What the Night of Power is

Laylat al-Qadr means the Night of Decree or the Night of Power. It is a night of great honour and mercy.

Surah al-Qadr (Quran 97) says that Allah sent down the Quran on this night. It says that the night is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit, Jibril, come down by the permission of Allah, and it is a night of peace until the break of dawn.

Quran 44:3 also speaks of a blessed night in which the Quran was sent down. Many scholars understand this to be the same night.

When to look for it

The Prophet ﷺ taught Muslims to look for Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan. This is reported in Sahih al-Bukhari.

Scholars have given different opinions about which night it is. There is no fixed date that is agreed by all, and we should not claim one. Allah kept the exact night hidden, so that believers would worship with effort on many nights.

The best plan is to give your best effort in every night of the last ten, and especially the odd ones. The last ten nights begin from the twenty-first night. Because the Hijri month can start on different days in different places, follow the Ramadan dates of your local community.

Ways to spend the night

The Prophet ﷺ taught that whoever stands in prayer on Laylat al-Qadr with faith and hope for reward will have their past sins forgiven. This is in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.

You can spend the night in these ways:

  • Pray extra prayers (qiyam), including taraweeh and tahajjud.
  • Read the Quran and think about its meaning.
  • Make dua (personal prayer) for yourself, your family and all Muslims.
  • Make istighfar (asking Allah for forgiveness) and repent.
  • Remember Allah often with dhikr, and send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ.
  • Give charity, and be kind to the people around you.

You do not need to stay awake the whole night. Do what you can, with sincerity, and keep your worship steady.

A dua from Aisha

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, asked the Prophet ﷺ what she should say if she knew which night was Laylat al-Qadr. He taught her a short dua. It is reported in Jami at-Tirmidhi and other collections.

The dua is: Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa'fu anni.

The meaning is: "O Allah, You are the Pardoner. You love to pardon, so pardon me." You can repeat it in every night of the last ten, in any position and at any time.

I'tikaf in the last ten days

I'tikaf means staying in the mosque for worship for a period of time. The Prophet ﷺ made i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan every year. This is reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.

It is a sunnah, so it is not required. During i'tikaf you leave aside worldly matters and focus on prayer, Quran and dhikr. If you cannot stay in the mosque for ten days, ask a local scholar how you can do a shorter period.

General information for learning, not a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar.

Sources

  • Quran 97:1-5
  • Quran 44:3
  • Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Virtues of the Night of Qadr)
  • Sahih Muslim (Book of I'tikaf)
  • Jami at-Tirmidhi (Book of Supplications)