A divine service is held over the dead body of every Muslim, young or old, even of infants who have lived only a few minutes. When the soul leaves the body, preparations are made for bidding him the last farewell.

It is highly recommended that, after washing and shrouding the body of the deceased, the body not to be kept long, but rather taken quickly, prayed for, and then buried.

Salatul Janazah is required to be performed in congregation to request pardon for the deceased and all dead Muslims, and to wrap them all in Allah’s Mercy.

It is preferable that Salatul Janazah be performed outside the Mosque or the Musalla (Prayer room), like in activity rooms or courtyards.

Salatul Janazah is a collective obligation. A Muslim should not hesitate to participate in it, whether or not he knows the deceased or his relatives.

Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " If a Muslim dies and forty Muslims, who do not associate anything with Allah , join in the Salatul Janazah, Allah accepts their prayers for him." ( Muslim ).

Salatul Janazah is said silently, except the Takbeer and Tassleem. All conditions for regular Salat are required in Salatul Janazah such as Tahara, Wudu, clean body and clothes, neeyah (Intention), and facing the Qiblah.

There is a reward for attending Salatul Janazah for both the deceased and those who make the Salat according to the following Hadith.

Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " Who ever attends the Janazah until it is finished, will earn a Qirat, and who ever stays until the burial, will earn two Qirats. Someone asked: What does Qirat mean ? , the Prophet answered :‘It means rewards as big as great mountain" ( Bukhari & Muslim ).

There are specific times when it is prohibited to perform Salatul Janazah, unless it becomes necessary, due to the condition of the body, to perform it quickly and then bury the body.

1. From sunrise until the sun is fully risen,
2. At the zenith of the sun (the sun at meridian), until it passes the meridian,
3. From when the sun pales before sunset until it has set.

1. It is preferable that Salatul Janazah be performed outside the Mosque / the Musalla.
2. All conditions for regular Salat are required in Salatul Janazah such as Tahara, Wudu, clean body and clothes, neeyah (Intention), and facing the Qiblah.
3. Muslims should form a minimum of three lines facing the Qiblah. The one who leads the Salat is the leader or his deputy, or the deceased’s father.
4. If there is only one Muslim with the Imam, he should stand behind the Imam.
5. The body (ies) should be placed in front of the person who leads the prayer.
6. In case there are more than one dead Muslim (Males and females), then the female(s) should be placed in the first row(s) in the direction of the Qiblah, then the male(s) in the following row(s), then the Imam.

7. The Imam should stand by the middle of a female body, and by the head for a male body, this is due to the Hadith in which Anas related that Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) leading Salatul Janazah for a dead male, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) stood in front of the deceased head, and for a dead female, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) stood in front of the midlle of her body.( Authentic-Abu Dawood). In another Hadith Samura ben Jundub said when Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) made Salatul Janazah for a dead Muslim female, he stood in front of her waist (Muslim) (Figure (4), (5)).
8. Behind the Imam, males stand in lines, then children, then females (Figure (3),(4),(5)).
9. There are NO Rukuh, Sujud, Athan, or Eqama.
10. Having the appropriate neeyah (Intention), raise your hands in the usual manner and say : " Alla-who Akbar ".
11. Fold your right hand over the left hand in the usual manner.
12. Recite the Fatiha silently.
13. Then say : "Alla-who Akbar".
14. Then recite the Tashahood .

The Tashahood is :- ( Allahumma sallee ala-Muhammad wa’ala alee Muhammad kama sallayta ala Ibrahim wa ala alee Ibrahim, wa barik ala Muhammad wa’ala alee Muhammad kama barakta ala Ibrahim wa ala alee Ibrahim, innaka hamidun Majeed).

This means : " O Allah! Grant peace to Muhammad and his family as you did to Ibrahim and his family. O Allah! Bless Muahammad and his family as you blessed Ibrahim and his family. Truly you are Most Glorious and Most Praiseworthy".

15. Then say : " Alla-who Akbar ".
16. Then make dua’ (Supplicate) for the deceased.
17. Then say: " Alla-who Akbar ".
18. Then make dua (Supplicate) for all dead Muslims.
19. In the case of a dead baby or young child, make dua (Supplicate) for his parents.
20. Then say : " Assalamu alykum ", like you say in other Salats. Tasleem could be said only once.

1. Salatul Janazah for the one who died far away is allowed.
2. There is no Islamic teaching of putting the picture of the deceased or some of his clothes or flowers in front of or around the Kafan (Shroud).
3. To use a coffin (Box) is not allowed, unless there is necessity to use it, such as the body of the deceased is damaged, or for health reasons, or when the grave is wet and cannot be dried.