When is Laylatul Qadr – The Night of Decree

Laylatul Qadr, also known as the Night of Power or Decree, is a significant event in Islam that commemorates the night when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. The exact date of Laylatul Qadr is not certain, but it is believed to occur on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, with odd nights being more likely.

In particular, Sunni Muslims commonly observe Laylatul Qadr on the 27th night of Ramadan. However, it\’s essential to note that the exact date is known only to Allah, and Muslims are encouraged to seek it out during the last 10 nights of Ramadan.

During Laylatul Qadr, Muslims engage in intense prayer, recitation of the Quran, and other acts of worship, seeking forgiveness, mercy, and blessings from Allah. It\’s a night considered better than a thousand months, with angels and the Spirit descending to earth, bringing peace, blessings, and divine guidance until dawn

Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and sincerity, shall have all their past sins forgiven.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Sa`id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also said, “Seek it in the last ten days, on the odd nights.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

The scholars have affirmed that it is the best of nights, [al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, quoting Mi`raj al-Diraya, 1.216] because of Allah Most High’s words,

“Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Power.

Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of Power is!

The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.

The angels and the Spirit [Jibril] descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees.

(That night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn.”

(Qur’an, Surat al-Qadr: 97)

Imam Nawawi and others explain that the verse, ‘The Night of Power is better than a thousand months,’ means that it is better than a thousand months without it.

Given the tremendousness of this night, it is recommended to seek it out, and to worship Allah in it, with prayer, supplications (du`a), remembrance of Allah (dhikr), and other acts of worship. [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, quoting Mi`raj al-Diraya; Nawawi, al-Majmu`] Because obligatory acts are more beloved to Allah than supererogatory ones, the most important thing for men is to pray both Isha and Fajr at the mosque.

When is Laylat al-Qadr?

There is a long standing difference of opinion about when Laylat al-Qadr is, because it is of those matters whose certain knowledge has been lifted by Allah Most High from this Ummah, for the wisdom that people strive to seek it.

The scholars generally agreed that it is most likely to be in the last ten nights of Ramadan, with the odd nights being more likely, and the 27th night the most likely out of the odd nights. Imam Shafi`i said that it is most likely to be the 21st, then the 23rd, then the 27th. Imam Nawawi followed the position of Imam Muzani and Imam Ibn Khuzayma that it moves around within the last ten nights. [Nawawi, al-Majmu` Sharh al-Muhadhdhab, 6.488]

Some analysis on the Surah of Qadr indicates the day to 27th as follows:

Pay attention to the number of words in Suratul Qadr:

1. INNA

2. ANZALNAHU

3. FI

4. LAILATUL

5. QADR

6. WAMA

7. ADRAKA

8. MA

9. LAILATUL

10. QADR

11. LAILATUL

12. QADR

13. KHAIRUN

14. MIN

15. ALFI

16. SHAHR

17. TANAZZALUL

18. MALA\’IKATU

19. WARRUHU

20. FIHA

21. BI\’IZNI

22. RABBIHIM

23. MIN

24. KULLI

25. AMRIN

26. SALAMUN

27. HIYA

28. HATTA

29. MADALA\’IL

30. FAJR

If you observe, the total number of words is 30.

Also, the total number of letters in the Surah is 114, which corresponds to the number of Surahs in the Qur\’an.

Additionally, the word /HIYA/ appears at position 27, indicating that Lailatul Qadr is most expected on the 27th night of Ramadan.

Furthermore, the word QADR appears three times in the Surah at positions 5, 10, and 12.
If you sum these numbers: 5 + 10 + 12 = 27, again pointing to the 27th night.

Moreover, the Arabic letters in LAILATUL QADR total 9. Since the phrase appears three times in the Surah, we multiply: 9 + 9 + 9 = 27, further reinforcing the significance of the 27th night.

I hope you understand. Allaahu Ta\’ala A\’lam (Allaah knows best).