The Night of Decree
What is Laylat al-Qadr?
Laylat al-Qadr is the night on which the Qur’an was first sent down (Qur’an 97:1). Surah al-Qadr says the night is better than a thousand months, that the angels and the Spirit (Jibril) descend in it, and that it is peace until the break of dawn (97:3–5).
“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.”
The Prophet ﷺ also said that whoever prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and hoping for reward will have their previous sins forgiven (Sahih al-Bukhari 1901 (opens in a new tab)).
When should it be sought?
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2017 (opens in a new tab)). In another narration he said: “Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2020 (opens in a new tab)). When the last ten nights began, he would increase his worship, pray through the night and wake his family (Sahih al-Bukhari 2024 (opens in a new tab), summarised).
Scholars have long discussed which night is most likely. The Companion Ubayy ibn Ka‘b held that it is the 27th night (Sahih Muslim 762a (opens in a new tab)). Others held different views, and the instruction of the Prophet ﷺ to seek it across the last ten nights remains the clearest guidance. For that reason, this site does not present any single night as guaranteed.
Estimated dates
The odd nights in 2027
| Night | Begins at sunset on | Followed by fasting day |
|---|---|---|
| 21st night | 21 Ramadan 1448 | |
| 23rd night | 23 Ramadan 1448 | |
| 25th night | 25 Ramadan 1448 | |
| 27th night | 27 Ramadan 1448 | |
| 29th night | 29 Ramadan 1448 |
None of these dates is confirmed as Laylat al-Qadr. Its exact night is not known. The Prophet ﷺ told believers to seek it in the odd nights of the last ten (Sahih al-Bukhari 2017 (opens in a new tab)) and, in another narration, throughout the last ten nights (Sahih al-Bukhari 2020 (opens in a new tab)). Some Companions held that it is the 27th night (Sahih Muslim 762a (opens in a new tab)), but that view does not make the 27th night certain.
The dates above assume Ramadan 2027 begins on Monday, 8 February 2027. If your community begins a day later, every night moves one day later.
All of the last ten nights
Seeking Laylat al-Qadr on every one of the last ten nights is the surest way not to miss it.
| Night | Begins at sunset on | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 21st night | Odd night | |
| 22nd night | ||
| 23rd night | Odd night | |
| 24th night | ||
| 25th night | Odd night | |
| 26th night | ||
| 27th night | Odd night | |
| 28th night | ||
| 29th night | Odd night | |
| 30th night | Only if the crescent is not seen on the evening of the 29th day |
Supplication
What to say on Laylat al-Qadr
ʿAʾishah asked the Prophet ﷺ what she should say if she knew which night was Laylat al-Qadr, and he taught her this short supplication asking Allah for His pardon.