What is Laylatul Qadr?
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Written by: M. Hamza
Researcher: Ayesha Rahman
Reviewed by: Omar Abdullah
Last Review: 9 September 2026
Our Ramadan information is carefully examined by a qualified Islamic reviewer to help ensure that religious details, references, and guidance are presented accurately and responsibly.
Laylatul Qadr is the holiest night in the Islamic calendar. Laylat al-Qadr, also called the Night of Decree or Night of Power, is one of the most important nights in Islam. It occurs during the final ten nights of Ramadan.
The exact night has not been confirmed. Muslims are encouraged to seek it throughout the last ten nights, especially the odd-numbered nights: 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th.
The Night the Qur'an Was Revealed
Laylatul Qadr means the Night of Power or the Night of Decree. It commemorates the night when the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). On this night, the angel Jibril (Gabriel) brought the first verses of the Qur'an down from Allah.
The Qur'an dedicates an entire chapter to this night. Allah says:
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ ١ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ ٢ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ ٣ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَمْرٍ ٤ سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ ٥
Transliteration: Innā anzalnāhu fī laylatil-qadr. Wa mā adrāka mā laylatul-qadr. Laylatul-qadri khayrun min alfi shahr. Tanazzalul-malā’ikatu war-rūḥu fīhā bi-idhni rabbihim min kulli amr. Salāmun hiya ḥattā maṭla‘il-fajr.
"Indeed, We revealed the Qur'an 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."
— Surah Al-Qadr (97:1-5)
Allah also says in Surah Ad-Dukhan:
"We sent it (this Qur'an) down on a blessed night." — Surah Ad-Dukhan (44:3)
Why is it so significant?
A thousand months is more than 83 years. That means worship on Laylatul Qadr is better than worshipping for an entire lifetime.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"Whoever stands in prayer during Laylatul Qadr, with faith and hope in the reward of Allah, will have all his previous sins forgiven." — Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1901
On this night, Allah shows great mercy to His creation. The angels descend in large numbers, filling the earth with peace and blessings.
The companion Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"This month has come to you, and in it there is a night that is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of it is deprived of all goodness, and no one is deprived of its goodness except one who is truly deprived." — Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1767
When is Laylatul Qadr?
The exact date is not known. This is deliberate. Allah concealed its timing so that Muslims would strive in worship throughout many nights rather than focusing on just one.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
تَحَرَّوْا لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فِي الْوِتْرِ مِنَ الْعَشْرِ الأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ
"Seek Laylatul Qadr in the odd-numbered nights among the last ten nights of Ramadan." — Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2017 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1167
So it could be the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th night of Ramadan.
The 27th night is often highlighted. The companion Ubayy ibn Ka'b swore that it was the 27th night. But the Prophet himself encouraged seeking it across all the odd nights of the last ten days.
The 27th night is widely regarded by many Muslims as a likely night of Laylat al-Qadr. Some narrations and statements from Companions support this view.
However, the exact night remains unknown. Authentic hadith instruct Muslims to seek Laylat al-Qadr during the last ten nights, particularly the odd nights. Therefore, it is not correct to state with certainty that Laylat al-Qadr always occurs on the 27th night.
Laylatul Qadr 2026 and 2027
For practical reference, here are the expected dates based on astronomical projections:
| Year | Laylatul Qadr (27th Ramadan) |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Night of March 16 |
| 2027 | Night of March 6 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, 22 February 2028 |
These dates are estimates. The actual night depends on the moon sighting in your location.
Why the Date is Hidden
There is great wisdom behind not knowing exactly when Laylatul Qadr occurs. As the scholar Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi explained:
"God has concealed this night from the ummah so that they may strive in seeking it and performing worship throughout the month in the hopes of catching it."
It's like the special hour of acceptance on Friday, which is also concealed so that people increase their supplications throughout the day. The purpose is to encourage continuous effort and devotion.
How to Seek It
The Prophet would work especially hard during the last ten nights. His wife Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:
"When the last ten nights began, Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) kept awake at night for prayer and devotion, wakened his family, and prepared himself to observe salah with more vigor." — Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1174
He would stay up in prayer, wake his family, and increase his worship.
Many Muslims observe i'tikaf during this period. This means secluding oneself in the mosque to focus entirely on worship and reflection. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to practice i'tikaf for the entirety of the last ten days of Ramadan.
Signs of Laylatul Qadr
Scholars have mentioned several signs that help identify this night:
The sun rises without rays. The morning after Laylatul Qadr, the sun appears soft and bright, without its usual harsh rays.
"The sign of Laylatul Qadr is that the sun rises on the following morning with no visible rays." — Sahih Muslim, Hadith 762
The night is calm and serene. The weather is temperate — neither hot nor cold. There is a sense of peace and tranquility.
The moon appears clear. The night is shining and bright.
No shooting stars are seen. It is said that no falling stars are visible on this night.
Angels descend in large numbers. The angels come down to earth on this night, more numerous than pebbles.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Truly the angels on this night are as numerous as the pebbles upon the earth." — Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 11123
These signs are not guaranteed. Some may appear and others may not. The most important thing is not to become preoccupied with searching for signs at the expense of worship.
Frequently Asked Questions
The name "Laylatul Qadr" has multiple meanings, and each has its own significance:
Decree or Destiny: This is the night in which the destiny of each person is decided. Sustenance, lifespan, and other critical matters are sealed for the coming year.
The companion Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
"It is written in Umm al-Kitab (the Heavenly copy of the Qur'an) during Laylatul Qadr what shall come to pass in the following year of good and evil, sustenance, and lifespan." — Tafsir al-Tabari
Power or Honor: The night has great honor and might. The righteous deeds performed during this night are far more powerful than on any other night.
Restriction: The earth becomes restricted as angels descend in huge numbers, occupying the earth.
Laylatul Qadr has also been described as a special gift for the Prophet Muhammad's community.
In the Muwatta of Imam Malik, there is a hadith that states:
"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was shown the lifespans of the people who had gone before him. It was as if the lives of the people of his community had become too short for them to be able to do as many good actions as others before them had been able to do with their long lives. So Allah gave him Laylatul Qadr, which is better than a thousand months." — Muwatta Imam Malik, Hadith 689
The Connection with Forgiveness
There is a special link between this night and seeking forgiveness from Allah. The Qur'an states:
"And whatever strikes you of calamity, it is because of what your hands have earned, although He pardons a great deal." — Surah Ash-Shura (42:30)
So the decrees on Laylatul Qadr may descend with calamities that are consequences of our sins. On this night, we have an exclusive opportunity to invoke the forgiveness of al-Afuww to erase those sins as well as the resultant decree, and remove them from our fates for the upcoming year.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"Nothing averts fate except supplication." — Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2139
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once came to inform his companions of the specific night of Laylatul Qadr but found two individuals arguing. He said:
"I came to inform you of the night of Laylatul Qadr but found so-and-so arguing and had the knowledge of the night lifted from me." — Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2023
This serves as a powerful reminder. Grudges between people veil us from attaining the pardon and forgiveness of the night. Just as the Prophet was veiled from knowing the night due to the grudges between others, it is by offering forgiveness to others and overlooking each other's faults that we discover the forgiveness of Allah during Laylatul Qadr.
Final Thoughts
Laylatul Qadr is a gift. It comes once a year, hidden among the last ten nights of Ramadan. The uncertainty is not a frustration — it is an invitation. An invitation to pray more, to seek more, and to draw closer to Allah.
Don't wait for the 27th night. Start from the 20th night and worship each odd night with intention and hope. You never know which night might be the one.
The same God who created you with limited years to do good gives you nights that are equivalent to lifetimes of worship. And the same angel Jibril that He sent to honor the Prophet that night is sent to the earth that same night annually to honor his nation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Laylat al-Qadr mean?
Laylat al-Qadr is commonly translated as the Night of Decree, Night of Power or Night of Destiny. It is a blessed night in Ramadan that is better than a thousand months.
Is Laylat al-Qadr on the 27th night?
The 27th night is considered likely by many Muslims, but it has not been confirmed as the definite date. Muslims should seek Laylat al-Qadr during all ten of the final nights of Ramadan.
What is the best dua for Laylat al-Qadr?
Best dua for Laylat al Qadr is mentioned below:
The Prophet ﷺ taught:
Allāhumma innaka ‘afuwwun karīmun tuḥibb al-‘afwa fa‘fu ‘annī.
It means: “O Allah, You are Most Pardoning and Generous. You love to pardon, so pardon me.”
What should I do on Laylat al-Qadr?
You can pray, recite the Qur’an, make dua, repent, remember Allah and give charity. There is no requirement to perform every suggested act.
Does Laylat al-Qadr begin at Maghrib?
Yes. In Islam, the night begins at sunset and continues until dawn. Therefore, Laylat al-Qadr begins after Maghrib and ends at Fajr.
Can women worship on Laylat al-Qadr at home?
Yes. Women may worship at home by praying according to their circumstances, making dua, reading the Qur’an, remembering Allah and giving charity. Those who are menstruating can engage in various acts of worship permitted according to the opinion they follow.
Is staying awake all night necessary?
No. Staying awake all night is not a condition for receiving the reward. A person should worship according to their ability and avoid neglecting obligatory prayers, health or essential responsibilities.
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