Laylatu Al-Qadr is the Night of Decree, the Night of Honor, and the Night of immense value in the sight of Allah. Allah revealed an entire chapter of the Qur’an describing the greatness of this night:
إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ
لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
"Indeed, We sent it [the Qur’an] down 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."
- Qur’an 97:1–3
A thousand months is more than eighty-three years. This means that sincere worship performed during this single night is more valuable than worship carried out for over eight decades.
Ibn Al Qayyim رحمه الله said:
“If Laylat al-Qadr were to occur once in the entire year, I would stand in prayer the whole year seeking it. So what then about ten nights?”
- Badā’iʿ al-Fawā’id, 1/55
Ibn al-Qayyim explained that the immense virtue of Laylat al-Qadr comes from:
- the revelation of the Qur’an
- the descent of the angels
- the immense reward for worship
This is why worship on that night is better than worship for a thousand months. - Zad al-Maʿad, 1/57–58 (discussion of the virtues of Ramadan and Laylat al-Qadr)
Reflecting on this fills the believer with amazement at the mercy of Allah. A person with a short lifespan can achieve the reward of generations simply by worshipping Allah sincerely on this night.
Laylatu Al-Qadr holds a unique status because it is the night when the Qur’an began its descent. The greatest guidance ever given to humanity began on this blessed night.
Allah says:
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ
"Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn mankind."
- Qur’an 44:3
The Qur’an is the speech of Allah, the guidance that brings light to hearts and clarity to lives. It teaches humanity how to worship their Creator, how to live with justice and mercy, and how to prepare for the Day of Judgment.
The night on which such a Book began its revelation is naturally a night of immense honor and blessing.
Allah says:
فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ
"On that night every precise matter is decreed."
- Qur’an 44:4
On this night, matters concerning life, death, provision, calamities, and blessings for the coming year are written according to the perfect wisdom of Allah.
Ibn Kathir said in his tafsir:
“On Laylat al-Qadr the matters for the coming year are decreed, including life spans, provisions, and events that will occur.”
This reality should cause the believer to turn to Allah with humility and deep reflection. While destinies are written, the servant turns to Allah in supplication, seeking His mercy and hoping for goodness in every affair.
Ibn Taymiyyah also explained the wisdom behind hiding the exact date:
"Allah concealed the exact night so that the servants would strive in worship during all the last ten nights."
- Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā, 25/284–285
Allah describes Laylatu Al-Qadr as a night filled with peace:
سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ
"Peace it is until the emergence of dawn."
- Qur’an 97:5
It is a night of tranquility for the believers. Hearts feel calm, souls feel hopeful, and the mercy of Allah surrounds those who turn to Him in sincerity.
From sunset until the break of dawn, this night remains filled with blessing and peace for those who seek the pleasure of Allah.
Among the greatest virtues of Laylatu Al-Qadr is the promise of forgiveness.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
مَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
"Whoever stands (in prayer) during Laylat al-Qadr with faith and seeking reward will have his previous sins forgiven."
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim
This promise is for the one who stands in prayer believing in the reward from Allah and sincerely hoping for His acceptance. It is not merely about physical standing but about the presence of the heart, humility, and sincere devotion.
Imagine a person carrying years of sins and mistakes, then standing before Allah on this night, asking for forgiveness with sincerity. By the mercy of Allah, those sins can be erased.
The exact night of Laylatu Al-Qadr was not specified with certainty. This wisdom encourages believers to strive in worship throughout the last ten nights of Ramadan.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
تَحَرَّوْا لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فِي الْوِتْرِ مِنَ الْعَشْرِ الأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ
"Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan."
- Sahih al-Bukhari
These nights are the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th nights of Ramadan. However, the believer strives throughout all ten nights because no one knows exactly when this blessed night will occur.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would increase his worship greatly during these nights. ‘Aishah (رضي الله عنها) reported:
كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا دَخَلَ الْعَشْرُ الأَوَاخِرُ أَحْيَا اللَّيْلَ وَأَيْقَظَ أَهْلَهُ وَشَدَّ مِئْزَرَهُ
"When the last ten nights began, the Prophet would stay up at night, wake his family, and strive harder in worship."
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim
Laylatu Al-Qadr is a night that may come only once in a lifetime for some people. Many who witnessed the previous Ramadan are no longer alive to see this one. Their records of deeds have been sealed, and their opportunity has ended.
But for those who are still alive, the door of mercy remains open.
Perhaps this will be the night when a person sincerely repents and Allah forgives them. Perhaps it will be the night when a desperate supplication is accepted. Perhaps it will be the night when a heart that was distant from Allah returns to Him completely.
So when the last ten nights of Ramadan arrive, do not allow them to pass like ordinary nights. Stand before Allah in prayer, recite His Book, remember Him often, and raise your hands in sincere supplication.
Because within these nights lies a night better than a thousand months, and the one who truly recognizes its value will never allow it to pass unnoticed.
During Laylatu Al-Qadr, the believer should increase in du‘ā’, asking Allah for forgiveness, guidance, and mercy.
‘Aishah (رضي الله عنها) once asked the Prophet ﷺ what she should say if she found Laylatu Al-Qadr. He taught her a short but powerful supplication:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
"O Allah, You are Most Forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me."
- Jami' At-Tirmidhi
This supplication reflects the greatest need of every human being — the forgiveness of Allah.
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وَادْخُلِي جَنَّتِي
“And enter My Paradise.”
—[Qur’an 89:30]
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