There is a night to which the Quran has dedicated a whole surah; in it the Book that guides humanity was sent down; and Allah has made it better than a thousand months. A thousand months — longer than what falls within an ordinary lifetime. Islam places this gift among the last ten nights of Ramadan and commands the believer to seek it. This sermon explores the meaning of the Night of Power, its virtues, the narrations about which night it falls on, and what to do when it comes.
Surah al-Qadr — Short but Without Equal
Surah al-Qadr is a five-verse Meccan surah. Each verse unveils a little more of the night's worth:
— Al-Qadr 97:1-5Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of Power. And what can make you know what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is, until the emergence of dawn.
"Better than a thousand months" — roughly 83 years' worth. A believer who revives this night with sincerity may earn the equivalent of an entire lifetime's reward. Jibril (peace be upon him) and the angels descend on this night, carry the servant's du'as into the heavens, and pour peace upon them. From the night until the breaking of dawn, every second is filled with salam (peace).
Why Is It Called "Qadr"?
The word qadr carries two meanings in Arabic: "decree, measure" and "value, honor." Both meanings apply to this night:
- In the sense of decree: Allah determines the annual decrees on this night — the provisions, lifespans, and circumstances of His servants receive their detailed rulings from al-Lawh al-Mahfuz.
- In the sense of value: Because it is the night of the Quran's revelation, this night is rendered the most valuable of nights.
In Surah ad-Dukhan Allah refers to the same night as "the blessed night": "Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night — indeed, We are warners. On that night every wise matter is distinguished" (Ad-Dukhan 44:3-4).
Which Night? — The Wisdom of the Search
The exact date of this blessed night being hidden carries wisdom: the believer stays awake throughout Ramadan and does not settle for reviving only one night. The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised:
— Sahih al-Bukhari, Laylat al-Qadr, no. 2017Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.
The odd nights of the last ten: the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th. Among these the 27th has been especially identified in the Islamic tradition — Ubayy ibn Ka'b's famous oath on this is well-known. Yet the Messenger of Allah did not name a single specific night.
This ambiguity drives the believer to: intensify the last ten nights as broadly as possible, not focusing on one and abandoning the rest.
I'tikaf — Preparing for the Night of Power
The Prophet (peace be upon him) spent the last ten nights of Ramadan in i'tikaf: secluding himself in the mosque, away from worldly distractions, filling his time with worship, du'a, and the Quran. 'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported:
— Sahih al-Bukhari, Laylat al-Qadr, no. 2024When the last ten nights of Ramadan came, the Messenger of Allah would revive the night, awaken his family, exert himself, and tighten his waist-belt.
"Tightening the waist-belt" — preparing himself for sustained worship night and day. 'A'isha interpreted the phrase as firm determination.
Not everyone today can spend ten nights in the mosque; but a spiritual i'tikaf at home is possible: keeping computer and phone closed for the last ten nights, spending two or three extra hours each night in Quran and prayer, building a du'a atmosphere in the home — these are within everyone's reach.
The Du'a Taught to 'A'isha
'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet's most beloved wife, asked — curious and seeking knowledge — "O Messenger of Allah! If I find Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say?" The Messenger of Allah taught her the du'a that has been recited across the centuries:
— al-Tirmidhi, Da'awat, no. 3513Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun, tuhibbu'l-'afwa, fa'fu 'anni.
(O Allah, You are the Pardoner; You love to pardon, so pardon me.)
To repeat this short du'a many times on this night is a door through which all the believer's past sins may be wiped. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever stands [in prayer on] Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven" — Sahih al-Bukhari, Iman, no. 35.
Living Laylat al-Qadr With VAAZ
The VAAZ app announces sahur and iftar times to the minute throughout Ramadan, with particular emphasis on the last ten nights; the Quran reader presents Surah al-Qadr in Arabic with translation and recitation; the du'a archive categorizes 'A'isha's du'a and other supplications for Laylat al-Qadr.
To see Ramadan as a complete spiritual calendar, see The Virtues of Ramadan; for the etiquette of iftar and sahur, see Iftar and Sahur Guide.
Laylat al-Qadr is the greatest single opportunity that can fit inside a believer's lifetime. The chance to earn the equivalent of eighty-three years' reward in a single night — to neglect this is to deny oneself a gift. As the Messenger of Allah said, we seek it "in the odd-numbered nights"; when we find it, we open the heart to Allah with 'A'isha's du'a.
References
- The Qur'an, Al-Qadr 97:1-5, Diyanet translation.
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Laylat al-Qadr, Hadith No. 2017.
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Laylat al-Qadr, Hadith No. 2024.
- al-Tirmidhi, Kitab ad-Da'awat, Hadith No. 3513.
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Iman, Hadith No. 35.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I recognise Laylat al-Qadr when it comes?
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not restrict the Night of Power to a specific date; he instructed: "Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan" (al-Bukhārī, Laylat al-Qadr 2017). Certain narrations mention that the morning after it the sun rises disc-like and without strong rays — but this is a sign after the fact, not a way to identify it in advance. The most reliable approach is to treat all of the last ten nights as if each were the Night of Power.
For Muslims living abroad, which local night counts as Laylat al-Qadr?
Laylat al-Qadr is calculated according to the local Hijri calendar of the country where a person resides, not according to Mecca time. Since the Islamic day begins at sunset, a Muslim in London observing the 27th night of Ramadan will count it from the sunset in London. Surah ad-Dukhan states: "On that night every wise matter is distinguished" (Ad-Dukhan 44:4), indicating that this divine decree is universal and not bound by geography.
Besides formal worship, what is recommended on Laylat al-Qadr?
Alongside prayer and Quran recitation, it is highly recommended to make abundant istighfar (seeking forgiveness) and repeat the du'a the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught 'A'isha: Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun, tuhibbu'l-'afwa, fa'fu 'anni — many times throughout the night (al-Tirmidhi, Da'awat 3513). Giving charity, gathering the family for shared supplication, and spending the time in reflection and dhikr also multiply the night's blessings. The Prophet assured us that whoever revives this night out of faith and seeking reward will have his previous sins forgiven (al-Bukhārī, Iman 35).