❀ Virtues of Laylat al-Qadr, Its Signs, and the Practice of the Companions ❀
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abd al-Salam (Hafizahullah)
In the Light of the Qur'an, Hadith, and Consensus of the Companions
✿ The Great Virtue of Laylat al-Qadr
Laylat al-Qadr is an immensely noble and blessed night, emphasized repeatedly in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Allah ﷻ has declared it to be better than a thousand months. On this night, angels descend, divine mercy is showered, and the entire night is enveloped in peace and serenity.
✿ Distinctive Features of Laylat al-Qadr in the Light of the Qur'an
❀ The Revelation of the Qur'an
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَمْرٍ سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ﴾
(Surah al-Qadr: 1–5)
Translation: “Indeed, We sent it [the Qur'an] 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.”
❀ A Night of Blessings and Forgiveness
Allah ﷻ states:
﴿حٰمٓ وَالْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنْذِرِينَ فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ﴾
(Surah al-Dukhan: 1–4)
Translation: “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.”
✿ Signs of Laylat al-Qadr in the Light of Hadith
❀ A Clear and Peaceful Night
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"إِنَّ أُمَارَةَ لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ أَنَّهَا صَافِيَةٌ بَلْجَةٌ كَأَنَّ فِيهَا قَمَرًا سَاطِعًا، سَاكِنَةٌ سَاجِيَةٌ، لَا بَرْدَ فِيهَا وَلَا حَرَّ، وَلَا يَحِلُّ لِكَوْكَبٍ أَنْ يُرْمَىٰ بِهِ فِيهَا حَتَّىٰ يُصْبِحَ"
(Musnad Ahmad: 22765, Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 2192)
Translation: “The sign of Laylat al-Qadr is that it is a clear and radiant night, as if a bright moon is shining, calm and tranquil, neither cold nor hot, and no shooting star is seen until morning.”
❀ The Sun Rises Without Rays
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"صَبِيحَةَ لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ تَطْلُعُ الشَّمْسُ لَا شُعَاعَ لَهَا كَأَنَّهَا طَسْتٌ حَتَّىٰ تَرْتَفِعَ"
(Muslim: 762)
Translation: “The morning after Laylat al-Qadr, the sun rises without rays, appearing like a dish, until it elevates in the sky.”
❀ An Abundance of Angels on Earth
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"وَإِنَّ الْمَلَائِكَةَ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ أَكْثَرُ فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنْ عَدَدِ الْحَصَى"
(Musnad Ahmad: 27092)
Translation: “On that night, the number of angels on earth exceeds the number of pebbles.”
❀ Spiritual Tranquility and Inner Peace
A believer experiences unique spiritual serenity and a profound sense of nearness to Allah ﷻ on this night—something not typically felt on other nights.
✿ Determining the Night of Decree According to the Consensus of the Companions
The noble Companions (RA) were unanimously agreed that Laylat al-Qadr occurs in the last ten nights of Ramadan, particularly on the odd nights.
❀ Command to Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the Last Ten Nights
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"تَحَرَّوْا لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فِي الْعَشْرِ الْأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ"
(Bukhari: 2017, Muslim: 1169)
Translation: “Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan.”
❀ Especially in the Odd Nights
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"الْتَمِسُوهَا فِي الْوِتْرِ مِنْ الْعَشْرِ الْأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ"
(Bukhari: 2017)
Translation: “Look for it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan.”
❀ Preference for the 27th Night
It is narrated from Ibn Abbas (RA):
"لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ لَيْلَةُ سَبْعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ"
(Musnad Ahmad: 23906)
Translation: “Laylat al-Qadr is the night of the 27th.”
✿ The Virtue and Prescribed Supplication of Laylat al-Qadr
❀ A Means of Forgiveness for Sins
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"مَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ"
(Bukhari: 1901, Muslim: 760)
Translation: “Whoever stands [in prayer] on Laylat al-Qadr with faith and seeking reward, all his past sins will be forgiven.”
❀ The Special Supplication for Laylat al-Qadr
Sayyidah A’ishah (RA) asked:
"If I witness Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say?"
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي"
(Tirmidhi: 3513)
Translation: “O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning and love to pardon, so pardon me.”
✿ Conclusion
Laylat al-Qadr is an exceptionally virtuous night. It should be spent in worship, remembrance of Allah, supplication, and repentance. Its signs include peace, light, spiritual serenity, and the descent of angels. The noble Companions (RA) diligently sought this night with utmost sincerity and devotion. We too must strive to attain its blessings.
