I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say (while offering prayer on a dead body): O Allah! forgive him, have mercy upon him. Give him peace and absolve him. Receive him with honour and make his grave spacious. Wash him with water, snow and hail, cleanse him from faults as is cleaned a white garment from impurity. Requite him with an abode more excellent than his abode, with a family better than his family, and with a mate better than his mate, and save him from the trial of the grave and torment of Hell. 'Auf b. Malik said: I earnestly desired that I were the dead person to receive the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as this dead body had (received).
The Book of Prayer - Funerals
Sahih Muslim 963 d
Hadith Commentary
This comprehensive funeral prayer transmitted by 'Auf ibn Malik demonstrates the profound mercy and comprehensive supplication the Prophet (ﷺ) made for the deceased. The prayer encompasses all aspects of the believer's transition from this world to the next, beginning with seeking forgiveness and divine mercy.
The invocation "wash him with water, snow and hail" symbolizes the complete purification from sins, while "cleanse him from faults as is cleaned a white garment from impurity" employs a powerful simile familiar to the Arabs, indicating absolute spiritual purification.
The request for "an abode more excellent than his abode" refers to the heavenly dwelling in Paradise, "a family better than his family" indicates the righteous companions in the hereafter, and "a mate better than his mate" refers to the purified spouses of Paradise.
The concluding protection from "the trial of the grave and torment of Hell" addresses the two great fears every Muslim has after death. 'Auf ibn Malik's heartfelt wish to receive such prayers demonstrates the immense spiritual value of the Prophet's supplications for the deceased.