muslim, no. 920 .
When to read: Said by the Prophet ﷺ when he closed the eyes of Abu Salamah at his death. For another person, the name is replaced.
Allahumma-ghfir lahu warhamhu wa 'afihi wa'fu 'anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu, wa wassi' mudkhalahu, waghsilhu bil-ma'i wath-thalji wal-barad, wa naqqihi minal-khataya kama naqqaytath-thawbal-abyada minad-danas, wa abdilhu daran khayran min darihi, wa ahlan khayran min ahlihi, wa zawjan khayran min zawjihi, wa adkhilhul-jannah, wa a'idhhu min 'adhabil-qabri aw min 'adhabin-nar.
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 Thou wouldst cleanse 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. Admit him to the Garden, and protect him from the torment of the grave and the torment of the Fire.
Sahih Muslim, no. 963 .
When to read: The supplication the Prophet ﷺ made in a funeral prayer, remembered by Awf ibn Malik. See the lesson on the funeral prayer.
Inna lillahi ma akhadha wa lahu ma a'ta, wa kullu shay'in 'indahu bi-ajalin musamma, fal-tasbir wal-tahtasib.
Whatever Allah takes is for Him and whatever He gives, is for Him, and everything with Him has a limited fixed term (in this world) and so she should be patient and hope for Allah's reward.
Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 1284 .
When to read: The Prophet's message of condolence to his daughter when her child was dying (Usamah ibn Zayd).
As-salamu 'alaykum ahlad-diyari minal-mu'minina wal-muslimin, wa inna in sha' Allahu bikum lahiqun, as'alullaha lana wa lakumul-'afiyah.
Peace be upon you, the inhabitants of the city, among the believers, and Muslims, and God willing we shall join you. I beg of Allah peace for us and for you.
Sahih Muslim, no. 975 .
When to read: Taught to the Companions when they went out to the graveyard (Buraydah).
Hadith text and grading above are shown as supplied by their source. HikmahBridge does not grade Hadith itself. See Sources & Methodology.
FAQ
What can I say to someone who has lost a loved one?
The Prophet’s own words to his daughter are a model: whatever Allah takes is for Him, whatever He gives is for Him, everything has a fixed term, so be patient and hope for Allah’s reward (Sahih al-Bukhari 1284).
Is it wrong to cry?
In the same report, the Prophet’s eyes shed tears, and he said it is mercy that Allah has placed in the hearts of His slaves (Sahih al-Bukhari 1284).
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