What Are the Nights of Kandil? The 2026 Calendar of Blessed Days and Their Meanings

The Nights of the Lamps are the most precious and blessed nights and days in the Islamic calendar. The name “Nights of the Lamps” became established when lamps began to be lit on the minarets of mosques during the Ottoman period. The Holy Quran clearly states that not all times are equal and that some nights are spiritually superior to others: Surah al-Qadr declares that one blessed night is better than a thousand months. This guide presents the five major Kandil Nights, other blessed days, and the corresponding dates for the year 2026.

Why Are Blessed Days and Nights Important?

The Holy Quran attaches great importance to the concept of time. The Chapter of Time (Surah al-Asr) swears by time itself, while the Chapter of Power (Surah al-Qadr) declares that a specific night is superior to a thousand months. This demonstrates that, in the Islamic faith, not all times are equal; certain days and nights are distinguished from others in terms of spiritual value.

Islamic scholars describe the nights of the Kandil as “seasons of virtue.” It has been reported that acts of worship such as prayer, repentance, charity, and recitation of the Qur’an hold greater spiritual value during these nights than at other times. On the other hand, the fundamental condition for showing respect for these times is to refrain from sinning.

The Five Major Nights of the Islamic Calendar: Names, Meanings, and Dates for 2026

Regaib Kandil — The First Friday Night of Recep

Regaib Kandili, which falls on the first Friday night of the month of Rajab, is regarded as a spiritual threshold marking the beginning of the “Three Holy Months.” The word “Regaib” means “to desire or long for something” in Arabic. According to tradition, angels gather at the Kaaba on this night; Allah the Almighty, out of respect for this night, declares that He forgives those who fast during the month of Rajab (Dürretü’n-Nâsihîn).

Date in 2026: Thursday, December 10, 2026 (1 Recep 1448)

Miraj Night — The 27th Night of Rajab

The Holy Quran states:

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ

“Glory be to Allah, who took His servant Muhammad by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque—whose surroundings We have blessed—to show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.” (Al-Isra’, 17:1)

On this miraculous night, when the Prophet Muhammad traveled from the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca to the Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, and from there passed through Sidrat al-Muntaha to reach the presence of Allah, the five daily prayers were made obligatory. Originally set at fifty times, the number of daily prayers was reduced to five following the Prophet’s supplication, upon the advice of Moses (Dürretü’n-Nâsihîn).

Date in 2026: Thursday, January 15, 2026 (27 Recep 1447)

Berat Kandili — The 15th Night of Sha'ban

The word “Berat” is the name given to this night because Allah the Almighty issues a certificate of deliverance (beraat) from Hell to His believing servants. According to some exegetes, the following verse in Surah al-Dukhan refers to the Night of Berat:

إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنْذِرِينَ فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ

“By the clear Book, we truly revealed it on a blessed night. For we warn people through it. On that night, every matter of wisdom is decreed by Our command. Indeed, we send prophets as a mercy from your Lord. Undoubtedly, He hears and knows all things.” (Duhân, 44:3–4)

As reported in a hadith, on this night, Allah the Almighty forgives everyone except those who associate partners with Him, those who practice sorcery, those who drink alcohol, those who sever family ties, and those who disobey their parents (Dürretü’n-Nâsihîn, from Ibn Mâjah). According to a tradition, the Angel Gabriel (peace be upon him) announced that three hundred gates of mercy are opened on this night. Prayer, repentance, and recitation of the Qur’an are the primary acts of worship on this night.

Date in 2026: Monday, February 2, 2026 (15 Sha'ban 1447)

Laylat al-Qadr — The 27th Night of Ramadan

Allah the Almighty says:

إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ

“We sent it down on the Night of Power.” (Al-Qadr, 97:1)

This night, mentioned in the Surah al-Qadr—the night on which the Holy Quran began to be revealed and which is better than a thousand months—holds the greatest significance among the five blessed nights. In addition to making up missed prayers, reciting the Quran, and repenting, it is recommended to recite the following prayer on this night:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

“O God! You are forgiving and love to forgive; please forgive me as well.”

Date in 2026: Monday, March 16, 2026 (27 Ramadan 1447)

Mevlid Kandili — The 12th Night of Rabi' al-Awwal

On Mevlid Kandili, commemorated as the night Prophet Muhammad graced the world with his presence, prayers and blessings are offered to him, and his life and exemplary character are recounted. Islamic scholars have noted that it is among the most significant nights after Laylat al-Qadr.

Date in 2026: Monday, August 24, 2026 (12 Rabi' al-Awwal 1448)

Other Important Holy Days

Ashura Day — The 10th Day of Muharram

“Aşure” is derived from the Arabic word “aşara,” meaning “ten.” It is celebrated as the anniversary of Noah’s Ark’s survival of the Flood and Moses’ escape from Pharaoh by crossing the Red Sea.

Date in 2026: Thursday, June 25, 2026 (10 Muharram 1448)

The Day Before Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Adha

Arefe, the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, is a special occasion during the Hajj when the Stand at Arafat takes place and is considered by Islamic scholars to be among the most virtuous days of the year. Allah the Almighty has sworn by these ten nights in the Surah al-Fajr:

وَالْفَجْرِ ۝ وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ

“By the dawn. By the ten nights (the first ten nights of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah).” (Al-Fajr, 89:1–2)

According to the vast majority of Islamic scholars, the “ten nights” mentioned in this verse refer to the first ten nights of Dhu al-Hijjah. Fasting on the Day of Arafah carries a special virtue: According to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), fasting on the Day of Arafah atones for the sins of the past and coming years. Eid al-Adha, which begins the following day, lasts four days and is one of Islam’s two major festivals.

2026 Dates: Arefe: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 | Eid al-Adha: May 27–30, 2026

Eid al-Fitr — The First Day of Shawwal

Eid al-Fitr, which begins on the first day of Shawwal following the end of Ramadan, is one of Islam’s two major holidays and lasts for three days.

Dates for 2026: March 20–22, 2026 (1–3 Shawwal 1447)

2026 Calendar of Kandil Nights and Holy Days

The table below shows the Hijri and Gregorian dates for the blessed days and nights of the year 2026:

Information Note