Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree, holds immense significance in Islam. The term 'Al-Qadr' has several meanings: greatness and high status, as well as decree, as it is the night when the annual decrees for the coming year are destined.

Its virtues are numerous. It is the night on which the Qur'an was sent down from the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfudh) to the lowest heaven. Allah, the Exalted, has stated that this night is better than a thousand months, meaning that acts of worship performed in it are superior to the worship of a thousand months, which is equivalent to eighty-three years and four months. On this night, the angels, including Jibril, descend to the earth with goodness, blessings, and mercy.

This blessed night occurs in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan, and it is more likely to be one of the odd-numbered nights (the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th). The wisdom behind it not being a specifically known night is to encourage the believer to strive in worship throughout all ten nights, seeking it out. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would exert himself in worship during these ten nights more than any other time of the year.

Muslims are encouraged to seek this night by spending it in acts of devotion such as prayer (qiyam al-layl), recitation of the Qur'an, remembrance of Allah (dhikr), and supplication (du'a). It is a night of forgiveness, and standing in prayer with faith and hope of reward will lead to the forgiveness of one's past sins. It is especially recommended to frequently recite the supplication: 'Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni' (O Allah, You are Pardoning and love to pardon, so pardon me).