Laylatul Qadr: Signs, Duas & What to Do on the Night of Power

Published October 10, 2026 · Updated October 10, 2026 · By EventBuzz Team

Serene mosque at night under a starry sky with a glowing crescent moon during Laylatul Qadr

Hidden inside the last ten nights of Ramadan is a single night worth more than a lifetime of ordinary nights. Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power, is the night the Quran was first revealed, and catching it in sincere worship is the great hope of every fasting person as the month draws to its close. This guide explains what it is, when to seek it, the signs traditionally described for it, and how to spend the night well. The expected dates for 2027 are in our Ramadan 2027 dates calendar.

Quick answer: Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months, and it is sought on the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan: the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th. In 2027 those nights are expected from late February to around March 8, depending on moon sighting.

What Is Laylatul Qadr?

The Quran devotes a whole chapter, Surah Al-Qadr, to this night. It tells us that the Quran was sent down on Laylatul Qadr, that the night is better than a thousand months, that the angels and the Spirit descend on it by their Lord's permission with every matter, and that it is peace until the rise of dawn. A thousand months is more than eighty three years, longer than most lifetimes, which is why believers treasure even the possibility of worshipping on this night.

When Should It Be Sought?

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, taught his followers to seek Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan: the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th nights. For Ramadan 2027, expected to begin on Monday, February 8 in most countries, those nights are expected from late February through to around March 8, 2027, and every date remains dependent on the sighting of the moon. Many communities give special attention to the 27th night, expected around March 6 to 7, 2027, but the wise approach is to treat every odd night, and ideally the whole final ten, as if it could be the one.

Signs Traditionally Described

Authentic reports describe the night itself as calm and serene, neither hot nor cold, with a sense of stillness in the air. The following morning, the sun is described as rising soft and pale, without strong rays, like a full moon. These signs are traditionally mentioned as gentle indicators noticed mostly afterwards, so they are a comfort rather than a test: no one can be certain which night it was, and that uncertainty is itself part of the wisdom, encouraging effort across all ten nights.

What to Do on the Night of Power

Pray: Stand in night prayer, at home or in the mosque, even if only for a portion of the night, with presence and humility.
Read Quran: Spend time with the Book that was revealed on this very night, reading and reflecting at your own pace.
Make abundant dua: Ask for forgiveness, health, family, livelihood and every need of this world and the next; these are nights when duas are treasured.
Give charity: Many people give something on each of the last ten nights, so that charity certainly lands on Laylatul Qadr whichever night it is.
Remember Allah quietly: Simple words of remembrance and seeking forgiveness fill the gaps between prayers beautifully.
Rest with intention: A short rest to sustain the night is wiser than exhausting yourself early and sleeping through its best hours.

The Authentic Dua of Laylatul Qadr

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, asked the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, what she should say if she knew which night was Laylatul Qadr. He taught her this dua, short enough to repeat hundreds of times in one night.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni.

Translation: O Allah, You are Pardoning and You love pardon, so pardon me.

Find this dua alongside the daily duas of the month in our Ramadan duas guide. When the last ten nights end, Ramadan closes and Eid arrives; see our Eid al-Fitr 2027 date guide for what comes next.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Laylatul Qadr?

It is the Night of Power, the night the Quran was first revealed. The Quran describes it as better than a thousand months, a night of angels, decrees and peace until dawn.

Which nights could Laylatul Qadr be in 2027?

It is sought on the odd nights of the last ten nights: the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th. In 2027 these are expected from late February to around March 8, depending on the moon sighting that starts Ramadan.

What are the signs of Laylatul Qadr?

Reports describe a calm, serene night, neither hot nor cold, followed by a morning in which the sun rises soft and pale without strong rays. The signs are usually recognised afterwards, so effort across all ten nights is encouraged.

What is the best dua for Laylatul Qadr?

"Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni": O Allah, You are Pardoning and You love pardon, so pardon me. It is the dua the Prophet, peace be upon him, specifically taught for this night.

What should I do if I cannot stay up all night?

Pray what you can, read some Quran, repeat the dua, give a little charity and rest with the intention of worship. Sincere effort for part of the night is beloved, and consistency across the ten nights matters more than one exhausting night.

Conclusion

No one knows which of the ten nights holds the treasure, and that is the invitation: give each one something. A prayer, a page, a coin of charity and the words "fa'fu anni", pardon me, repeated into the quiet. One of those nights, that is worship worth more than a thousand months.

May you find Laylatul Qadr, and may it find you forgiven, peaceful and renewed.