القدر
A short Makkan surah about Laylat al-Qadr, the holiest night of the year in Islam. On this one night, Allah began to reveal the Quran, and worship done on it is better than a thousand months.
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In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of Decree.
And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is?
The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.
The angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) descend in it, by their Lord's permission, with every decree.
Peace it is, until the rising of dawn.
About Al-Qadr
Al-Qadr is the 97th surah of the Quran. Its name means "the decree," "the measure," or "the power." It refers to Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree, the most blessed night of the entire year in Islam.
On this single night, Allah began revealing the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the angel Jibreel (Gabriel). The surah tells us that worship done on this one night is better than a thousand months, which is roughly 83 years. The angels and ar-Ruh (the Spirit) descend in it, bringing peace and Allah's decrees, until the rising of dawn.
Laylat al-Qadr falls in the last ten nights of Ramadan, with the 27th night especially highlighted in tradition. Its exact date is hidden as a gift: it encourages Muslims to seek it through all of those final nights with prayer, dua, and reflection. For children, Al-Qadr is a gentle window into one of the deepest, most magical ideas in Islam: that Allah can place infinite blessing inside a single night.
"Better than a thousand months" works out to roughly 83 years. That means a single hour of sincere worship on Laylat al-Qadr is more rewarded than 83 years of worship done at any other time. It is one of the most generous promises in the entire Quran, and one of the strongest reasons Muslims pour themselves into the last ten nights of Ramadan.
Explore more short surahs →Surahs paired with Al-Qadr
Al-Qadr is part of Juz Amma. These short surahs share themes of revelation, gratitude, and the spiritual gifts Allah pours on those who turn to Him:
For Parents
What does Al-Qadr mean?
Al-Qadr means "the decree," "the measure," or "the power." It refers to Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree, when Allah began the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. The night is called Al-Qadr because, according to Islamic tradition, Allah decrees and sets in motion many decisions of the coming year on this night. It is sometimes also translated as the "Night of Power" because of the immense spiritual weight of the events of that night.
What is Laylat al-Qadr?
Laylat al-Qadr is the holiest night of the year in Islam. It is the night on which Allah began revealing the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Jibreel (Gabriel). The Quran says this single night is better than a thousand months of worship, which is roughly 83 years. Muslims believe that prayers, dua, and good deeds done on this night are multiplied beyond what we can imagine. It falls in the last ten nights of Ramadan, with many scholars believing it is most likely on the 27th night.
When does Laylat al-Qadr happen?
The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is not revealed in the Quran or hadith. The Prophet Muhammad taught his companions to search for it in the last ten nights of Ramadan, with strong emphasis on the odd-numbered nights: the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th. Many Muslims especially focus on the 27th night, since several hadith point toward it. The unknown date is a gift; it encourages Muslims to worship through all the last ten nights rather than only one.
Why is one night better than a thousand months?
The phrase "better than a thousand months" is a Quranic way of saying the reward of worship on this single night surpasses what someone could earn in over 83 years of consistent worship. It teaches us that Allah can place enormous blessing in a small amount of time. For children, the lesson is gentle and inspiring: small moments matter, and Allah can fill the smallest acts with infinite love and reward.
Where in the Quran is Al-Qadr?
Al-Qadr is the 97th surah of the Quran. It is located in the 30th juz (the last section, often called "Juz Amma"). Its neighbors are Surah Al-Alaq (96) before it, which contains the very first verses ever revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, and Surah Al-Bayyinah (98) after it. The placement is meaningful: Al-Alaq describes the moment of first revelation, and Al-Qadr describes the night when that revelation happened.
Was Al-Qadr revealed in Makkah or Madinah?
Most Islamic scholars classify Al-Qadr as a Makkan surah, meaning it was revealed during the Makkan period of the Prophet Muhammad's mission, before he migrated to Madinah. Some scholars hold that it is Madinan. Makkan surahs tend to be shorter and focus on foundational beliefs, while Madinan surahs often address community life and law. Al-Qadr fits the Makkan pattern: short, rhythmic, and focused on a powerful spiritual idea.
What happens on Laylat al-Qadr?
According to verse 4 of Surah Al-Qadr, the angels and ar-Ruh (the Spirit, understood to be the angel Jibreel) descend on this night by the permission of their Lord with every decree. The night is described as filled with peace until the rising of dawn. Muslims spend the night in prayer, reciting the Quran, making dua, and seeking forgiveness. There is a famous dua taught by the Prophet for this night: "Allahumma innaka ʿafuwwun tuhibbu al-ʿafwa faʿfu ʿanni" (O Allah, You are forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me).
How can my child experience Laylat al-Qadr?
For young children, Laylat al-Qadr can be a magical, gentle introduction to the Quran's spiritual depth. During the last ten nights of Ramadan, you can stay up a little later than usual, read Surah Al-Qadr together, make special duas, and talk about how the angels descend on this night with blessings. Even a few extra minutes of prayer or remembering Allah on these nights is meaningful. The key for children is the feeling that something sacred is happening, more than the technical knowledge of when exactly it falls.