Laylat al-Qadr 2026

When Is Laylat al-Qadr in 2026?

In 2026, Laylat al-Qadr falls on March 17. The observance lasts 1 night. Because Laylat al-Qadr follows a An odd-numbered night in the last 10 days of Ramadan; most commonly observed on the 27th night of Ramadan (Hijri lunar calendar), the exact Gregorian date shifts each year. The exact night is uncertain by tradition; Sunnis typically seek it on the 27th of Ramadan, while many scholars say it could be any odd night in the last ten. The Hijri date shifts ~11 days earlier each Gregorian year. The night begins at sunset, so the observance spans two Gregorian days. Since Laylat al-Qadr's date changes from year to year, here are the dates for the next five years so you can plan ahead: Year Date 2026 March 17 2027 March 6 2028 February 23 2029 February 12 2030 February 2

What Time Does Laylat al-Qadr Start in Your Time Zone?

Laylat al-Qadr falls on one of the odd-numbered nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan, with the 27th night being the most widely observed. In 2026, the 27th night of Ramadan falls on the night of March 16-17 (i.e., the evening of March 16 through dawn on March 17). The night begins at sunset and ends at dawn (the start of Fajr prayer), so the entire observance occurs during nighttime hours. Because the Islamic day begins at sunset, the 27th night of Ramadan corresponds to the evening that begins the 27th day of Ramadan. In 2026, this is the evening of March 16. The exact timing of sunset varies by location: in Mecca, sunset on March 16 is at 6:24 PM local time; in Cairo, 6:01 PM; in Istanbul, 6:50 PM; in New York, 7:04 PM EDT; in London, 6:18 PM GMT. Communities in different time zones begin their Laylat al-Qadr worship at different clock times, but on the same Gregorian date (March 16-17, 2026). The table below shows the observance date for Laylat al-Qadr in major time zones around the world: Location Observance Date Time Zone New York, USA March 17 EST/EDT (UTC-5/-4) London, UK March 17 GMT/BST (UTC+0/+1) New Delhi, India March 17 IST (UTC+5:30) Sydney, Australia March 17 AEST/AEDT (UTC+10/+11) Dubai, UAE March 17 GST (UTC+4)

The Story Behind Laylat al-Qadr

Laylat al-Qadr — the Night of Power, or Night of Decree — is the holiest night of the Islamic year, believed to be the night on which the first revelations of the Qur'an were sent down to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. According to Islamic tradition, this night falls within the last 10 days of Ramadan, specifically on one of the odd-numbered nights (the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th). Most Muslims observe Laylat al-Qadr on the 27th night of Ramadan, though the precise date is intentionally unknown — the Prophet Muhammad is reported to to have said that seeking Laylat al-Qadr is better than a thousand months of worship. The theological significance of Laylat al-Qadr is immense. According to the Qur'an (Surah 97, Al-Qadr), this night is "better than a thousand months" — meaning that worship performed on this night is more rewarding than a lifetime of devotion. The Qur'an describes the night as one of peace, during which angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) descend to Earth by God's permission, bringing blessings and decrees for the coming year. It is believed that on this night, God determines the events of the coming year — who will live, who will die, who will be blessed, who will be tested. The story of how Laylat al-Qadr came to be hidden is itself significant. According to tradition, the Prophet Muhammad initially knew the exact night, but after a dispute among his companions, God caused him to forget. The hidden date is seen as a divine mercy — it encourages Muslims to seek the night through worship during the last 10 days of Ramadan, rather than treating it as a single date to be observed once and then neglected. This seeking (ihtiyat) is itself a form of devotion.

How Laylat al-Qadr Is Celebrated

Laylat al-Qadr is observed with intense worship throughout the night. Muslims gather in mosques for extended prayers (qiyam al-layl), recitation of the Qur'an, dhikr (remembrance of God), and supplication (du'a). The most common practice is itikaf — a spiritual retreat in the mosque during the last 10 days of Ramadan, in which a Muslim secludes himself (or herself, in designated areas) for worship and reflection, leaving only for essentials. Itikaf is a sunnah (practice of the Prophet) and is widely observed by devout Muslims. The most distinctive prayer of Laylat al-Qadr is the du'a of Laylat al-Qadr, taught by the Prophet to his wife Aisha when she asked what to say if she found herself on the Night of Power: "Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa'fu annni" — "O God, You are the Forgiver, You love to forgive, so forgive me." This prayer captures the spirit of the night: it is a time for seeking forgiveness, renewal, and divine mercy. In Mecca, the Grand Mosque is the focal point of Laylat al-Qadr worship. Hundreds of thousands of worshippers gather for the night prayers, which can last until the early morning. The Khatm al-Qur'an — the completion of the recitation of the entire Qur'an — often occurs during Laylat al-Qadr, marking the end of the nightly tarawih prayers. In Muslim communities worldwide, mosques hold special programs on the 27th night of Ramadan, with lectures, communal prayers, and shared meals. Many Muslims who are not otherwise observant make a point of attending mosque on Laylat al-Qadr, similar to how many Christians attend church only on Christmas or Easter. Why Does Laylat al-Qadr Move Every Year? Laylat al-Qadr is fixed within Ramadan — specifically, in the last 10 days, with the most likely date being the 27th night. Because Ramadan follows the Islamic lunar calendar, which drifts backward through the Gregorian calendar at about 11 days per year, the Gregorian date of Laylat al-Qadr shifts each year. In 2026, Laylat al-Qadr (on the 27th night) falls on March 16-17; in 2027, it will fall about 11 days earlier. The intentional ambiguity about the exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is part of the festival's design. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said, "Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan." This encourages Muslims to devote all of the last 10 nights to worship, rather than treating only one night as special. Some communities emphasize the 27th night; others observe the 21st, 23rd, 25th, or 29th. The variation is a recognized feature of the festival, not a contradiction.

Calendar Calculation

An odd-numbered night in the last 10 days of Ramadan; most commonly observed on the 27th night of Ramadan (Hijri lunar calendar)

Traveling for Laylat al-Qadr? Where to Go

Laylat al-Qadr is the most spiritually significant night of Ramadan for travel to Mecca for umrah (the lesser pilgrimage). Saudi Arabia issues special Ramadan umrah visas, and the Grand Mosque in Mecca sees its largest Ramadan crowds during the last 10 days. Hotels in Mecca book out months in advance for this period, with prices often doubling or tripling. Many Muslims who cannot make the pilgrimage to Mecca travel instead to Medina (to visit the Prophet's Mosque) or to Jerusalem (to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam). Top destinations for this holiday: Mecca: — A popular destination with significant celebrations and cultural events. Medina: — A popular destination with significant celebrations and cultural events. Jerusalem: — A popular destination with significant celebrations and cultural events. Istanbul: — A popular destination with significant celebrations and cultural events. Cairo: — A popular destination with significant celebrations and cultural events. If you're planning to travel for laylat al-qadr, compare hotel rates and book early — accommodations in Mecca fill up weeks before the festival. [Search hotels for Laylat al-Qadr travel →]

Did You Know? Laylat al-Qadr Facts & Trivia

Laylat al-Qadr — the Night of Power — is believed to be the night on which the first revelations of the Qur'an were sent down to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. The Qur'an describes the night as "better than a thousand months" — meaning worship performed on this night is more rewarding than a lifetime of devotion. The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is intentionally unknown. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said, "Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan" — encouraging Muslims to devote all of the last 10 nights to worship, rather than treating only one night as special. The du'a of Laylat al-Qadr — taught by the Prophet to his wife Aisha when she asked what to say — is "Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa'fu anni" ("O God, You are the Forgiver, You love to forgive, so forgive me"). The prayer captures the spirit of the night as a time for seeking forgiveness. Itikaf — a spiritual retreat in the mosque during the last 10 days of Ramadan — is observed by many devout Muslims, who seclude themselves in the mosque for worship and reflection. The practice is a sunnah (tradition of the Prophet) and is widely observed, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where the Grand Mosque in Mecca hosts thousands of worshippers in itikaf.