Family & parents
Forgiveness and mercy for a deceased person
This is part of the du'a the Prophet ﷺ made in the funeral prayer, recorded in Sahih Muslim. It is the best gift you can send to someone who has died: to ask Allah for their forgiveness, mercy, well-being and pardon. For a woman, use the feminine endings.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ
Allāhumma-ghfir lahu warḥamhu wa ʿāfihi waʿfu ʿanhu
O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, keep him well and pardon him.
Authenticity: Sahih (authentic), reported by Muslim (963).
Download image to shareWhen to say it
For a deceased person. For a woman, use the feminine: lahā, warḥamhā, ʿāfihā, waʿfu ʿanhā.
How often
Whenever you remember them; there is no fixed count.
Frequently asked
How do I say it for a woman?
Change the masculine endings to feminine: Allāhumma-ghfir lahā warḥamhā wa ʿāfihā waʿfu ʿanhā.
Does du'a reach the deceased?
Yes. Supplication for the dead is among the deeds that benefit them after death, and the Prophet ﷺ made this very du'a for them.