Laylat al-Qadr is sought in the last ten nights of Ramadan, especially the odd nights. The hadiths below also draw attention to the last seven nights and mention the twenty-seventh, but the practical guidance is to keep worshipping throughout the last ten rather than assume a single date is certain.
When do the hadiths tell us to seek Laylat al-Qadr?
The narrations direct Muslims to seek Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten nights, with particular attention to the odd nights. They also highlight the last seven nights and include a report naming the twenty-seventh.
The last ten nights
Aisha – may God be pleased with her – narrated that the Messenger of God – may God’s prayers and peace be upon him – said:
“Search for the Night of Qadr in the last ten days of Ramadan.”
Abu Hurairah – may God be pleased with him – narrated that the Messenger of God – may God’s prayers and peace be upon him – said:
“I was shown Laylat al-Qadr, then some of my family woke me up and I forgot about it, so seek it in the late ten nights.”
The last seven nights
The narrations about the last seven nights give further guidance within the last ten. Abdullah bin Omar – may God be pleased with him – reported that some companions were shown Laylat al-Qadr in dreams during the last seven nights, and the Messenger of God – may God’s prayers and peace be upon him – said:
“I see that your dreams have colluded in the last seven, so whoever investigates it, let him investigate it in the last seven.”
Abd al-Rahman ibn Asila al-Sanabihi – may God be pleased with him – reported that Bilal, the Muezzin of the Prophet – may God’s prayers and peace be upon him – told him:
“It is in the seven in the last ten days.”
The odd nights and the twenty-seventh
Aisha – may God be pleased with her – narrated that the Messenger of God – may God’s prayers and peace be upon him – said:
“Seek out the Night of Power in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan”.
The narration of Abu Saeed Al-Khudri – may God be pleased with him – includes these words of the Prophet – may God’s prayers and peace be upon him –:
“And I show her the odd night, and I prostrate on the morning of it in mud and water” (([And if it is the night of the twenty-first of the last ten days]) ).
In the wording of Al-Bukhari:
“I was shown Laylat al-Qadr, then I forgot it or I forgot it, so seek it in the last ten nights of odd days.”
Muawiyah bin Abi Sufyan – may God be pleased with him – said about Laylat al-Qadr:
“The Night of Qadr is the night of the twenty-seventh.”
Why is Laylat al-Qadr so important?
Laylat al-Qadr is described as better than a thousand months, and the Quran connects it with revelation. The Quran describes the night in these words:
(Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of Qadr * and what will make you know what the Night of Qadr is? The Night of Qadr is better than a thousand months)
The connection with Ramadan appears in these passages:
{The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an} [Al-Baqara: 185]
{Indeed, We revealed it on the Night of Qadr} [Al-Qadr: 1]
Abu Hurairah – may God be pleased with him – narrated that the Messenger of God – may God bless him and grant him peace – said:
“Ramadan has come to you, a blessed month. God Almighty has enjoined upon you its fasting, during which the gates of heaven are opened, the gates of hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained in it. God has a night that is better than a thousand months, whoever is deprived of its goodness.” he was forbidden.”
What does the name Qadr mean?
The name Qadr is explained in terms of honour and greatness, and in terms of divine decree. Its honour is linked to the revelation of the Quran and the value of worship on the night.
The explanation of divine decree concerns what God determines for the year. The Quran passage cited in connection with this meaning is:
{We sent it down on a blessed night, but we were warned * in it separating every wise matter} [Ad-Dukhan: 3, 4]
How can you make the most of the last ten nights?
Keep up prayer, Quran recitation and remembrance throughout the last ten nights. The practical lesson of these narrations is to maintain your effort, because you do not know which night will coincide with Laylat al-Qadr.
For more on worship during this period, read about the virtue of the last ten days of Ramadan. You can also use the guide to praying Taraweeh at home and read about the best times and places for duaa.
To support regular Quran reading beyond Ramadan, explore Murouj Academy’s one-to-one Tajweed classes and meet the Quran teachers.
Frequently asked questions
Is the twenty-seventh night a guaranteed date?
A narration quoted above names the twenty-seventh, while other narrations direct attention to the last ten nights and their odd nights. The practical guidance is to keep worshipping across the last ten rather than rely on a single date.
What does “better than a thousand months” mean for worship?
The comparison refers to the value of prayer, recitation and remembrance on Laylat al-Qadr: these acts are better than the same worship across a thousand months without Laylat al-Qadr.
Do the last seven nights replace the guidance about the last ten?
No. The narrations highlighting the last seven nights sit alongside the broader guidance to seek Laylat al-Qadr throughout the last ten, with particular attention to the odd nights.
