Laylat al-Qadr — لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْر — is the Night of Power: described in the Quran as better than a thousand months (Quran 97:3). It falls within the last ten nights of Ramadan — most likely on an odd night (the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th), with the 27th being most commonly identified. Worship performed on this single night carries the reward of over 83 years of continuous worship. No other night in the Islamic calendar carries this promise.
What the Quran says
Surah Al-Qadr (97) is dedicated entirely to this night: “Indeed We sent the Quran down on the Night of Power. And what can make you know what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.” The Quran descended on this night. The angels descend. Every matter of the coming year is decreed. Peace fills it until Fajr.
How to seek it
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten of Ramadan.” (Bukhari 2017, Muslim 1169). He intensified his worship in the last ten more than any other time — spending nights in prayer, waking his family, and performing i’tikaf (seclusion in the mosque). The specific dua he taught Aisha ؓ for this night: Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa’fu anni — O Allah, You are the Pardoner, You love to pardon, so pardon me. (Tirmidhi 3513, authenticated).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Laylat al-Qadr?
Laylat al-Qadr is the Night of Power — better than a thousand months (Quran 97:3). It is within the last ten nights of Ramadan, sought on the odd nights. On it the Quran descended, the angels descend, and every matter of the year is decreed. Worship on this single night carries the reward of over 83 years of continuous worship. The Prophet ﷺ intensified worship in the last ten nights of Ramadan specifically to seek it.
What dua should I say on Laylat al-Qadr?
“Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa’fu anni” — O Allah, You are the Pardoner, You love to pardon, so pardon me. The Prophet ﷺ specifically taught this dua to Aisha ؓ when she asked what to say if she found Laylat al-Qadr (Tirmidhi 3513). It is the dua of choice for this night — asking for the pardon that is most fitting when standing in the most forgiveness-rich night of the year.
Better than a thousand months. Over 83 years of worship in one night. The Prophet ﷺ woke his family for this. On the odd nights of the last ten — do not sleep through it.