Salat al-Janazah, also known as the funeral prayer, is a specific prayer performed by Muslims for a deceased person. It is a collective obligation (Fard Kifayah), meaning that it must be performed by some members of the Muslim community, and if enough people do it, the obligation is fulfilled for the entire community. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to perform Salat al-Janazah:

Step 1: Intention (Niyyah) Begin with a sincere intention in your heart to perform the Salat al-Janazah prayer for the deceased person.

Step 2: Position Position yourself in a clean place, facing the direction of the Qiblah (the Kaaba in Mecca).

Step 3: Takbir al-Ihram Raise your hands and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest) to start the prayer. This is known as Takbir al-Ihram.

Step 4: Recitation of Opening Supplication After Takbir al-Ihram, recite the opening supplication, which is usually:

Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka wa ta’ala jadduka wa jalla thana’uka wa la ilaha ghairuka. A’udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim. Bismillahi r-rahmani r-rahim.

Translation: “Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You, and blessed is Your name, and exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god but You. I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”

Step 5: Recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha Recite Surah Al-Fatiha (the first chapter of the Quran) silently in your heart.

Step 6: Recitation of Salat al-Ibrahimiyya After Surah Al-Fatiha, recite the Salat al-Ibrahimiyya (the prayer for blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad) silently in your heart. It is usually recited as: “Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin, kama sallaita ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aali Ibrahima, innaka hamidun majeed.”

Step 7: Du’a for the Deceased After the Salat al-Ibrahimiyya, you may supplicate to Allah for the forgiveness and mercy of the deceased person. You can make any sincere du’a for them at this time.

Step 8: Salam Conclude the Salat al-Janazah by turning your head to the right and saying “As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah” to end the prayer.

It’s important to note that Salat al-Janazah is usually performed in a group with an Imam (prayer leader) leading the prayer. The body of the deceased is placed in front of the congregation, and the prayer is performed in the standing position. The number of Takbirs (Allahu Akbar) during the Salat al-Janazah may vary depending on the tradition followed, but it typically includes four Takbirs.

Additionally, the Salat al-Janazah is a silent prayer, meaning that the recitations and supplications are done silently in your heart, not audibly. It is a respectful and solemn prayer offered for the deceased, asking Allah for forgiveness and mercy for their soul.