Laylat al-Qadr — The Night of Power
A double blessing in the search for Laylat al-Qadr
In 2026, the beginning of Ramadan was not observed on the same day throughout the Muslim world.
Most countries began fasting on February 18, while others began on February 19, due to the local sighting of the crescent moon.
This difference, by the wisdom of Allah, creates a double blessing. The odd nights of the last ten days do not occur at exactly the same time in every region of the world. Thus, the Night of Power — better than a thousand months — can be sought on each odd night across different parts of the globe.
Believers are therefore encouraged to increase their acts of worship during all the odd nights of the last ten days, because the mercy of Allah is not limited by borders or time zones.
Allah knows best.
Why is it called “the Night of Power”?
Definition and root:
The Arabic word
In Laylat al-Qadr (ليلة القدر):
Layla = night
Qadr has several meanings in Arabic.
The meanings of the word Qadr
Scholars explain that Qadr can mean:
Value / greatness
→ a night of immense value with Allah.
Decision / decree
→ the night when Allah’s decrees for the coming year are determined.
Power / honor
→ a night of great nobility and importance.
Why it is called “the Night of Power”
The translation “Night of Power” mainly comes from the meaning of strength, greatness, and divine decree associated with the word Qadr.
During this night, the decrees are determined for the year by the permission of Allah.
This is based on this verse of the Qur’an:
“On that night every wise matter is determined.”
(Surah Ad-Dukhan, 44:4)
Therefore, the exact translation is not unique
Scholars explain that Laylat al-Qadr can be understood as:
The Night of Decree
The Night of Value
The Night of Power
The Night of Greatness
Why “Night of Power” remained the common translation
Because it is:
simple to understand
used for a long time in English translations.
Surah Al-Qadr — Shaykh ʿAli al-Hudhayfi (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah)
After saying: Aʿūdhu biLlāhi mina ash-shayṭān ar-rajīm, BismiLlāh ar-Raḥmān ar-Raḥīm.
You can listen to Surah Al-Qadr in the video below.
We invite you to continue reading this page, which we hope will be beneficial to you, inshaAllah. After your reading, you may return to discover the video dedicated to Asmāʾ Allāh al-Ḥusnā (the 99 Names of Allah) by clicking here.
Surah Al-Qadr
Surah 97 — Al-Qadr
Arabic text
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ
لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ
سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ
Phonetic transliteration
Bismillāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm
Innā anzalnāhu fī laylati al-qadr
Wa mā adrāka mā laylatu al-qadr
Laylatu al-qadri khayrun min alfi shahr
Tanazzalu al-malāʾikatu wa ar-rūḥu fīhā bi-idhni rabbihim min kulli amr
Salāmun hiya ḥattā maṭlaʿi al-fajr
American English translation
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
Indeed, We sent it down during Laylat al-Qadr.
And what can make you know what Laylat al-Qadr is?
Laylat al-Qadr is better than a thousand months.
The angels and the Spirit descend therein by the permission of their Lord for every matter.
Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.
The context and explanation of the revelation of Surah Al-Qadr
Surah Al-Qadr was revealed in Makkah to the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
It proclaims the greatness of Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power, during which the Qur’an began to be revealed.
Scholars explain that this night marks the beginning of the revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, through the angel Jibrīl, peace be upon him.
According to the explanations of scholars, the Qur’an was first sent down in its entirety to the lowest heaven during Laylat al-Qadr, and then it was revealed gradually to the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, over a period of about twenty-three years.
This surah reminds us of the extraordinary greatness of this night, during which the angels descend to the earth by the permission of Allah, bringing peace and blessings until the appearance of dawn.
Laylat al-Qadr: what are the rewards?
A story mentioned about the revelation of Laylat al-Qadr
Some scholars report that when the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, learned the story of a man from the previous communities who had worshiped Allah for more than a thousand months, the companions were amazed by the length of that devotion.
They thought that it would be difficult for the Muslim community to reach such a level of worship, because the average lifespan of Muslims is shorter.
Then Allah revealed Surah Al-Qadr:
“The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.”
Scholars explain that this means a single night of sincere worship can surpass more than eighty years of worship.
This is an immense mercy granted to the community of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
Do we know the exact date of Laylat al-Qadr?
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, went out to inform the companions about the date of Laylat al-Qadr. But two men among the Muslims began to argue.
He then said:
“I came out to inform you about the Night of Power, but so-and-so and so-and-so argued, and it was taken away. Perhaps that is better for you. So seek it during the odd nights of the last ten nights.”
(Reported by Al-Bukhari)
Scholars explain that the wisdom behind this is that believers search for Laylat al-Qadr during several nights, in order to increase their acts of worship. Many scholars consider that the 27th night is often the most likely, but divine wisdom willed that the exact date should not be known with certainty.
For this reason, believers are encouraged to seek Laylat al-Qadr during all the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, so that they do not miss this blessed night which is better than a thousand months.
Signs that help identify Laylat al-Qadr
Scholars report that the companions and the early generations of Muslims carefully observed the signs mentioned in the hadiths in order to recognize Laylat al-Qadr.
It is reported that a man among the worshippers spent the entire night in prayer and supplication during the last nights of Ramadan. The following morning, he observed the sunrise and noticed that it rose gently, without dazzling rays.
He then understood that the previous night was likely Laylat al-Qadr, because the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had mentioned this sign.
Indeed, the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
“The sun rises on the morning of Laylat al-Qadr without strong rays.”
(Reported by Muslim. Sahih hadith)
Scholars explain that this sign appears the morning after the night, and therefore it does not allow the night to be known in advance. For this reason, believers should seek Laylat al-Qadr during all the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.
Which Dua (supplications) should be made during Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power?
A particularly recommended supplication is the one that the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, taught to ʿĀʾishah.
She asked:
“O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say?”
He replied:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa‘fu ‘anni
“O Allah, You are Most Forgiving and You love to forgive, so forgive me.”
A story of a supplication answered during Laylat al-Qadr
Some scholars tell the story of a poor man who was going through a great hardship. He had very little means and carried many worries in his heart for his family.
When the last ten nights of Ramadan arrived, he decided to dedicate himself entirely to the worship of Allah. Each night, he prayed, recited the Qur’an, and supplicated to Allah with sincerity.
One night, thinking it might be Laylat al-Qadr, he raised his hands and said:
“O Allah, if this night is the Night of Power, then grant me Your forgiveness, bring peace to my heart, and open for me a door of provision that I cannot imagine.”
The days passed, and shortly after Ramadan, his situation changed in an unexpected way. A work opportunity appeared, his difficulties eased, and he saw his life gradually transform.
Later he would say:
“I do not know if it was Laylat al-Qadr, but I know that on that night I called upon Allah with all my heart.”
Scholars often mention this type of story to remind believers that Laylat al-Qadr is a night during which they should call upon Allah with sincerity, because it is a time when His mercy is immense and when supplications may be answered.
How to organize your night of Laylat al-Qadr
Scholars recommend making the most of the odd nights during the last ten days of Ramadan.
A simple way to organize the night can be:
After the ʿIshāʾ prayer
Pray the night prayers
Read the Qur’an
In the middle of the night
Make supplications
Increase in dhikr
Ask Allah for forgiveness
Before dawn
Pray a few units of prayer
Make long supplications to Allah
Benefit from the last third of the night
Simple actions to multiply rewards during Laylat al-Qadr
During this blessed night, some simple actions can bring an immense reward.
1 — Read the Qur’an
Every letter brings a reward.
2 — Increase in supplications
For yourself, your family, and the believers.
3 — Give charity
Even a small amount. Reminder: a smile is a charity.
4 — Perform dhikr
SubḥānAllah
Alḥamdulillāh
Allāhu akbar
Astaghfirullāh
The Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
“Whoever stands in prayer during Laylat al-Qadr with faith and seeking the reward from Allah will have his previous sins forgiven.”
(Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Advice for making the most of the Night of Power
Scholars recommend several acts during these blessed nights:
increase the night prayers
recite the Qur’an
make supplications
ask Allah for forgiveness
give charity
Some scholars also mention a teaching regarding the recitation of Surah Al-Ikhlāṣ.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, explained:
“Surah Al-Ikhlāṣ is equal to one third of the Qur’an.”
(Reported by Al-Bukhari)
Thus, reciting it three times is equivalent, in reward, to reading the entire Qur’an.
Surah Al-Ikhlāṣ (الإخلاص)
Arabic version
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
Phonetic
Bismillāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm
Qul huwa Allāhu aḥad
Allāhu ṣ-ṣamad
Lam yalid wa lam yūlad
Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan aḥad
English translation
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
Say, He is Allah, the One.
Allah, the Eternal Refuge.
He neither begets nor is born.
Nor is there to Him any equivalent.