Surah Al-Qadr: meaning, verse by verse
Surah Al-Qadr is a 5-verse surah about the night the Quran was sent down: Laylat al-Qadr, “better than a thousand months”. Here it is in Arabic with its meaning, verse by verse, and how it connects to the last ten nights of Ramadan.
Last updated: 8 October 2026
Surah Al-Qadr in Arabic and English
بِّسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ ﴿١﴾ وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ ﴿٢﴾ لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌۭ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍۢ ﴿٣﴾ تَنَزَّلُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍۢ ﴿٤﴾ سَلَٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ ﴿٥﴾
Verse by verse
- The revelation: “it” is the Quran, sent down on this night in Ramadan (see also Al-Baqarah 2:185).
- A question to stir wonder: the Quran asks “what will make you know” before describing something great.
- Its worth: better than a thousand months.
- The angels descend: with Jibril (“the Spirit”) and every decreed matter; see angels in Islam.
- Peace until dawn: the whole night is peace.
Preparing for the night
The Prophet ﷺ told us to seek it in the odd nights of the last ten of Ramadan. Our guide to Laylat al-Qadr lists the expected dates for 2027 in the UK and the du‘a to say; see also Ramadan 2027 in the UK and the Ramadan Quran reading plan.
Frequently asked questions
What does “al-Qadr” mean?
It is translated as decree, power or honour. Laylat al-Qadr is the Night of Decree, when the affairs of the year are decreed, and the Night of Power or honour.
How is a night better than a thousand months?
Worship on that one night is better than worship over a thousand months without it, more than 83 years. Whoever stands in prayer on it with faith and hoping for reward is forgiven past sins (Sahih al-Bukhari 1901).
Was the whole Quran revealed on Laylat al-Qadr?
Scholars explain that the Quran was sent down on that night to the lowest heaven, then revealed to the Prophet ﷺ in stages over 23 years, beginning in Ramadan.
Prepare for Ramadan with a teacher
Three free one-to-one Quran lessons in UK time.