Laylat al-Qadr: The Night of Power & Its Significance

Laylat al-Qadr (لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ), also known as the Night of Power or Night of Decree, is one of the most spiritually significant nights in Islam. It is a night filled with blessings, mercy, and immense rewards.

What is Laylat al-Qadr?

Laylat al-Qadr is the night when the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel).

إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ(1) وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ (2) لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌۭ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍۢ (3) تَنَزَّلُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍۢ (4) سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ (5)

"Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree(1). And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? (2) The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.(3) The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter.(4) Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.(5)"

— Surah Al-Qadr, 97:1-5 (Quran.com)

This means that worship during this single night is better than worship over a thousand months (83 years and 4 months).

When is Laylat al-Qadr?

The exact date is hidden, but the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ advised us to seek it during the last ten nights of Ramadan, specifically on the odd-numbered nights.

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو سُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ تَحَرَّوْا لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فِي الْوِتْرِ مِنَ الْعَشْرِ الأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ ‏"‏‏.

"Search for Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan."

— Sahih al-Bukhari 2017, (Sunnah.com)

Many Muslims focus especially on the 27th night, though it could be any odd night.

Acts of Worship Recommended on Laylat al-Qadr

• Qur'an Recitation & Reflection – Engage deeply with the verses of the Qur'an.
• Salah (Prayer) –

  حَدَّثَنَا مُسْلِمُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ مَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ، وَمَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ ‏"‏‏.‏

  "Whoever stands in prayer during Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven."

  — Sahih al-Bukhari 1901, (Sunnah.com)

• Dua (Supplication) – The best dua:

   

  حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا جَعْفَرُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ الضُّبَعِيُّ، عَنْ كَهْمَسِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ بُرَيْدَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ عَلِمْتُ أَىُّ لَيْلَةٍ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ مَا أَقُولُ فِيهَا قَالَ ‏ "‏ قُولِي اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

  "Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni" 
  (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me.)

  — Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3513 (Sunnah.com)

• Charity & Good Deeds – Maximize rewards by giving generously and performing good actions.

References Used

• Surah Al-Qadr (97:1-5) — Quran.com
• Sahih al-Bukhari 2017, 1901 — Sunnah.com
• Dua ("Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun...") — Sunnah.com

Prepare for Laylat al-Qadr

Laylat al-Qadr is a night unlike any other. Prepare your heart, plan your acts of worship, and strive to make the most of it.