Every year, Muslims around the world eagerly await Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Glory, a night so powerful that worship on it is better than a thousand months.
In Islam, Allah has gifted believers with special times and nights of immense blessing—like Ramadan and its last ten nights— to compensate for the brevity of human life and the shortcomings of daily worship throughout the year.
In this article, we will explore the meaning, significance, virtues, and rewards of Laylatul Qadr, including its connection to divine decree (Qadr), the powerful duaas recommended for this night, and the guidance provided by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on how to seek it. We will also cover when Laylatul Qadr occurs helping you make the most of this extraordinary night.
What is Laylatul Qadr?
Laylatul Qadr is one of the most sacred nights in Islam, described in the Qur’an as better than a thousand months in (Quran 97:3).
The Arabic word Qadr in Laylatul Qadr carries several profound meanings that explain why this night holds such a unique status in Islam:
- Honor and Status: Qadr means honor and greatness, which is why Laylatul Qadr is a night of immense value and dignity, and whoever worships Allah sincerely during it attains great honor and reward.
- Decree and Judgment: Qadr also means divine decree, as angels record the affairs of the coming year on this night, including provision, life spans, and destiny, by Almighty God’s permission.
- Restriction and Tightness: Qadr can mean restriction, referring to the night being hidden and not precisely known, or because the earth becomes crowded with angels descending by Almighty God’s command.
Together, these meanings explain why Laylatul Qadr is a night of honor, destiny, and divine mercy, making it the most significant night of the year for Muslims.
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When is Laylatul Qadr 2026?
Laylatul Qadr in 2026 is expected to fall during the last ten nights of Ramadan, as established by authentic Islamic teachings. Since Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin around 18 or 19 February, the final ten nights—within which Laylatul Qadr must occur—are expected to start around 10 or 11 March 2026. However, the exact date remains unknown and depends on moon sighting.
Although scholars have expressed different opinions regarding the specific night of Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Decree), there is unanimous agreement that it occurs within the last ten nights of Ramadan. By the wisdom of Allah (SWT), its exact timing has been concealed to encourage consistent worship throughout these nights.
Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) explained this wisdom, saying that a person can still attain the reward of Laylatul Qadr even without knowing which night it is… The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not make knowing the exact night a condition for forgiveness. Had such knowledge been necessary, he would have clarified it explicitly.
Therefore, since knowing the exact night is not a prerequisite for attaining its reward, a believer does not need to understand the deeper theological details of divine decree in order to benefit from Laylatul Qadr. What truly matters is sincere worship, such as prayer, supplication, Qur’an recitation, and remembrance of Allah during the last ten nights of Ramadan.
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Laylatul Qadr Hadith
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) highlights the immense virtue of Laylatul Qadr and shows that its reward is granted to those who worship Allah sincerely, seeking His pleasure alone:
“Whoever stands (in prayer) on the Night of Decree with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven.”
(Al-Bukhari)
Observing Laylatul Qadr includes acts of worship such as prayer, supplication (duʿāʾ), remembrance of Allah (dhikr), recitation of the Qur’an, and other righteous deeds.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also taught Muslims how to seek Laylatul Qadr. Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported:
“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to seclude himself in the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan and would say: ‘Seek Laylatul Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan.’”
(Al-Bukhari)
These narrations explain why Muslims strive to increase their worship throughout the last ten nights of Ramadan, hoping to attain the immense forgiveness and reward promised for Laylatul Qadr.
What Is the Importance, Virtues, and Benefits of Laylatul Qadr?
Laylatul Qadr is one of the greatest nights in Islam and represents a unique spiritual opportunity for believers to draw closer to Almighty Allah. Its importance lies not only in performing acts of worship, but in the deep spiritual transformation it can bring to the heart and soul of a believer. The importance and virtues of Laylatul Qadr include:
A night of spiritual closeness to Allah
Laylatul Qadr allows believers to strengthen their relationship with Allah through sincere worship, reflection, and repentance, helping to positively transform the soul and redirect one’s life toward righteousness.
A blessed night in which the Qur’an was revealed
Almighty God informs humanity in the Quran of the night of the first revelation of this noble book, saying:
“ Indeed, ˹it is˺ We ˹Who˺ sent this ˹Quran˺ down on the Night of Glory.” (97:1)
A night in which divine decrees are decided
On Laylatul Qadr, Allah ordains matters of wisdom for the coming year, including events that occur by His will and mercy. Almighty God states that fact in the Quran:
“Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night. Indeed, We have always been warning. On that night every matter of wisdom is ordained—by a command from Us.”
(Qur’an 44:3–6)
Better than a thousand months
Worship performed on this night carries the reward of more than eighty-three years of devotion. Allah says:
“The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months.”
(Qur’an 97:3)
A night filled with peace and the descent of angels
Allah describes Laylatul Qadr as a night in which angels descend with Allah’s permission, bringing peace until dawn:
“The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the break of dawn.”
(Qur’an 97:4–5)
A night whose loss is a great deprivation
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized its importance when Ramadan began:
“This month has come to you, and in it is a night better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of it is deprived of all goodness, and none is deprived of its goodness except one who is truly deprived.”
An opportunity for immense reward and forgiveness
Any act of goodness—prayer, supplication, remembrance of Allah, or charity—performed on Laylatul Qadr is multiplied immensely, making it one of the greatest chances for success in a believer’s life.
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What to do on Laylatul Qadr?
There are plenty of things you can do on this auspicious night to maximize your blessings and reward. We have detailed some of these below:
1- Recite the Holy Qur’an
2- Donate to Charity
3- Perform voluntary prayers
4- Perform supplications (Duaa)
Why Laylatul Qadr duaa is so special?
Duʿāʾ (supplication) on Laylatul Qadr holds a unique status because this night is directly linked to divine decree (Qadr) and the recording of human affairs for the coming year. It is a rare opportunity for believers to seek Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and positive change.
A Night Directly Connected to Destiny and Decree
Laylatul Qadr may represent the final opportunity in the year for a person’s destiny to be altered. After this night, matters proceed according to what Allah has already decreed, except for what He has willed to be changed through supplication.
The great hadith scholar Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī clarified the difference between two types of divine decree: the contingent decree (al-Qaḍāʾ al-Muʿallaq), which is recorded by the angels and may change, and the irrevocable decree (al-Qaḍāʾ al-Mubram), which remains with Allah and does not change.
Supplication Can Avert Divine Decree
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Nothing extends one’s lifespan except righteousness, nothing averts the divine decree except supplication, and nothing deprives a person of provision except the sin he commits.”
This hadith clearly shows the powerful role of duʿāʾ in changing what has been written with the angels.
Also, Almighty God confirms that Allah, in His wisdom, allows certain decrees to be erased or confirmed:
“Allah erases what He wills and confirms what He wills, and with Him is the Mother of the Book.”
(Qur’an 13:39)
The Role of Laylatul Qadr Duaa in Annual Destiny
Although a person’s ultimate record in the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūẓ) is unchangeable, the records held by the angels concerning sustenance, life events, and yearly affairs may still be altered before they are finalized. Duʿāʾ on Laylatul Qadr may therefore lead to these records being changed by Allah’s permission.
For this reason, Laylatul Qadr is known as both the Night of Glory and the Night of Power. It has a special connection to seeking forgiveness, as sincere supplication on this night combines repentance, humility, and complete reliance on Allah.
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What is the best duaa for Laylatul Qadr?
The best and most powerful recommended duaa for Laylatul Qadr is the one taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) when she asked what to say on this blessed night. He replied:
“Allāhumma innaka ʿafuwwun tuḥibbul-ʿafwa faʿfu ʿannī.”
“O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love to forgive, so forgive me.”
(Tirmidhi)
This duaa perfectly reflects the essence of Laylatul Qadr, a night centered on forgiveness, mercy, and divine generosity.
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What Are the Duas for the Night of Glory (Laylatul Qadr)?
Muslims may freely make personal duʿās in any language, asking Allah for guidance, forgiveness, provision, and success in this life and the Hereafter. Duʿās drawn from the Qur’an and authentic traditions are especially recommended because they gather all human needs in the most perfect and balanced way. Some recommended duʿās include:
- Duaa for Forgiveness and Mercy
“Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from Yourself. Indeed, You are the Bestower.”
(Qur’an 3:8) - Duaa for Protection from Hellfire
“O Allah, protect me from the Fire.”
(Abu Dawood 5079) - Duaa for Jannah and Success
“O Allah, I ask You for Paradise and whatever brings me closer to it, in words or deeds, and I seek refuge in You from the Fire and whatever brings me closer to it, in words or deeds.”
(Sunan Ibn Mājah 3846)
What are the signs of Laylatul Qadr?
There are several signs of Laylatul Qadr reported in authentic Prophetic traditions:
1. It is a pleasant and calm night (neither hot nor cold):
Ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:” Laylatul Qadr is a soft and gentle night, it is not very hot nor very cold, it is a cool night. When the sun rises that day it doesn’t have rays, it has a reddish weak ray, it is almost rayless. [Sahih Al-Jami’]
2. The moon is like a piece of a plate.
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported:
We were talking about Laylatul Qadr in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and he said: He who amongst you remembers (the night) when the moon arose and it was like a piece of plate (at the fag end of the month in a state of waning).” [Sahih Muslim]
3. The sun rises early in the morning without rays
Ubayy said: … its indication is that the sun rises bright on that day without rays. [Sahih Muslim]
Still, some other signs are mentioned, but in weak hadiths that can’t be based on.
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Conclusion
Imam Al-Nawawi concluded his discussion on Laylatul-Qadr by saying: “It was named Laylatul-Qadr, meaning: the night of judgment and discernment (in the affairs of men). This meaning is what is true and popular.
To conclude, Laylatul Qadr is a golden chance for the true believer to change their whole life. The article discusses these important items about Laylatul Qadr:
- What is Laylatul Qadr? Laylatul Qadr, or the Night of Glory, is an Arabic term meaning the Night of Honor, Decree, and Divine Destiny. It is one of the most sacred nights in Islam. is the most sacred night of the year, marked by immense blessings, forgiveness, and mercy.
- When is Laylatul Qadr 2026? Laylatul Qadr is expected to fall within the last ten nights of Ramadan 2026, which begin around 10 or 11 March, though the exact night is hidden by Allah’s wisdom to encourage continuous worship.
- Virtues and Benefits of Laylatul Qadr: Acts of worship on this night, such as prayer, duaa, and Qur’an recitation, earn rewards exceeding eighty-three years of devotion, grant forgiveness for past sins, and offer a chance for spiritual renewal and closeness to Allah. Also, it is the night the Qur’an was first revealed and holds a reward greater than a thousand months.
- Hadiths About Laylatul Qadr: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized its importance, saying that anyone who prays on this night with faith and hope will have their sins forgiven, and he encouraged seeking it specifically during the last ten nights of Ramadan.
- Why Duaa on Laylatul Qadr is Special: Duaa made on this night can affect one’s contingent decrees, as recorded by the angels, and offers the unique opportunity to change aspects of one’s destiny through Allah’s mercy.
- Recommended Duas for Laylatul Qadr: The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught the simple yet powerful duaa: “O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love to forgive, so forgive me.” In addition, believers may recite Qur’anic and prophetic supplications seeking forgiveness, protection from Hellfire, and attainment of Paradise.
Curious to learn more about the golden chances that Islam offers for salvation and eternal happiness for all humanity? Start a conversation with our team right now for a deeper discussion and simple steps!
