It is a right of a Muslim that when he passes away other Muslims should pray Janazah prayer for him. Janazah prayer is supererogatory prayer. If no one from the whole of the Muslim Community prayed the Janazah prayer; then the whole community would be considered sinful in the sight of Allah. If some of the people prayed the Janazah prayer then the whole community is saved from the anger of Allah (swt) even though the reward will only be given to the participants only.

In hadiths Prophet Muhammad (saw) emphasized and encouraged the Muslims to attend funeral ceremonies. So, every Muslim male should try his best to fulfill his duties for one deceased.

1. Janazah prayer should be prayed in congregation as this is most rewarding. It can be prayed in more than one congregation but by different people.

2. Janazah prayer should be offered in an open place but in case of rain or bad weather or any other reason it can be prayed in a mosque or a hall etc.

If the body is that of a male, the Imam should stand level with the head and shoulders of the dead body. Imam should stand level with the middle part of the body if it is a female.

Janazah prayer is only slightly different from other prayers in that there is no ruku, no sajdah, and no Tashahud in it. There is no fixed time for offering this prayer. It has to be prayed in a standing position only. Other conditions like purification, facing Qiblah, sutra, dress etc. have to be satisfied as in the usual prayers.

a) Like other prayers facing Qiblah is a necessary condition. The Imam should ask the people to straighten their rows. There should be an odd number of rows as it is more regardful.

b) Making intention is necessary in Janazah prayer as it is necessary in other prayers. Before beginning prayer the intention should be made in the heart as uttering any words of niyat aloud was not the practice of Prophet Muhammad (saw) or of his companions.

Janazah prayer Contains 4 Takbirs. First Takbir is Takbir Tahrima. The Imam says, "Allahu-akbar" and raises his hands up to the shoulder level with fingers stretching to the earlobes and the congregation does the same.

Then the Imam folds his hands on his chest right hand over the left.

Then the person can read one of those du'as which are recommended in the first rakah of the usual prayer before recitation of Fatihah. For example :

	Sana
	In the Name of Allah, The Benevolent, The Merciful Subhana Kallah humma wabi hamdika ma tabara kasmuka wata 'aala jad-duka wala ilaha ghayruk." "Glory be to you, O Allah, and all praises are due unto you, and blessed is your name and high is your majesty and none other is worthy of worship but you."

Or he can say other du'as. Some scholars do not recommend du'a of starting in Janazah prayer but reading it is preferable. However, if someone does not read it, it does not affect his prayer. Both ways are practiced by Muslim scholars.

Then the person should say :

	Al-Fatiha
	In the Name of Allah, The Benevolent, The Merciful A'uzu bil-lahi minash shayta nir rajeem O'Allah I seek refuge in you from Satan the accursed one Bismillah hir-rahma nir-raheem In the Name Of Allah, The Most Benevloent, The Most Merciful Followed by Surah Al-Fatiha (Chapter 1 of Quran)

Some people do not read surah Fatihah in Janazah prayer but surah Fatihah is necessary for the validity of any type of prayer as Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said that no prayer is valid without surah Fatihah. Hadiths proves that reciting surah Fatihah is necessary in Janazah prayer as well.

A chapter or part of a chapter can be read after the recitation of surah Fatihah but it is not essential to read it.

Then the Imam should say the second takbir and the congregation should follow but it is not necessary to raise the hands up to the shoulder level but if someone does, it is alright. Both ways are practiced by great ulamas and scholars.

After the second takbit the person praying Janazah should recite dar'ud in his heart. It is preferable to read the dar'ud which a person reads in Tashahud of his usual prayer.

Then the Imam should say the third takbir and the congregation should follow. Now, each person should pray for the deceased. Alternatively, the Imam should can pray out loud and the congregation can say, "Aameen", after him. All kinds of duas for the benefit of the deceased can be said. Some of these are :

	Dua for the Deceased
	In the Name of Allah, The Benevolent, The Merciful "Allah hum maghfirlahu warhamhu wa'fu 'anhu wa 'afihee wa-akrim nuzuluhu wa was-si' mudkhalahu, waghsilhu bil maee wath thalji wal bardi, wa naq-qihi minal 'khataya Kama yunaq- qath thawbul abyadu minad danasi, wa abdilhu daran Khayram min darihi, wa ahlan Khayram min ahlihi wa zawjan khayrum min-zawjihi, wa adkhil hul jan-nata, waqihi fitnatal qabri wa 'Azaban nar."(Muslim) "O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, pardon him, grant him security, provide him a nice place and spacious lodgings, wash him (off from his sins) with water, snow and ice, purify him from his sins as a white garment is cleansed from dirt, replace his present abode with a better one, replace his present family with a better one, replace his present partner with a better one, make him enter paradise and see him from the trials of grave and the punishment of hell."

Abu Hurairah (ra) said that the messenger of Allah (saw) prayed and said :

	Dua for Dead by Prophet
	In the Name of Allah, The Benevolent, The Merciful "Allah humma anta rab-buha, wa-anta Khalaqtaha, wa anta razaqtaha, wa anta hadaytaha lil islam, wa anta qabadta ruhaha, wa anta a'lamu bisir-riha wa 'ala niyyatiha, ji'naa shufa'a, faghfir lahu Zan - bahu " (Abu Dawud, Ahmad). "O Allah, you are its Lord, you have created it, and you have guided it towards Islam, and you have taken out his soul and you know best about its secret and open deeds. We have come as intercessors, so forgive him."

One thing we can see clearly from the above mentioned hadiths that every companion who narrated the du'as of Janazah prayer says that he had heard the Prophet (saw) saying the words of du'a in Janazah prayer. This proves that the Messenger of Allah (saw) used to pray the Janazah prayer or at least the du'as in Janazah prayer aloud. Therefore, there should not be any objection or confusion if the Imam recites aloud in Janazah Prayer.

Then the Imam should say the fourth takbir and the congregation should follow and after that the Imam should say "Assalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatul-lah" turning his face to the right first and then to the ieft; and the congregation should do the same.

There are five main points for the preparation of a Muslim's body for burial; we present briefly the procedure involved in each of them:

I. Body-Washing or "Ghusl"

Washing the deceased's body is obligatory on Muslims; it is a Fard Kifaya, i.e., if some members take the responsibility of doing it the need is fulfilled, but if no one fulfills it then all Muslims will be accountable.

Washing can be carried out in the following way:

• A man's body should be washed by men and a women's by women, but a child's body may be washed by either sex. A husband can wash his wife's body and vice-versa if the need arises.
• Only one person is needed for washing with someone to help and preferably those people who know the deceased.
• Place the body on a high place, e.g., a table or something similar.
• Remove the deceased's clothes (garments) leaving the private parts covered.
• Press the stomach gently and clean whatever comes out.
• For washing, use a piece of cloth or your hands.
• Only clean water may be used; add some scented oils (nonalcoholic) in the final wash. It is preferable to use warm water.
• Perform ablution (wudu) for the body, cleaning the teeth and nose from outside only.
• Wash three times, but if the body needs more cleaning, continue washing five or seven times, but in it must be odd numbers.

Turn the body on its left side and begin washing the right side. Then turn it on its right side to wash the left side. This is done in each wash. The first and the second washes are done with water and soap, while the last one with water and scent.

• Hair should be un-braided, washed and combed, For women it may again be braided in three braids.
• Dry the body with a clean cloth or towel.
• Add some perfume on the head, forehead, nose, hands, knees, eyes, armpits, and place perfumed cotton on the front and rear openings.

II. Wrapping (Kafan)

• The cloth used for wrapping the body must be a clean (preferably white) and should cover the whole body.
• Add some perfume to the kafan (non-alcoholic).
• Do not use silk cloth for men.
• Use three pieces of cloth for men and five for women, (each piece of cloth must cover the entire body.)
• Tie the open cloth at the head and feet, with a piece of cloth (from the same kafan) in such a way that one can differentiate the head from the legs.

III. Prayers (Salat)

• It is better that those praying divide themselves into three rows facing the qibla (Shortest distance to Makkah, Saudi Arabia) with the Imam in front.
• Put the body (or bodies) in front of the Imam.
• The Imam should stand by the middle of the body if the deceased is a man and by the shoulder if she is a woman.
• If there is more than one body, then they should be put one in front of the other, those of the men nearest to the Imam and those of the women furthest from him.
• Having the appropriate neeyat (intention to perform Burial Prayers) in your heart, raise your hands in the usual manner and say, Allahu Akbar.
• Then fold and hold your hands on your breast in the usual manner, the right hand on the left.
• Read al Fatiha quietly.
• Say Allah Akbar without raising the hands.
• Pray for the Prophet in the same way as you do in tashahud.
• Say Allahu Akbar (do not raise your hands).
• Make du'a for the deceased.
• Say Allabu Akbar (do not raise your hands).
• Make du'a for the Muslims.
• Say Assalaamu 'Alaikum, thus finishing the prayer.

The entire burial prayer is done while one is standing, there are no raks or sujud in it.

Du'a for the deceased may be chosen from any of the prophetic du'as:

IV. Funeral

• In the procession mourners should walk in front or beside the bier. Those who are riding or driving should follow it.
• Silence is recommended.
• It is absolutely forbidden to accompany the body with music or crying.

V. Burial

• The grave should be deep, wide and well made. It is recommended that it consist of two excavations, one inside the other. It is recommended that the smaller one called lahd be dug on the side of the larger one facing the qibla
• It is in this one that the body is put.
• The deceased's body should be laid on the ground with the face toward the qibla, the direction of the Ka'aba.
• While laying it say: Bismillah Wa A'la Milla Rasulallah
• It is not recommended to use a casket unless there is a need for it, e.g., if the soil is very loose or wet. A stone, or bricks or some soil should be put under the deceased's head to raise it up.
• Do not use a pillow or put anything with the deceased inside the grave.
• Cover the lahd with bricks so that they become like a roof for it. Pour three handfuls of soil.
• Fill the larger pit with soil. It is preferable that each one of those present share in this by pouring three handfuls of soil. Raise the level of the grave a little less than one foot in a sloping way.