This night has a greater merit than the 2 previous nights of Qadr and all matters are ordained in accordance with divine wisdom.
Perform Common Amaal of Laylatul Qadr
Recite Surah Surah Al-`Ankabut (No. 29) and Surah Al-Rum (No. 30)
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) is reported to have said, “Anyone who recites the two Surahs ( 29/30) at this night will be included with the people of Paradise.”
It is also recommended to recite:
Surah al-Dukhan (No. 44)
Surah al-Qadr (No 97)1000 times Recite while doing wuzoo and in Magrib Salat.
Surah al-Nasr (No 110)25 times.
Ayatul Kursi (2:255/256 )100 times upto Aliyul Azeem only .
Recite Magrib Isha on time with Nafilah and recite Surah Kafiroon in 1st Rakat of Isha .
References for 23 rd night having greater merit as laylatul qadr
Kafi, iv, 158, h 8, whence in Wasa’il, x, 357, b 32, h 13595. Faqih, ii, 160, h 2030, whence in Wasa’il, x, 358, b 32, h 13597 and Bihar, xcv, 159. Khisal, ii, 508, h 1. Tahdhib, i, 114, b 5, h 34, whence in Wasa’il, iii, 307, b 1, h 3718. Mustadrak, vii, 470, b 23, h 8681/16 (from Daca’im, ?, whence in Bihar, xciv, 10, b 53, h 12), 471, h 8684/19 (from Iqbal, 185, whence in Bihar, xcv, 144, b 7,), 473, h 8688/23 (from Iqbal, 207, b 27, whence in Bihar, xcv, 160), 474, h 8693/28 (from Rawandi’s Daawat, 207, h 571, whence in Bihar, xciv, 4, b 53, h 5), 476, h 8697/32 (from Rawd al-Jinan, xx, 345). Thalabi’s Al-Kashf wa al-Bayan, x, 252. See also the statement of Saduq in Khisal, ii, 519, h 7, and that of Ibn Tawus in Iqbal, 206, b 27 confirming the 23th night.
Why the 23rd Night Is Special
Among the three nights of Qadr, the 23rd night of Ramadan is the one most strongly emphasised in Shia narrations, and is often called the night of al-Juhani after a companion whom the Holy Prophet (s) told to come to Madinah on this night. Believers spend the whole night in worship.
Acts Specific to the 23rd Night
- Reciting Surah al-Ankabut and Surah al-Rum.
- Reciting Surah al-Dukhan.
- Reciting Surah al-Qadr one thousand times.
- A second ghusl at the end of the night, in addition to the one at the beginning.
- Reciting Allahumma kun li-waliyyik, the dua for Imam al-Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), repeatedly.
Common Amaal for All Three Nights of Qadr
- Ghusl, preferably around sunset.
- Two rak’ats of prayer: in each rak’at, Al-Fatiha once and Surah al-Ikhlas seven times, then Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilayh seventy times.
- The Qur’an ritual: open the Qur’an in front of you and recite the dua, then place it on your head and call upon Allah by the Holy Prophet (s), Imam Ali (a.s.), Bibi Fatima (s.a.) and each of the Imams (a.s.), ten times each.
- Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (a.s.).
- Staying awake in worship, and reciting Dua Jawshan al-Kabir.
See the dua for every day of the month on our Ramadan daily duas page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I recite on the 23rd night of Ramadan?
Surah al-Ankabut, Surah al-Rum, Surah al-Dukhan and Surah al-Qadr one thousand times, along with the common amaal of the nights of Qadr.
Why is the 23rd night of Ramadan important?
It is the most strongly emphasised of the three nights in which Shia Muslims seek Laylat al-Qadr.
Is ghusl done twice on the 23rd night?
It is recommended to perform ghusl at the beginning of the night and again towards its end.
