Laylatul Qadr, the "Night of Power," is described in the Qur'an as the night the Qur'an was first revealed, with worship on it described as better than a thousand months - more than 83 years. It falls within the final ten nights of Ramadan.
When is Laylatul Qadr?
Laylatul Qadr falls on one of the odd nights within the final ten nights of Ramadan, with the 27th night most commonly observed. The exact night is not fixed or announced, which many scholars understand as a mercy intended to encourage sustained effort across all ten nights rather than effort concentrated on a single date. Because of this, each of the last ten nights is worth treating as though it could be the night itself.
Why is Laylatul Qadr so significant?
Laylatul Qadr is the night the Qur'an was revealed, and the Qur'an describes worship on it this way:
“Better than a thousand months.”
It is also described in the hadith as a night of mercy, forgiveness and divine decree, offering a chance to reset spiritually:
“Whoever stands in prayer on Laylatul Qadr out of faith and seeking reward, their past sins will be forgiven.”
How do I begin the night with the right intention?
Before any act of worship, it helps to pause and renew intention - simply asking whether the act is being done for Allah's sake alone. This reflects the well-known hadith, "Actions are judged by intentions..." (Bukhari).
What role do prayer and du'a play on Laylatul Qadr?
Qiyam al-Layl (night prayer) is considered the most powerful form of worship on this night - even two extra raka'ah are of value. The final third of the night is widely regarded as the time when du'a is most likely to be accepted. A dua the Prophet ◇ taught Aisha (RA) specifically for this night is:
“Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni - O Allah, You are the Pardoner, and You love to pardon, so pardon me.”
How can Qur'an and dhikr strengthen worship on this night?
Reading the Qur'an with reflection matters more than reading quickly. When energy dips, short dhikr - SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar - keeps worship going without requiring sustained concentration.
Why give charity on Laylatul Qadr, and how do I make sure I don't miss it?
Sadaqah given on Laylatul Qadr is described as carrying multiplied reward, but because the exact night is hidden, giving across all ten nights - not only the 27th - is the only way to be sure a donation lands on it.
- Give across all ten nights rather than concentrating on the 27th alone
- Automate donations, for example through MyTenNights, so giving isn't missed to fatigue or forgetfulness
- Balance local and global causes
- Small amounts given sincerely - £5 to £10 - aren't diminished by their size, since intention is described as mattering more than the amount given
- Pair charity with du'a, asking that it be accepted
- Treat giving as part of the worship routine itself - pray, give, make du'a, pray again
Platforms such as MyTenNights can help automate giving across all ten nights.
What does a nightly routine for the last ten nights look like?
- After Maghrib: a light meal and preparation
- After Isha and Taraweeh: Qur'an, dhikr and reflection
- Final third of the night: Tahajjud, du'a and charity
- Just before Fajr: dhikr and stillness
Frequently Asked Questions
Which night is most likely to be Laylatul Qadr?
The 27th night is most commonly observed, though scholars agree it could fall on any odd night within the final ten - which is why sustained worship across all ten nights matters more than focusing on one date.
What is the best du'a for Laylatul Qadr?
"Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni" - "O Allah, You are the Pardoner, and You love to pardon, so pardon me" - a dua the Prophet ◇ taught Aisha (RA) specifically for this night.
Does a small donation still count on Laylatul Qadr?
Yes - £5 or £10 given sincerely isn't lessened by its size, since intention is described as mattering more than the amount given.
How can I make sure I give charity every night without forgetting?
Automating donations through a platform such as MyTenNights spreads a chosen total across all ten nights automatically, removing the risk of missing a night due to fatigue or a busy schedule.
