Laylatul Qadr — The Night of Power
The most blessed night of the year, better than a thousand months. Learn when Laylatul Qadr is, its signs from authentic hadith, the best dua to recite, and how to worship on this extraordinary night.
What is Laylatul Qadr?
Laylatul Qadr is described in its own surah in the Quran. Here is the complete Surah Al-Qadr (Chapter 97):
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ ﴿١﴾
وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ ﴿٢﴾
لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ ﴿٣﴾
تَنَزَّلُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ ﴿٤﴾
سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ ﴿٥﴾
Laylatul Qadr (Arabic: ليلة القدر) — also known as the Night of Power, the Night of Decree, or the Night of Destiny — is the night when Allah sent down the Quran from the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz) to the lowest heaven, from where Angel Jibreel brought it to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) over the course of 23 years.
This single night carries more weight and reward than 1,000 months — that is more than 83 years of worship. Every act of worship performed on Laylatul Qadr — every prayer, every verse of Quran recited, every dhikr, every dua — is multiplied beyond measure. It is the greatest opportunity Allah gives to the Muslim ummah each year.
"Whoever stands in prayer on Laylatul Qadr out of faith and seeking reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven."
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) — Bukhari & MuslimWhen is Laylatul Qadr 2026?
The Prophet (SAW) said: "Search for Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan." (Bukhari). In 2026, the last 10 nights of Ramadan begin on the evening of March 19. Here are the five odd nights to search for:
| Ramadan Night | Gregorian Date (Evening of) | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| 21st Night | Friday, March 20, 2026 | Possible |
| 23rd Night | Sunday, March 22, 2026 | Possible |
| 25th Night | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 | Possible |
| 27th Night | Thursday, March 26, 2026 | Most Likely |
| 29th Night | Saturday, March 28, 2026 | Possible |
While the 27th night is considered the most likely by the majority of scholars (based on the hadith of Ubayy ibn Ka'b in Muslim), the Prophet (SAW) intentionally did not specify the exact night so that Muslims would strive in worship throughout all the last 10 nights. Some scholars also note that Laylatul Qadr may shift from year to year.
View the complete Ramadan 2026 calendar with all 30 days and a Juz-a-day reading schedule.
Signs of Laylatul Qadr
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his companions described several signs of Laylatul Qadr from authentic hadiths. These signs are observed during or after the night:
A Calm, Serene Night
The night is peaceful and tranquil — neither excessively hot nor cold. There is a gentle, pleasant atmosphere that is distinct from other nights.
MuslimThe Sun Rises Without Rays
The morning after Laylatul Qadr, the sun rises pale and without its usual strong, bright rays — it appears like a plate without brilliance.
Muslim 762The Moon Like Half a Plate
Ubayy ibn Ka'b (RA) narrated that among the signs of Laylatul Qadr is that the moon on that night appears like half of a dish or plate.
Muslim 762Angels Descend in Abundance
The angels and Jibreel descend to earth in great numbers on this night, more than on any other night, bringing peace and blessings by Allah's permission.
Surah Al-Qadr 97:4Peace Until Dawn
The entire night is enveloped in peace and security (salam) from the moment of sunset until the break of Fajr. A profound sense of spiritual tranquility fills the air.
Surah Al-Qadr 97:5Rain May Fall
Some companions reported rain on the night of Laylatul Qadr. The Prophet (SAW) once prayed on a wet night and had traces of mud on his forehead after sujood.
Bukhari 2018Important note: Muslims should not wait for these signs before worshipping. The Prophet (SAW) encouraged striving in worship on all odd nights of the last 10 days. The signs serve as confirmation, not as prerequisites for worship.
Dua for Laylatul Qadr
When Aisha (RA) asked the Prophet (SAW), "O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is Laylatul Qadr, what should I say during it?" he taught her this powerful dua:
The name Al-'Afuw (The Pardoner) is even greater than Al-Ghafoor (The Forgiver). While forgiveness means the sin is covered, pardoning ('Afw) means the sin is completely erased — removed from your record entirely.
Scholars' explanation of the duaIn addition to this specific dua, make abundant personal duas on Laylatul Qadr. Ask Allah for everything — forgiveness for yourself and your family, guidance, protection from the Hellfire, entry into Paradise, health, provision, and relief for the Muslim ummah. Explore more essential duas for Ramadan.
How to Worship on Laylatul Qadr
The Prophet (SAW) would intensify his worship during the last 10 nights of Ramadan, tightening his waist belt (spending the nights in worship), waking his family, and staying up the entire night (Bukhari & Muslim). Here is how you can make the most of Laylatul Qadr:
Night Prayer (Qiyam)
Pray Tahajjud / Qiyam al-Layl throughout the night. Even 2 rakaat with long recitation and sincere sujood carry immense reward.
Quran Recitation
Read, listen to, and reflect upon the Quran. This is the night it was revealed — the perfect time to connect with its message.
Dua (Supplication)
Make abundant dua, especially the Laylatul Qadr dua. Pour your heart out to Allah. The dua of Laylatul Qadr is not rejected.
Dhikr & Tasbeeh
Fill the night with dhikr — SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah. Use a counter to stay consistent.
Charity (Sadaqah)
Give charity on this night. Sadaqah given on Laylatul Qadr is as if you gave charity every day for over 83 years.
Istighfar (Forgiveness)
Seek Allah's forgiveness with sincerity. Say "Astaghfirullah" abundantly. This night is the greatest opportunity for a clean slate.
"The Prophet (SAW) used to exert himself in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan more than he would at any other time."
Aisha (RA) — Muslim 1175Virtues and Rewards of Laylatul Qadr
Why is Laylatul Qadr So Special?
- Better than 1,000 months: The Quran explicitly states that this night is "better than a thousand months" (97:3). That means one night of worship surpasses 83 years and 4 months of continuous worship. This is Allah's extraordinary gift to the ummah of Muhammad (SAW).
- Complete forgiveness of past sins: The Prophet (SAW) said: "Whoever stands in prayer on Laylatul Qadr out of faith and seeking reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari & Muslim). This is a complete reset — a chance for a fresh start with Allah.
- Angels fill the earth: On this night, so many angels descend to earth that the Quran says the angels and Jibreel come down "for every matter" (97:4). They bring peace, blessings, and mercy. According to some narrations, the angels on this night are more numerous than the pebbles on earth.
- Peace until Fajr: The entire night is wrapped in peace and security (salam) from sunset until dawn (97:5). This divine peace is felt by the believers who spend the night in worship.
- Duas are answered: The dua made on Laylatul Qadr is among the most likely to be accepted by Allah. This is the night to ask for everything — your needs in this world, your salvation in the Hereafter, and the welfare of the ummah.
- The Quran was revealed: This is the night Allah chose to send down His final revelation to mankind — the Quran. By choosing this night for the greatest event in human history, Allah elevated it above every other night.
- Decrees for the coming year: According to many scholars, the decree (qadr) for the coming year is written on this night — life, death, provision, and all matters are determined. Making dua on this night can influence your destiny by Allah's will.
Prepare for Laylatul Qadr with Qissah
Use Qissah's dhikr counter, complete Quran with audio, and daily dua reminders to maximize your worship on the Night of Power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Laylatul Qadr
What is Laylatul Qadr?
Laylatul Qadr (Arabic: ليلة القدر), also known as the Night of Power or Night of Decree, is the most blessed night in the Islamic calendar. It is the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through Angel Jibreel in the Cave of Hira. The Quran describes it as "better than a thousand months" (Surah Al-Qadr 97:3), meaning worship on this single night surpasses the reward of over 83 years of continuous worship.
When is Laylatul Qadr 2026?
Laylatul Qadr falls on one of the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan 2026. These correspond to March 20 (21st night), March 22 (23rd night), March 24 (25th night), March 26 (27th night), and March 28 (29th night). The 27th night (March 26, 2026) is considered the most likely by many scholars based on the narration of Ubayy ibn Ka'b (RA) in Sahih Muslim. However, the Prophet (SAW) encouraged searching on all odd nights of the last ten days.
What is the best dua for Laylatul Qadr?
The best dua for Laylatul Qadr is the one taught by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to Aisha (RA): "Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni" — O Allah, You are the Pardoner, You love to pardon, so pardon me (Tirmidhi 3513). This is the single most recommended supplication for the Night of Power. In addition to this dua, you should make sincere personal duas from the heart for yourself, your family, and the entire Muslim ummah.
What are the signs of Laylatul Qadr?
According to authentic hadiths, the signs of Laylatul Qadr include: the night is calm and serene, neither excessively hot nor cold (Muslim); the moon appears like half a plate (Muslim 762); the sun rises the next morning without its usual strong rays, appearing pale and without brilliance (Muslim); and there is an overwhelming sense of peace and tranquility. The Quran also describes it as a night of "peace until the emergence of dawn" (97:5). However, Muslims should worship on all odd nights and not rely solely on spotting signs.
How should I worship on Laylatul Qadr?
To make the most of Laylatul Qadr, engage in: voluntary night prayers (Tahajjud / Qiyam al-Layl) throughout the night; Quran recitation and reflection; abundant dhikr and tasbeeh (SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar); sincere dua, especially the Laylatul Qadr dua; giving charity (sadaqah); and seeking forgiveness through istighfar. The Prophet (SAW) said: "Whoever stands in prayer on Laylatul Qadr out of faith and seeking reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari & Muslim). The Qissah app can help you stay on track with a dhikr counter and complete Quran.
Make the Most of Laylatul Qadr
Download Qissah for a dhikr counter, complete Quran with audio, narrated stories of the Prophets, and AI Islamic chat — all free on iOS.
Download Free on App Store