Every day I get the point confirmed in my mind that whatever there is of value in this world in terms of knowledge and wisdom and guidance must be sought after, searched for earnestly and sincerely, because what floats around as mainstream or popular opinion and media is for the most part, garbage and a distraction.
The real canons of literature, sacred writings and preserved tablets for hundreds or thousands of years, passed along by people in a kind of initiatory and noble manner, are passed from heart to heart and are the opposite of what we see widely available, which is information, not knowledge or wisdom.
The Jawshan al Kabir is such a supplication, a prayer to God for only a single request: “Mercy! Mercy! Save us, deliver us, preserve us, from Hellfire!”, recalling a total of one thousand divine names and attributes one after another. Who could have informed me of this grand text if I did not search and find it for myself, recorded in the spiritual and philosophical works of the Islamic tradition?
For this reason I say, search for yourself, learn for yourself, think for yourself, and you will find. Always seek guidance and direction from those that know more than you, the individuals like saints, scholars and researchers around you. Keep in contact with them and respect their dedication to their particular expertise, but never let another person tell you how something is. Experience it for yourself, then accept it.
This prayer is narrated in a chain of narration from Imam Zaynul Abidin all the way to his great grandfather, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ dressed himself with heavy armor for a battle but it hurt and injured his body. At this, the Angel Gabriel descended and taught him the prayer of Jawshan al Kabir, as a ‘spiritual armor’ (jawshan means armor in Arabic) to protect him without the need for the physical armor.
A number of books bring the narration, Ibrahim ibn Ali Amuli Kaf’ami’s Balad al Amin and Misbah al Kaf’ami, Abbas Qummi’s Mafatih al Jinan, Baqir Majlisi’s Bihar al Anwar.
There are numerous blessings brought by its recital with pure intention. Reports vary, such as as the one that recites it at the beginning of the month of Ramadan will have 70,000 angels accompany him engaged in praising God, and all of that reward will be given to the reciter. The one that recites it thrice in Ramadan will have Hell forbidden and Heaven obliged on him, and will be protected by two angels from all evil in the world.
Imam Husayn says in a report that his father Imam Ali bequeathed the prayer to memorize it, write it on the burial shroud and teach to your family and relatives as it contains a thousand names of God and within these is the Ism al Adham (The Greatest Name).
Scholars discuss what the Ism al Adham (The Greatest Name) is exactly, whether it is a single name among the commonly known ones, or a secretive one, perhaps in an ancient language, or if it is a combination of certain names. Dr MA Shomali believes the latter, that it is a combination of some of the divine names that we invoke all the time, comparable to a password which is composed of ordinary digits, but crucially in a proper order. Similarly, it is important to know which names, how many times, and when the names of God should be called upon.
When believers make supplication (dua) to God, they naturally make requests for their needs and desires such as seeking sustenance, protection and guidance. The fact is, dua literally means ‘to call,’ so for the believer it is sufficient to be able to call upon God and get answered, whether or not there are requests made to be fulfilled. God answers everyone’s calls, but whether to fulfill the requests is up to him, either swiftly or with delay in this world, or to give something altogether better in the afterlife.
أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ
"Verily in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest!" (The Quran 13:28)
As for the structure, the long prayer is divided in one hundred parts with ten names or attributes of God in each, and each part ends with a repeating line:
سُبْحَانَكَ يَا لا إلَهَ إلاّ أنْتَ الغَوْثَ الغَوْثَ خَلِّصْنا مِنَ النّارِ يا رَبِّ.
"Glory be unto You! There is no god but You! Mercy! Mercy! Deliver us from Hellfire!"
As common practice, it is often read by believers on the night of Laylatul Qadr in Ramadan across the world.
There have been great commentaries written on the prayer by Sunni and Shia scholars alike, one of the most famous being Mulla Hadi Sabziwari (d. 1873)’s mystical and philosophical exposition.
In fourteen passages of the Risalei Nur by Said Nursi (d. 1960), the reviver of the age from Turkey, a mystic and scholar of unique capabilities, the Jawshan al Kabir is referenced in relation to the subject matter being covered. I compiled all of them and have them in a subsequent post to look into more deeply.
The power when recited or listened to in one sitting is difficult to put into words. A recitation that I followed along was an hour and fifteen minutes by Abather Alhalwachi, referenced for you below. I highly recommend it.
References
Dua Jawshan al Kabir - Arabic and English Translation With Audio
Reflections on the Dua of Jawshan al Kabir - Short Article By Dr MA Shomali
The Importance of Jawshan al Kabir - Translated by Saleem Bhimji
Jawshan al Kabir - Information
Jawshan al Kabir - Recited by Abather Alhalwachi in Arabic, highly recommended to follow along with
