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Laylat al-Qadr (ليلة القدر)—often translated as the Night of Decree/Power—is the most blessed night in Ramadan.
The Qur’an was “sent down” on this night.
Allah says: “Indeed, We sent it down during the Night of Decree…” (Qur’an 97:1).
Ramadan is also described as the month in which the Qur’an was revealed (Qur’an 2:185).
Worship on this night is worth more than a lifetime of worship.
“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” (Qur’an 97:3).
It’s a night of angels, peace, and divine decree.
Surah al-Qadr describes angels descending and peace “until the break of dawn” (Qur’an 97:4–5).
Allah also says the Qur’an was sent down on a “blessed night” in which “every matter of wisdom is ordained” (Qur’an 44:3–4).
It is not given as a fixed calendar date. The Prophet ﷺ instructed Muslims to seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadan—especially the odd nights:
Commonly focused nights: 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th (counting Ramadan nights).
Some scholars consider the 27th night most likely, but it is not guaranteed.
Laylat al-Qadr is most likely to fall on one of the odd-numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan. This is based on the hadith of ‘Aa’ishah, the Prophet Muhammad’s wife (may Allah be pleased with her), in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd-numbered nights of the last ten nights.” (al-Bukhari)
For that reason, it should be sought most carefully on the odd nights: the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th. It is also reported in the two Saheehs that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Seek it in the last ten nights, on the odd-numbered nights.” (al-Bukhari; Muslim)
In addition, the hadith of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them both) reports that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadan—when there are nine left, when there are seven left, and when there are five left.” (al-Bukhari)
Taken together, these narrations show that Laylat al-Qadr is more likely to be on one of the odd nights of the final ten nights of Ramadan.
One authentic reported sign mentioned is that the sun rises the next morning without strong rays. But you don’t need to “see signs” to benefit—what matters is seeking it through worship in the last ten nights.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to exert himself in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan in a way he did not at other times, devoting himself to night prayer and recitation of the Qur’an.
Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated from ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that when the final ten nights of Ramadan began, the Prophet ﷺ would stay up at night, wake his family, and tighten his waist-wrapper. In the narration of Ahmad and Muslim, it adds that he ﷺ would strive in worship during the last ten nights as he did not do at other times.
A very specific du‘ā the Prophet ﷺ taught for Laylat al-Qadr is:
Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa fa‘fu ‘anni
(O Allah, You are Pardoning and love to pardon, so pardon me.)
And there is a major promise connected to this night: Whoever stands in prayer on Laylat al-Qadr with faith and seeking reward will have previous sins forgiven.
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged us to spend Laylat al-Qadr in night prayer, with true faith and hope for Allah’s reward.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever stands (in prayer) on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and seeking reward, will have his previous sins forgiven.”
This hadith—narrated by the major hadith compilers—shows that it is legislated to stay awake and spend this night in prayer, seeking Allah’s forgiveness and reward.
There are several ahaadeeth (Prophetic narrations) that highlight the special virtue of the du‘aa’ of the fasting person, including:
(i) It was narrated from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler.” (Narrated by al-Bayhaqi, 3/345; classed as saheeh by al-Albani in al-Saheeh 1797).
(ii) It was narrated from Abu Umaamah in a marfoo‘ report: “Every time the fast is broken Allah has people whom He ransoms.” (Narrated by Ahmad, 21698; classed as saheeh by al-Albani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/491).
(iii) It was narrated from Abu Sa‘eed al-Khudri in a marfoo‘ report: “Allah ransoms people every day and night — i.e., in Ramadaan — and every day and night the Muslim has a prayer that is answered.” (Narrated by al-Bazzaar; classed as saheeh by al-Albani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/491).