Laylatul Qadr (ليلة القدر) — the Night of Power — is one of the most sacred and awe-inspiring nights in Islam. It is the night when the Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام), marking the beginning of guidance for all humankind. As Allah says in Surah Al-Qadr (97:1-5), it is “better than a thousand months,” a night filled with rahmah (mercy), maghfirah (forgiveness), and barakah (blessings).
On this night, hearts turn toward Allah in deep humility. Believers spend the hours of Laylatul Qadr in prayer, reciting Qur’an, making dhikr, and whispering duas that carry their hopes and regrets to their Lord. Many wonder what to recite during this night or which supplication holds the greatest virtue. The Prophet ﷺ taught a short yet powerful prayer — the authentic dua for Laylatul Qadr — asking Allah to forgive us completely and envelop us in His mercy.
In this article, you’ll find that blessed Dua for Laylatul Qadr in Arabic, along with its transliteration, meaning, and recommended times for recitation, so you can connect deeply with Allah on this extraordinary Night of Qadr.
Authentic Dua for Laylatul Qadr (Arabic, Transliteration, Translation)
The most authentic and spiritually uplifting dua for Laylatul Qadr (ليلة القدر) was taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and narrated by Aisha (رضي الله عنها) in Sunan al-Tirmidhi (3513). She once asked, “O Messenger of Allah, if I witness Laylatul Qadr — the Night of Power — what should I say?” The Prophet ﷺ replied with a short yet powerful supplication that every believer can hold close to the heart:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي Transliteration: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuḥibbul-‘afwa fa‘fu ‘anni Translation: O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love to forgive, so forgive me.
This simple dua captures the entire spirit of Laylatul Qadr — a night of mercy, forgiveness, and renewal. Through these few words, a believer asks not just for pardon, but for complete erasure of sins and a heart washed clean by Allah’s grace.
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged reciting this Laylatul Qadr dua with sincerity during the blessed nights of Ramadan, especially on Shab-e-Qadr. It can be repeated in sujood (prostration), after Tahajjud, or in quiet dhikr before dawn. Its beauty lies in its simplicity — a few humble words that open the gates of forgiveness and bring the soul closer to Allah ﷻ.
When to Recite Dua for Laylatul Qadr?
The dua for Laylatul Qadr (ليلة القدر) can be recited on any of the last ten nights of Ramadan, especially the odd nights — the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Seek Laylatul Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan,” reminding us that among them lies a night whose worship is better than a thousand months (Surah Al-Qadr, 97:3).
There isn’t a fixed or limited time for this dua. It can be recited whenever your heart feels close to Allah ﷻ — in quiet moments of reflection, in prayer, or in tears of repentance. Still, some moments carry special blessings:
- In sujood (prostration): when you are closest to your Lord.
- After Tahajjud or Witr: during the calm hours before dawn.
- Between Taraweeh and Qiyam-ul-Layl: when the night feels peaceful and the soul is still.
- During silent dhikr: while reciting Qur’an or remembering Allah’s mercy in solitude.
The last third of the night is the most treasured time to make dua for Laylatul Qadr. The Prophet ﷺ said that during these hours, Allah ﷻ descends to the lowest heaven and calls out, “Who is asking of Me that I may grant him?” (Sahih al-Bukhari). It is a time when the doors of mercy open wide and the whispers of dua rise like light — moments when the believer’s heart draws nearest to its Creator.
How to Pray on Laylatul Qadr (Adab & Amaal)?
The sacred night of Laylatul Qadr (ليلة القدر) is a gift from Allah ﷻ — a chance to return to Him in worship, forgiveness, and peace. It isn’t limited to one ritual or prayer. It’s a night to awaken your heart through salah (prayer), dua (supplication), and dhikr (remembrance). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged believers to fill these hours with worship and to recite the Laylatul Qadr dua with sincerity and hope.
There is no fixed number of rak‘ahs for Laylat al-Qadr prayer. You may pray Tahajjud, Qiyam-ul-Layl, or any voluntary nafl salah — what matters most is the humility of your heart. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever stands in prayer during Laylatul Qadr out of faith and seeking Allah’s reward, his past sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1901; Sahih Muslim, 760)
The night’s blessings go beyond prayer. Recite the Qur’an, repeat dhikr like SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar, send salawat (blessings) upon the Prophet ﷺ, give sadaqah (charity), and make istighfar (seek forgiveness). Every sincere act on this night is multiplied in reward — more valuable than a lifetime of worship.
Observe the adab (etiquette) of this night with mindfulness: purify your niyyah (intention), perform wudu, dress modestly, and begin your dua by praising Allah ﷻ and sending salawat before making personal requests. Even a single tear of repentance, a quiet whisper of dhikr, or a moment of heartfelt reflection can be written among the greatest deeds of this Night of Power.
List of Duas & Dhikr for Laylatul Qadr (Short Curated Collection)
On the Night of Power — Laylatul Qadr (ليلة القدر) — every breath, every whisper of remembrance is multiplied in reward. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reminded us that sincere dhikr (remembrance) and dua (supplication) during this night are equal to a lifetime of devotion. Beyond the famous Laylatul Qadr dua, you can recite many other authentic duas and adhkar to seek Allah’s mercy (rahmah), forgiveness (maghfirah), and blessings (barakah).
Here are a few beautiful duas and dhikr you can recite through the night — simple in words but immense in meaning:
Seeking Forgiveness — Istighfar
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ رَبِّي مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ Transliteration: Astaghfirullah Rabbi min kulli dhanbin wa atubu ilayh Translation: I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, for every sin, and I turn to Him in repentance. Each repetition washes away a layer of sin and brings the heart closer to peace.
Glorifying Allah — Tasbih
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ Transliteration: SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, SubhanAllahi al-‘Azim Translation: Glory be to Allah and all praise belongs to Him; Glory be to Allah, the Supreme. These are among the most beloved words to Allah ﷻ — light on the tongue, yet heavy on the scale.
Comprehensive Qur’anic Dua — Surah Al-Baqarah (2:201)
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ Transliteration: Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina adhaban-nar Translation: Our Lord, grant us good in this world and in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire. A complete prayer that gathers every good a believer can ask for — in this life and the next.
Praise and Gratitude — Hamd
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ Transliteration: Alhamdulillah ‘ala kulli hal Translation: All praise is due to Allah in every circumstance. Whisper this when things are easy and when they are hard — it transforms the heart into gratitude.
Sending Blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ — Salawat
اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلٰى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ Transliteration: Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad Translation: O Allah, send Your blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad. Every salawat brings light to your heart and draws you nearer to the Prophet ﷺ on the Day of Judgment.
Declaration of Faith — Tahlil
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ Transliteration: La ilaha illallah, wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulk wa lahul hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer Translation: There is no god except Allah, alone without partner; to Him belongs all dominion and praise, and He has power over all things. This dhikr renews your faith and fills your heart with tawheed — the essence of true submission.
You can recite these duas after Taraweeh, during Tahajjud, or in still moments before Fajr. What matters most is not how many you say — but how deeply you mean them. A single, sincere dua whispered in the quiet of the night can open doors that have been closed for years.
FAQs — Laylatul Qadr Dua
The most beautiful dua for Laylatul Qadr (ليلة القدر) is the one the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught to Aisha (RA) when she asked what to recite on this blessed night: اللّٰهُمَّ 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. This short yet powerful supplication captures the heart of the night — asking Allah ﷻ, the Most Forgiving, to erase our sins completely. It’s a prayer of humility, hope, and love for the One who never tires of forgiving. You can pray anytime between Maghrib and Fajr, but the last third of the night is the most special. During these peaceful hours, Allah ﷻ descends to the lowest heaven and calls out: “Who is calling upon Me so that I may answer him?” — (Sahih al-Bukhari) Use this time for Tahajjud, Qiyam-ul-Layl, or quiet dua when the world is asleep and your heart is awake. Even a few sincere rak‘ahs or whispered prayers in the dark can carry the reward of a lifetime, as Allah promises in Surah Al-Qadr (97:3). There’s no fixed number of rak‘ahs for the Laylatul Qadr prayer. The Prophet ﷺ didn’t set a limit — he simply encouraged us to pray “as much as you can.” You may offer two, four, eight, or more rak‘ahs, depending on your energy and devotion. What matters most is khushu‘ (humility) and ikhlas (sincerity) — that your heart stands before Allah, not just your body. Yes, absolutely. You can speak to Allah ﷻ in whatever language your heart knows best. While Arabic carries the beauty of the Qur’an and the Prophet’s words, Allah understands every language, every emotion, every tear. Start with the Arabic dua if you can, then continue in your own words — He hears you just the same.
Mohammed Basheer is the founder of Sukoonly.com, an Islamic blog focused on duas, prophetic healing, and Qur’anic wisdom. He writes with sincerity and spiritual depth for seekers around the world.