Laylat al-Qadr and Taaq Raat: How to Spend the Odd Nights of Ramadan

“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months” (Al-Qadr 97:3). One night of worship that outweighs more than 83 years — this is Laylat al-Qadr, the night the Qur’an was first revealed. In South Asia the odd nights in which it is sought are lovingly called Taaq Raat.

When is Laylat al-Qadr?

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Seek it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan” (Bukhari). Those nights are the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th. Many scholars considered the 27th night the most likely, and it is the most widely observed — but the wise approach is to give every odd night its due.

Remember that the Islamic day begins at sunset: the “27th night” is the night before the 27th fast. In Ramadan 2027 that is expected on the night of Friday 5 March (Umm al-Qura) or Saturday 6 March in India and Pakistan.

The dua for Laylat al-Qadr

Sayyidah ‘A’ishah asked what she should say if she found the night. The Prophet ﷺ taught her (Tirmidhi):

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa fa‘fu ‘anni — “O Allah, You are Most Forgiving and You love to forgive, so forgive me.”

A simple plan for each odd night

1. Pray Maghrib, Isha and Taraweeh in congregation. The Prophet ﷺ said whoever prays Isha and Fajr in congregation is as if they prayed the whole night (Muslim).
2. Recite the Qur’an — even a few pages with reflection. Surah Al-Qadr, Surah Ya-Sin and Surah Al-Mulk are commonly read.
3. Nafl prayer — two rak’at at a time, as many as you are able; Salat al-Tasbih is popular on these nights.
4. Dhikr and Durood — use the Tasbeeh counter for SubhanAllah, Istighfar and Durood Shareef.
5. Dua — for yourself, your parents, the Ummah, and the deceased.
6. Sehri and Fajr — end the night with Sehri and pray Fajr in congregation.

Nighttime tranquillity

Out of respect for these sacred nights, try to avoid unnecessary shopping trips, gatherings and late-night outings during the Taaq Raat. Finish Eid shopping earlier in the month, so the last ten nights can be spent in reflection and closeness to Allah.

I’tikaf

I’tikaf in the last ten days is a Sunnat-e-Mu’akkadah ‘alal-kifayah for men in the masjid — if at least one person in the neighbourhood performs it, the obligation is fulfilled for all. Women may perform I’tikaf in a dedicated prayer space at home.

Find the exact dates in our Ramadan timetable, where the last ten nights and the odd nights are marked.