:salam2: sister,
Janazah prayer is only slightly different from other prayers in that there is no ruku, no sajdah, and no Tashahud in it. There is no fixed time for offering this prayer. It has to be prayed in a standing position only. Other conditions like purification, facing qiblah, sutra, dress, etc. have to be satisfied as in the usual prayers.
Like other prayers facing Qiblah is necessary condition. The Imam should ask the people to straighten their rows. There should be an odd number of rows as it is more rewardful.
Making intention is necessary in Janazah prayers as it is necessary in other prayers. Before begining prayer the intention should be made in the heart as uttering any words of niyat aloud was not the practice of Prophet Muhammad(pbub) or of his companions.
Janazah prayer contains 4 tkbeers.
1) First Takbeer
First takbeer is Takbeer Tahrima. The Imam says Allahu Akbar and raises his hands up to the shoulder level with fingers stretching to the earlobes and the congregation does the same. Then the imam folds his hands on his chest right hand over left.
Then the person can read one of the duas which are recommended in the first rakat of the usual prayer before recitation of surah Fatiha.
For example,
"Subhana kalla humma wabi hamdika wa tabara kasmuka wata ala jadduka wala ilaha ghayruk"
Then person should say
"Auzu billahi minash shayta nir rajeem."
"Bismilla hir-rahma nir-raheem"
Then he should recite surah Fatiha.
2) Second Takbeer:
Then the Imam should say the second takbeer and the congregation should follow but it is not necessary to raise the hands upto the shoulder level but if someone does, it is alright. Both ways are practised by great ulamas and scholars.
After the second takbeer the person praying janazah should recite darud in his heart. It is preferrable to read the darud which a person reads in Tashahud of his usual prayer.
3) Third Takbeer:
Then the Imam should say the third takbeer and the congregation should follow. Now each person should pray for the deceased.
Alternatively the Imam can pray out loud and the congregation can say, Amin after him. All kinds of duas for the benefit of the deceased can be said.
For example,
Abu Hurairah(R.A) said that the messenger of Allah prayed and said,
"Allah humma anta rab-buha wa anta khalaqtaha, wa anta razaqtaha, wa anta hadaytaha lil islam, wa anta qabadta ruhaha, wa anta alamu bisir-riha wa ala niyyathiha, ji na shufaa, faghfirlahu zanbahu" [Abu Dawud and Ahamd]
4) Fourth Takbeer:
Then the Imam should say the fourth takbeer and the congregation should follow and after that Imam should say "As-salamu-alaikum wa rahmatul-lah" turning his face to the riht first and then to the left; and congregation should do the same.
:salam2:
