Guide · Ramadan

Dhikr for the last 10 days of Ramadan & Laylatul Qadr.

The last ten nights of Ramadan hold Laylatul Qadr — the Night of Decree, "better than a thousand months." These are the nights to slow down, seek forgiveness, and repeat one dua above all others. Here's the dhikr to focus on, which nights to watch, and a simple plan.

The Laylatul Qadr dua

When Aisha (RA) asked the Prophet ﷺ what to say if she knew which night was Laylatul Qadr, he taught her:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni — "O Allah, You are the Pardoner, You love to pardon, so pardon me." — Sunan at-Tirmidhi, graded sahih

Make this the spine of your last ten nights. Repeat it in sujood, between rak'ahs of qiyam, walking, and in the quiet before suhoor. There is no fixed count — let your tongue carry it as much as it can.

Why this dua, above all others

Of everything Aisha (RA) could have been told to ask for on the greatest night of the year, the Prophet ﷺ chose pardon ('afw). Pardon is greater than forgiveness — it is for Allah to erase the sin so completely that it leaves no trace. On the night your year's decree is written, asking the Pardoner to wipe your slate clean is the most fitting request of all.

Which nights to watch

Laylatul Qadr is hidden in the last ten nights, most strongly expected on the odd nights:

Other dhikr for the last ten nights

• Istighfar — abundant Astaghfirullah; the pre-dawn hours are praised in the Quran for seeking forgiveness. How to do istighfar →
• SubhanAllah wa bihamdihi — light on the tongue, heavy on the scales; easy to keep through a long night.
• Salawat — sending blessings on the Prophet ﷺ; never rejected, and a means of having your duas answered.
• Surah al-Qadr — recite it, reflecting on the night you are seeking.
• Quran — the Night of Decree is the night the Quran was sent down; increase your recitation.

A simple plan for the last 10 nights

1. Pick your dua floor. Decide a minimum count of the Laylatul Qadr dua you'll never sleep without — even 100 a night.
2. Front-load the odd nights. On 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 give whatever extra you have — qiyam, Quran, and the dua in sujood.
3. Use your waiting time. Suhoor prep, the walk to the masjid, lying down before sleep — fill it with the dua.
4. Count without thinking. A tasbih counter lets you keep your dua count while your heart stays in the words, not the numbers.

Further reading

• Ramadan dhikr: the full 30-day guide
• Istighfar: meaning, how to do it & benefits
• Dhikr list: 30 authentic phrases with meaning