"Laylat al-Qadr, often translated as the Night of Decree or Night of Power, is one of the holiest nights in Islam," says Limbuk to her bestie, Cangik. "It is the night on which the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through Jibreel (Gabriel), alaihissalam, marking the beginning of Divine revelation. This night is described in the Qur’an itself, particularly in Surah Al-Qadr (97):1-5, where Allah says,
اِنَّآ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ فِيْ لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ وَمَآ اَدْرٰىكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِۗ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ ەۙ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ اَلْفِ شَهْرٍۗ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلٰۤىِٕكَةُ وَالرُّوْحُ فِيْهَا بِاِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْۚ مِنْ كُلِّ اَمْرٍۛ سَلٰمٌ ۛهِيَ حَتّٰى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ ࣖ
'Indeed, We sent it [i.e., the Qur’ān] down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit [i.e., Gabriel] descend therein by permission of their Rabb for every matter (bringing the exact measures apportioned for everything by Allāh in the course of the coming year). Peace it is (upon the believers) until the emergence of dawn.'
This verse highlights the immense significance of Laylat al-Qadr, emphasizing that worship during this single night is more rewarding than worship over a thousand months—equivalent to more than eighty-three years. It is a night filled with divine mercy, forgiveness, and blessings, where the decrees for the coming year are set by Allah and conveyed to the angels.
Maulana Mufti Muhammad Shafi' in his Maariful Quran (volume 8, translated to English by Maulana Ahmed Khalil Aziz) tells us that Ibn Abi Hatim has reported from Mujahid (as mursal hadith) that the Prophet (ﷺ) was told about a mujahid [warrior in the cause of religion] from amongst the Children of Israel who carried weapons of war on his shoulders for a thousand months during which time he never laid down his arms. The Companions were amazed when they heard this. On that occasion, this Surah was revealed which describes that worship in the Night of Qadr granted to this Ummah exceeds by more than a thousand months of jihad persistently fought by that warrior. According to another narration of Mujahid cited in Ibn Jarir, a worshipper from among the Children of Israel used to worship Allah the whole night, and as soon as the dawn broke, he would arm himself and fight the whole day. This continued consecutively for a thousand months. This Surah was thus revealed. This shows the superiority of the Ummah of the Prophet (ﷺ), and that the Night of Qadr is a special characteristic of this ummah.
One meaning of the word Qadr is 'greatness, honour or dignity'. Zuhri and other scholars have assigned this meaning to it. The night is called the Night of Qadr because it is a night of greatness, honour, majesty and dignity. Abu Bakr Warraq has stated that this night is so called because a person becomes a man of honour and dignity on account of repentance, seeking pardon and righteous acts during this night, whilst before this he might have lacked honour and dignity on account of unrighteous life he might have led.
Another meaning of the word Qadr is 'predestination'. From this point of view, the night is so-called because the destiny of individuals and nations that was decided in pre-eternity is assigned to the relevant angels who are appointed for cosmic planning. Every man's age, death, sustenance, rain and other things are measured out to the angels to be implemented for a complete year from one month of Ramadan to another. If an individual is destined to perform Hajj in the forthcoming year, it will be prescribed. According to Ibn 'Abbas, radhiyallahu 'anhu, there are four angels in charge of cosmic planning: Israfil, Mikail, Izrail and Jibreel. It is clearly stated in Surah Ad-Dukhan (44):3-5,
اِنَّآ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ فِيْ لَيْلَةٍ مُّبٰرَكَةٍ اِنَّا كُنَّا مُنْذِرِيْنَ فِيْهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ اَمْرٍ حَكِيْمٍۙ اَمْرًا مِّنْ عِنْدِنَاۗ اِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِيْنَۖ
'Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night [The Night of Decree (Qadr)]. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind]. Therein [i.e., on that night] is made distinct [or 'is separated' or 'apportioned,' from what is inscribed in the Preserved Slate. The angels record and descend with whatever Allāh has decreed for the coming year] every precise matter - [Every] matter [proceeding] from Us. Indeed, We were to send [a messenger].'
'Laylatun Mubarakah' or the 'blessed', according to overwhelming scholars of the Qur'an, refers to the Night of Qadr. The angels record and descend with whatever Allah has destined or decreed for the coming year. Some scholars hold that the 'blessed night' in 44:3 refers to the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, that is, 'Laylatul Bara'ah ' or the 'Night of Immunity'. This view may be reconciled with the former one by holding that the initial Divine decrees are decided on the Night of Immunity, and the details are recorded and handed over to the relevant angels on the Night of Qadr. This is supported by a narration of Ibn 'Abbas which Baghawi has recorded on the authority of Abud-Duha which states that Allah decrees all cosmic matters on the Night of Immunity, but they are only handed over to the relevant angels on the Night of Qadr.
It is explicitly stated in the Qur'an that the Night occurs in the blessed or auspicious month of Ramadan, but its exact date has not been disclosed. As a result, it is disputed and debated among scholars. There are about forty opinions recorded. Mazhari states that the most authentic opinion is that the Night of Qadr occurs in the last ten nights of Ramadan, but no specific date has been fixed. It could be any of the last ten odd nights which may alternate from year to year. According to authentic Traditions, it could be one of the following nights: 21,23, 25, 27 and 29. Thus all the conflicting Traditions relating to the odd nights are reconciled. All the Traditions about the date of the Night are authentic, and there is no need for any convoluted interpretation. Most eminent jurists - like Abu Qilabah, Imam Malik, Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Sufyan Thawri, Ishaq Ibn Rahwaih, Abu Thawr, Muzani, Ibn Khuzaymah and others - agree that the Night occurs in the last ten odd nights, alternating. Imam Shafi' has two opinions. In one he sides with the majority, and in another, he holds that the night is fixed and does not alternate.
'A'ishah, radhiyallahu 'anha, narrated in Sahih of Bukhari, according to which the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) is reported to have said, 'Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan.' Ibn 'Umar, radhiyallahu 'anhum, narrated, as recorded in Sahih Muslim, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, 'Search for it in the last ten odd nights of Ramadan.' The greatest virtue of the Night is mentioned in the Surah itself, that is, the acts of worship performed in this single night are better than worship in one thousand months which amounts to eighty-three years and four months. The figure here and elsewhere in the Qur'an does not signify its precise number but simply denotes a very large or high number. Allah alone knows how much more or better.
It is recorded in Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurairah, radhiyallahu 'anhu, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, 'He who spends the Night of Qadr in the worship of Allah, all his past sins will be forgiven.' Ibn 'Abbas, radhiyallahu 'anhu, narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, 'All the angels resident at the 'Lote Tree of the Uttermost Boundary' descend in the leadership of Jibreel and greet every believer, man or woman, except one who takes wine or eats pork.' Another narration reports that anyone who is deprived of the good of the Night of Qadr is deprived of all good. On the Night of Qadr, some people experience and witness special anwar [lights]. However, it may be noted that this is not experienced or witnessed by all and sundry nor is it part of the blessings and reward of the Night. Therefore, people should not concern themselves about it.
Aisha, radhiyallahu 'anha, the beloved wife of the Prophet (ﷺ), once asked him what she should say if she finds Laylat al-Qadr. The Prophet (ﷺ) advised her to say:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ العَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
"Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni"
(O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love to forgive, so forgive me)."
Laylat al-Qadr is more than just a night of immense reward—it is a night of transformation. It is the night when destiny is written, sins are erased, and the doors to Allah’s mercy are flung wide open. It is not simply about staying awake and performing acts of worship; it is about standing before Allah with a heart full of sincerity, longing for His forgiveness, and seeking a new beginning.
There is something deeply humbling about Laylat al-Qadr. Despite all our shortcomings, Allah offers us a chance to rewrite our future, elevate our status, to be among those whom He loves. The very concept that one night can be better than a thousand months is a reminder that in the sight of Allah, quality of worship matters far more than quantity. One moment of sincere repentance, one tear shed in humility, one heartfelt du’a can outweigh years of heedlessness.
This night is also a night of divine closeness. The angels descend, the heavens open, and peace settles over the believers who seek it. There is unexplainable tranquillity that comes with knowing that your prayers are being heard, that your burdens are being lifted, and that your sins are being forgiven. It is a moment to detach from the distractions of the world and immerse oneself in the remembrance of the One who controls all affairs.
Laylat al-Qadr is also a lesson in perseverance. The Prophet (ﷺ) didn’t pinpoint an exact date but encouraged us to seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadan. It is a test of sincerity—will we strive consistently, or will we only worship when we are certain of the reward? Those who seek this night wholeheartedly will find it, not necessarily by witnessing a physical sign, but by feeling its impact on their hearts, by sensing the shift in their connection with Allah.
Perhaps the greatest reflection on Laylat al-Qadr is that it is a night of hope. No matter how distant one has been from Allah, no matter how heavy one’s sins feel, this night is a chance to be completely renewed. The same heart that was burdened by the weight of sins can be illuminated with the light of faith. The same soul that felt lost can find its way back.
So as we enter the last ten nights of Ramadan, we should ask ourselves: What if this is my last Laylat al-Qadr? What if this is the night that shapes the rest of my life? Will I let it pass as just another night, or will I seize it as the opportunity of a lifetime?
May Allah grant us the blessing of witnessing Laylat al-Qadr and accepting our prayers during this sacred night! Ameen," concluded Limbuk while wiping her face. Cangik affirmed while doing the same thing.
