Salamun alaykum,
Juhanni the Shepherd:
Abu Yahya Abdalla bin Unays al Juhanni,a shepherd from the tribe of Juhan, arrived before the holy Prophet and said,” O Messenger of Allah! I wish you order me, so that during one of the nights of Ramadhan I come to Madina and offer the prayer.”
According to some narrations the holy Prophet whispered something into his ear. Since then Abdalla bin Unays al Juhanni was seen coming to Madina for prayers on the 23rd of Ramadhan. This night came to be known as night of Juhanni.
The 23rd night of holy Ramadhan is superior to the other eves. It is understood from various ahadith that it is the Laylatul Qadr.
Its Excellence: Exceeds one thousand months:
Laylatul Qadr is better than one thousand months.(Sura Al Qadr 97:3)
This night, which is better than 30 000 nights, is a unique once in a year opportunity being offered to us to do a lifetimes worth activity.
Unique gift to the Ummah:
Verily Allah has gifted Laylatul Qadr to my Ummah which has not been presented to the previous nations. (Holy Prophet)
Ihyaul Layl - Reviving the night:
A hadith states that One who revives Laylatul Qadr –remains awake on night of Qadr- his sins are forgiven even though the quantity of sins may be like stars in the sky, its weight to all the mountains and its volume to all the seas.
....and it is during this night (laylatul Qadr) when sustenance is allotted, times of death prescribed and all that is to happen in that year is decreed.(Imam Ali Ar Ridha)
Practice of Ahlul Bayt:
- On the eve of the 23rd the holy prophet would awaken members of his family and would sprinkle water on any of them who slept.
- Bibi Fatima would not let any member of the family to sleep during this eve. She gave them little food as a precaution against drowsiness. During the day, she would prepare them for keeping awake at night by asking them to take ample sleep during the day.
- Imam J’afar Sadiq was very sick, but when the 23rd of the holy month of Ramadhan arrived, he ordered that he be carried to the mosque in the same condition and he spent the night in the mosque.
Preparations for Laylatul Qadr:
- 1. Physical: Ghusl, suitable comfortable dressing, not overfed, devote time.
- 2. Mental: Comprehend the importance of this night, Frame of mind focused towards Allah SWT, have knowledge of the recitations, Ones deed is worth than lifespan (1000 months)
- 3. Spiritual: Tawassul – love and longing for Ahlul Bayt, Amal of Quran on our head and calling the Imams symbolizes our submission to lead life as per Thaqalayn (Quran and Ahlul bayt), Recall our sins, Do tawba, Mention the requests for others, Present our hajat.
Let us make our best efforts and endeavors for celebrating this night.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
With salaams and duas
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat
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Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat. Al Mahdi, Wickham Road, Fareham, Hampshire . PO17 5BU. Reg. Charity Number: 1010076. Tel: 01329 832537. Fax: 02392-529766
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: Jamaat Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk:
Project Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk/almahdiproject
Member of the Council of European Jamaats
Member of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat. Al Mahdi, Wickham Road, Fareham, Hampshire . PO17 5BU. Reg. Charity Number: 1010076. Tel: 01329 832537. Fax: 02392-529766
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: Jamaat Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk: Project Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk/almahdiproject
Member of the Council of European Jamaats
Member of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board