Laylat al-Qadr

"Indeed, We sent it [the Quran] 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. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn." (Quran 97:1-5).

The Prophet (saw) said: "Whoever stands in [prayer on] Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." (Sahih Bukhari 1901, Sahih Muslim 760).

"Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn." (Quran 44:3). The majority of mufassirun identify this blessed night as Laylat al-Qadr.

The Prophet (saw) said: "Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan." (Sahih Bukhari 2017, Sahih Muslim 1169).

"Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan." (Sahih Bukhari 2017). The odd nights are: 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th.

Ubayy ibn Ka'b (ra) used to swear that it was the 27th. (Sahih Muslim 762). Many Companions held this view, while others (such as Ibn Mas'ud) understood that it moves between the odd nights from year to year, which is the position of the majority.

The Prophet (saw) came out to inform the Companions of Laylat al-Qadr, but two men were quarrelling, so it was lifted; the Prophet said: "Perhaps it is better for you. Seek it on the 9th, 7th, or 5th." (Sahih Bukhari 49). It was hidden so people would strive across all ten nights.

The Prophet (saw) said about Laylat al-Qadr: "Seek it in the last ten, and if any of you is too weak or unable, then he should not let it pass him in the remaining seven." (Sahih Muslim 1165).

The principal act is qiyam al-layl, standing in prayer. The previous sins of the one who prays Laylat al-Qadr in faith and seeking reward are forgiven (Sahih Bukhari 35).

It is the night the Quran was sent down. Reciting it with reflection on this night is especially appropriate.

See the recommended duas section below.

Spend the night in supplication, remembrance of Allah, and seeking forgiveness. The angels descend in great number on this night (Quran 97:4).

I'tikaf in the last ten nights is the established Sunnah of the Prophet (saw). (Sahih Bukhari 2026). The whole household benefits from one's i'tikaf.

The Prophet (saw) used to tighten his belt (a metaphor for striving), wake up his family, and stay awake during the last ten nights. (Sahih Bukhari 2024, Sahih Muslim 1174).

Ubayy ibn Ka'b (ra) said: "By Allah, I know which night it is. It is the night the Prophet (saw) commanded us to stand in. It is the night of the 27th. Its sign is that the sun rises in the morning of that day white, without rays." (Sahih Muslim 762).

A description in some narrations is that it is a calm, neither hot nor cold night. (Reports in Musnad Ahmad 22765, graded hasan by some scholars; weaker than the Muslim narration above.) Treat as supportive, not foundational.

Many widely shared signs (trees prostrating, water turning sweet, etc.) come from weak or fabricated narrations. Stick to what is established. If you are striving sincerely on the odd nights of the last ten, you will reach it bi-idhnillah.

Hijri date is local: a country that begins Ramadan a day later will have the 27th a day later. Both observers are striving on what is the 27th locally, which is what the Sunnah commands.

A menstruating woman cannot pray, but she can make dhikr, du'a, listen to Quran, give sadaqah, and seek forgiveness. None of the most rewarded acts on this night require purity except formal salah.

There is no fixed number. Pray as much as you can in qiyam, with one witr at the end. The Prophet (saw) used to lengthen his recitation and ruku and sujood significantly on these nights.

Tarawih and qiyam in congregation in the masjid is established Sunnah of the Companions. Once the imam ends, additional qiyam at home until Fajr is what the Prophet (saw) himself did. Both are valid.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Allāhumma innaka 'afuwwun tuḥibbu al-'afwa fa-'fu 'annī

O Allah, You are the One who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ

Rabbanā ighfir lanā dhunūbanā wa isrāfanā fī amrinā wa thabbit aqdāmanā wansurnā 'alā al-qawmi al-kāfirīn

Our Lord, forgive us our sins and our excess in our affair, make our feet firm, and grant us victory over the disbelieving people.

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ

Rabbanā lā tuzigh qulūbanā ba'da idh hadaytanā wa hab lanā min ladunka raḥmatan innaka anta al-Wahhāb

Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from Yourself. Indeed, You are the Bestower.