Laylatul Qadr: The Night of Power in Ramadan

By the Editorial Team · reviewed against our sources · updated September 2026 · guidance, not a fatwa

What is Laylatul Qadr?

Laylatul Qadr — often translated as the Night of Decree, Destiny, or Power — is the most virtuous night of the Islamic year. It commemorates the night on which the revelation of the Qur’an began to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The word qadr carries meanings of measure, decree, and honour, and scholars have connected the night’s name both to the divine decree associated with it and to its immense worth. Its value is a mercy from Allah, offering believers the chance to earn extraordinary reward within a single night — a gift especially meaningful for a community whose lifespans are relatively short compared with earlier nations.

Surah Al-Qadr and “better than a thousand months”

The Qur’an devotes an entire chapter to this night: Surah Al-Qadr (chapter 97). It states that the Qur’an was sent down on the Night of Decree, and asks what can convey the greatness of this night, before declaring that it is better than a thousand months. It further describes the angels and the Spirit (Jibril) descending by their Lord’s permission with every decree, and that it is peace until the break of dawn. A thousand months is more than eighty years — longer than most lifetimes — which conveys the extraordinary weight of worship performed on this single night.

When does it fall?

The Prophet ﷺ taught that Laylatul Qadr is to be sought in the last ten nights of Ramadan. Authentic narrations especially direct believers to the odd nights — the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th — and a well-known tradition points to the 27th, which is why many communities give it particular attention. However, the exact night is not fixed and varies. Scholars note the wisdom in this concealment: it encourages believers to devote all ten nights to worship rather than a single night. Because Ramadan itself depends on moon sighting, confirm the nights with your local authority.

The virtue of standing in prayer

It is reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that whoever stands in prayer on the Night of Decree out of faith and in hope of reward will have their past sins forgiven. This makes qiyam — voluntary night prayer — one of the central acts of the night, whether performed at the mosque within the taraweeh and tahajjud prayers or at home.

The supplication taught by the Prophet ﷺ

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet ﷺ what she should say if she knew which night was Laylatul Qadr. As narrated in the collection of at-Tirmidhi and other sources, he taught her the following supplication:

“Allahumma innaka ‘Afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa fa‘fu ‘anni.”
“O Allah, You are Most Pardoning, and You love pardon, so pardon me.”

This short, powerful dua focuses on Allah’s forgiveness and is widely recommended for repetition throughout the night.

What to do on the night

There is no single fixed formula, but recommended acts include: performing voluntary night prayer (qiyam / tahajjud); reciting and reflecting on the Qur’an; abundant dhikr (remembrance of Allah); and sincere, personal supplication for oneself and others. Many believers also give charity, seek forgiveness, and make a special effort to attend congregational prayers. The emphasis is on wakeful, sincere worship rather than a large quantity of rituals performed without presence of heart.

A practical approach many find helpful is to prepare beforehand — resting during the day, planning what to recite, and writing down personal supplications — so that the night can be spent in focused devotion rather than distraction. Even those unable to remain awake the entire night can seek the reward by praying the Isha and Fajr prayers in congregation, offering what qiyam they are able to, and turning to Allah with sincerity in the time they have.

I’tikaf and the last ten nights

The Prophet ﷺ would intensify his worship in the last ten nights and would observe i’tikaf — spiritual retreat in the mosque — partly in pursuit of this night. Combining i’tikaf with the nightly taraweeh prayer allows a believer to remain in a state of devotion across the crucial final stretch of Ramadan.

Signs of the night

Some narrations describe signs associated with Laylatul Qadr, such as a calm and pleasant night, and a morning in which the sun rises with a soft light and without piercing rays. These signs are noticed after the fact and are not a condition for the night’s reward; a believer should not become preoccupied with detecting signs at the expense of worship.

The decree and the mercy of the night

Surah Al-Qadr describes the descent of the angels and the Spirit “with every decree,” and many scholars explain that on this night the affairs of the coming year are apportioned and recorded by Allah’s wisdom. Whatever the precise nature of this decree, the night is fundamentally one of peace and mercy, as the chapter concludes that it is “peace until the emergence of dawn.” This framing shapes how believers approach the night: not with anxiety, but with hope, humility, and earnest longing for Allah’s forgiveness and blessing.

Learn more

Explore related observances of the last ten nights and Ramadan: the Taraweeh night prayer, the retreat of I’tikaf, and Zakat al-Fitr due before Eid. For a broader overview of the Islamic calendar and observances, visit our Islamic information hub.

This article is general educational guidance, not a fatwa. Religious rulings can vary by school of thought and individual circumstance; for decisions that affect your worship or obligations, please consult a qualified local scholar.

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