Laylatul Qadr, also known as the Night of Decree or Power, is one of the holiest nights in Islam. It falls during the last ten days of Ramadan and is believed to be the night when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by Allah. Muslims around the world seek to maximize the spiritual benefits of this night through prayer, supplication, and acts of worship. One of the most essential aspects of Laylatul Qadr is making dua, or supplication, and seeking Allah’s blessings and forgiveness.
The specific dua for seeking Laylatul Qadr is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran or Hadith, but there are various supplications that are recommended to be recited on this blessed night. The key is to approach Allah with a sincere and humble heart, asking for His guidance, forgiveness, and blessings. Some commonly recommended duas for Laylatul Qadr include:
- Dua for forgiveness: Seek Allah’s forgiveness for your sins and shortcomings. Repent for your past mistakes and express your sincere regret.
- Dua for guidance: Ask Allah to guide you on the right path and keep you steadfast in your faith.
- Dua for blessings and mercy: Request Allah’s blessings and mercy upon yourself, your family, and all believers.
- Dua for the fulfillment of needs: Present your personal needs and desires to Allah, as He is the ultimate source of help and support.
- Dua for the deceased: Pray for the forgiveness and well-being of your deceased loved ones.
Remember that sincerity and faith are essential when making these supplications. Laylatul Qadr is a night of immense spiritual significance, and sincere prayers made with a pure heart have the potential to be accepted.
Which surah to recite on Laylatul Qadr?
Reciting the Quran on Laylatul Qadr is highly recommended, as it is the night when the Quran was first revealed. While there isn’t a specific surah (chapter) that is mandated to be recited, there are certain surahs that are particularly emphasized due to their content and the blessings associated with them.
- Surah Al-Qadr (Chapter 97): This surah is explicitly named after the Night of Decree and is often recited repeatedly on Laylatul Qadr. It is a short surah, consisting of only five verses, and emphasizes the significance of the night.
- Surah Al-Dukhan (Chapter 44): This surah talks about the Quran’s guidance and blessings, making it a suitable choice for Laylatul Qadr.
- Surah Al-Alaq (Chapter 96): This surah is the first revelation given to the Prophet Muhammad and serves as a reminder of the beginning of the Quranic revelation.
- Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112) and Surah Al-Falaq (Chapter 113): These surahs are commonly recited as they are short and contain powerful messages of monotheism and seeking Allah’s protection from harm.
- Surah Al-Nas (Chapter 114): Like Surah Al-Ikhlas and Surah Al-Falaq, Surah Al-Nas is recited for protection and seeking refuge in Allah.
While these surahs are commonly recited on Laylatul Qadr, it is also a good practice to recite any portion of the Quran that you are familiar with or feel a connection to. The key is to engage with the Quran and reflect on its teachings during this special night.
Will any dua be accepted on Laylatul Qadr?
The Night of Decree, Laylatul Qadr, is a night when the doors of Allah’s mercy and forgiveness are wide open, and it is believed that sincere duas made on this night have a higher chance of being accepted. However, it is important to remember that the acceptance of a dua depends on several factors, including one’s sincerity, faith, and the alignment of the supplication with Allah’s will.
Laylatul Qadr is a night of special significance, and Muslims are encouraged to seek Allah’s forgiveness and blessings, to make earnest and heartfelt supplications, and to ask for guidance and the fulfillment of their needs. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said that Allah descends to the lowest heaven during this night, and He accepts the supplications of those who call upon Him with sincerity.
While any sincere dua has the potential to be accepted, it is essential to approach Allah with a humble and pure heart. Repent for your sins, express your gratitude, seek forgiveness, and ask for His guidance and blessings. Laylatul Qadr is a night of immense spiritual power, and sincere supplications can have a profound impact on one’s life.
How long do you pray for Laylatul Qadr?
The duration of prayer on Laylatul Qadr is a matter of personal devotion and choice. There is no specific requirement or fixed duration for how long one should pray on this night. However, it is recommended to engage in extended acts of worship, including prayer, throughout the night.
Laylatul Qadr is a night of great spiritual significance, and Muslims are encouraged to spend the entire night in acts of worship and devotion. Many believers engage in extended prayers, recitation of the Quran, supplication (dua), and other acts of worship during this night. Some may pray for hours, while others may perform shorter but more frequent prayers throughout the night.
The choice of how long to pray on Laylatul Qadr is a personal one and depends on one’s physical capability and devotion. Some people may pray for the entire night, while others may pray for a few hours or even engage in shorter periods of focused worship. The key is to spend the night in devotion and seek Allah’s blessings and forgiveness with a sincere heart.
It is worth noting that seeking Laylatul Qadr on one of the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th) is a common practice, with the 27th night being the most widely observed and celebrated. However, Laylatul Qadr’s exact date is hidden, and it may vary from year to year, so it is advisable to increase worship on all of the last ten nights of Ramadan.
What special du’a supplication should one make on Laylatul Qadr, and when should one say it?
The best du’a for Laylatul Qadr
There is only one simple prayer the Prophet, on him be peace, taught us to say on Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Empowering Decree.
His wife, ‘Aishah, Allah be pleased with her, asked him:
“If I know a night to be Laylatul Qadr, what should I say on that night?”
He said:
“Say: O Allah! You are all-pardoning. You love to pardon. So pardon me.”
(In transliterated Arabic: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbu’l-‘afwa fa‘afu ‘anni.) (Tirmidhi)
Is this the only thing one should say on Laylatul Qadr
No. This statement of the Prophet, on him be peace, does not mean this is the only du’a one should make.
It means this is the very best prayer we can utter in this incomparable moment because it condenses all that we seek from Allah — on this holiest of nights and in the whole of our lives — in just seven words: divine pardon for our sins and failings so He cleanses us, by His grace, rendering us worthy of admission to His Gardens of Paradise.
It is best also because this du’a is perfect in its manner and structure, as well as in its content for this destiny-altering Night. It entreats Allah with the exemplary etiquette and sequence of accepted supplication:
- First, it acknowledges Him alone with humility.
- Next, it beseeches Him only with intense sincerity by the action of one of His Beautiful Names.
- Then, it extols the superabundance with which He copiously showers His loving, kind mercy upon all His creation.
- Only lastly does it entreat His gracious clemency on His servant, who is now in beautiful surrender.
This, then, is a peerlessly packed and perfect prayer for a singular illuminated night. Only the Prophet, on him be peace, could have uttered it. It is Revelation.
As to the question of devotions in this time, one should fill the night of Laylatul Qadr with worship: supplications, Allah’s remembrances (dhikr), Quran recitation, and — above all — Ṣalâh (Prayer).
The Prophet, on him be peace, said:
“One who stands much (in ṣalâh, ritual prayer) in Laylatul Qadr — in anticipation of Allah’s reward — will be forgiven all his past sins”
(Bukhârî and Muslim)
How does one know it is Laylatul Qadr?
The Prophet, on him be peace, said Laylatul Qadr is one of the odd-numbered nights of the last 10 nights of Ramadan. So people should say this prophetic supplication and strive in their ritual prayer (ṣalâh), other worship, and give ṣadaqah-charity most on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th nights of Ramadan.
Of these, the strongest prophetic indication is one of the last three nights (Bukhârî), and the 27th likelier among these, according to a prophetic report:
“One searching for Laylatul Qadr should seek it on the night of the 27th”
(Muslim)
Yet we do not know certainly in which of these last 10 Ramadan nights Laylatul Qadr descends.
This means one should treat each of the last 10 nights of Ramadan as if it is Laylatul Qadr and recite the perfect and easy du’a our beloved has taught us specially for this Night in great profusion.
