Every year, as the last ten nights of Ramadan approach, millions of Muslims across the world intensify their worship, hoping to witness the most blessed and powerful night of the year—Laylatul Qadr.
This night is unlike any other; a single act of worship performed during it carries more reward than a thousand months—equivalent to 83 years and 4 months of worship. It is a night of destiny, where Allah decrees the affairs of the coming year, the angels descend, and the doors of divine mercy are opened wide.
Yet, its exact date remains hidden, sparking continuous scholarly discussions. Did Allah intentionally conceal its date? If so, why? Does it occur on the same night every year, or does it shift between different nights? What are its signs? How can one maximise its blessings?
This article presents a comprehensive and detailed analysis based on authentic narrations, scholarly interpretations, and historical reports, ensuring that no point is omitted.
1. The Meaning of Laylatul Qadr: Linguistic and Technical Definition
The phrase Laylatul Qadr is composed of two Arabic words:
- Layla (لَيْلَةُ) – meaning night, which is the period between Maghrib and Fajr.
- Al-Qadr (القَدْرُ) – which has three main interpretations:
A. The Meaning of Al-Qadr (القَدْرُ)
- Honor and Status (الشرف والعظمة): The term Al-Qadr is associated with greatness, veneration, and honor.
- Allah uses this meaning in the Qur'an:
وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ
"And they did not honor Allah as He should be honored." (Surah Az-Zumar 39:67)
- This supports the view that Laylatul Qadr is a night of great status and excellence, as Allah Himself glorifies it:
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ
“And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is?” (Surah Al-Qadr 97:2)
The interrogative style used here is a rhetorical tool in the Qur'an that magnifies the importance of something.
- Destiny and Decree (التقدير والقضاء): On this night, Allah decrees the matters of the coming year, as He states:
فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ
“On that night is made distinct every precise matter.” (Surah Ad-Dukhan 44:4)
- This annual decree includes who will live, who will die, who will be blessed, who will be tested, and all worldly events.
- It is a specific type of divine decree (Qadr Sanawi) that Allah writes for the coming year.
- Tightening and Restriction (التضييق): Some scholars interpret Laylatul Qadr as the night when the earth becomes 'tight' due to the immense number of descending angels, as Allah says:
تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا
"The angels and Jibreel descend therein..." (Surah Al-Qadr 97:4)
However, this is the weakest view among scholars. Ibn Hajar and Ibn Qudamah preferred the first two meanings as the strongest interpretations.
B. The Meaning of Laylatul Qadr in Context
When combining the linguistic and technical meanings, Laylatul Qadr refers to:
- A night of immense blessings and honor,
- A night when Allah decrees the matters of the upcoming year,
- A night that carries rewards equivalent to over 83 years of worship.
2. Is Laylatul Qadr Still Occurring, or Was It Lifted?
A controversial question arose among scholars: Does Laylatul Qadr still occur, or was it permanently lifted?
This doubt originates from a hadith in Sahih Al-Bukhari:
The Prophet ﷺ came out to inform the people about the exact night of Laylatul Qadr, but two men began to quarrel, so its knowledge was lifted.
What Was Lifted?
Scholars differed in their understanding:
- Was Laylatul Qadr completely removed? (A rejected view)
- Was only its specific date lifted? (The correct view)
- The Prophet ﷺ clarified this confusion, saying:
وَعَسَىٰ أَن يَكُونَ خَيْرًا لَكُمْ فَالْتَمِسُوهَا
"Perhaps this is better for you. Seek it in the last ten nights." (Sahih Al-Bukhari 2023)
Furthermore, Ibn Mulaqqin in I'lam bi Fawa'id Umdat al-Ahkam confirmed Ijma' (scholarly consensus) that Laylatul Qadr will continue until the Day of Judgment.
Thus, the only knowledge that was lifted was its exact date, not the night itself.
3. The Month of Laylatul Qadr: Does It Only Happen in Ramadan?
Yes, Laylatul Qadr occurs only in Ramadan, proven by two Quranic verses:
- The Qur'an was revealed in Ramadan:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)
- The Qur'an was revealed on Laylatul Qadr:
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ
“Indeed, We sent it down during the Night of Decree.” (Surah Al-Qadr 97:1)
Since both refer to the Qur'an’s revelation, it proves that Laylatul Qadr must be in Ramadan.
4. Is Laylatul Qadr on a Fixed Date, or Does It Move?
Many believe that Laylatul Qadr always falls on the 27th Ramadan. However, authentic narrations suggest otherwise.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
تَحَرَّوْا لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فِي الْعَشْرِ الْأَوَاخِرِ
"Seek Laylatul Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan."(Sahih Al-Bukhari 2017)
Evidence That It Moves Each Year
- The Prophet ﷺ mentioned different nights in different years:
- 21st (Sahih Bukhari:2018)
- 23rd (Sahih Muslim:1168)
- 25th (Musnad Ahmad:16984)
- 27th (Sahih Muslim:762, Abu Dawud:1386)
- 29th (Musnad Ahmad: 4925)
- Scholars such as Imam An-Nawawi, Malik, Ahmad, and Ishaq stated that it moves every year.
- Ibn Hajar in Fath Al-Bari listed 40 opinions on its date, proving that it is not fixed.
Thus, the best approach is to worship every night in the last ten nights.
Conclusion: Maximize Worship in All Ten Nights
Since Laylatul Qadr remains hidden, the best strategy is to worship every night in the last ten days.
"Whoever stands in prayer on Laylatul Qadr with faith and expectation, his past sins will be forgiven." (Sahih Al-Bukhari: 2014)
May Allah allow us all to witness and benefit from Laylatul Qadr this Ramadan. Ameen.
Ramadan is more than fasting—it's a time for growth, knowledge, and connection with Allah. Deepen your understanding of Laylatul Qadr, fasting rulings, and Qur’anic guidance with authentic courses at AMAU Academy.
