Laylat al-Qadr – the Night of Power, or the Night of Decree – is the night on which the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the angel Jibril in the cave of Hira. The Qur’an dedicates an entire surah to this night.

Allah says: “Indeed, We sent it down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree 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.” (Surah al-Qadr 97:1-5). It is also referenced as the “blessed night” of Surah ad-Dukhan 44:3.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) directed believers to search for the night in the last ten nights of Ramadan: “Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan.” (Sahih al-Bukhari). The 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th are the candidate odd nights, with classical opinion most often favoring the 27th – though that emphasis is not definitive.

The reward for worship on this night is immense. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever stands [in prayer] on the night of al-Qadr out of faith and seeking reward will have his previous sins forgiven.” (Sahih al-Bukhari). Aisha asked him what to say if she found the night, and he taught her: “Allahumma innaka ‘Afuwwun tuhibbu al-‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni” – “O Allah, You are All-Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me.” (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 3512).

The exact night is intentionally hidden so that believers strive throughout the last ten nights – increasing prayer, Qur’an recitation, supplication, and giving charity. Fasting during these days remains the obligatory Ramadan fast; the night itself is marked by qiyam (standing in prayer), du’a, and reflection until dawn.