The Eve of Ramadan 23rd

The eve of the 23rd of Ramadan is one of the nights that might be Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree). Therefore, Shias spend this night in vigil and worship. Shiite hadiths place greater emphasis on this night being Laylat al-Qadr compared to the nights of the 19th and 21st, and it is associated with more recommended acts of worship. Reports from the hadiths of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) indicate that they would keep their households awake on this night. Additionally, the completion dates of some works by Shiite scholars are recorded as falling on this night.

Possibility of Being Laylat al-Qadr

The 23rd Night of Ramadan Ceremonies in Karbala

The eve of the 23rd of Ramadan is one of the nights considered a possible candidate for Laylat al-Qadr. Therefore, Shias spend this night in vigil and worship.

According to 'Allama Majlisi, Imami scholars consider Laylat al-Qadr to be exclusively on one of the three nights: the 19th, 21st, or 23rd of Ramadan. However, al-Shaykh al-Saduq stated that his teachers unanimously agreed that Laylat al-Qadr falls on the 23rd night of Ramadan. There are also hadiths that specifically designate the 23rd night as Laylat al-Qadr. According to some reports, destinies are decreed on the 19th night, finalized on the 21st, and given their definitive approval on the 23rd. Muhammad Taqi Majlisi notes that al-Shaykh al-Saduq and most Shiite scholars rely on hadiths such as that of al-Juhani to consider the 23rd night to be Laylat al-Qadr. However, Majlisi the Elder cites other hadiths, arguing that each of the three nights has a role in the significance of Laylat al-Qadr, and it is best to regard all three as possible candidates.

Recognition of the Eve of the 23rd as al-Juhani's Night

The eve of the 23rd of Ramadan is also known as Laylat al-Juhani due to a hadith from Imam al-Baqir (a). According to this report, a man named al-Juhani approached the Prophet (s) and said, "I have camels, sheep, and servants [and cannot come to Medina regularly to join your prayers]. I would like you to specify a night in Ramadan when I can be present for prayer with you." The Prophet (s) called him close and whispered something in his ear. From that time onward, whenever the 23rd night of Ramadan arrived, al-Juhani would bring his camels, sheep, family, children, and servants to Medina, spending the night there before returning home in the morning. Following this conversation and observing the practice of 'Abd Allah al-Anis—who would come to the Prophet's mosque every year on the 23rd night for worship—this night became known as Laylat al-Juhani (al-Juhani's Night).

Ahl al-Bayt's Practice on the Eve of the 23rd

According to a hadith recorded in Da'a'im al-Islam from Imam 'Ali (a), the Prophet (s) would keep his household awake on the night of the 23rd, sprinkling water on the faces of those who felt drowsy to help them stay awake. Fatima (a) would also ensure that her children did not sleep on this night. To keep them awake, she would give them less food and advise them to rest during the day so that they would not become drowsy at night. She would say, "The one who is deprived tonight is truly deprived of great blessings." According to another report, despite being ill on the eve of the 23rd, Imam al-Sadiq (a) asked his companions to take him to the mosque so he could worship there. In his Mafatih al-jinan, Shaykh 'Abbas al-Qummi has included these hadiths under the recommended practices for the eve of Ramadan 23rd.

Works of Shiite Scholars Completed on the Eve of Ramadan 23rd

According to Muhammad Muhammadi Rayshahri, some Shiite scholars completed the writing of their major works on the eve of the 23rd of Ramadan. Examples include Jawahir al-kalam (1254 AH/1838) by Muhammad Hasan al-Najafi, Sharh al-Manzuma (1261 AH/1845) by Mulla Hadi al-Sabziwari, and al-Mizan (1392 AH/1972) by 'Allama Tabataba'i. Rayshahri himself completed Mizan al-Hikma on the 23rd night of Ramadan in 1405 AH/1985.

Recommended Acts for the Eve of 23rd

Shaykh 'Abbas al-Qummi has recorded the recommended acts for the eve of Ramadan 23rd in his Mafatih al-jinan. He quotes 'Allama Majlisi, who states that on this night, one should recite as much of the Qur'an as possible, along with the supplications from al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiya, particularly the Makarim al-Akhlaq Supplication and al-Tawba Supplication. It is also recommended to repeatedly recite the prayer Allahumma kun li-waliyyik in any position (standing, sitting, or in prostration).

Common Acts for 23rd and Other Nights

Ghusl (ritual bath) Two cycles (rak'as) of prayer, in which after al-Fatiha, Surah al-Ikhlas is recited seven times. After completing the prayer, the worshipper should say Astaghfir Allah wa atub ilayh (I ask for God's forgiveness and repent toward Him) seventy times. Night vigilance (staying awake and engaging in worship) on these nights. 100 rak'as of prayer (50 sets of two-rak'a prayers). Reciting the prayer Allahumma inni amsayt laka 'abdan... Reciting al-Jawshan al-Kabir Supplication Visiting the shrine of Imam Husayn (a) Holding the Quran on the head and swearing by the Fourteen Infallibles

Exclusive Acts for the Eve of 23rd

Reciting prayers related to the last ten days of Ramadan. Reciting the Surahs of al-'Ankabut, Rum, and al-Dukhan. Reciting Surah al-Qadr one thousand times. Reciting Makarim al-Akhlaq and al-Tawba Supplications. Performing ghusl at the beginning and another ghusl at the end of the night. Reciting the prayer: Allahumma imdud li fi 'umri wa awsi' li fi rizqi... (O God! Help me in my life and expand my provision…) Reciting the prayer: Allahumma ij'al fima taqdi wa fima tuqaddir min al-amr al-mahtum... (O God! Put in what You decree and measure regarding the inevitable fate…) Reciting the prayer: Ya batin fi zuhurih wa ya zahir fi butunih... (O the concealed in His manifestation and manifest in His concealment…) Reciting the prayer for the health and safety of Imam al-Mahdi (a). Night vigil (ihya') and staying awake for scholarly discussion and dialogue.