lailat ul qadr:The Night of Power and Its Significance

Allah has bestowed a great favor upon Muslims by granting them the month of Ramadan. The month of Ramadan is full of immense blessings and mercy because, in this month, Allah showers His mercy upon His servants, forgives their sins, and grants freedom from Hell to those who seek salvation. During the nights of Ramadan, Allah has gifted Laylatul Qadr, and who is unaware of its significance?

When the Prophet ﷺ saw that the previous nations had much longer lifespans—some living for thousands of years—he wondered how his Ummah could compete with them in performing good deeds. In response, Allah granted the gift of Laylatul Qadr, a night in which worship is not just better than a thousand days but superior to a thousand months.

The significance of Laylatul Qadr is so great that an entire chapter of the Quran was revealed about it, known as Surah Al-Qadr.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

Surah Al-Qadr (القدر)

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ ۝١
Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree.

وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ ۝٢
And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree?

لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ ۝٣
The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.

تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَمْرٍ ۝٤
The angels and the Spirit [Jibreel] descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter.

سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ ۝٥
Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.

This Surah emphasizes the greatness and significance of Laylatul Qadr, a night filled with divine blessings, mercy, and peace, making it more valuable than a thousand months of worship.

The reason for calling it Laylatul Qadr (The Night of Decree).

One meaning of Qadr is honor and dignity because this is the night of honor in which the honorable Quran was revealed to the honorable Prophet ﷺ in the honorable month; hence, it is called Laylatul Qadr.

Another meaning of Qadr is destiny, as on this night, the decrees of people are handed over to the angels, which is why it is called Laylatul Qadr.

Another meaning of Qadr is constriction, as on this night, angels descend in great numbers to the earth, making it crowded; hence, this night is called Laylatul Qadr.

Signs of Laylatul Qadr

Laylatul Qadr is one of the nights of Ramadan. It has been kept hidden from people so that they may strive to seek it throughout Ramadan. However, some signs of Laylatul Qadr have been narrated in hadiths and the sayings of the companions.

In a hadith, it is mentioned that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Seek Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.” This indicates that Laylatul Qadr falls in one of the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.

One opinion is that Laylatul Qadr occurs on the 27th night of Ramadan. Another opinion states that whoever experiences a handshake from Jibreel (علیہ السلام) on that night, for him, that is Laylatul Qadr. The sign of Jibreel (علیہ السلام) shaking hands with a person is that his heart becomes soft.

Another sign is that on the night of Laylatul Qadr, the wind is gentle and pleasant. The weather is neither too hot nor too cold. Additionally, the rays of the sun appear different from usual the following morning.

Dua for Laylatul Qadr

One of the best duas to recite on this night is:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni

“O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me.” (Tirmidhi 3513)

This dua was recommended by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to seek forgiveness on this blessed night.

Laylatul Qadr Benefits

• Sins are forgiven – The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever stands in prayer on Laylatul Qadr with faith and the intention of seeking reward, all his past sins will be forgiven.”
• Duas are accepted – Allah ﷻ is close to His servants and accepts their supplications on this blessed night.
• Destiny is decreed – The decisions for the coming year are handed over to the angels.
• Angels descend – A large number of angels come down to the earth, filling it with peace and blessings.
• Jibreel (AS) meets special servants – He shakes hands with chosen believers, and a sign of this is the softening of their hearts.
• A night of peace – This night is filled with divine tranquility, as Allah’s special mercy descends upon His servants.

Importance of Laylatul Qadr

Laylatul Qadr is a great gift from Allah ﷻ to the Muslims. The lifespan of this Ummah is shorter compared to the previous nations. When the Prophet ﷺ observed this, he expressed concern that the good deeds of his Ummah would be fewer compared to those of the previous nations. In response, Allah ﷻ granted the night of Laylatul Qadr, which is not just superior to a thousand days but to a thousand months.This means that performing a single act of worship on this night is equivalent to worshiping for 83 years. Such an incredible opportunity has been given to Muslims that if they worship on this one night, it is as if they have worshiped for 83 years. If a person worships on this night every year, just imagine how many years’ worth of worship they will accumulate in their lifetime! On Laylatul Qadr, angels descend to the earth in such great numbers that the earth becomes congested.On this night, Jibreel Ameen greets people with salaam.

According to Ahadith, the sign of Jibreel Ameen’s salaam is that the heart of the person he greets becomes soft.

The reason for concealing Laylatul Qadr

Laylatul Qadr has been concealed from people, but according to Ahadith, it should be sought in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. One possible reason for this is to encourage consistent worship throughout the month rather than limiting it to a single night. Additionally, individuals may experience Laylatul Qadr on different nights, depending on their spiritual state—some may feel its presence on the 21st night, while others may witness its blessings on the 27th night. This variation serves as a form of ease and mercy for the Ummah, allowing each person to connect with this blessed night in their own way.

Best deeds on Laylatul Qadr

• Seek Forgiveness – Repent for your sins and make Istighfar.
• Pray Nafl Salah – After Isha, perform Taraweeh and Salatul Tasbih for immense rewards.
• Give Charity – Donate to those in need and engage in acts of kindness.
• Remember Allah – Engage in Zikr (remembrance of Allah).
• Send Salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ – Recite Durood-e-Pak frequently.
• Gain Knowledge – Read and understand the Holy Quran.
• Stay Engaged in Worship – Continue any form of Ibadah (worship) until dawn. Allah’s Promise – “It is a night of peace until the rise of dawn.”Allah and His Messenger know best.