Laylatul Qadr: The Night of Power and How to Seek It

Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power or the Night of Decree, is the most blessed night in the Islamic calendar. It is the night when the Quran began its revelation to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and its worship equals more than a thousand months of worship.

What is Laylatul Qadr?

Allah describes this night in Surah Al-Qadr:

"Indeed, We sent it [the Quran] down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit [Gabriel] descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn." (Quran 97:1-5)

This means that worship on this single night is worth more than 83 years of worship—a lifetime of devotion compressed into one night.

When is Laylatul Qadr?

The exact night is hidden, but we know it falls within the last ten nights of Ramadan, particularly on the odd nights:

21st night
23rd night
25th night
27th night
29th night

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

"Search for Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan." (Bukhari)

Why the 27th Night?

While many Muslims focus on the 27th night based on certain narrations and scholarly opinions, the Prophet (peace be upon him) never confirmed it definitively. The wisdom in keeping it hidden is to encourage Muslims to strive in worship throughout the last ten nights.

Signs of Laylatul Qadr

Some narrations describe the night as:

A calm, serene night
Neither too hot nor too cold
The moon appearing like half a plate
The sun rising the next morning without strong rays

However, one may not recognise these signs until after the night has passed, so it's best to worship earnestly on all odd nights.

How to Worship on Laylatul Qadr

1. Night Prayer (Tahajjud/Qiyam)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

"Whoever stands in prayer during Laylatul Qadr out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim)

Pray as many rakats as you can—there is no fixed number. Quality over quantity matters; pray with presence of heart.

2. Reciting the Quran

Since this is the night the Quran was revealed, spending time reading and reflecting on Allah's words is especially fitting. Even if you're not fluent in Arabic, reading the translation counts as well.

3. Making Dua (Supplication)

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet what she should say if she found Laylatul Qadr. He taught her this dua:

"Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni"

"O Allah, You are Pardoning and love to pardon, so pardon me."

This dua is simple but profound—ask Allah for His complete forgiveness and pardon.

4. Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)

Engage in remembrance of Allah through:

SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah)
Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah)
Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)
La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah)

5. Giving Charity

Many Muslims set up recurring charity to be given each night of the last ten nights, ensuring they give on Laylatul Qadr regardless of which night it is. This is a beautiful way to maximise rewards.

6. I'tikaf (Spiritual Retreat)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) would perform i'tikaf in the mosque during the last ten nights, dedicating himself entirely to worship. Many mosques in the UK offer i'tikaf facilities—check our mosque directory to find one near you.

Practical Tips for UK Muslims

Managing Work and Worship

The last ten nights of Ramadan can be challenging when balancing work commitments. Consider:

Taking annual leave during the last ten days if possible
Adjusting your sleep schedule to accommodate night worship
Making the most of weekends that fall within this period
Discussing flexible working arrangements with employers

Short Nights in Summer

When Ramadan falls in UK summer months, the nights are very short. Make the most of every moment:

Begin worship immediately after Isha prayer
Continue until Fajr
Take brief breaks if needed, but stay in a state of worship

Winter Ramadans

With longer nights, there's more time for worship. Use this to your advantage but don't burn out—pace yourself across all ten nights.

Finding Mosques with Taraweeh and I'tikaf

Many UK mosques hold special programs during the last ten nights, including:

Extended Taraweeh prayers
Tahajjud prayers in the last third of the night
Qiyam al-Layl gatherings
I'tikaf facilities

Browse our mosque directory to find a masjid near you offering these programs.

The Reward is Beyond Imagination

To put Laylatul Qadr in perspective:

1,000 months = 83 years and 4 months
If you catch this night just once, it's worth more than a lifetime
If you catch it every Ramadan for 30 years, that's equivalent to over 2,500 years of worship

This is the mercy and generosity of Allah—offering us opportunities to earn rewards we could never achieve on our own.

Don't Let This Night Pass

Imam Ibn Rajab said: "How can a believer not cry when this night passes and he doesn't know whether he caught it or not?"

Make a plan. Set an intention. Push yourself beyond comfort. The last ten nights come only once a year, and we are never guaranteed another Ramadan.

Looking for a mosque to pray Taraweeh or perform i'tikaf? Use our UK Mosque Directory to find a welcoming masjid in your area.