The Dua of Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree)

Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) relates: I asked, "O Messenger of Allah! If I come to know which night is the Night of Decree, how should I pray on that night?" Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Say: 'O Allah! You are the Most Forgiving, and You love to forgive. So forgive me!'" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Da'awat 84/3513).

Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said concerning the Night of Decree: "Whoever spends the Night of Decree in worship and obedience, believing in its merit and sacredness and seeking its reward from Allah alone, his past sins — with the exception of the rights of other people — are forgiven" (Sahih Muslim, Musafirin 175).

This short but deeply effective dua rests upon Allah's name "al-Afuww" (the One who pardons abundantly). The word "Afuww" means the One who goes to the utmost in pardoning, erasing without leaving any trace. Our Prophet particularly advised remembering this name on the Night of Decree.

The Night of Decree is the blessed night on which the Noble Qur'an was sent down, a night better than a thousand months (al-Qadr 1-3). It is sunnah to recite this dua over and over on this night.