Duas for Laylatul Qadr + How to Observe the Holiday

Download Article

Islamic leader & faith specialist Rabia M. Baig explains when Laylat al-Qadr occurs & why it's important

Co-authored by Rabia M. Baig and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: March 4, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

Praying on Laylat al-Qadr

|

Other Ways to Celebrate

|

What is Laylat al-Qadr?

|

When is it?

|

Why is it important?

|

Video

Wondering what prayers you should recite during Laylat al-Qadr? The last 10 days of Ramadan are a time of celebration and worship, but Laylat al-Qadr (the night of power) is when your good deeds and prayers are amplified a thousand-fold! That's why it's important to say the right prayers and focus your intention on the right requests. In this article, wikiHow partnered with an Islam expert to break down how to pray on Laylat al-Qadr and other ways to celebrate it, as well as the meaning of Laylat al-Qadr, when it occurs, and why it's important.

The next Ramadan is Monday, February 08 – Wednesday, March 10, 2027.

How do you pray on Laylat al-Qadr?

Islamic leader & faith specialist Rabia M. Baig suggests praying as many nafil (voluntary rak'ahs) as possible. Pray the obligatory 5 daily prayers (salah), then say extra personal prayers (dua). Say duas on every odd date during the last 10 days of Ramadan for the best chance of praying on the night of power.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Pray on Laylat al-Qadr

Download Article

1
Pray the obligatory five daily prayers (salah) as usual. The obligation to pray the salah, or the five daily prayers, applies on Laylat al-Qadr as on any other day of the year. Start your morning with the Fajr prayers at dawn, then pray Zuhr in the afternoon, Asr in the mid-afternoon, Maghrib in the evening, and Isha at night.
- According to Baig, there is no specific way of praying during Laylat al-Qadr. However, she says Muslims usually pray as many nafil as possible, which are voluntary rak'ahs.^{[1]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rabia M. Baig
  Islamic Leader & Faith Specialist
  
  Expert Interview}
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Rabia M. Baig is an Islamic leader and faith specialist. She produces clear, practical, and faith-based guidance for modern Muslims.
2
Offer extra dua for blessings, salvation, and special favors. Any prayer for blessings or forgiveness spoken on Laylat al-Qadr is amplified 1,000 times, so make dua (personal prayer) to Allah that verbalizes your desire for His mercy and love. Include any special favors you'd like to receive, as well, such as increased wealth or healing from an illness. Any dua spoken with good intentions and devotion will be heard, but these dua are especially popular for the holiday:^{[2]
X
Research source}
- "Rabbanaa aatinaa fid dunya hasanah, wa fil aakhirati hasanah, waqinaa ‘adhaaban-naar." In English, "Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!"
- "Rabbanagh-firlee wa li waalidayya wa lil mu’mineena yawma yaqoomul hisaab." In English, "Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents, and all the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established."
- "Rabbanaa innanaa aamannaa faghfirlana dhunoobana waqinaa ‘adhaaban-naar." In English, "Our Lord! We have indeed believed, so forgive us our sins and save us from the punishment of the Fire."

Section 2 of 5:

Other Ways to Celebrate Laylat al-Qadr

Download Article

1
Treat iftar to a fasting person or send them food. Before starting your daily fast, invite a fellow Muslim to iftar (the evening meal that breaks the daily Ramadan fast) by cooking for them.^{[3]
X
Research source} Allah said that feeding a fasting person will send you rewards, and on Laylat al-Qadr, your blessings are multiplied! If you cannot practically feed someone, purchase food on their behalf and send it to them.
- If you do not have anyone in your life you can purchase iftar for, donate to a charity that provides iftar for poor Muslims in need.
2
Engage in charitable acts throughout the day. Zakat (obligatory charity) and sadaqa (voluntary charity) are key tenets of the Islamic faith. Baig suggests that you do charity and good deeds during Laylat al-Qadr, as the more you do, the more reward there will be.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Rabia M. Baig
Islamic Leader & Faith Specialist

Expert Interview} For instance, you might donate your time to a local Muslim organization, donate money to an international Islamic non-profit, or reach out to your elders to ask them what you can do to help.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Even the smallest act of kindness counts, so don’t hesitate to lend a hand to your brothers and sisters.
- Remember, the Prophet said, "Your smile for your brother is a charity. Your removal of stones, thorns, or bones from the paths of people is a charity. Your guidance of a person who is lost is a charity."^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
3
Worship with your family and local congregation. Laylat al-Qadr is a time for celebration in your community. If you can, pray Salah with your family, fast together, and worship at your local mosque. This holy night is all about community, so spend as much of your time in the company of other Muslims as you can.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Many Muslims take off from work or school to spend more time with their loved ones at the mosque during Laylat al-Qadr, although this is entirely optional.
Rewards and pardons are supposedly amplified by 1,000 during Laylat al-Qadr, and some say your sins are multiplied as well. While Allah will forgive you if you sin, do everything you can to be the best Muslim you can be. Even if you fall short, the graces and riches of your effort will be seen.
5
Spend your passing day reflecting on His blessings. Don’t spend your time hanging out socially with friends or engaging in your typical hobbies. If you have to work, go to school, or spend your day fulfilling other obligations, stay quiet and reflect on Allah’s presence and blessings. Meditate as you go about your day and let Allah into your heart.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Even if you cannot actively recite dua, say them in your head to keep the words close to your heart.
In honor of the celebration, read and memorize ayahs (verses) from the Qur'an to fully internalize the meaning of the holiday. Recite the 97th surah up to 100 times on the night of Laylat al-Qadr to honor and sing praise to Allah.^{[9]
X
Research source} The 97th surah (Power) reads:

"With the Name of Allah, the Merciful Benefactor, The Merciful Redeemer
1. We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power:
2. And what will explain to thee what the night of power is?
3. The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
4. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand:
5. Peace!…This until the rise of morn!"^{[10]
X
Research source}
7
Recite other chapters of the Quran to inspire your will to worship. Laylat al-Qadr honors the first time the words of the Holy Quran were revealed. So, Baig suggests spending time reading the Quran.^{[11]
X
Expert Source

Rabia M. Baig
Islamic Leader & Faith Specialist

Expert Interview} You may read it cover to cover or peruse your favorite surahs to feel spiritually reinvigorated. It doesn’t matter which surahs you read; Allah will bless you so long as you spend time with the Holy Word.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Throughout the day, recite ayahs and salawats (blessings upon Prophet Muhammad) to remind yourself of this holy time and feel close to Allah.^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
8
Observe l’tikaf by staying in the mosque for a prolonged period. Some Muslims spend entire days at the mosque during the last 10 days of Ramadan while they celebrate Laylat al-Qadr. It’s okay if you don’t spend multiple days there, but try to spend as much time at the mosque as you can. This practice is known as l’tikaf, and it’s a kind of spiritual retreat designed to help you grow as a Muslim.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Show up for communal prayer as often as you can, if that's all you're able to do.
Pulling an all-nighter to pray and celebrate is a classic Laylat al-Qadr tradition among many Muslims. While not mandatory, staying up as late as you possibly can allows you to receive as many blessings as possible on this monumental night.^{[15]
X
Research source}

Section 3 of 5:

What is Laylat al-Qadr?

Download Article

Baig explains that Laylat al-Qadr is the Night of Power and the decree where the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).^{[16]
X
Expert Source

Rabia M. Baig
Islamic Leader & Faith Specialist

Expert Interview} Muslim scholars differ on whether the Prophet Muhammad received the Qur'an from Heaven all in one night or in parts. It doesn't matter as much how the Qur'an was sent. Laylat al-Qadr celebrates the fact that it was sent at all!^{[17]
X
Research source}

Section 4 of 5:

When is Laylat al-Qadr?

Download Article

Laylat al-Qadr occurs on an odd date during the last 10 days of Ramadan. The exact date of Lalyat al-Qadr is unknown, explains Baig. However, she says it’s believed to fall on any night during the last 10 nights of Ramadan.^{[18]
X
Expert Source

Rabia M. Baig
Islamic Leader & Faith Specialist

Expert Interview} Many Muslims believe it occurs on the 27th day of Ramadan or another odd date in the last 10 days of the holiday. Some Muslims say extra duas on the 19th, 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th, to make sure they don't miss out on the spiritual benefits of this auspicious night!^{[19]
X
Research source}
- Baig notes that the exact date is kept hidden and secret due to the wisdom of Allah, so that people do not cheat their way to earning rewards while still sinning throughout the year.^{[20]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rabia M. Baig
  Islamic Leader & Faith Specialist
  
  Expert Interview}

Section 5 of 5:

Why is Laylat al-Qadr important in Islam?

Download Article

Good deeds and prayers performed on Laylat al-Qadr are more powerful. According to Baig, any worship, good deed, or charity done on this night converts into the highest reward possible. Specifically, the Quran states that good deeds performed on this night are better than those done over a thousand months. Baig also explains that every Muslim’s fate for the coming year is decreed on Laylat al-Qadr, including their health, relationships, job opportunities, and children. So, she says, “Muslims are highly encouraged to make dua for their destiny on this night.”^{[21]
X
Expert Source

Rabia M. Baig
Islamic Leader & Faith Specialist

Expert Interview}
- Baig explains that a thousand months converts to around 83 years, which is the average human lifespan. So, any good deed or worship done on Laylat al-Qadr is considered to be equal to that good deed done over someone’s entire 83 years. That just goes to show how big the reward is for doing even one good deed on this night, she notes.^{[22]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rabia M. Baig
  Islamic Leader & Faith Specialist
  
  Expert Interview}