The Last Ten Nights of Ramadan
The most sacred nights of the year are upon us. Somewhere among the last ten nights of Ramadan lies Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power, a single night that carries more weight than a thousand months of worship. The Qur'an was revealed on this night. The angels descend on this night. And every act of charity you perform on this night is rewarded as though you had given continuously for over 83 years.
You do not know which night it is. But you can make sure your charity reaches those in need on every one of them.
What is Laylatul Qadr?
Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power, is the night on which the first verses of the Holy Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the angel Jibril. It is the most sacred night in the Islamic calendar, and Allah (SWT) dedicated an entire surah to it:
"Indeed, We sent it down during the Night of Power. And what can make you know what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is, until the emergence of dawn." (Qur'an, 97:1-5)
A thousand months is over 83 years. For most of us, that is more than a lifetime. Yet the mercy of Allah (SWT) is such that a single night of sincere worship, of prayer, of giving, of seeking forgiveness, can outweigh all of it. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever prays on Laylatul Qadr out of faith and sincerity, shall have all their past sins forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim)
This is not a night to let pass.
When Does It Fall?
The exact date of Laylatul Qadr has not been revealed to us. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Seek Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
The odd nights of the last ten days are the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th nights of Ramadan. Many scholars consider the 27th night to be the most likely, but the wisdom of its concealment is clear: Allah (SWT) wants us to strive in all of these nights, not just one. He wants us to worship sincerely across the final stretch of Ramadan, seeking His pleasure and mercy with every prayer, every du'a, and every act of charity.
In 2026, the last ten nights of Ramadan are expected to begin on the evening of 8th March, subject to moon sighting. The 27th night is expected to fall on the evening of 16th March. But do not limit your worship or your giving to a single night. Spread it across all ten, and trust that Allah (SWT) will accept it.
Your Charity, Multiplied Beyond Measure
Consider what this means for your giving. If you donate even a small amount on Laylatul Qadr, the reward is as though you had given that same amount every single night for over 83 years. A gift of £10 carries the reward of £300,000 in charity. A gift of £59 - enough to feed a family in Pakistan for a month through a Ramadan Relief Pack - carries the reward of giving that same pack every month for a lifetime and beyond.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The best of charity is that given in Ramadan." (Tirmidhi)
And within Ramadan, the last ten nights hold the greatest reward of all. Every du'a you make, every pound you give, every prayer you offer is elevated beyond anything the rest of the year can offer. This is the generosity of Allah (SWT), who multiplies the reward for those who seek Him sincerely.
Do not let these nights pass without giving.
Where Your Giving Goes
While you worship through these blessed nights, your charity reaches families who are fighting to survive. Right now, across five countries, IAC UK is delivering direct aid to the people who need it most:
In Gaza, where over half a million people are trapped in famine and 89% of water infrastructure has been destroyed, your donation funds emergency food, clean water, medical supplies and orphan care. In Syria, where a decade of war has shattered entire cities, your giving delivers food parcels, emergency relief and keeps displaced scholars teaching Qur'an and Islamic sciences. In Pakistan, your charity feeds families living below the poverty line, builds water wells that change entire communities, and cares for hundreds of orphans.
Every pound you give on these nights carries the reward of over 83 years of giving. And every pound reaches human hands.
How to Seek Laylatul Qadr
The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to exert himself in worship during the last ten nights more than at any other time. A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that when the last ten days arrived, he would tighten his belt, stay up through the night, and wake his family. (Bukhari and Muslim)
We are blessed to follow his example. Here is how you can make the most of these nights:
Pray. Dedicate extra time to Tahajjud and Qiyam al-Layl, especially on the odd nights. Even if you cannot pray the whole night, pray what you can with sincerity and presence of heart.
Give. Make your most generous charity of the year during these nights. Spread your Sadaqah, your Zakat, your Fitrana across the last ten nights so that whichever night is Laylatul Qadr, your giving is counted on it.
Recite. Read Qur'an with reflection. Even a few verses, read slowly and with contemplation, carry immense reward on these nights.
Make du'a. A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): "If I know which night is Laylatul Qadr, what should I say?" He replied: "Say: Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni - O Allah, You are the Pardoner and You love to pardon, so pardon me." (Tirmidhi)
Disconnect. Step away from distractions. These nights come once a year. Give them the attention they deserve.
