Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree
This is the Night of Power. Muslims regard it as the holiest night of the Islamic calendar.
Its exact date is not fixed or announced in advance. It is sought among the odd-numbered nights of Ramadan's last ten.
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The basics
The Night of Decree, in numbers
Last 10
Nights of Ramadan it is sought within
5
Odd-numbered nights tradition points to
27th
Night many communities observe most
1,000 months
What the night is described as better than (Surah al-Qadr)
Why it's not announced in advance
The exact night is deliberately not fixed. That is part of why worship increases across the whole final stretch of Ramadan and not on one evening only.
Tradition points to the odd-numbered nights of the last ten: the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th. Many communities single out the 27th in practice. None of these is certain.
One point trips people up. The Islamic day begins at sunset. That means each night comes before its day. The night of the 27th begins at Maghrib on the evening before the 27th day of Ramadan.
The start of Ramadan can also shift by a day depending on the moon sighting. Your local mosque's count decides which evening is the 27th.
Its significance
Surah al-Qadr, the Qur'an's own chapter on the night, describes it as better than a thousand months. It also associates the night with the first revelation of the Qur'an.
Many spend these nights in extra prayer, Qur'an recitation and supplication. Many mosques hold longer night prayers during the last ten nights. Ask yours about its plans or find one near you in the mosque directory.
The night runs from Maghrib until Fajr. Check today's Sydney prayer times for your suburb to plan the hours in between.
A dua for the Night of Decree
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet, peace be upon him, what to say if she found the night. He taught her this short supplication, reported in the collection of al-Tirmidhi.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni
O Allah, You are Most Forgiving and You love forgiveness. So forgive me.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Laylat al-Qadr? +
It is the Night of Decree, also called the Night of Power. It is widely regarded as the holiest night of the Islamic calendar. The Qur'an links it to the start of its own revelation.
When is the Night of Decree? +
Its exact night is not fixed or announced in advance. It is traditionally sought among the odd-numbered nights of Ramadan's last ten. That is why many people increase their worship across the whole stretch instead of on one night.
Is Laylatul Qadr the same as Shab-e-Qadr? +
Yes. Both names refer to the Night of Decree. Laylatul Qadr and Lailatul Qadr are common English spellings of the Arabic name. Shab-e-Qadr is the Urdu and Persian form.
Why is it described as better than a thousand months? +
That description comes directly from the Qur'an's own chapter on the night, Surah al-Qadr. It reflects the night's exceptional significance. It is not a calendar calculation that this page interprets further.
Which evening is the 27th night? +
The Islamic day starts at sunset. So the night of the 27th begins at Maghrib on the evening before the 27th day of Ramadan. Your local mosque's calendar decides the count, because the start of Ramadan can shift by a day.
What do people typically do on these nights? +
They pray extra, recite the Qur'an and make supplication. Many continue well into the night, often at the mosque during Taraweeh and beyond.