Laylatul Qadr or Lailatul Qadr is one of the most blessed nights in the Islamic calendar. It is known as the Night of Power and falls during the last ten nights of Ramadan. Muslims worldwide spend this night in worship, seeking forgiveness, and making supplications to Allah. One of the essential aspects of this night is reciting the Laylatul Qadr Dua, a powerful prayer that can bring immense rewards and blessings.
Significance of Laylatul Qadr
Laylatul Qadr is a night of great significance for Muslims. It is the night when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through the Angel Jibreel (AS). The Quran describes this night as better than a thousand months and mentions that the angels descend on earth during this time.
On this night, Allah’s mercy and blessings are abundant, and the gates of heaven are open. It is a night of forgiveness; whoever spends it in worship will be rewarded immensely. Therefore, Muslims worldwide spend this night praying, reciting the Quran, and making supplications.
Laylatul Qadr Surah
Surah Al-Qadr is the 97th Surah (Chapter) of the Holy Qur’an.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ
Indeed, ˹it is˺ We ˹Who˺ sent this ˹Quran˺ down on the Night of Glory.
وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ
And what will make you realize what the Night of Glory is?
لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months.
تَنَزَّلُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ
That night the angels and the ˹holy˺ spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every ˹decreed˺ matter.
سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ
It is all peace until the break of dawn.
When is Laylatul Qadr in 2023
There are a number of narrations on when Laylatul Qadr is. Here are some of them:
1. Laylatul Qadr will be during the last 10 nights of Ramadan The last 10 nights of Ramadan 2023 are the nights of 11th to the 20th April.
‘A’isha (RA) and Ibn Numair reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
Look for (and in the words of Waki, seek) Lailat-ul-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan.
2. Laylatul Qadr will be during the last 7 nights Ramadan. The last 7 nights of Ramadan 2023 are the nights of 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th of April.
Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: Seek lailat al-qadr in the last seven days.
3. Laylatul Qadr will be during the odd nights of last 10 nights of Ramadan. The odd nights of the last 10 nights of Ramadan 2023 are the nights of 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th and 19th of April.
Narrated `Aisha (RA):
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.”
4. Laylatul Qadr will be on the 21st, 23rd and 25th. The 21st, 23rd and 25th nights of Ramadan 2023 are the nights of 11th, 13th and 15th of April.
Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) reported the Prophet as saying, “Seek lailat al-qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan, on the twenty-first, twenty-third and twenty-fifth.”
5. Laylatul Qadr will be on the 27th night of Ramadan. The 27th night of Ramadan 2023 is the night of 17th April.
Narrated Mu’awiyah b. Abi Sufyan (RA) :
The Prophet (ﷺ) as saying: Lailat al-qadr is the twenty-seventh night (of Ramadan)
Here’s a table that highlights the days in relation to the days that were mentioned in each of the hadith above.
| April Nights | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 17th | 18th | 19th | 20th |
| Ramadan Nights | 21st | 22nd | 23rd | 24th | 25th | 26th | 27th | 28h | 29th | 30th |
| Hadith 1 | ||||||||||
| Hadith 2 | ||||||||||
| Hadith 3 | ||||||||||
| Hadith 4 | ||||||||||
| Hadith 5 |
Image version of the same table:
Virtues of Laylatul Qadr Dua
The Laylatul Qadr Dua is a powerful prayer that can bring immense rewards and blessings. Whoever recites this dua with sincerity and devotion will have their sins forgiven, and their supplications will be accepted.
Aishah (RA) narrated:
“I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is your view if I know when the Night of Al-Qadr is, then what should I say in it?” He said: ‘Say: “O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning, [Generous,] You love pardon, so pardon me.’”
>اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
“Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee”
[Jami` at-Tirmidhi]
This dua is straightforward yet very effective. It acknowledges Allah’s forgiveness and mercy and asks for forgiveness for one’s sins. It is a perfect dua for Laylatul Qadr, a night of forgiveness and mercy.
How to make the most of Laylatul Qadr
Laylatul Qadr is a night of worship, forgiveness, and blessings. Muslims worldwide spend this night praying and supplicating to seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. Here are some ways to make the most of this blessed night:
Seek Allah’s forgiveness
Laylatul Qadr is a night of forgiveness. Therefore, it is essential to seek forgiveness for our sins and shortcomings. Consequently, one should spend this night in prayer and repentance and ask Allah for forgiveness.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
O Allah, You are Forgiving, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me
Recite Quran
The Quran was first revealed on Laylatul Qadr. Therefore, it is a perfect night to recite the Quran and seek guidance from Allah. Muslims around the world spend this night in the recitation of the Quran.
Make dua
Dua is the essence of worship. So on Laylatul Qadr, one should make dua and ask Allah for guidance, blessings, and forgiveness. The Laylatul Qadr Dua is a powerful prayer that can bring immense rewards and blessings.
Here are some Useful Duas in the Month of Ramadan that you can recite and supplement your worship!
Give charity
Charity is one of the most virtuous deeds in Islam. Therefore, on Laylatul Qadr, one should give charity to the needy and the poor. It is a night of blessings, and Allah rewards those who spend in His way.
Read more on an in-depth discussion regarding Charity and its Significance during Ramadan.
Spend the night in worship
Laylatul Qadr is a night of worship. Therefore, one should spend this night praying and supplicating to seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, Muslims around the world spend this night in prayer and worship.
Narrated Abu Huraira (RA):
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards (not to show off) then all his past sins will be forgiven.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari]
Follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) would spend the last ten nights of Ramadan in worship and intensify his worship during the odd nights, especially Laylatul Qadr. Muslims should follow his example and spend these nights in prayer.
Stay away from sins
On Laylatul Qadr, one should stay away from sins and temptations. It is a night of worship, and one should focus on seeking Allah’s forgiveness and blessings.
Reflect on one’s deeds
Laylatul Qadr is an excellent time to reflect on one’s deeds and plan for the future. One should evaluate their actions and strive to become a better Muslim.
Read More: 5 Things To Note When Trying To Catch Laylatul Qadr
Conclusion
Laylatul Qadr is a blessed night in the Islamic calendar, and Muslims worldwide spend this night in worship and supplication to seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. The Laylatul Qadr Dua is a powerful prayer that can bring immense rewards and blessings. Therefore, Muslims should make the most of this night and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
