How to Pray Janazah: Step-by-Step Guide
The funeral prayer made simple, with what to say after each takbir in Arabic and transliteration.
Updated 25 October 2026
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About 10 minutes to learntime it takesThe Janazah is the prayer Muslims offer for a brother or sister who has passed away. It is a du'a for the deceased, prayed standing the whole time, with four takbirs and no ruku' or sajdah. It is fard kifayah: when some of the community pray it, the duty is lifted from the rest, but everyone who joins earns great reward. The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever attends the funeral until the prayer is offered earns one qirat, and whoever stays until the burial earns two, each like a huge mountain (Sahih al-Bukhari 1325). This guide takes you through every step according to the Hanafi school, so you can pray with confidence when the time comes.
Step by step
- 1Before you begin: wudu, facing the qiblah, and standing in rows behind the imam
- 2Takbir 1: raise your hands, then recite the Thana with "wa jalla thana'uk"
- 3Takbir 2: without raising your hands, recite the Durood Ibrahimi
- 4Takbir 3: without raising your hands, make the du'a for the deceased
- 5Takbir 4: nothing is recited; give salam to the right, then to the left
- 6An at-a-glance page to read just before the prayer begins
What to do if you join late
Follow the imam from wherever he is in the prayer. After he gives salam, say the takbirs you missed before the body is lifted, then give your own salam. If you are unsure, ask your teacher or the imam.
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How to use it
Read the guide once at home so the four takbirs feel familiar. Then keep the at-a-glance page on your phone or folded in your wallet, and look over it just before the prayer begins. Everything you recite is said quietly; only the imam says the takbirs and the salam aloud.
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Frequently asked questions
How many takbirs are there in the Janazah prayer?
Four. You raise your hands only for the first one. After the fourth takbir, nothing is recited and the prayer ends with salam.
Is there any ruku' or sajdah in the Janazah?
No. The whole prayer is prayed standing.
Is the Janazah prayer compulsory for everyone?
It is fard kifayah. When some people in the community pray it, the duty is lifted from everyone else, but anyone who joins earns great reward.
Do I need wudu for the Janazah?
Yes. It is a prayer, so wudu, clean clothes and facing the qiblah are needed, just as for any Salah.
What do I recite after each takbir?
After the first, the Thana. After the second, the Durood Ibrahimi. After the third, the du'a for the deceased. After the fourth, nothing; you give salam.
Is there a different du'a for a child?
Yes. A different du'a is read for a child who had not reached puberty. Ask your teacher to teach it to you.
What if I join the prayer late?
Follow the imam from where he is. After his salam, say the takbirs you missed before the body is lifted, then give salam.
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