Making Du`a' when visiting graves

(Part No. 9; Page No. 110) Making Du`a' when visiting graves Fatwa no. 5924 Would you please tell me about the Du`a` (Supplication) I should recite when supplicating Allah for the dead, such as my father, relatives and all Muslims. May Allah guide you to all what is best! As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)

A: It has been authentically narrated on the authority of Buraydah ibn Al-Hasib (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) used to teach them (the Companions) whenever they came out to visit the graveyard to say: As-salamu `alaikum ahlad-diyyari minal-Mu'minina wal-Muslimina, wa inna in sha' Allahu bikum lahiqun. As'alul-laha lana wa-lakumul- `afiyyah (Peace be upon you, the inhabitants of the abodes of believers and Muslims, and Allah willing we shall join you. I beg of Allah well-being for us and for you). Related by Muslim and others. It was authentically reported on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: When it was her night for the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to stay with her, he would go out during the last part of the night to (the cemetery of) Al-Baqi` and say: Peace be upon you, dwellings of the believing people. There has come to you that which you were promised, and if Allah wills we will follow you soon. O Allah, forgive the people of Baqi`al-Gharqad. Related by Muslim too. Furthermore, it has been narrated on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say in his Du`a` May Allah have mercy on those who have gone ahead of us and those who come later on. (Part No. 9; Page No. 111) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.