Dua When Placing the Deceased in the Grave
Explanation
This is the dua recited while placing the deceased in the grave and while the deceased is being carried on people’s shoulders.
Dua Text
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَعَلٰى سُنَّةِ رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
Transliteration
Bismillahi wa ‘ala sunnati Rasulillahi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
Meaning
In the name of Allah, the Exalted, and upon the religion and Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, I lay this deceased in the grave.
What Is Asked in This Dua
One affirms that the deceased is being laid in the grave in the name of Allah and according to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
When and How to Recite
It is recited while the deceased is lowered into the grave and while the coffin is carried on the shoulders.
Virtue
The source book states that a dua should always be recited whenever anything is done and that actions without dua lack blessing; that our Prophet ﷺ, the forerunner and guide of our religion, commanded this; and that paying attention to these duas and reciting them properly is our religious duty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is said when placing the deceased in the grave?
One says “Bismillahi wa ‘ala sunnati Rasulillah”.
What does it mean?
In the name of Allah and upon the religion and Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, I lay this deceased in the grave.
Is it also recited while the coffin is being carried?
Yes; the source book states that these duas are also recited while the deceased is carried on the shoulders.
Source
Büyük Dua Kitabı (Great Book of Duas), Duas Related to Death and Funerals.
The text on this page was prepared by Dua Kitaplığı based on the work cited above. The Arabic text has been transcribed from the original with its vowel marks, and the transliteration in Latin letters and the English meaning are given separately. No virtue or number that does not appear in the source is added to this page. How do we prepare our content?
Published: 25 September 2026 · Last updated: 9 October 2026
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