Mitti Dene Ki Dua (Quick Answer)
When people attend a burial and throw soil into the grave, they commonly recite this verse from the Quran (Surah Taha, 20:55), one part with each handful:
Arabic:
مِنْهَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ وَفِيهَا نُعِيدُكُمْ وَمِنْهَا نُخْرِجُكُمْ تَارَةً أُخْرَىٰTransliteration (Hindi/Urdu style):
Minhaa khalaqnaakum, wa feehaa nu’eedukum, wa minhaa nukhrijukum taaratan ukhraa.Hindi: मिन्हा ख़लक़्नाकुम, व फ़ीहा नुईदुकुम, व मिन्हा नुख़्रिजुकुम तारतन उख़रा।
English meaning: “From it (the earth) We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will bring you out once again.”
Urdu/Hindi meaning: “इसी (मिट्टी) से हमने तुम्हें पैदा किया, इसी में तुम्हें लौटाएँगे, और इसी से तुम्हें दोबारा निकालेंगे।”
This is the answer for all the common phrasings people search, whether Qabar Me Mitti Dene Ki Dua, Mayyat Ko Mitti Dene Ki Dua or Kabristan Mein Mitti Dene Ki Dua. They all refer to the same practice at the end of the burial.
What Is the Source of This Practice?
Two things are involved, and they have different levels of evidence.
- Throwing three handfuls of soil. Sunan Ibn Majah (no. 1565) reports that the Prophet ﷺ prayed over the body of Uthman ibn Maz’un and threw three handfuls of dust on the grave from the head side. This is the basis for the practice of three handfuls.
- Reciting the verse with each handful. This is recorded in a report in Musnad Ahmad about the burial of the Prophet’s daughter Umm Kulthum (may Allah be pleased with her). Many hadith scholars consider its chain of narrators weak. Hanafi fiqh books nonetheless list reciting the verse as a recommended (mustahab) practice, and many Muslims follow it.
What this means in practice: Throwing soil is established. Reciting Surah Taha 20:55 is a widely accepted and recommended practice, but it is not a required part of the burial. Since the verse is Quran, saying it is harmless and meaningful. Just don’t present it as an obligation. The grading of reports can vary between scholars and schools, so for a final ruling, ask a qualified local scholar.
Step-by-Step: How to Give Soil to the Grave
- Wait until the body is placed and the niche or planks are closed. Soil is added after the grave is covered, not before.
- Stand near the head side of the grave. This follows the report of Ibn Majah.
- Take a handful of soil with your right hand, if you can. Use both hands if needed.
- First handful: throw it toward the grave while saying Minhaa khalaqnaakum.
- Second handful: say Wa feehaa nu’eedukum.
- Third handful: say Wa minhaa nukhrijukum taaratan ukhraa.
- Step back so others can take their turn, then let the gravediggers complete the filling.
- Make a dua for the deceased after the grave is filled (see below).
Reciting silently is fine. The Quranic words are for yourself and the deceased. They do not need to be said aloud.
Duas for Each Stage of the Burial
Many people search “Janaze Me Mitti Dene Ki Dua” expecting one dua, but the burial has several moments, each with its own supplication. This table puts them in one place.
| Stage | What to say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lowering the body into the grave | Bismillahi wa ‘alaa millati Rasoolillah (“In the name of Allah and on the way of the Messenger of Allah”) | Abu Dawud 3213, Tirmidhi 1046 (narrated by Ibn Umar) |
| Throwing soil (3 handfuls) | Surah Taha 20:55, one part per handful | Practice recorded in Musnad Ahmad (chain disputed) and Hanafi fiqh |
| After the grave is filled | Stand briefly and ask Allah to forgive the deceased and keep them firm | Abu Dawud 3221 |
Dua after burial
The Prophet ﷺ used to stand by the grave after burial and say: “Ask forgiveness for your brother and ask Allah to keep him firm, for he is being questioned now” (Abu Dawud 3221).
A simple way to do this:
Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ، اللَّهُمَّ ثَبِّتْهُ
Transliteration: Allahummaghfir lahu, Allahumma thabbit-hu.
Meaning: “O Allah, forgive him. O Allah, keep him firm.”
For a woman, use lahaa and thabbit-haa.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
- Treating the dua as mandatory. Burying the dead is a communal obligation (fard kifayah). The soil dua is a recommended addition.
- Thinking only close family may throw soil. Anyone present can participate.
- Throwing soil before the grave is closed. Soil is added after the body is covered.
- Making up wording. Don’t invent a “Mitti Dene Ki Dua” in other words and attribute it to the Prophet ﷺ. If you want to say something in your own language, make it a personal prayer for forgiveness.
- Loud, group chanting at the grave. Many scholars prefer quiet, calm supplication. Customs vary by region, so follow what your local scholars teach.
- Forgetting the dua after the burial. The step with the strongest direct hadith support is asking for the deceased’s forgiveness and steadfastness once the grave is filled, and it is often missed.
FAQs
Can women say this dua?
Yes. Women can recite the same words, though customs on women attending the grave differ among scholars and communities.
Can I say the dua in Hindi or Urdu instead of Arabic?
The Quranic verse should be recited in Arabic. Your own prayers for the deceased, such as “O Allah, forgive them and make their grave spacious,” can be in any language.
What if I forgot the words?
You can still throw soil and make a simple dua of forgiveness. Nothing is invalidated.
Do I throw soil even if I arrive late?
Yes. You may throw soil whenever the grave is being filled. Arrive early enough to also join the prayer if possible.
Is it necessary to throw exactly three handfuls?
Three is the reported practice. If the crowd is large, throwing one handful is acceptable.
Thank you for reading
Also check out “The Powerful Dua” for more such powerful duas.