---
title: "Types of Janazah Announcements at the Two Holy Mosques"
url: "https:\/\/theislamicinformation.com\/blogs\/types-of-janazah-announcements-at-the-two-holy-mosques\/"
type: "post"
updated: "2026-05-01"
description: "The Arabic phrase used before the funeral prayer reveals exactly who is being prayed over \u2014 and most worshippers don't know what to listen for."
taxonomies: ["Blogs","Funeral","Grand Mosque","Janazah","Masjid Al Haram","Masjid an Nabawi","Prophet's Mosque"]
---

# Types of Janazah Announcements at the Two Holy Mosques

Source: https://theislamicinformation.com/blogs/types-of-janazah-announcements-at-the-two-holy-mosques/
Updated: 2026-05-01

If you have ever prayed at Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) in Makkah or Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque) in Madinah, you have likely heard a short Arabic phrase called out after the fard prayer before the Janazah begins.

For many worshippers, it passes as background sound. But that phrase carries precise meaning — it tells the Janazah prayer exactly who they are about to pray for.

## Four Phrases, Four Situations

The announcement follows a clear system. Each phrase corresponds to a specific type of deceased:

- **"As-salātu 'ala al-mayyit"** — This is used when there is one deceased adult. *Al-mayyit* is the Arabic singular for "the deceased."
- **"As-salātu 'ala al-amwāt"** — This is used when there are multiple deceased adults. *Al-amwāt* is the plural form.
- **"As-salātu 'ala al-ṭifl"** — This is used when the deceased is a child. *Al-ṭifl* means "the child."
- **"Al-amwāt wa al-ṭifl"** — This is used when there are both adults and a child to be prayed over at the same time.

![Types of Janazah Announcements masjid al haram and nabawi](https://theislamicinformation.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Types-of-Janazah-Announcements-masjid-al-haram-and-nabawi.webp)

## Why It Matters

In Salat al-Janazah, every worshipper must form a clear intention before the prayer begins. Part of that intention involves knowing who the prayer is for.

The announcement removes any ambiguity — especially in the large congregations at the Two Holy Mosques, where the body is not always visible to those praying in distant rows.

At both Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) and Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque), Janazah prayer is offered after every fard prayer.

Making the distinction between *al-mayyit*, *al-amwāt*, and *al-ṭifl* practically important for worshippers forming their niyyah.