Dua when someone Sees the Dead

Text and Translation

The Holy Prophet (s) is reported to have said that whoever sees a funeral procession and says these words, all the angels in the heavens will weep as a sign of showing mercy to him:

اَللهُ اَكْبَرُ هٰذَا مَا وَعَدَنَا اللّٰهُ وَ رَسُوْلُهٗ وَ صَدَقَ اللّٰهُ وَ رَسُوْلُهٗ اَللّٰهُمَّ زِدْنَا اِيْمَانًا وَ تَسْلِيْمًا اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِىْ تَعَزَّزَ بِالْقُدْرَةِ وَ قَهَرَ الْعِبَادَ بِالْمَوْتِ

ALLAAHU AKBAR, HAAZAA MAA WA-A'DANALLAAHU WA RASOOLUH, WA SADAQALLAAHU WA RASOOLUH, ALLAAHUMMA ZIDNAA EEMAANAW WA TASLEEMAA, ALHAMDULILLAAHIL LAZEE TA-A'ZZAZA BIL QUDRATI WA QAHARAL I'BAADA BIL MAWT

Allah is the Greatest; this is what Allah and His Messenger promised us, and Allah and His Messenger have spoken the truth. O Allah, increase us in faith and submission. Praise be to Allah, Who has attained might through His power and has subdued His servants through death.

Imam al-Sadiq (a) is reported to have instructed the bearers of a coffin to say these words:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَ بِاللّٰهِ اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اٰلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَاغْفِرْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ

BISMILLAAHI WA BILLAAH, ALLAAHUMMA SALLI A'LAA MUHAMMADIN WA AALI MUHAMMADIN WAGHFIR LIL MU'MINEENA WAL MU'MINAAT

In the name of Allah, and by Allah. O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the Household of Muhammad, and forgive the believing men and the believing women.

Imam Zayn al-'Abidin (a) is reported to have said these words whenever he saw a funeral procession:

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِىْ لَمْ يَجْعَلْنِىْ مِنَ السَّوَادِ الْمُخْتَرَمِ

ALHAMDULILLAAHIL LAZEE LAM YAJ-A'LNEE MINAS SAWAADIL MUKHTARAM

Praise be to Allah, Who has not made me among the multitude cut off [by death].

It is not traditional for women to follow funerals. It is also discommended for those who follow a funeral to laugh or utter nonsensical words.

In his book al-Hilyah, 'Allamah al-Majlisi, may Allah have mercy upon him, quotes the Holy Prophet (s) as saying, "Whoever performs a prayer for a deceased person, seventy thousand angels will pray for him, and Almighty Allah will forgive him his past and coming sins. If he remains until the deceased is buried and soil completely covers his grave, then he will be granted a carat of reward for each step he has made — one carat being equal to the weight of Mount Uhud."

The Holy Prophet (s) is also reported to have said, "Any faithful believer who performs a prayer for a deceased person will be incumbently awarded Paradise, unless he is a hypocrite or impious to his parents."