There is a night in Ramadhan cloaked in divine mystery. A night when the heavens opened, and The Quran descended. A night so powerful that its worth surpasses a thousand months. It is a night when the angels fill the skies, when mercy flows freely, sins are erased, and destinies are written by the will of Al-’Aleem. This is the night of Laylatul Qadr. One that is upon us any of these last 10 nights, and one that requires sincere and immense preparation so we may truly make it a night where our qadr changes for the better, In shaa Allah, Ameen!
Allah (SWT) says in The Quran, “The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months.” (The Clear Quran®, 97:3).
The weight of this verse alone should stop us in our tracks. One night of sincere worship, if accepted, is worth more than 83 years of worship. We may not live for more than 80 years, but Allah (SWT), in His infinite mercy, gifted us Laylatul Qadr to make the most of the time we do have.
So, how do we prepare for this exalted night? How do we ensure that we don’t just pass through this night, but that we rise during it? Here are 10 practical and spiritual ways you can prepare for Laylatul Qadr, starting right now.
- Start by purifying your intentions: Before jumping into action, pause and check your heart. Ask yourself: Why do I want to catch Laylatul Qadr? Is it to please Allah (SWT)? Or just to tick a box? The Prophet (SAW) has said, “Actions are judged by niyyat (intention), so each man will have what he intended.” (Sahih al-Bukhari) A practical tip is to set a sincere intention that you’re seeking this night to gain Allah (SWT)’s closeness, forgiveness, and reward. Not for show, not for habit, but purely just for Him (SWT).
- Learn the signs and virtues of Laylatul Qadr: It’s crucial to know what you’re striving for. The more you understand Laylatul Qadr, the more your heart will yearn for it. Some signs from authentic narrations include:
- A calm and serene night.
- It is neither hot nor cold.
- The sun rises the next day without sharp rays.
- A night filled with peace until dawn.
Knowing these signs can help you stay connected and conscious throughout the last 10 nights.
- Make Tawbah before the 10 nights begin, and during the 10 nights: Forgiveness always starts with acknowledging our mistakes! In shaa Allah, before the last 10 nights arrived, you asked Allah (SWT) to forgive your past sins and enter the nights with a clean heart. Making sincere tawbah beforehand allows you to raise your hands on Laylatul Qadr from a place of humility and hope. The Prophet (SAW) has said, “Whoever prays at night in Ramadhan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 37)
- Free up your schedule: If possible, take time off of work or reduce commitments during the last 10 nights. These are not ordinary nights. They are an opportunity that you just cannot afford to miss as a Muslim. You can make this easier on yourself by:
- Preparing your iftar meals early.
- Wrapping up work or errands in the day.
- Unplugging from distractions (and yes, once again, that also removes social media. For a full guide on practical steps to practice, be sure to read our previous article!).
Your energy, focus, and heart need space to worship. Don’t let the dunya distract you during this golden window.
- Create a simple ibaadah plan: You don’t need a six-page spreadsheet or a perfectly color-coded journal. What you really need is a realistic and consistent plan. Here’s a simple nightly plan that you can try:
- 2 rak’ahs of Tahajjud
- 2 pages of Quran
- 10-15 minutes of dhikr
- 5-10 minutes of dua
- 2 rak’ahs of Salaat ul Tawbah
- Memorize and repeat the dua taught by the Prophet (SAW): Bibi Aisha (RA) once asked the Prophet (SAW), “O Messenger of Allah! If I know which night is Laylatul Qadr, what should I say during it?” The Prophet (SAW) then replied, “O Allah! Indeed you are pardoning, and you love to pardon, so pardon me.” (Sunan at-Tirmidhi, 3513) Memorize this dua, repeat it often, and say it with your heart wide open, in shaa Allah!
- Give charity every night: You don’t know which night is Laylatul Qadr. So why not give a little every single night during the last 10? Many platforms at Al-Furqaan Foundation, for example, even offer automated donation options so you don’t forget! Imagine just giving $30 a night – if it falls on Laylatul Qadr, it’s as if you gave that amount every day for 83 years! Allahu Akbar!Allah (SWT) says in The Quran, “The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is that of a grain that sprouts into seven ears, each bearing one hundred grains. And Allah multiplies the reward even more to whoever He wills. For Allah is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing.” (The Clear Quran®, 2:261)
- Make a personal dua list: Don’t leave your dua to the last minute. Take some time to:
- Write down your duas.
- Be specific by mentioning names, details, and feelings.
- Include the duas for your aakhirah first before you beseech for the dunya.
Talk to Allah (SWT) as your Lord, your Sustainer and, ultimately, your Friend. This night is all about heartfelt connection and one that will carry forward even after Ramadhan ends, if we are so fortunate, in shaa Allah.
- Involve your family: While ibaadah can be personal, Laylatul Qadr is also a beautiful chance to involve your loved ones:
- Wake your children gently for a short prayer.
- Light candles or dim the lights to create a peaceful, reflective space.
- Read a small portion of The Quran together.
The Prophet (SAW) used to wake his family in the last 10 nights to pray. Let your home also feel the noor of Laylatul Qadr.
- Stay consistent and don’t give up: Yes, you may feel tired. Some nights may feel off. But don’t stop showing up. Laylatul Qadr may not be the night you felt the most spiritual, but it may be the night you worshipped quietly and sincerely even in exhaustion. Keep going. Trust that Allah (SWT) sees your effort.Allah (SWT) says in The Quran, “Indeed, the righteous will be amid Gardens and springs, joyfully receiving what their Lord will grant them. Before this reward, they were truly good-doers in the world: they used to sleep only in the night, and pray for forgiveness before dawn.” (The Clear Quran®, 51:15-18)
Laylatul Qadr is a divine gift; a door to a lifetime of reward. You may not be perfect. You may feel like you’ve fallen short earlier in Ramadhan, but the beauty of this night is that Allah (SWT)’s door is wide open for the sinner and the saint, alike.
So, come with a heart full of hope. Prepare sincerely. And trust that your Lord is more generous than you can imagine!
May Allah (SWT) grant us all the good health and opportunity to continue observing the nights of Laylatul Qadr, and may all of our sins be forgiven! Ameen!