The last ten nights of Ramadan

The last ten nights of Ramadan are the most important of the year. The Prophet ﷺ strove in worship during them more than at any other time (Sahih Muslim 1175), and one of them is Laylat al-Qadr.

Laylat al-Qadr

Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree, is the night the Quran was first sent down. Allah says it is better than a thousand months (Quran 97:1–5). The Prophet ﷺ told us to seek it in the odd nights of the last ten: the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th (Sahih al-Bukhari 2017).

Islamic nights begin at sunset, so the 21st night starts on the evening of the 20th day of Ramadan.

The dua for Laylat al-Qadr

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

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

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

Copy the Arabic

A simple plan for each night

• Pray Isha and taraweeh in congregation if you can.
• Read a portion of the Quran, even a few pages.
• Make dua with the dua of Laylat al-Qadr and your own list.
• Give something in charity each night, so you give on Laylat al-Qadr whichever night it is.
• Rest, then pray a few rak’ahs before suhoor.

I’tikaf

The Prophet ﷺ spent the last ten days of Ramadan in i’tikaf, staying in the masjid for worship, every year until he died (Sahih al-Bukhari 2026). Many masjids host i’tikaf; ask yours how to sign up.