with the supplication transmitted from the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, if he knows it. If he does not know it, then whatever supplication he offers is permissible, provided that he makes the supplication sincerely for the deceased—that is, that he singles the deceased out in his supplication.

Supplication for the deceased is of two kinds: general and specific. The author, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned both, beginning with the general supplication.

His statement, “He says: ‘O Allah, forgive,’” means: O Allah, forgive. Forgiveness is to conceal a sin while pardoning it; it is not merely the concealing of the sin, but concealment along with pardon. It is derived from mighfar, the helmet worn to cover the head in battle, because it provides both covering and protection.

His statement, “our living and our dead,” means our living—the Muslims—and likewise our dead—the Muslims. This is general in scope, because a singular noun annexed to another noun conveys generality; thus, it includes males and females, the young and the old, free persons and slaves, those present and those absent.

I have mentioned this so that you will bear it in mind in what follows.

His statement, “those present and those absent among us,” is likewise a general expression falling within the first general expression; and the first general expression likewise falls within it. That is, it includes males and females, the young and the old, free persons and slaves, and the living and the dead.

His statement, “our young and our old,” is like the preceding phrase; it is general.

His statement, “our males and our females,” is likewise general.

If someone were to ask: Why this length and detail?

We say: Because the occasion of supplication calls for elaboration.

The Sunnah regarding supplication is to make it expansive and lengthy, for six reasons: