How to announce a janaza

To announce a janaza, share four things with the community as soon as possible: the deceased's name with the father's or family name, the janaza prayer time and masjid, the burial cemetery, and a contact for the family. Janazat (janazat.org) turns those four things into a bilingual Arabic and English poster and a shareable link in about two minutes, and notifies the masjid's followers and the deceased's relatives. It is free, with no ads, run by Beckah Foundation, a nonprofit.

أَسْرِعُوا بِالْجِنَازَةِ

"Hasten with the janaza."

Sahih al-Bukhari 1315, Sahih Muslim 944

The Prophet ﷺ taught us to hurry the burial. The announcement is what lets people arrive in time, so it should go out within minutes, not after the perfect flyer is ready.

What a janaza announcement should include

• Name, the way the family says it

  Full name with the father's name or the family name. A kunya (Abu Khaled, Um Ahmad) is fine if that is how they are known.

• Janaza prayer: after which prayer, and where

  For example: after Dhuhr at Islamic Center of America, Dearborn. The masjid name and city are what people search for.

• Burial: cemetery and time

  If the burial follows the prayer directly, say so. If it is in another city or country, say when.

• Date of passing

  The day is enough. The Hijri date is appreciated but optional.

• A contact for the family

  One name and phone number for people who want to help or ask about the azaa (condolences).

• Azaa (condolence) time and place, if any

  Many families receive condolences at the masjid after the prayer, or at home for 1 to 3 days.

• Not needed: cause of death, photos, eulogies

  Keep it short and dignified. Those who knew the deceased will share memories in person.

How to announce it on Janazat, step by step

The whole thing takes about two minutes on a phone. No app to install.

1. 1

   Open janazat.org and tap Report a Janazah

   Sign in with Google, one tap. Sign-in is required so every announcement has an accountable reporter, which protects families from fake or mistaken posts.

2. 2

   Who passed away, and who you are to them

   Enter their name or their kunya, and your relationship (son, daughter, neighbour, masjid admin). Gender is detected from the kunya automatically.

3. 3

   Father's name or family name

   One of the two is enough. This is what lets relatives who follow a family name get notified.

4. 4

   When and where the prayer is

   Pick the prayer (after Dhuhr, after Asr, and so on) and type the masjid. Janazat finds it for you, with the address.

5. 5

   Where the burial is

   Janazat suggests cemeteries near the masjid, Islamic cemeteries first. You can also write it in by hand, or skip it.

6. 6

   Confirm the information is true and press Announce

   You get a poster in Arabic and English and a link. Share both on WhatsApp. Relatives, and everyone who follows that masjid or family name, are notified at the same moment.

Etiquette of a janaza announcement

• Begin with إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون (Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un).
• Confirm the prayer time with the masjid before you share. A wrong time is the most painful mistake, because people miss the prayer.
• Speed over polish. Send the facts first, the poster second.
• No photo of the deceased unless the family asks for it.
• For a woman, use the form the family prefers, for example "the mother of Ahmad" or "the wife of Abu Khaled". Her full name is not required.
• If something changes, cancel the announcement and announce again. The old link is retracted so no one goes to the wrong place.
• Ask for du'ā, not for comments. Attending the prayer and burial is the help the family needs.

Common questions