Laylat al-Qadr — Give Zakat on the Night of Power
Laylat al-Qadr — the Night of Power — falls in the last ten odd nights of Ramadan. The Quran declares it better than a thousand months. Many Muslims choose these nights to give Zakat or Sadaqah.
إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ · لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
"Indeed, We sent it [the Quran] down on 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."
— Surah Al-Qadr (97:1–3)
What is Laylat al-Qadr?
Laylat al-Qadr (Arabic: لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ) means the Night of Power or Night of Decree. It is the night on which the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is described in the Quran as being "better than a thousand months", a little over 83 years.
The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven." (Sahih Bukhari). This is one reason many Muslims choose to give during the last ten nights.
When is Laylat al-Qadr?
The exact night is known only to Allah, hidden as a mercy so that Muslims seek it with effort. The Prophet (PBUH) instructed: "Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan." (Sahih Bukhari)
The five nights to focus on are the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th of Ramadan. Many scholars consider the 27th night most likely, but this is a scholarly opinion, not a certainty. Many people increase worship and giving across all the odd nights.
Giving Zakat on Laylat al-Qadr
Paying Zakat during the last ten nights is encouraged. There are two scenarios:
Your Hawl date falls in Ramadan
If your annual Zakat anniversary falls during Ramadan, pay on that exact date (which may coincide with Laylat al-Qadr). This is the most straightforward case.
Your Hawl date falls outside Ramadan
Many scholars permit paying Zakat early, with the intention that it counts as your upcoming annual obligation; the Maliki school is more restrictive. If your approach permits it, you can bring the payment forward to Ramadan and reconcile it on your Hawl date.
Giving across all five odd nights
A popular approach used by many Muslims is to divide their Zakat across the five odd nights: split your calculated Zakat amount into five equal portions and give one portion on each of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th nights. This is a way to plan giving while seeking Laylat al-Qadr; a schedule does not guarantee the night or the acceptance of a donation. Giving across all the last ten nights is another approach. Do not delay Zakat already due to follow a giving schedule.
The total given counts as your single annual Zakat obligation — you do not owe five times your Zakat simply because you spread it across five nights.
Additional Sadaqah on Laylat al-Qadr
Beyond your obligatory Zakat, many Muslims give additional voluntary Sadaqah in the last ten nights. Sadaqah Jariyah, ongoing charity such as funding cataract surgery, is another option some donors choose. On this site, Zakat goes to eye surgery or cancer treatment; Sadaqah can go to any of our causes.
FAQs
What is Laylat al-Qadr?
Can I pay Zakat on Laylat al-Qadr?
Which night is Laylat al-Qadr?
Is it better to spread Zakat across the last ten nights?
Can I pay Zakat early — before my Hawl date — on Laylat al-Qadr?
Is Sadaqah on Laylat al-Qadr different from Zakat?
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