Laylat al-Qadr is an exceptional occasion—the night on which the Holy Quran began to be revealed, declared by Allah the Exalted to be better than a thousand months, and counted among the most blessed nights in Islam. This night is not only a great opportunity for believers to purify themselves, pray, and worship, but it is also a sacred time when the provisions, lifespans, and wise decrees for the coming year are determined.
What Is Laylat al-Qadr?
The word “Kadir” has two meanings in Arabic: in addition to signifying greatness, honor, and value, it also means crowding and constriction. The second meaning refers to the great number of angels that descend to Earth on that night; the name was given because the Earth became too small to accommodate the countless angels.
Laylat al-Qadr is also a night of destiny and divine decree. According to Islamic scholars, on this night, the provisions, lifespans, and all matters of divine wisdom that will take place until the following year are revealed to the appointed angels (Jibril, Michael, Israfil, and Azrael).
Religious Evidence for Laylat al-Qadr
Surah al-Qadr — Evidence from the Holy Quran
Allah the Almighty has declared the value and importance of this night in a separate surah. Surah al-Qadr (Surah 97) reads as follows:
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَمْرٍ سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِRecitation: “Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of Power. And what will make you comprehend 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 with every command. Peace it is until the break of dawn.”
Translation: “We sent it down (the Qur’an) on the Night of Power. Do you know what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. On that night, by their Lord’s permission, the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) descend, carrying out every command. That night is filled with peace—until the break of dawn.” (Surah al-Qadr, 97:1–5)
Evidence from the Noble Hadiths
When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was saddened by the shortness of his ummah’s lifespan and, consequently, the scarcity of their good deeds, Allah the Exalted bestowed upon this ummah the Night of Power—which is better than a thousand months—as a blessing. The hadiths narrated on this subject contain the following important glad tidings:
- The Virtue of Worship: “It is more pleasing to Allah the Almighty for a person to rise on the Night of Power and worship for as long as it takes a shepherd to milk his sheep than for that person to fast for an entire year.”
- The Virtue of Reciting the Quran: “Reciting a single verse from the Quran on Laylat al-Qadr is, in the sight of Allah the Exalted, more virtuous than completing the entire Quran at any other time.”
- The Good News of the Kalima-tul-Tawhid: It has been reported that whoever sincerely recites the Kalima-tul-Tawhid three times on this night will have their sins forgiven upon the first recitation, will be saved from Hell upon the second, and will enter Paradise upon the third.
The Virtues and Wisdom of Laylat al-Qadr
The virtue of Laylat al-Qadr is described as being equivalent not just to a single night, but to nearly an entire lifetime. The acts of worship and prayers performed on this night are considered more virtuous than the worship performed over a thousand months—equivalent to approximately 83 years—that do not include Laylat al-Qadr.
Some of the other highlights of tonight include:
- The Descent of the Angels to Earth: Countless angels, led by Gabriel (peace be upon him), descend to Earth on this night, greet the believers who are engaged in worship, and seek forgiveness for them until dawn.
- The Four Sacred Banners: On that night, four banners of light are lowered upon the world: Livâu’l-Hamd (between earth and heaven), Livâu’r-Rahmet (over the Kaaba), Livâu’l-Mağfiret (over the sacred tomb of our Prophet, peace be upon him), and Livâu’l-Kerâmet (on the rock in Bayt al-Maqdis).
- Purification and forgiveness: Laylat al-Qadr is an exceptional time when a believer is closest to his Lord, the gates of heaven are thrown wide open, and a reward equal to a lifetime is bestowed.
Acts of Worship to Be Performed on Laylat al-Qadr
For believers who wish to make the most of Laylat al-Qadr, the main acts of worship that can be performed on this night are as follows:
Praying on One's Own
A special virtue has been attributed to the two-rak'ah prayer to be performed on Laylat al-Qadr:
- In each rak'ah, one Surah al-Fatiha and seven Surah al-Ikhlas are recited.
- After the prayer is completed, the following supplication for forgiveness is repeated seven times:
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
Pronunciation: “Estağfirullâhe ve etûbu ileyh.”
Meaning: “I ask Allah for forgiveness and repent to Him.”
It is said that if a person repeats this invocation seventy times without getting up from where they are sitting, both their own sins and those of their parents will be forgiven.
A Special Prayer for Laylat al-Qadr
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), “What prayer should I recite tonight?” and our Prophet taught her the following prayer:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِي
Recitation: “Allâhümme inneke afüvvün tühibbül afve fa’fü annî.”
Meaning: “O Allah! There is no doubt that You are Most Forgiving and love to forgive; so forgive me.”
This prayer is narrated in many authentic hadith sources, most notably by al-Tirmidhi, and is known as the most virtuous prayer specific to the Night of Power.
Surah Al-Ikhlas, Prayers of Blessing, and Remembrance of God
The main zikrs recommended for recitation on this night are as follows:
- Surah al-Ikhlas: Reciting Surah al-Ikhlas three times before going to bed earns the same reward as having completed the entire Holy Quran.
- Salavat-ı Şerife: Offering blessings upon the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is a means for prayers to be answered; it has been stated that prayers offered without these blessings are “held back.”
- The Kalima-i Tawhid: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللهِ It is recommended to continue reciting it frequently.
I'tikaf: Fully Observing the Night of Power
The most comprehensive way to observe Laylat al-Qadr is through the act of i’tikaf, which is performed during the last ten days of Ramadan. I’tikaf refers to staying in the mosque for a specific period of time while fasting and with the intention to do so. According to the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence, while i’tikaf is a recommended act of worship, it becomes obligatory if one has vowed to perform it.
A person observing i’tikaf may not leave the mosque except to attend to basic human needs or to perform the Friday prayer. It is recommended that they limit their speech to matters of good, and refrain from engaging in business; however, remaining silent with the intention of simply waiting without engaging in worship is makruh.
Tarawih and Witr Prayers
The Tarawih prayer, an important part of observing the nights of Ramadan, is performed in congregation as twenty rak’ahs following the Isha prayer. A salam is recited after every two rak’ahs, and a terwiha (rest period) is observed at the end of every four rak’ahs. The Witr prayer is also performed in congregation specifically during the month of Ramadan.
When Is Laylat al-Qadr Celebrated?
The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr was not revealed by our Prophet (peace be upon him); it was kept hidden so that believers would spend every night of Ramadan in this spirit. However, the hadiths recommend seeking this night during the last ten days of Ramadan, particularly on the odd-numbered nights.
The vast majority of Islamic scholars and the noble Companions of the Prophet hold the view that Laylat al-Qadr falls on the twenty-seventh night of Ramadan. However, it is recommended that all the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days (the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th nights) be observed with this awareness.
Who Might Be Deprived of the Blessings of This Night?
Various Islamic sources warn that four categories of people may be deprived of the blessings of Laylat al-Qadr:
- Those who continue to drink
- Those who are rebellious toward their parents
- Those Who Sever Family Ties
- Those who have been on bad terms with a fellow believer for more than three days
These reminders serve to remind us that, in order to partake in the blessings of the night, we must first establish peace, repentance, and tranquility in our hearts.
Frequently Asked Questions — Laylat al-Qadr
On which night is Laylat al-Qadr celebrated?
The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is unknown. According to the vast majority of scholars, it is highly likely to fall on the twenty-seventh night of Ramadan; however, all the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan (the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th) should be observed with this intention.
What is the prayer that must be recited on Laylat al-Qadr?
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) taught Aisha the following supplication for this night: “Allâhümme inneke afüvvün tühibbül afve fa’fü annî.” Its meaning is: “O Allah, You are Most Forgiving and You love to forgive; so forgive me.” This prayer, found in authentic hadith sources, is regarded as the most valuable prayer specific to the Night of Power.
Is it obligatory to pray on Laylat al-Qadr?
Praying a special prayer on Laylat al-Qadr is not obligatory; it is a recommended act of worship. It is reported that a two-rak’ah prayer is performed by reciting the Fatiha and seven recitations of the Ikhlas in each rak’ah. In addition to the obligatory prayers, it is recommended to perform supererogatory prayers, recite the Qur’an, engage in dhikr, and seek forgiveness on this night.
What is i'tikaf, and how is it related to Laylat al-Qadr?
I’tikaf is the practice of staying in the mosque with the intention of worship during the last ten days of Ramadan and spending that time in worship. Since Laylat al-Qadr is hidden within these ten days, i’tikaf serves as the most comprehensive way to observe that night. According to the Hanafi school of thought, i’tikaf is recommended; however, if one vows to perform it, it becomes obligatory.
What is the connection between Laylat al-Qadr and the last ten days of Ramadan?
The last ten days of Ramadan are the period during which Laylat al-Qadr is hidden. This is the most appropriate time to complete the act of fasting, prepare the fitra charity, and devote oneself to itikaf. The fitra charity becomes obligatory at dawn on Eid day, and it is considered recommended to give it before the Eid prayer.
Sources
- Dürretü’n-Nasihin fî’l-Va’z ve’l-İrşad — Osman b. Hasan al-Hubi (Sermon 72 — Laylat al-Qadr)
- Muhtasaru’l-Kudûrî — Ahmad b. Muhammad al-Kudûrî (Kitâbu’s-Savm, “I’tikaf” section)
- Tirmidhi, Du'a, 84 (Prayer for Laylat al-Qadr)
- Surah al-Qadr, the Holy Quran, 97:1–5
- The Text and Translation of Surah al-Qadr
