Taken from: Fatawa Ameenpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri
What should one say when visiting or approaching the deceased? Which supplication should be recited?
When someone passes away, the Sunnah encourages saying words of goodness and making du‘a for the deceased, as angels say Āmīn to what is spoken at such moments.
Sayyidah Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنها) narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“When you visit a sick person or someone who has died, say only that which is good, for the angels say Āmīn to what you say.”
She continued:
“When Abu Salamah (رضي الله عنه) passed away, I said:
‘O Messenger of Allah! Abu Salamah has died.’
The Prophet ﷺ told me:
‘Say this du‘a:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلَهُ، وَأَعقِبْنِي مِنْهُ عُقْبَى حَسَنَةً
O Allah! Forgive me and him, and grant me a better replacement than him.’
Sayyidah Umm Salamah said:
“I made this supplication, and Allah granted me someone better than him – Muhammad ﷺ.”
(Sahih Muslim: 919)
✔ Mention only the good qualities of the deceased.
✔ Encourage the family to have patience and remain steadfast.
✔ Do not wail, complain, or say inappropriate things.
✔ Pray for forgiveness, mercy, and elevation of the deceased’s ranks.
✔ Upon approaching or visiting the deceased:
Recite:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلَهُ، وَأَعْقِبْنِي مِنْهُ عُقْبَى حَسَنَةً
O Allah! Forgive me and him, and grant me a good replacement after him.
✔ Say good words, as angels say Āmīn to your du‘a.
✔ Comfort the bereaved family with words of patience, faith, and support.
❖ Question:
What should one say when visiting or approaching the deceased? Which supplication should be recited?
❖ Recommended Words and Du‘a:
When someone passes away, the Sunnah encourages saying words of goodness and making du‘a for the deceased, as angels say Āmīn to what is spoken at such moments.
✿ Hadith of Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنها):
Sayyidah Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنها) narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“When you visit a sick person or someone who has died, say only that which is good, for the angels say Āmīn to what you say.”
She continued:
“When Abu Salamah (رضي الله عنه) passed away, I said:
‘O Messenger of Allah! Abu Salamah has died.’
The Prophet ﷺ told me:
‘Say this du‘a:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلَهُ، وَأَعقِبْنِي مِنْهُ عُقْبَى حَسَنَةً
O Allah! Forgive me and him, and grant me a better replacement than him.’
Sayyidah Umm Salamah said:
“I made this supplication, and Allah granted me someone better than him – Muhammad ﷺ.”
(Sahih Muslim: 919)
✿ Additional Sunnah Etiquette:
✔ Mention only the good qualities of the deceased.
✔ Encourage the family to have patience and remain steadfast.
✔ Do not wail, complain, or say inappropriate things.
✔ Pray for forgiveness, mercy, and elevation of the deceased’s ranks.
Summary:
✔ Upon approaching or visiting the deceased:
Recite:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلَهُ، وَأَعْقِبْنِي مِنْهُ عُقْبَى حَسَنَةً
O Allah! Forgive me and him, and grant me a good replacement after him.
✔ Say good words, as angels say Āmīn to your du‘a.
✔ Comfort the bereaved family with words of patience, faith, and support.
