By: Ubaidullah Tahir (Hafidhahullah)
Allah Almighty's Statement:
✿ “Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Qadr. And what can make you know what is the Night of Qadr? The Night of Qadr 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: 1-5]
In another place, Allah says:
✿ "Ha Meem. By the clear Book, indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind]. On that night is made distinct every precise matter—[every] matter [proceeding] from Us. Indeed, We were to send [a messenger] as mercy from your Lord. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.”
[Surah Al-Dukhan: 1-6]
[Sahih Bukhari 2014, Sahih Muslim 760]
[Sahih Bukhari 2024, Sahih Muslim 1174]
❀ Aisha (RA) also reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would exert himself in worship during the last ten nights more than at any other time.
[Sahih Muslim 1175]
He then took an oath (without saying ‘Insha'Allah’) that it is the 27th night, based on the sign the Prophet (ﷺ) had given, that the sun rises the next morning without rays.
[Sahih Muslim 762:220]
❀ Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I was shown the Night of Qadr, then I was made to forget it. It is in the last ten nights. It is a calm, bright night, neither hot nor cold."
[Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 2190, Sahih Ibn Hibban 3688]
[Sunan Tirmidhi 3513, Sunan Ibn Majah 3850, Sahih]
➊ In the last ten nights:❀ Aisha (RA) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) would observe I'tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan and would say: "Seek the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan."
[Sahih Bukhari 2020, Sahih Muslim 1169]
➋ In the odd nights of the last ten days:❀ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Seek the Night of Qadr in the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan."
[Sahih Bukhari 2017]
➌ On the 21st night:❀ Narrated by Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (RA): The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I saw the Night of Qadr, then I was made to forget it, so seek it in the last ten nights, and seek it on the odd nights."
[Sahih Bukhari 2018, Sahih Muslim 1167]
➍ On the 23rd night:❀ Narrated by Abdullah bin Unais (RA): The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I was shown the Night of Qadr, and I was made to forget it, but I saw myself prostrating in mud and water." It rained on the 23rd night, and the Prophet (ﷺ) led the prayer, with mud on his forehead and nose.
[Sahih Muslim 1168]
➎ On the 27th night:❀ Narrated by Zirr bin Hubaish: Ubayy bin Ka'b (RA) swore that Laylat al-Qadr is on the 27th night, based on the sign that the sun rises the next day without rays.
[Sahih Muslim 762:220]
"The hadiths indicate that Laylat al-Qadr may shift from one night to another within the last ten nights. The majority of narrations suggest that it is in the odd nights, specifically the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th nights. Imam Shafi’i mentioned, as Imam Tirmidhi recorded, that the Prophet (ﷺ) would answer based on the night in question, indicating it varies. This night might change by region and year to ensure believers strive throughout the last ten days. As reported, the Prophet (ﷺ) would exert himself in worship in the last ten days more than any other time."
[Al-Jami’ al-Kamil fi al-Hadith al-Sahih al-Shamil 4/853-854]
Allah Almighty's Statement:
✿ “Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Qadr. And what can make you know what is the Night of Qadr? The Night of Qadr 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: 1-5]
In another place, Allah says:
✿ "Ha Meem. By the clear Book, indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind]. On that night is made distinct every precise matter—[every] matter [proceeding] from Us. Indeed, We were to send [a messenger] as mercy from your Lord. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.”
[Surah Al-Dukhan: 1-6]
Virtues of Laylat al-Qadr
❀ Narrated by Abu Huraira (RA): The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. And whoever stands in prayer on the Night of Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven."[Sahih Bukhari 2014, Sahih Muslim 760]
The Worship of the Prophet (ﷺ) in the Last Ten Days
❀ Narrated by Aisha (RA): When the last ten nights (of Ramadan) began, the Prophet (ﷺ) would tighten his waist belt, stay awake the whole night, and wake up his family.[Sahih Bukhari 2024, Sahih Muslim 1174]
❀ Aisha (RA) also reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would exert himself in worship during the last ten nights more than at any other time.
[Sahih Muslim 1175]
Signs of Laylat al-Qadr
❀ Narrated by Zirr bin Hubaish: I asked Ubayy bin Ka'b (RA), "Your brother Abdullah bin Mas'ud says, 'Whoever stays up all year in worship will attain the Night of Qadr.'" He (Ubayy) said, "May Allah have mercy on him; he wanted people not to rely on just one night. However, he knows well that it is in Ramadan, and in the last ten nights, and it is specifically the 27th night."He then took an oath (without saying ‘Insha'Allah’) that it is the 27th night, based on the sign the Prophet (ﷺ) had given, that the sun rises the next morning without rays.
[Sahih Muslim 762:220]
❀ Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I was shown the Night of Qadr, then I was made to forget it. It is in the last ten nights. It is a calm, bright night, neither hot nor cold."
[Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 2190, Sahih Ibn Hibban 3688]
Dua for Laylat al-Qadr
❀ Narrated by Aisha (RA): I asked, "O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is the Night of Qadr, what should I say?" He replied, "Say: 'اللهم إنك عفو تحب العفو فاعف عني' (O Allah, You are Forgiving, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).”[Sunan Tirmidhi 3513, Sunan Ibn Majah 3850, Sahih]
When is Laylat al-Qadr?
There are various narrations regarding the exact date of Laylat al-Qadr. Here are some significant hadiths:➊ In the last ten nights:❀ Aisha (RA) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) would observe I'tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan and would say: "Seek the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan."
[Sahih Bukhari 2020, Sahih Muslim 1169]
➋ In the odd nights of the last ten days:❀ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Seek the Night of Qadr in the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan."
[Sahih Bukhari 2017]
➌ On the 21st night:❀ Narrated by Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (RA): The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I saw the Night of Qadr, then I was made to forget it, so seek it in the last ten nights, and seek it on the odd nights."
[Sahih Bukhari 2018, Sahih Muslim 1167]
➍ On the 23rd night:❀ Narrated by Abdullah bin Unais (RA): The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I was shown the Night of Qadr, and I was made to forget it, but I saw myself prostrating in mud and water." It rained on the 23rd night, and the Prophet (ﷺ) led the prayer, with mud on his forehead and nose.
[Sahih Muslim 1168]
➎ On the 27th night:❀ Narrated by Zirr bin Hubaish: Ubayy bin Ka'b (RA) swore that Laylat al-Qadr is on the 27th night, based on the sign that the sun rises the next day without rays.
[Sahih Muslim 762:220]
Dr. Zia-ur-Rehman Al-Azhami’s Analysis:
Dr. Zia-ur-Rehman Al-Azhami mentions:"The hadiths indicate that Laylat al-Qadr may shift from one night to another within the last ten nights. The majority of narrations suggest that it is in the odd nights, specifically the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th nights. Imam Shafi’i mentioned, as Imam Tirmidhi recorded, that the Prophet (ﷺ) would answer based on the night in question, indicating it varies. This night might change by region and year to ensure believers strive throughout the last ten days. As reported, the Prophet (ﷺ) would exert himself in worship in the last ten days more than any other time."
[Al-Jami’ al-Kamil fi al-Hadith al-Sahih al-Shamil 4/853-854]