Mar 23
Laylat al-Qadr (Probable) 23
Sunday 23 Ramadan, 1446
Mar 23
Sunday 23 Ramadan, 1446
Laylat al-Qadr (لیلة القدر), also referred to as "Night of Power," is one of the most sacred nights in Islamic theology. Qadr can be translated as “the measure and limit or value of something.” Sometimes it is also used in the meaning of “destiny." Per some Islamic traditions, it is night when Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ decides the destiny of the entire mankind for the coming year. Per the Quran, it is the night when the Quran was sent down from the Heavens. Surah Al-Qadr describes it as under:
Translation
The significance of this sacred night is comprehensively described in these five verses of Surah Al-Qadr, as the most important night when the Quran was sent down and that it is better than one thousand months, which comes to more than 83 years. It is further narrated that the Angels are sent down during the night and that it is the night of peace.
The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is not specifically mentioned in the Quran. However, there are several Hadiths where a hint of the probable date of the Night of Power is mentioned. Based on different references from the authentic Hadith collections, it is widely believed that Laylat al-Qadr falls in the last ten days of the Islamic month of Ramadan.
It is also believed, on the basis of different Hadiths, that this night most probably falls on any of the odd nights during the last ten days of Ramadan. Some of the Scholars are of the view that the 27th night of Ramadan might be the most probable date of Laylat al-Qadr, though it is not supported by any of the Quranic verses or Hadith.
It is mentioned in Hadith number 2020 of Sahih Al-Bukhari that Laylat al-Qadr can be found in the last ten nights of Ramadan:
Translation - Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan
In another Hadith, appearing at serial number 2017, of Sahih Al-Bukhari, it is mentioned that Laylat al-Qadr can be found on the odd nights during the last ten days of Ramadan:
Translation - Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan."
Similarly, Hadith 2016 of Sahih Al-Bukhari also narrates in detail the probable date of Laylat al-Qadr, as well as the tradition of I’tikaf (sitting in seclusion in a mosque) as under:
Translation - I asked Abu Sa`id, and he was a friend of mine, (about the Night of Qadr) and he said, "We practiced I`tikaf (seclusion in the mosque) in the middle third of the month of Ramadan with the Prophet (ﷺ). In the morning of the 20th of Ramadan, the Prophet (ﷺ) came and addressed us and said, 'I was informed of (the date of the Night of Qadr) but I was caused to forget it; so search for it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. (In the dream) I saw myself prostrating in mud and water (as a sign). So, whoever was in I`tikaf with me should return to it with me (for another 10-day's period)', and we returned. At that time there was no sign of clouds in the sky but suddenly a cloud came and it rained till rainwater started leaking through the roof of the mosque which was made of date-palm leaf stalks. Then the prayer was established and I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) prostrating in mud and water and I saw the traces of mud on his forehead."
On the basis of the Quranic verses and above mentioned three Hadiths, as well as many others, the following is established about the Laylat al-Qadr and its association with practicing I’tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan, starting from the 21st of Ramadan:
Accordingly, it is a common practice among the Muslims, across the world to practice I’tikaf (a spiritual retreat), where they spend the last ten days of Ramadan (starting from 21st of Ramadan), in mosques, in isolation from their homes and families. The aim is to search for the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr). They spend this time in prayers, supplications, recitation of the Quran and fasting.
The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is not mentioned in the Quran and Hadith. On the basis of various Hadiths, it is established that it might come during the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, i.e., the nights of 21, 23, 25, 27, and 29 of Ramadan. Though not supported by any authentic reference, some scholars are of the view that the 27th night of Ramadan might be the Laylat al-Qadr. However, as advised by the Prophet, one should search it on the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.
Laylat al-Qadr is considered the most sacred night in Islam. It bears countless virtues and rewards, such as:
Laylat al-Qadr is called the Night of Power or Night of Decree, as it is the night huge spiritual and very special events are associated with it. The Quran was sent down during this night. Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ decides the fate of the individuals during this night for the next year. Angels are sent down to earth during this night. It is declared in the Quran as the night of peace till the next dawn.
According to various Hadiths, it can be found on odd nights during the last 10 days of Ramadan, such as the nights of 21, 23, 25, 27, and 29. Spend your maximum time in supplication, recitation of the Quran, prayers, and fasting during these days. It is better if you can sit in I’tikaf during these days so that you may concentrate on worship while staying away from worldly affairs.
Although there are no specific Duas associated with this night, some are highly recommended by scholars and can be recited during this night. Some of such Duas are mentioned below: