The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “If three rows perform the funeral prayer over a person, it is assured (1).” Reported by Abū Dāwūd and al-Tirmidhī, who judged it ḥasan.

157 – Chapter: What is to be recited in the funeral prayer

He pronounces four takbīrs. After the first he seeks refuge with Allah, then recites the Opening of the Book, Sūrat al-Fātiḥah. He then utters the second takbīr and invokes blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, saying: “O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.” The preferred form is to complete it with the words: “just as You blessed Abraham … truly You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.” He must not do what many laypeople do—reciting the verse, “Indeed Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet” (al-Aḥzāb 56)—for if he confines himself to that, his prayer is invalid. He next utters the third takbīr and supplicates for the deceased and for the Muslims with the prayers that we shall mention, Allah willing. Then he gives the fourth takbīr and supplicates again. Among the best of these supplications is: “O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward, do not test us after him, and forgive us and him.” The preferred opinion is that the supplication after the fourth takbīr be lengthened—contrary to the practice of most people—because of the ḥadith of Ibn Abī Awfā that we shall cite, Allah willing.

As for the transmitted supplications after the third takbīr, among them are:

940 – Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ʿAwf ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed over a bier, and I memorised part of his supplication while he was saying: “O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, grant him well-being, and pardon him; honour his welcome (2), enlarge the entrance to his grave (3), wash him with water, snow, and ice (4), and cleanse him of sins just as You cleanse a white garment of dirt (5);