Comforting a Bereaved Family
Meaning and reflection
Remind the grieving that what Allah takes and gives belongs to Him and everything has its appointed term.
Source
Hisnul Muslim · Invocation for the bereaved
((إِنَّ للَّهِ مَا أَخَذَ، وَلَهُ مَا أَعْطَى، وَكُلُّ شَيْءٍ عِنْدَهُ بِأَجَلٍ مُسَمَّى، فَلْتَصْبِرْ وَلْتَحْتَسِبْ)). وَإِنْ قَالَ: ((أَعْظَمَ اللَّهُ أَجْرَكَ، وَأَحْسَنَ عَزَاءَكَ، وَغَفَرَ لِمَيِّتِكَ)) فَحَسَنٌ.
Inna lillahi ma akhath, walahu ma aAAta, wakullu shayin AAindahu bi-ajalin musamma…faltasbir waltahtasib.
Verily to Allah, belongs what He took and to Him belongs what He gave, and everything with Him has an appointed time…and then he ordered for her to be patient and hope for Allah’s reward.)(The words (faltasbir waltahtasib) are commands in the feminine 3rd person form, so they will need to be changed in respect to whom is being addressed.
Remind the grieving that what Allah takes and gives belongs to Him and everything has its appointed term.
Hisnul Muslim · Invocation for the bereaved
The occasion-specific prayer is shown first. The cards below are related general supplications, not an additional fixed ritual, count or order. At times of loss, they include prayers for the deceased and for the bereaved.
Whoever guides someone to good has a reward like the one who does it.
Sahih Muslim · 1893
اللهم اغفر له وارحمه وعافه واعف عنه، وأكرم نزله، ووسع مدخله، واغسله بالماء والثلج والبرد، ونقه من الخطايا كما نقيت الثوب الأبيض من الدنس، وأبدله دارا خيرا من داره، وأهلا خيرا من أهله، وزوجا خيرا من زوجه، وأدخله الجنة، وأعذه من عذاب القبر أو من عذاب النار.
PronunciationAllahummaghfir lahu warhamhu wa afihi wafu anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu, wa wassi mudkhalahu, waghsilhu bilmai 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-jannata, wa aidhhu min adhabil-qabri aw min adhabin-nar.
Full English translation
English meaningO Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, grant him well-being and pardon him. Honor his reception and make his entrance spacious. Wash him with water, snow and hail, cleansing his sins as a white garment is cleaned of dirt. Give him a better home, family and spouse. Admit him to Paradise and protect him from punishment in the grave or in the Fire.
Source: Sahih Muslim 963a
A Prophetic prayer or remembrance narrated by Awf ibn Malik. This is not a prayer composed by the Companion; see the source for its context.
اللهم اغفر لأبي سلمة، وارفع درجته في المهديين، واخلفه في عقبه في الغابرين، واغفر لنا وله يا رب العالمين، وافسح له في قبره، ونور له فيه.
PronunciationAllahummaghfir 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.
Full English translation
English meaningO Allah, forgive Abu Salamah, raise his rank among the rightly guided, care for the descendants he leaves behind, and forgive us and him, Lord of all worlds. Make his grave spacious and fill it with light.
Source: Sahih Muslim 920a
This report names Abu Salamah. When praying for another deceased person, use their name and appropriate pronouns.
السلام عليكم أهل الديار من المؤمنين والمسلمين، وإنا إن شاء الله للاحقون، أسأل الله لنا ولكم العافية.
PronunciationAssalamu alaykum ahlad-diyari minal-muminina wal-muslimin, wa inna in sha-Allahu lalahiqun. Asalullaha lana wa lakumul-afiyah.
Full English translation
English meaningPeace be upon you, believing and Muslim inhabitants of these dwellings. Allah willing, we will join you. I ask Allah for well-being for us and for you.
Source: Sahih Muslim 975
A Prophetic prayer or remembrance narrated by Buraydah ibn al-Husayb. This is not a prayer composed by the Companion; see the source for its context.
إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون، اللهم أجرني في مصيبتي وأخلف لي خيرا منها.
PronunciationInna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun. Allahumma-jurni fi musibati wa akhlif li khayran minha.
Full English translation
English meaningWe belong to Allah and return to Him. O Allah, reward me in this calamity and replace what I have lost with something better.
Source: Sahih Muslim 918a
A Prophetic prayer or remembrance narrated by Umm Salamah. This is not a prayer composed by the Companion; see the source for its context.
ربنا اغفر لي ولوالدي وللمؤمنين يوم يقوم الحساب.
PronunciationRabbanaghfir li wa liwalidayya wa lil-muminina yawma yaqumul-hisab.
Full English translation
English meaningOur Lord, forgive me, my parents and the believers on the Day of Reckoning.
Source: Qur’an 14:41
رب ارحمهما كما ربياني صغيرا.
PronunciationRabbirhamhuma kama rabbayani saghira.
Full English translation
My Lord, have mercy upon them both as they raised me when I was small.
Source: Qur’an 17:24
ربنا آمنا فاغفر لنا وارحمنا وأنت خير الراحمين.
PronunciationRabbana amanna faghfir lana warhamna wa Anta khayrur-rahimin.
Full English translation
English meaningOur Lord, we believe. Forgive us and have mercy on us; You are the best of those who show mercy.
Source: Qur’an 23:109
رب اغفر وارحم وأنت خير الراحمين.
PronunciationRabbighfir warham wa Anta khayrur-rahimin.
Full English translation
English meaningMy Lord, forgive and have mercy; You are the best of those who show mercy.
Source: Qur’an 23:118
ربنا وسعت كل شيء رحمة وعلما فاغفر للذين تابوا واتبعوا سبيلك وقهم عذاب الجحيم. ربنا وأدخلهم جنات عدن التي وعدتهم ومن صلح من آبائهم وأزواجهم وذرياتهم، إنك أنت العزيز الحكيم. وقهم السيئات ومن تق السيئات يومئذ فقد رحمته، وذلك هو الفوز العظيم.
PronunciationRabbana wasita kulla shayin rahmatan wa ilman faghfir lilladhina tabu wattabau sabilaka wa qihim adhabal-jahim. Rabbana wa adkhilhum jannati adninillati waadtahum wa man salaha min abaihim wa azwajihim wa dhurriyyatihim, innaka Antal-Azizul-Hakim. Wa qihimus-sayyiati wa man taqis-sayyiati yawmaidhin faqad rahimtahu, wa dhalika huwal-fawzul-azim.
Full English translation
English meaningOur Lord, Your mercy and knowledge encompass everything. Forgive those who repent and follow Your path, and protect them from the blazing Fire. Admit them to the lasting gardens You promised, together with the righteous among their parents, spouses and descendants. You are the Mighty, the Wise. Protect them from evil deeds; whoever You protect that day has received Your mercy. That is the great success.
Source: Qur’an 40:7-9
ربنا اغفر لنا ولإخواننا الذين سبقونا بالإيمان ولا تجعل في قلوبنا غلا للذين آمنوا، ربنا إنك رؤوف رحيم.
PronunciationRabbanaghfir lana wa liikhwaninalladhina sabaquna bil-imani wa la tajal fi qulubina ghillan lilladhina amanu, Rabbana innaka Raufun Rahim.
Full English translation
English meaningOur Lord, forgive us and our fellow believers who preceded us in faith. Do not let our hearts hold resentment toward believers. Our Lord, You are compassionate and merciful.
Source: Qur’an 59:10
ربنا أفرغ علينا صبرا وتوفنا مسلمين.
PronunciationRabbana afrigh alayna sabran wa tawaffana muslimin.
Full English translation
English meaningOur Lord, pour patience upon us and let us die in submission to You.
Source: Qur’an 7:126
ربنا إننا سمعنا مناديا ينادي للإيمان أن آمنوا بربكم فآمنا، ربنا فاغفر لنا ذنوبنا وكفر عنا سيئاتنا وتوفنا مع الأبرار.
PronunciationRabbana innana samina munadiyan yunadi lil-imani an aminu bi-Rabbikum fa-amanna. Rabbana faghfir lana dhunubana wa kaffir anna sayyiatina wa tawaffana maal-abrar.
Full English translation
English meaningOur Lord, we heard a caller summon us to believe in our Lord, and we believed. Forgive our sins, remove our evil deeds and let us die among the righteous.
Source: Qur’an 3:193
ربنا وآتنا ما وعدتنا على رسلك ولا تخزنا يوم القيامة، إنك لا تخلف الميعاد.
PronunciationRabbana wa atina ma waadtana ala rusulika wa la tukhzina yawmal-qiyamah, innaka la tukhliful-miad.
Full English translation
English meaningOur Lord, grant us what You promised through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. You never break Your promise.
Source: Qur’an 3:194
لا إله إلا الله العظيم الحليم، لا إله إلا الله رب العرش العظيم، لا إله إلا الله رب السماوات ورب الأرض ورب العرش الكريم.
PronunciationLa ilaha illallahul-Azimul-Halim. La ilaha illallahu Rabbul-Arshil-Azim. La ilaha illallahu Rabbus-samawati wa Rabbul-ardi wa Rabbul-Arshil-Karim.
Full English translation
English meaningThere is no deity except Allah, the Magnificent, the Forbearing; no deity except Allah, Lord of the mighty Throne; no deity except Allah, Lord of the heavens, the earth and the noble Throne.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6346
A Prophetic prayer or remembrance narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas. This is not a prayer composed by the Companion; see the source for its context.
اللهم أحيني ما كانت الحياة خيرا لي، وتوفني إذا كانت الوفاة خيرا لي.
PronunciationAllahumma ahyini ma kanatil-hayatu khayran li, wa tawaffani idha kanatil-wafatu khayran li.
Full English translation
English meaningO Allah, keep me alive while life is better for me, and take me when death is better for me.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6351
A Prophetic prayer or remembrance narrated by Anas ibn Malik. This is not a prayer composed by the Companion; see the source for its context.
اللهم إني أعوذ بك من الهم والحزن، والعجز والكسل، والجبن والبخل، وضلع الدين، وغلبة الرجال.
PronunciationAllahumma inni audhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan, wal-ajzi wal-kasal, wal-jubni wal-bukhl, wa dalaid-dayn, wa ghalabatir-rijal.
Full English translation
English meaningO Allah, protect me from worry and sorrow, helplessness and laziness, cowardice and miserliness, the crushing weight of debt and being overpowered by others.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6369
A Prophetic prayer or remembrance narrated by Anas ibn Malik. This is not a prayer composed by the Companion; see the source for its context.
اللهم أصلح لي ديني الذي هو عصمة أمري، وأصلح لي دنياي التي فيها معاشي، وأصلح لي آخرتي التي فيها معادي، واجعل الحياة زيادة لي في كل خير، واجعل الموت راحة لي من كل شر.
PronunciationAllahumma aslih li diniyalladhi huwa ismatu amri, wa aslih li dunyayallati fiha maashi, wa aslih li akhiratiyallati fiha maadi, wajalil-hayata ziyadatan li fi kulli khayr, wajalil-mawta rahatan li min kulli sharr.
Full English translation
English meaningO Allah, set right my religion, the safeguard of my affairs; my worldly life, where I earn my living; and my hereafter, where I return. Let life increase every good for me, and let death give me rest from every harm.
Source: Sahih Muslim 2720
A Prophetic prayer or remembrance narrated by Abu Hurayrah. This is not a prayer composed by the Companion; see the source for its context.
اللهم إني أعوذ بك من زوال نعمتك، وتحول عافيتك، وفجاءة نقمتك، وجميع سخطك.
PronunciationAllahumma inni audhu bika min zawali nimatika, wa tahawwuli afiyatika, wa fujaati niqmatika, wa jamii sakhatik.
Full English translation
English meaningO Allah, protect me from losing Your blessings, the withdrawal of Your well-being, Your sudden punishment and everything that displeases You.
Source: Sahih Muslim 2739
A Prophetic prayer or remembrance narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar. This is not a prayer composed by the Companion; see the source for its context.
اللهم اغفر لي وارحمني واهدني وارزقني.
PronunciationAllahummaghfir li warhamni wahdini warzuqni.
Full English translation
English meaningO Allah, forgive me, show me mercy, guide me and provide for me.
Source: Sahih Muslim 2696
A Prophetic prayer or remembrance narrated by Sad ibn Abi Waqqas. This is not a prayer composed by the Companion; see the source for its context.
ربنا آتنا في الدنيا حسنة وفي الآخرة حسنة وقنا عذاب النار.
PronunciationRabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina adhab an-nar.
Full English translation
English meaningOur Lord, grant us good in this life and the next, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
Source: Qur’an 2:201
ربنا لا تؤاخذنا إن نسينا أو أخطأنا، ربنا ولا تحمل علينا إصرا كما حملته على الذين من قبلنا، ربنا ولا تحملنا ما لا طاقة لنا به، واعف عنا واغفر لنا وارحمنا، أنت مولانا فانصرنا على القوم الكافرين.
PronunciationRabbana la tuakhidhna in nasina aw akhtana. Rabbana wa la tahmil alayna isran kama hamaltahu alal-ladhina min qablina. Rabbana wa la tuhammilna ma la taqata lana bih. Wafu anna waghfir lana warhamna, Anta mawlana fansurna alal-qawmil-kafirin.
Full English translation
English meaningOur Lord, do not hold us accountable if we forget or make a mistake. Do not lay burdens on us like those laid on people before us, or what we cannot bear. Pardon us, forgive us and have mercy on us. You are our protector; help us against those who reject faith.
Source: Qur’an 2:286
ربنا آتنا من لدنك رحمة وهيئ لنا من أمرنا رشدا.
PronunciationRabbana atina min ladunka rahmatan wa hayyi lana min amrina rashada.
Full English translation
English meaningOur Lord, grant us mercy from You and make our affairs lead to right guidance.
Source: Qur’an 18:10
رب اشرح لي صدري، ويسر لي أمري، واحلل عقدة من لساني، يفقهوا قولي.
PronunciationRabbishrah li sadri, wa yassir li amri, wahlul uqdatan min lisani, yafqahu qawli.
Full English translation
English meaningMy Lord, open my heart, ease my task and loosen the impediment of my tongue so people understand my words.
Source: Qur’an 20:25-28
أني مسني الضر وأنت أرحم الراحمين.
PronunciationAnni massaniyad-durru wa Anta arhamur-rahimin.
Full English translation
English meaningSuffering has touched me, and You are the most merciful of those who show mercy.
Source: Qur’an 21:83
لا إله إلا أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظالمين.
PronunciationLa ilaha illa Anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin.
Full English translation
English meaningThere is no deity except You. Glory be to You; I have been among those who did wrong.
Source: Qur’an 21:87
ربنا أفرغ علينا صبرا وثبت أقدامنا وانصرنا على القوم الكافرين.
PronunciationRabbana afrigh alayna sabran wa thabbit aqdamana wansurna alal-qawmil-kafirin.
Full English translation
English meaningOur Lord, pour patience upon us, make our steps firm and help us against those who reject faith.
Source: Qur’an 2:250