Laylatul Qadr, or the Night of Power, is the holiest night in the Islamic calendar. It commemorates when the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), by the Angel Jibril.
Allah says in the Quran, “The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months” (Quran, 97:3).
There are no specific prescribed acts of worship for Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power). However, Muslims are encouraged to follow the beautiful example of the Prophet (PBUH) during this precious time and maximize their worship.
“Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time.” (Muslim)
What to pray on Laylatul Qadr
Nafl (voluntary prayers): It is common practice to pray voluntary (nafl) prayers on Laylatul Qadr. Remember to also send salutations (salawat) upon the Prophet (PBUH).
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Whoever sends Salawat upon me once will be blessed for it by Allah ten times” (Muslim). This is a manifestation of Allah’s love for our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in which every salutation by His creation made for the beloved, is honoured.
Sunnah (Voluntary acts of worship): It's the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) to perform I’tikaf during the final 10 blessed nights of Ramadan. I’tikaf entails isolating oneself in the mosque to focus solely on worshipping Allah (SWT). This practice ensures one doesn't miss the sacred night of Laylatul Qadr.
How to pray Namaz on Laylatul Qadr
Praying Namaz on Laylutal Qadr is similar to offering Namaz on any other night. If you are wondering how to pray Laylatul Qadr, remember this:
The Prophet (PBUH) said “Whoever prays during the night of Qadr with faith and hoping for its reward will have all of his previous sins forgiven” (Bukhari).
Laylatul Qadr is a gift for us, serving as a means of purifying ourselves so that Allah (SWT) may be pleased with us. It is also recommended to engage in plenty of dhikr and dua. When making dua, turn to Allah and supplicate with sincerity and humility.
The Prophet (PBUH) taught us one very important dua to say on Laylatul Qadr:
الْلَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Allahumma innaka Afuwwun (Karimun) tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee
O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning, (Generous) You love to pardon, so pardon me.
Dhikr for Laylatul Qadr
As one of the most blessed nights of the year, Laylatul Qadr is a night of seeking Divine closeness. In order to strengthen our connection to our Lord, it’s important to spend time in reflection on the glory and beauty of Allah (SWT), as well as on His power, mercy and kindness. Aside from Laylatul Qadr prayer, you can offer a lot of dhikr as well.
Dhikr for Laylatul Qadr:
- Allāhu Akbar (God is the Greatest)
- SubḥānAllāh (Glory be to God)
- Alḥamdulillāh (All praise is due to God)
- Astaghfirullāh (I seek forgiveness from Allah)
- Lā ilaha illAllāhu waḥdahoo lā sharikalahoo, lahul mulku wa lahul ḥamdu wa Huwa ‘alaa hulli shai’in qadeer (There is no god but Allah, alone, without partners. He is the Sovereign and His the praise, and He has power over everything)
- SubhānAllāhi wa biḥamdihi, SubhānAllāhi al-‘Aẓeem (Glory be to Allah, and Praise Him, Glory be to Allah, the Supreme)
- Lā ilaha illā Anta, subḥānaka inni kuntu min al-ẓālimeen (There is no God but Allah, Glory be to You, verily I was one of the wrongdoers)
How many rakats for Laylatul Qadr prayer?
Due to the sanctity of this night, your deeds are multiplied. For Laylatul Qadr prayer, you can pray as many voluntary prayers as you want, with the minimum being two rakat. The key is to pray with focus and sincerity as you imagine yourself before your Lord.
To offer Laylatul Qadr prayer in accordance with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), you would pray eight rakat, following three rakat for Witr.
Aisha (RA) said, “The Prophet did not pray more, in Ramadan or at any other time, than eleven rakahs. He would pray four, and do not ask how beautiful and long they were. Then he would pray four, and do not ask how beautiful and long they were. Then he would pray three” (Bukhari and Muslim).
Each person should pray within their capabilities, and Allah knows best.
Where to pray on Laylatul Qadr?
Many mosques across the globe hold special night gatherings during the last ten days of Ramadan, where worshippers pray night prayers (Qiyam-ul-Layl) in congregation and make collective duas.
It is the sunnah to pray at the Masjid, however, if you prefer to worship at home or are unable to attend the mosque, you can create a designated space in your home that’s solely used for worship and give it the respect of a mosque. Ensure it is free from other distractions to allow you to focus on your Laylatul Qadr prayer.
It’s essential to make use of the entire night in order to reap the full benefits of the night, and seek Allah’s (SWT) mercy.