Question:
What is the wisdom behind keeping Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Decree) hidden? Are there any signs to recognise it?
Answer:
All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ his family, his companions, and those who follow him.
Allah ﷻ has hidden His pleasure in acts of worship so that people strive to do as many good deeds as possible. Similarly, He has concealed His anger in sins so that people avoid all wrongdoing. In the same way, Allah ﷻ has kept the exact time of a person’s death unknown so that they remain committed to obedience and seek His approval throughout their lives.
Allah ﷻ says in the Quran: “Every community has an allotted term, and when their allotted term comes to an end, they can neither delay it by a single hour, nor can they hasten it.” (Surah Al-A’raf: 34) This means that just as people do not know when they will pass away, they should also continue striving in worship, especially in the last ten nights of Ramadan, so they do not miss the blessings of Laylat al-Qadr.
The Hidden Time of the Day of Judgment
Similarly, Allah ﷻ has also kept the exact time of the Day of Judgment a secret. Allah ﷻ says in the Quran: “They ask you about the Final Hour, “When will it come?” Tell them: “My Lord alone knows it; except for Him, no one can reveal its timing. However, it hangs heavy in the Heavens and Earth and will come to you suddenly.” They ask you as though you were thoroughly acquainted with it. Say: “Knowledge of it rests with my Lord alone,” but most people are ignorant of that fact.’” (Surah Al-A’raf: 187)
This verse highlights that only Allah ﷻ knows when the Day of Judgment will occur, and it will happen unexpectedly. Therefore, people should always be prepared by living a righteous life.
Why Laylatul Qadr is Kept Hidden
Similarly, Allah ﷻ has kept Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Decree) hidden within Ramadan so that believers strive harder in search of it—especially during the last ten nights. This encourages them to dedicate themselves to worship, awaken their families for prayer, and seek the immense rewards of this blessed night, just as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to do.
Allah ﷻ describes Laylat al-Qadr in the Quran: “The Night of Destiny is better than one thousand months; the angels and the Spirit, Jibreel, come down by the order of their Lord, bringing with them each person’s destiny. 5 Peace descends everywhere until the break of the dawn.” (Surah Al-Qadr: 3-5)
Whoever experiences this night, and worships sincerely will earn Allah’s ﷻ pleasure in both this life and the Hereafter. This is why Laylat al-Qadr is hidden within Ramadan—to motivate believers to engage in more good deeds throughout the month, rather than focusing on just one night.
Signs of Laylatul Qadr
Imam Al-Qurtubi, in his tafsir Al-Jami’ li Ahkam al-Qur’an, mentioned some signs of Laylat al-Qadr while explaining Surah Al-Qadr. He stated that one of its signs is that the sun rises the next morning without strong rays.
Sayyidana Hasan Al-Basri (رحمه الله) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said about Laylat al-Qadr: “One of its signs is that it is a calm and bright night, neither too hot nor too cold, and in the morning, the sun rises without strong rays.”
Similarly, Ubayd ibn Umair (رحمه الله) said: “On the 27th night of Ramadan, I was at sea. I took some water and found it to be sweet and easy to drink.”
And Allah ﷻ knows best.
This fatwa is written by Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Munir Al Azhari