Du'a Jawshan al-Kabir (The Great Armor)

Du'a Jawshan al-Kabir (Arabic: دعاء الجوشن الكبير), "The Prayer of the Great Armor," is one of the most comprehensive and most recited supplications in Shia Islam. It contains 1000 of Allah's names and attributes, organized in 100 sections with 10 names/attributes in each section, followed by a common prayer for protection from the Hellfire.

According to narration, this du'a was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) by the angel Jibril (Gabriel) during a battle, when he was wearing heavy armor. Jibril said: "O Muhammad, take off your armor and instead carry this du'a, which is a protection (jawshan) for you and your community." The supplication is narrated in Misbah al-Mutahajjid by Shaykh al-Tusi and in Iqbal al-A'mal by Sayyid ibn Tawus.

Each of the 100 sections contains ten praises of Allah, e.g.: "O Allah, O Lord, O Merciful, O Gracious, O Eternal..." followed by: "Subhanaka ya la ilaha illa ant, al-aman al-aman, khalissna min al-nar" (Glorified are You, there is no god except You, safety, safety, free us from the Fire).

Du'a Jawshan al-Kabir is primarily recited on the blessed nights of Ramadan, especially Laylat al-Qadr (the 19th, 21st, and 23rd nights). Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: "This du'a is a security and protection for the one who recites it" (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 94). Many Shia Muslims recite it completely on the blessed nights communally in mosques and husayniyyahs. It typically takes 1-2 hours to recite in its entirety. The supplication is a profound expression of Allah's infinite greatness and the believer's trust in His protection.