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TahajjudNight of Mercy

The last ten nights of Ramadan

Laylat al-Qadr, i'tikaf, and how the Prophet ﷺ changed his nights when the last ten arrived.

References checked against Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim and Sunan at-Tirmidhi · Last updated 31 August 2026

"The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months." (Surah al-Qadr 97:3)

What changed for him ﷺ

Aisha said: "When the last ten nights began, the Prophet ﷺ would tighten his waist-wrapper, spend the night in worship, and wake his family." (Sahih al-Bukhari 2024; Sahih Muslim 1174)

Seeking Laylat al-Qadr

He ﷺ said: "Seek it in the odd nights of the last ten of Ramadan." (Sahih al-Bukhari 2017) The exact night is not disclosed, which is the mercy in it — the whole ten are revived.

The dua to say

Aisha asked what to say if she found the night. He ﷺ taught her:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

*Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbu-l-'afwa fa'fu 'anni* — "O Allah, You are Most Forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me." (Sunan at-Tirmidhi 3513 — graded authentic)

I'tikaf

He ﷺ would seclude himself in the mosque for the last ten nights until he passed away. (Sahih al-Bukhari 2026) Where full i'tikaf is not possible, many keep a shortened form with their local mosque's guidance.

Making it survivable

Ten nights of standing is not built in one Ramadan. It is built by the nights you keep across the year — which is the point of tracking quietly and consistently rather than in bursts.

If you are unsure

For rulings on i'tikaf and its conditions, ask a qualified scholar or your local mosque.

References

  • Surah al-Qadr — 97:3quran

    Better than a thousand months.

  • Sahih al-Bukhari — 2024hadith

    The Prophet ﷺ in the last ten nights.

  • Sunan at-Tirmidhi — 3513hadith

    The dua of Laylat al-Qadr.

Islamic educational content is provided with references, and no rulings are AI-generated. For personal religious rulings, please consult a qualified scholar. Read our sources & accuracy policy or report an error.

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