Hijri Calendar
Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power / Decree)
Laylat al-Qadr
The "Night of Power" in the last ten nights of Ramadan, described in the Quran as better than a thousand months; the night the Quran began to be revealed.
What is Laylat al-Qadr?
Laylat al-Qadr, the "Night of Power" or "Night of Decree", is the holiest night of the year in Islam. It falls within the last ten nights of Ramadan and is the night on which the Quran began to be revealed. The Quran declares it "better than a thousand months" (Surah al-Qadr, 97:3) — worship on this single night surpasses the worship of more than 83 years.
Why is This Night So Great?
On this night the Quran descended, the angels and the Spirit (Jibril) descend with every decree, and it is filled with peace until the break of dawn. Sins are forgiven for the one who stands in prayer with faith and seeking reward, as the Prophet ﷺ promised. It is the single greatest opportunity for worship in the entire year.
Laylat al-Qadr in the Quran
Allah devoted an entire surah to it:
- "Indeed, We sent it down during the Night of Decree." (97:1)
- "And what can make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months." (97:2-3)
- "The angels and the Spirit descend therein... Peace it is until the emergence of dawn." (97:4-5)
When is Laylat al-Qadr?
Its exact date is hidden, but the Prophet ﷺ instructed believers to "seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadan", and especially in the odd nights — the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th. The 27th night is widely emphasised. Its concealment encourages believers to strive across all ten nights.
How to Seek Laylat al-Qadr
- Night prayer (Qiyam) — standing in prayer through the night
- Recitation of the Quran
- Dua — Aisha was taught: "Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbu al-'afwa fa'fu 'anni" (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me)
- Itikaf — secluding oneself in the mosque for the last ten days
- Dhikr and istighfar — remembrance and seeking forgiveness
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recommended dua for Laylat al-Qadr?
The Prophet ﷺ taught Aisha to say: "Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbu al-'afwa fa'fu 'anni" — "O Allah, You are Pardoning and love to pardon, so pardon me" (Tirmidhi 3513).
Is Laylat al-Qadr definitely the 27th?
Many reports point to the 27th, but it is not certain. The Prophet ﷺ said to seek it across all the odd nights of the last ten, so one should worship throughout them.
Etymology & origin
Qadr (القدر) carries two intertwined meanings: "decree/destiny" and "honour/value". The night is called Laylat al-Qadr because the divine decrees for the coming year are apportioned in it, and because of its immense honour and worth. The root Q-D-R (ق-د-ر) gives qadar (divine decree) and qadr (worth, measure). Thus the Night of Decree is also the Night of Worth — a night whose value surpasses a thousand months.
References
- Quran:
- 2:185, 44:3, 97:1, 97:2, 97:3, 97:4, 97:5
- Hadith:
- Bukhari 2014 (whoever stands in Laylat al-Qadr with faith is forgiven); Bukhari 2017 (seek it in the last ten); Bukhari 2020 (odd nights of the last ten); Muslim 1167 (seek it in the last ten); Tirmidhi 3513 (the dua of pardon taught to Aisha)
Related terms
Dhikr
The remembrance of God through repeated words of praise, glorification, and supplication; commanded abundantly in the Quran and central to spiritual life.
Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness)
Seeking God's forgiveness by saying "Astaghfirullah" (I seek forgiveness from God); a means of erasing sins and opening provision.
Ramadan (Holy Month of Fasting)
The ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar, the month of obligatory fasting and the revelation of the Quran.
Shawwal (Month after Ramadan)
The tenth month of the Islamic calendar, beginning with Eid al-Fitr; fasting its six days after Eid carries the reward of fasting the whole year.
Uloom al-Quran
The collective sciences of the Quran — its revelation, compilation, recitation, abrogation, occasions of revelation, and interpretation.