Dua for Laylatul Qadr — Arabic Text, Meaning and Virtues

The most beloved night of the year calls for the most beloved supplication — the one the Prophet ﷺ personally taught Aisha (RA) to recite on Laylatul Qadr.

The Dua for Laylatul Qadr

Aisha (RA) asked the Prophet ﷺ: "O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is Laylatul Qadr, what should I say on it?" He replied, say:

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Transliteration:

Allāhumma innaka ʿafuwwun tuḥibbul ʿafwa faʿfu ʿannī

Translation:

"O Allah, You are the One who pardons, and You love to pardon, so pardon me."

Source: Tirmidhi 3513, Ibn Majah 3850 — graded as sahih

This dua is short, profound, and covers everything. It acknowledges Allah's attribute of pardoning (Al-ʿAfuw), recognises that He loves to forgive, and humbly asks for that forgiveness. On the greatest night of the year, this is the supplication the Prophet ﷺ chose to teach us.

Browse our full Dua Collection for more authenticated supplications with Arabic text and transliteration.

When and How to Recite

The last ten nights of Ramadan: The Prophet ﷺ said: "Seek Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan." (Bukhari 2017) These are the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th nights. Since no one knows with certainty which night it falls on, recite this dua abundantly on all five odd nights.

How to recite:

• Repeat it as many times as you can — in sujud, after prayer, during tahajjud, and whenever you are awake
• Recite it with presence of heart, not just on the tongue
• Combine it with other acts of worship: Quran recitation, salah, and dhikr
• Make it the anchor of your supplication, then add your personal duas for this life and the next

The night itself: The Prophet ﷺ used to intensify his worship in the last ten nights, staying up through the night and waking his family (Bukhari 2024). Set an intention to be awake for at least part of each odd night. Even an hour of sincere worship can transform your year.

Virtues and Rewards

Allah ﷻ revealed an entire surah about this night:

Surah Al-Qadr (97:1–5):

Arabic:

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ ﴿١﴾ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ ﴿٢﴾ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ ﴿٣﴾ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ ﴿٤﴾ سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ ﴿٥﴾

Translation:

"Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn."

A thousand months is over 83 years — more than most people live. Worship on a single Laylatul Qadr outweighs a lifetime of devotion. This is why scholars say missing this night is one of the greatest losses a Muslim can suffer.

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever stands in prayer on Laylatul Qadr out of faith and hoping for reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari 2014)

The name of the dua itself — Al-ʿAfuw (the Pardoner) — is deeply connected to this night. On a night when Allah's mercy and forgiveness are at their peak, asking through this attribute is the most fitting supplication a servant can make.

Check Your Prayer Times

Make sure you are awake for the best part of the night. Use our Prayer Times tool to find Fajr time in your city so you can plan your worship accordingly.

Related Duas

• Dua for Forgiveness — the complete collection of istighfar duas, including Sayyid al-Istighfar
• Dua for Protection — seeking Allah's refuge from harm, to recite during these blessed nights
• Dua for Fasting — the duas for opening and beginning your fast throughout Ramadan