Losing a child is not just the loss of the parents but the entire community. It is a tragedy that tears up the hearts of the parents and family. More than a religious obligation, it is the moral responsibility of the community members to show up for the parents. Make dua for the deceased child during the funeral prayer and ask for the child to be a precursor to heaven for their parents.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah(Ш±ЩЋШ¶ЩђЩЉЩЋ Щ±Щ„Щ„ЩЋЩ‘Щ°Щ‡ЩЏ Ш№ЩЋЩ†Щ’Щ‡ЩЏ) and as reported in Riyad as-Salihin 895, Prophet Muhammad (п·є) said, "Every Muslim has five rights over another Muslim- to return the greetings, to visit the sick, to accompany funeral processions, to accept an invitation, to respond to the sneezer."
The Prophet Muhammad (п·є) had three sons, and all of them died in their infancy. There is no greater example for Muslims than the example of the Prophet Muhammad. It is narrated that when his third son, Ibrahim Ibn Muhammad, died, the Prophet said, "O Ibrahim, against the judgment of God, we cannot avail you a thing," He further said, "O Ibrahim, were the truth not certain that the last of us will join the first, we would have mourned you even more than we do now." And "The eyes send their tears and the heart is saddened, but we do not say anything except that which pleases our Lord. Indeed, O Ibrahim, we are bereaved by your departure from us."
Thus, the Prophet Muhammad (п·є) teaches bereaved parents to be content with Allah's will and decision. To find solace in the fact that their beloved child is in Jannah and in a better place by the will of the Almighty. They should make their heart's content with the fact that they will meet their child in heaven on the day of judgment and will be reunited forever.
Sickness & Death Duas
Allaahumma 'a'ith-hu min 'athaabil-qabri.(1)Allaahum-maj'alhufaratan wa thukhran liwaalidayhi, wa shafee'an mujaaban. Allaahumma thaqqil bihi mawaazeenahumaa wa 'a'dhim bihi 'ujoorahumaa, wa 'alhiqhu bisaalihil-mu'mineena, waj'alhu fee kafaalati 'Ibraaheema, wa qihi birahmatika 'athaabal-jaheemi, wa 'abdilhu daaran khayran min daarihi, wa 'ahlan khayran min 'ahlihi, Allaahum-maghfir li'aslaafinaa, wa 'afraatinaa wa man sabaqanaa bil'eemaan.(2)
O Allah, protect him from the torment of the grave.(1)O Allah, make him a precursor, a forerunner and a treasure for his parents and an answered intercessor. O Allah, make him weigh heavily in their scales (of good) and magnify their reward. Make him join the righteous of the believers. Place him in the care of Ibrahim. Save him by Your mercy from the torment of Hell. Give him a home better than his home and a family better than his family. O Allah, forgive those who have gone before us, our children lost (by death), and those who have preceded us in Faith.(2)
It takes a village to raise a child, and it is on the entire community to ensure that they contribute towards protecting and raising the child. The same goes for performing the last rites, too. For a deceased child, during the funeral prayer, make sure you remember the child and the innocence that they had. Be humble and gentle in your prayer. Pray for the child as well as their family and support the family through their grief. Ask for the comfort of the child and their parents by being a shoulder for the parents.
Reciting dua for the deceased child during the funeral prayer helps offer support to the parents and the community. It allows the community to share the grief of the parents and offer heartfelt condolence and compassion. It helps acknowledge grief and build compassion and empathy in the community to show up for the grieving family.