Laylatul Qadr Amal (Night of Power)

Step 1 · Instruction

Perform Ghusl Before Sunset

Perform ghusl (ritual bath) before sunset so that you enter this blessed night in a state of purity.

Make the intention (niyyah): "I perform ghusl for the sake of Allah to seek nearness to Him on Laylatul Qadr."

Note: Ghusl does not substitute for wudhu for prayers; you will still need to perform wudhu before salat.

Step 2 · Instruction

Give Charity (Sadaqah)

Give charity on this night. The reward for good deeds is multiplied manifold on Laylatul Qadr.

Arrange to give sadaqah to the poor and needy, or donate to charitable causes. Even a small amount given sincerely on this night carries immense reward.

Step 3 · Salat

Pray Two Rak'at for Forgiveness

Pray two rak'at for seeking forgiveness:

HOW TO PRAY:
1. Stand facing Qibla with the intention: "I pray 2 rak'at Salat for Forgiveness for the sake of Allah"
2. Say "Allahu Akbar" and begin
3. First Rak'at:
• Recite Surah al-Fatiha once
• Recite Surah al-Ikhlas (Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad) 7 times
• Perform ruku' (bow) saying "Subhana Rabbiyal Adhimi wa bihamdih"
• Rise saying "Sami'Allahu liman hamidah"
• Perform two sajdahs saying "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la wa bihamdih"
4. Second Rak'at: Repeat as above (Fatiha + 7 times Ikhlas)
5. Sit for tashahhud and salam

AFTER THE PRAYER:
Remain seated and recite 70 times:
"Astaghfirullaha wa Atubu Ilayh" (أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إلَيْهِ)
"I seek forgiveness of Allah and I repent to Him"

Benefit: Through this prayer, Allah forgives the person and their parents.

Step 4 · Dhikr · Repeat 100 times

Seek Forgiveness (Istighfar)

Allama Majlisi states: "The best prayer during Qadr nights is seeking forgiveness."

Recite 100 times:

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّهَ رَبِّي وَأَتُوبُ إلَيْهِ

"Astaghfirullaha Rabbi wa Atubu Ilayh"
"I seek forgiveness of Allah, my Lord, and I repent to Him"

Reflect sincerely on your sins and shortcomings, and resolve to improve.

Step 5 · Dhikr · Repeat 10 times

Ask for Well-being (Afiyat)

The Holy Prophet (s) emphasized asking for health and well-being on this night.

Recite:

اللهم إني أَسْأَلُكَ العَفْوَ والعَافِيَةَ والمُعَافَاةَ في الدُنْيا والآخِرَة

"Allahumma inni as'aluka al-'afwa wal-'afiyata wal-mu'afata fid-dunya wal-akhira"

"O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness, well-being, and safety in this world and the Hereafter."

Step 6 · Quran

Open the Quran and Hold It

Take a copy of the Holy Quran and hold it open in front of your face. Then recite:

"O Allah! I beseech You in the name of Your revealed Book and that which is in it. Your Great Name and Your beautiful names are in it, and in it there is that which warns and gives hope. Include me among those who have been set free from the Hellfire."

Then hold the Quran on your head and recite:

"O Allah, for the sake of this Quran, for the sake of the one whom You sent with it, for the sake of every believer whom You have praised therein, and in the name of Your obligation to them - for none knows Your obligation better than You..."

Step 7 · Quran · Repeat 1000 times

Recite Surah Al-Qadr

Recite Surah Al-Qadr (Chapter 97) as many times as possible:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ
لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ
سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ

"Indeed, We sent it down during the Night of Power. And what can make you know what is the Night of Power? The Night of Power 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."

Step 8 · Quran

Recite Specific Surahs (23rd Night)

For the 23rd night specifically, recite these Surahs:

• Surah Al-Ankabut (Chapter 29) - The Spider
• Surah Ar-Rum (Chapter 30) - The Romans
• Surah Ad-Dukhan (Chapter 44) - The Smoke

Also recommended:
• Surah Al-Waqi'a (Chapter 56)
• Surah Al-Mulk (Chapter 67)
• Surah At-Tahrim (Chapter 66)

Step 9 · Dua

Recite Dua Jawshan Kabir

Recite Dua Jawshan al-Kabir (The Great Armor), which contains 100 sections, each with 10 names and attributes of Allah.

This dua was taught by the Angel Jibrael to the Prophet Muhammad (s). It is one of the most comprehensive supplications and carries immense rewards on Laylatul Qadr.

Dua Jawshan Kabeer

Step 10 · Dua

Recite Dua Abu Hamza al-Thumali

Recite Dua Abu Hamza al-Thumali, taught by Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a) to his companion Abu Hamza. This is the quintessential dua of Ramadan nights.

The dua is deeply moving and expresses complete humility before Allah, seeking His mercy and forgiveness.

Dua Abu Hamza Thumali

Step 11 · Dua

Recite Dua of Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a)

Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a) used to recite this dua frequently on Qadr nights while sitting, standing, in ruku', and in sajdah:

"O Allah, I have passed the evening as a very humble servant of Yours. I have no control over gains and losses for myself, and I cannot drive back any evil from myself. I testify to this against myself, and I confess to You of my powerlessness and feebleness. So send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, and fulfill what You have promised me..."

(Full text available in Mafatih al-Jinan)

Step 12 · Ziyarat

Recite Ziyarat of Imam Husayn (a)

According to hadith, during Laylatul Qadr, an angel proclaims from the Arsh (Throne) on the seventh heaven that Allah has forgiven those who visit the grave of Imam Husayn (a).

While performing this ziyarat, remind yourself that the souls of 124,000 prophets visit the Imam on this night.

Recite the special Ziyarat of Imam Husayn (a) for Laylatul Qadr found in Mafatih al-Jinan.

Ziyarat Warith - Imam Husayn (a)

Step 13 · Salat

Pray 100 Rak'at (Optional)

Pray 100 rak'at (50 sets of 2 rak'at). This is optional but highly rewarded.

HOW TO PRAY EACH SET (2 rak'at):
1. Stand facing Qibla with the intention: "I pray 2 rak'at Salat of Laylatul Qadr for the sake of Allah"
2. Say "Allahu Akbar" and begin
3. First Rak'at:
• Recite Surah al-Fatiha once
• Recite Surah al-Ikhlas (Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad) 10 times
• Perform ruku' (bow) saying "Subhana Rabbiyal Adhimi wa bihamdih" 3 times
• Rise saying "Sami'Allahu liman hamidah"
• Perform two sajdahs, saying "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la wa bihamdih" 3 times in each
4. Second Rak'at: Repeat as above
5. After second sajdah, sit for tashahhud and salam

Repeat until you complete as many as you can. Even 10 or 20 rak'at is beneficial.

Step 14 · Dhikr · Repeat 100 times

Recite Salawat Abundantly

Recite salawat (blessings upon the Prophet and his family) throughout the night:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

"Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa Aali Muhammad"
"O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad"

Remember the living Imam of our time, Imam al-Mahdi (a), and recite Dua Faraj for his reappearance.

Step 15 · Dua

Recite Dua Makarim al-Akhlaq (Noble Traits)

Recite Dua Makarim al-Akhlaq (Noble Character Traits) from Sahifa Sajjadiyya. This dua asks Allah to bless us with noble character and righteous traits.

Sahifa Sajjadiyya 20: Noble Moral Traits (Makarim al-Akhlaq)

Step 16 · Instruction

Stay Awake Until Dawn (Ihya)

It is highly recommended to stay awake throughout the entire night (called "Ihya") engaged in worship, supplication, and Quran recitation.

The Prophet (s) used to tighten his belt, stay awake all night, and wake his family for worship during these nights.

If you become tired, you may rest briefly, but try to maximize your worship on this blessed night where the reward equals more than 83 years of worship.

Step 17 · Instruction

Farewell Dua Before Dawn

At the end of the night, before Fajr:

1. Make tawassul (seek intercession) through the Ma'sumeen (a)
2. Submit your deeds with a broken heart, grief, and tears
3. Request them to make your deeds righteous
4. Ask them to intercede with Allah for acceptance of your worship

Then pray the Fajr prayer on time to complete this blessed night.