Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power or Night of Decree, is the night in Ramadan when the Quran was first sent down, and the Quran says it is "better than a thousand months." It falls in the last ten nights of Ramadan, most likely on one of the odd nights, and Muslims spend it in prayer, Quran recitation and supplication for forgiveness.
A whole chapter of the Quran, Surah al-Qadr, is devoted to this night. This guide explains what the night is, what the Quran says about it, when to look for it, its signs, and the short dua the Prophet taught for it.
Key takeaways
- Laylatul Qadr (Laylat al-Qadr) means "the Night of Decree" or "the Night of Power," and it is the night the Quran was sent down (Quran 97:1).
- The Quran says worship on this night is "better than a thousand months," which is more than 83 years (Quran 97:3).
- According to Sahih al-Bukhari, the Prophet told Muslims to seek it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan.
- The authentic dua for the night, taught to Aisha and recorded in Jami at-Tirmidhi, is "Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni."
- Whoever prays on this night with faith and hope of reward is forgiven their past sins, according to Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
What is Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power?
Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night of the Islamic year. It is the night on which God sent down the Quran, and the angels descend to earth throughout it until dawn. "God" in Arabic is "Allah," the same word Arab Christians use.
The Quran describes this night in two places. The first is Surah al-Qadr, chapter 97, which is named after it. The second is the opening of Surah ad-Dukhan, where it is called "a blessed night."
Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind].
Most commentators, including Ibn Kathir, identify this "blessed night" with Laylatul Qadr. They point to Quran 2:185, which says Ramadan is the month "in which was revealed the Qur'an." A minority of early scholars linked 44:3 to the middle of the month of Sha'ban, but the mainstream view connects it to Ramadan.
Laylatul Qadr meaning
The Arabic word qadr has several related meanings, and scholars say the name carries all of them:
- Decree. On this night, God's decrees for the coming year are made distinct. The Quran says "On that night is made distinct every precise matter" (Quran 44:4).
- Power and honor. Qadr also means status or value. It is a night of great honor, and worship in it has great value.
- Measure. Some scholars connect it to the idea of God measuring out what will happen.
This is why English translations use different names: Sahih International says "the Night of Decree," while many others say "the Night of Power."
Surah al-Qadr in English (Inna Anzalnahu)
Surah al-Qadr is one of the shortest chapters of the Quran, with five verses. It is often called by its opening words, Inna anzalnahu, "Indeed, We sent it down." Here is the full surah in the Sahih International translation.
Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree 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 transliteration of the Laylatul Qadr surah reads:
- Inna anzalnahu fi laylatil-qadr
- Wa ma adraka ma laylatul-qadr
- Laylatul-qadri khayrun min alfi shahr
- Tanazzalul-mala'ikatu war-ruhu fiha bi-idhni rabbihim min kulli amr
- Salamun hiya hatta matla'il-fajr
"The Spirit" in verse 4 is understood by most commentators to be the angel Gabriel (Jibril), mentioned by name because of his special rank. The final verse describes the whole night as peace, from sunset until dawn.
How was the Quran "sent down" on this night?
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) received the first verses of the Quran, the opening of Surah al-Alaq, in the Cave of Hira during Ramadan. The rest was revealed gradually over about 23 years. Ibn Kathir records the explanation of Ibn Abbas and others: on Laylatul Qadr, the Quran was sent down all at once to the lowest heaven, and then revealed to the Prophet in parts. Both events are tied to this night. Our guide on what the Quran is explains how revelation unfolded.
When is Laylatul Qadr?
The exact date of Laylatul Qadr is not fixed or announced. The Prophet told Muslims where to look for it.
- The last ten nights of Ramadan. In a hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari, the Prophet said to seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadan.
- Especially the odd nights. Another narration in Sahih al-Bukhari, from Aisha, says to seek it on the odd nights of the last ten: the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th.
- The 27th is a popular view. The companion Ubayy ibn Ka'b believed it was the 27th night, as recorded in Sahih Muslim. Many scholars, however, hold that it can move between the odd nights from year to year.
In the Islamic calendar, the night comes before the day. So the 27th night begins at sunset at the end of the 26th day of fasting. Because Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, these nights shift by about 11 days each year on the Gregorian calendar, so check your local Ramadan calendar for the dates.
Sahih al-Bukhari also records that the Prophet once came out to tell the people the exact night, but two men were arguing and the knowledge of it was taken away. He added that this might be better for them. Scholars explain the wisdom: not knowing the exact night encourages people to worship sincerely on all of the last ten nights.
Laylatul Qadr signs
Many people ask how to recognize Laylatul Qadr. The most authentic sign is described in Sahih Muslim: Ubayy ibn Ka'b reported that on the morning after the night, the sun rises without strong rays, appearing pale or soft.
Other narrations, found in collections such as Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, describe the night as calm and mild, neither hot nor cold. Scholars have graded some of these reports as acceptable and others as weak.
It is important to remember that most signs can only be noticed afterward, and they are not a condition for receiving the night's reward. A person who worships sincerely on all of the last ten nights will not miss it, whether or not they notice any sign.
What to do on Laylatul Qadr
The Prophet put extra effort into the last ten nights of Ramadan. Aisha said, in a hadith recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, that when the last ten nights began, he would tighten his waist wrap, stay up through the night in worship, and wake his family. Here is what Muslims do on these nights:
- Pray at night. "Whoever stands in prayer on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and seeking reward will have his past sins forgiven," according to Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. This includes taraweeh, tahajjud and any voluntary prayer.
- Recite and reflect on the Quran. It is the night of the Quran, so reading it with understanding is especially fitting. Our guide on how to read the Quran has practical tips.
- Make dua. Ask God for forgiveness and for every good thing in this life and the next, using the special dua below and your own words.
- Remember God (dhikr). Repeating phrases of praise, such as "SubhanAllah" and "Alhamdulillah," is easy for everyone, including those who cannot pray for any reason.
- Give charity. Many Muslims give on each of the last ten nights so that their charity falls on Laylatul Qadr.
- Spend time in the mosque (i'tikaf). The Prophet would stay in the mosque for worship during the last ten days of Ramadan, as recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
Laylatul Qadr dua
The best-known dua for this night comes from a conversation between the Prophet and his wife Aisha. She asked what she should say if she knew which night was Laylatul Qadr, and he told her to say:
Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni.
"O Allah, You are the One who pardons, and You love to pardon, so pardon me."
This hadith is recorded in Jami at-Tirmidhi, who graded it hasan sahih, and it is accepted as authentic by scholars. Some popular versions add the word karim ("Generous") after 'afuwwun, but many hadith scholars note that the best-established wording does not include it.
The word 'afw means more than forgiveness. Scholars explain that it means wiping a sin away completely, so that no trace of it remains. Asking for 'afw on the greatest night of the year reflects the hope of a completely fresh start.
Read Surah al-Qadr on Quran Universe
You can read Surah al-Qadr and the opening of Surah ad-Dukhan on Quran Universe with the Arabic, the Sahih International translation, transliteration, word-by-word meanings, a short verse card for each verse, and the full Tafsir Ibn Kathir. Fasting in Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, and this night is its spiritual high point.
Frequently asked questions
What is Laylatul Qadr?
Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power or Night of Decree, is the night in Ramadan when the Quran was first sent down. The Quran says it is "better than a thousand months," and angels descend throughout it until dawn (Quran 97:1–5).
When is Laylatul Qadr?
Laylatul Qadr falls in the last ten nights of Ramadan, most likely on an odd night: the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. Its exact date is not known, and because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the Gregorian dates change every year.
What is the dua for Laylatul Qadr?
The Prophet taught Aisha to say "Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni," meaning "O Allah, You are the One who pardons, and You love to pardon, so pardon me." This hadith is recorded in Jami at-Tirmidhi and is graded authentic.
What are the signs of Laylatul Qadr?
The most authentic sign, reported in Sahih Muslim, is that the sun rises the next morning without strong rays. Other reports describe a calm, mild night. Signs are not required to gain the night's reward, so Muslims are encouraged to worship on all of the last ten nights.
Which surah is about Laylatul Qadr?
Surah al-Qadr, the 97th chapter of the Quran, is entirely about Laylatul Qadr. It has five verses and begins "Inna anzalnahu fi laylatil-qadr," meaning "Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree."
What does "better than a thousand months" mean?
A thousand months is more than 83 years, longer than most people's lifetimes. Scholars explain that worship on this one night is worth more than worship over a thousand months that do not contain Laylatul Qadr.