Laylat al-Qadr is the greatest night of the Islamic year. Sūrah al-Qadr explains that the Qur’an was sent down on this night, that it is better than one thousand months, and that the angels descend during it by Allah’s permission. Its peace and blessings continue until dawn.

بِّسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ تَنَزَّلُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ

When should we seek it?

The Prophet ﷺ instructed Muslims to seek Laylat al-Qadr during the odd-numbered nights of the final ten nights of Ramadan. These are the nights before the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th days of Ramadan. Because Islamic nights begin at sunset, worship starts from Maghrib — you can check tonight’s times on the prayer times page.

What should we do?

There is no single compulsory sūrah that must be read. A Muslim may:

  • Pray voluntary night prayers.
  • Recite and reflect upon the Qur’an.
  • Make sincere duʿā’.
  • Ask Allah for forgiveness.
  • Make dhikr and send ṣalawāt upon the Prophet ﷺ.
  • Give charity and perform other good deeds.

The Prophet ﷺ taught that whoever stands in prayer during Laylat al-Qadr with sincere faith and hope for Allah’s reward will have previous sins forgiven. If you are still learning the prayer itself, follow the step-by-step prayer guide.

The special duʿā’ of Laylat al-Qadr

ʿĀ’ishah asked the Prophet ﷺ what she should say if she reached Laylat al-Qadr. He taught her:

Allāhumma innaka ʿafuwwun tuḥibbul-ʿafwa faʿfu ʿannī.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تحب العفو، فاعف عني

Meaning: O Allah, You are the One who pardons and You love to pardon, so pardon me.

This narration is recorded in Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī and graded authentic. Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr records the same narration from ʿĀ’ishah and notes that al-Tirmidhī, al-Nasā’ī and Ibn Mājah all reported it.

The best plan is not to depend only on the 27th night. Worship throughout all ten nights according to your ability, even if your worship is simple. A simple Ramadan reading plan can help you arrive at these nights already connected to the Qur’an.