The Last 10 Nights of Ramadan and Laylat al-Qadr: A Divine Opportunity
By: Dr Aftab Jan
The last ten nights of Ramadan hold immense significance in Islam, offering believers a golden opportunity to seek Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and blessings. Among these nights, Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Power) is the most sacred, as Allah (SWT) declares in the Qur’an:
“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months” (Surah Al-Qadr 97:3).
This night marks the initial revelation of the Qur’an, and divine decrees for the coming year are established. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) dedicated these nights to intense worship and encouraged his followers to search for Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days.
- The Importance of the Last 10 Nights
A Time for Spiritual Elevation
The last ten nights of Ramadan provide an opportunity for deep spiritual cleansing. These nights are a means to seek forgiveness, attain paradise, and shield oneself from Hellfire.
Aisha (RA) narrated:
“When the last ten nights of Ramadan began, the Prophet (ﷺ) would stay up at night in worship, wake his family, and exert himself in devotion.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Why Are These Nights Special?
- Forgiveness for past sins – Engaging in Tahajjud, recitation of Qur’an, and Dhikr helps erase sins.
- Acceptance of prayers – These nights are blessed, and Allah (SWT) responds to sincere supplications.
- Freedom from Hellfire – Every night, Allah grants freedom to souls destined for Hell.
- Laylat al-Qadr: The Night of Power
Laylat al-Qadr is one of the greatest blessings Allah (SWT) has given to the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). It is a night of divine mercy, when angels descend to fulfill Allah’s commands, and prayers are accepted abundantly.
The Qur’anic Description of Laylat al-Qadr
Allah (SWT) reveals in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, We sent the Qur’an 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 (Jibreel) descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.” (Surah Al-Qadr 97:1-5)
When Is Laylat al-Qadr?
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Search for Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Since its exact night is unknown, scholars recommend engaging in worship throughout all ten nights to ensure one attains its blessings.
- The Best Supplications (Du’as) for Laylat al-Qadr
Aisha (RA) once asked the Prophet (ﷺ) what du’a to recite if she found Laylat al-Qadr. The Prophet (ﷺ) taught her: 1. The Du’a of Forgiveness اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
“O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me.”
(Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
- Seeking Protection from Hellfire
اللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْنِي مِنَ النَّارِ “O Allah, save me from the Hellfire.” (Abu Dawood)
- Asking for Acceptance of Worship
اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا صِيَامَنَا وَقِيَامَنَا وَصَلَاتَنَا وَسَائِرَ أَعْمَالِنَا
“O Allah, accept from us our fasting, prayers, and all our deeds.”
- Night Prayers (Qiyam-ul-Layl & Tahajjud)
The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized the importance of night prayers: “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” (Muslim)
How to Maximize Night Prayers
- Pray at least two rak’ahs after Isha and increase voluntary (nafl) prayers.
- Recite Qur’an, especially Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas for protection.
- Make heartfelt du’as seeking Allah’s forgiveness and mercy.
- Recommended Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)
Engaging in Dhikr brings barakah (blessings) and strengthens one’s connection with Allah.
- Seeking Forgiveness (Istighfar) أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
“I seek forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance.”
- Glorification of Allah (Tasbeeh) سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ
“Glory be to Allah, and all praise is due to Him. Glory be to Allah the Almighty.”
- Charity and Acts of Kindness
The Prophet (ﷺ) was the most generous during Ramadan. Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated: “The Prophet (ﷺ) was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous in Ramadan.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Ways to Give Charity
- Feeding the poor and providing Iftar.
- Donating to mosques and humanitarian causes.
- Supporting orphans and needy families.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever provides iftar for a fasting person will receive the same reward, without reducing the fasting person’s reward.” (Tirmidhi)
- Sincere Du’a and Seeking Forgiveness “Whoever stands (in prayer) during Laylat al-Qadr with faith and seeking reward, all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Comprehensive Du’a for the Last 10 Nights اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ
“O Allah, I ask You for Paradise and seek refuge in You from the Fire.” اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي، وَلِوَالِدَيَّ، وَلِلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ “O Allah, forgive me, my parents, and all Muslim men and women.”
Conclusion: As these sacred nights unfold, we are granted a divine opportunity to transform our lives. Through night prayers, Qur’anic recitation, heartfelt du’as, and acts of charity, we draw closer to our Creator.
Let us not waste these precious nights but strive for Allah’s mercy, guidance, and eternal reward.
May Allah (SWT) grant us the honor of witnessing Laylat al-Qadr, accept our deeds, and bless us with eternal mercy. Ameen.
