1. ‘Make’ the intention (niyyah) by saying (in any language): “I intend to pray for the sake of Allah Most High and to supplicate (du’a) for the deceased.” Also, make the intention of following the imam.
2. Say the first takbir after the imam and read the thana’ (“SubhanakAllahumma wa bi hamdika …”).
3. Say the second takbir after the imam and read salat ‘ala ‘l-Nabiyy (durud sharif – i.e. “Allahumma salli ‘ala …” and “Allahumma barik ‘ala …”).
4. Say the third takbir after the imam and supplicate (du’a). It is best to say the words of du’a that have been transmitted from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in hadith. The following du’a may be said in praying the janazah of a deceased adult:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا ، اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ ، وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الْإِيمَانِ
The following du’a should be said when praying the janazah of a deceased child:
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ لَنَا فَرَطًا وَاجْعَلْهُ لَنَا أَجْرًا وَذُخْرًا وَاجْعَلْهُ لَنَا شَافِعًا وَمُشَفَّعًا
If you cannot memorise the above words of du’a, you may say any other general du’a (e.g. “Rabbana, Atina fi ‘l-dunya …”), but should later try to learn the above words of du’a. The pronouns etc. ought to be changed in the Arabic, depending on whether the deceased is a male, female, one, two or more than two.
5. Say the fourth takbir after the imam, and then say the salam after the imam. Nothing should be said after this fourth takbir. Remain silent and wait for the imam to say the salam before you say it.