Dua When Placing the Deceased in the Grave

Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) relates: "As the deceased was being placed in the grave, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would say, 'Bi-smi llāhi wa-bi-llāhi wa-fī sabīli llāhi wa-ʿalā millati rasūli llāh'" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Jana'iz 68). This dua is a declaration that the deceased is being laid in the grave upon the belief in Allah's oneness. Beginning with the Basmalah means burying while invoking the name of Allah. The phrase "in the way of Allah" is a reminder that death is a passage in the way of Allah.

After the deceased has been lowered into the grave, three handfuls of earth are cast during the burial. With the first handful "From it We created you" (Ta-Ha 55) is recited, with the second "and to it We shall return you" (Ta-Ha 55), and with the third "and from it We shall bring you out once more" (Ta-Ha 55).

Once the burial is complete, those present make dua and seek forgiveness for the deceased. After a burial the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would stand for a while and say, "Seek forgiveness for your brother and ask that he be made firm, for he is being questioned right now" (Sunan Abi Dawud, Jana'iz 69/3221).