Laylatul Qadr dua, prayer and Surah in English

Laylat Qadr – otherwise known as the Night of Power – is considered to be the most important night of the year in the Islamic calendar. 

It takes place during the holy month of Ramadan, however the exact date is not revealed so that people continue to pray earnestly every day. 

That said, scholars agree that it most likely occurs during the last ten nights of Ramadan, which began this year on the evening of Wednesday, 22 March, 2023. 

Ramadan ends on the evening of Thursday, 20 April, meaning that Laylat Qadr had recently passed or will occur soon. 

But what exactly is it and why is it so important to Muslims? 

What is Laylatul Qadr and what does it mean?

Translated as ‘the Night of Power’ or ‘the Night of Decree’, Laylatul Qadr is believed to be the night the angel Gabriel revealed the Holy Quran for the first time to the Prophet Muhammad. 

The Quran describes this night as ‘better than a thousand months’ and says angels descend on earth throughout the evening. 

Muslims believe that whoever prays sincerely on Laylatul Qadr will have all of their past sins forgiven. 

It is also said that a human being’s decree and what will come to pass in the following year is determined on this night. 

When is it? 

Although it is believed Laylatul Qadr occurs during Ramadan, the actual date of Laylatul Qadr is ‘hidden’ in Islam, so that Muslims strive to pray earnestly during all of the nights during the Islamic holy month. 

The scholars generally agree that it is to be found in the last ten nights of Ramadan, with odd nights being the most probable and the 27th night being the most likely out of the odd nights. 

Some promiment Islamic scholars are of the belief that it moves around the last ten nights. 

What is the Qu’ran chapter of Laylatul Qadr? 

The night of Laylatul Qadr is so important for Muslims that there is a whole chapter of the Qur’an dedicated to it. 

The 97th chapter is called Al-Qadr, which translates to ‘The Power’, and consists of five verses, shown below:

1. Indeed, We revealed [the Qur’an] during the Night of Decree. 
2. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? 
3. The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. 
4. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. 
5. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn

What prayer (dua) should be recited on Laylatul Qadr? 

The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have instructed Muslims to say ‘O Allah You are The One Who forgives greatly, and loves to forgive, so forgive me’, abundantly during Laylatul Qadr.

It is also believed that one will be greatly rewarded for doing good deeds in general on this night, with one act of kindness bringing the blessings of 1,000 months. 

It is believed that the rewards of any good deed done with sincerity on this night is magnified tremendously, and so the particular method of worship in which Muslims spend the holy night is flexible. 

Some Muslims spend the night standing in prayer, whilst others give abundantly in or recite the Qur’an or spend the evening in the mosque. 

There is also a duty to pray for those who are in need and help them as much as they can. 

Muslims donate money and food to charities such as Rumi’s Cave’s Ulfa Aid, which is designed to feed the homeless all throughout the year. 

What is Ramadan and how is it marked? 

Fasting the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam – The others being, to state and believe ‘There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God’, the five daily prayers, giving a specific annual charity known as ‘zakat’, and making the Hajj pilgrimage if able to.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims must abstain from food, drink, sex from sunrise to sunset and are strongly encouraged to make even more effort to act righteous.

The annual month of fasting is designed to bring them closer to God and is seen as a path towards redemption.

The dinner (Iftar) with family and friends at the end of the daily fast is also meant to strengthen community spirit. 

The month ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, with festivities lasting up to three days.