Forgiveness
O Allah, forgive our living and our dead
This is the opening of the du'a the Prophet ﷺ made in the funeral prayer, asking Allah's forgiveness for the whole community at once, those still living and those who have already died. Because it covers everyone rather than one named person, you can say it in the janazah prayer or any time you want to send mercy to the believers, living and dead alike. Reported by Abu Dawud (3201) and at-Tirmidhi (1024).
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا
Allāhumma-ghfir li-ḥayyinā wa mayyitinā
O Allah, forgive our living and our dead.
Authenticity: Sahih (authentic), reported by Abu Dawud (3201) and at-Tirmidhi (1024), who graded it hasan sahih.
Download image to shareWhen to say it
In the funeral (janazah) prayer, and whenever you wish to ask forgiveness for the believers as a whole, living and deceased.
How often
There is no fixed count; it is said in the janazah prayer and can be repeated whenever you remember the believers.
Frequently asked
Is this du'a only for a funeral?
No. It is part of what the Prophet ﷺ said in the janazah prayer, but its wording is general and covers all believers, so you can also say it in your daily du'as to ask forgiveness for the living and the dead together.
How is it different from the du'a said for one deceased person?
This one asks for the whole community at once, living and dead, while a du'a like 'Allāhumma-ghfir lahu warḥamhu' is directed at a single named person. Many pray both: the general phrase, then the specific one for their departed.