7/56. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 1766 — Seek Laylatul Qadr in Odd Nights
Concerning Lailatul-Qadr (the night of decree)
Laylatul Qadr Odd Nights Hadith
Sunan Ibn Majah : 1766
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 1766
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ ابْنُ عُلَيَّةَ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ الدَّسْتَوَائِيِّ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، قَالَ اعْتَكَفْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ الْعَشْرَ الأَوْسَطَ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ " إِنِّي أُرِيتُ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فَأُنْسِيتُهَا فَالْتَمِسُوهَا فِي الْعَشْرِ الأَوَاخِرِ فِي الْوَتْرِ " .
Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri Narrated from:
We observed I’tikaf with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) during the middle ten days of Ramadan. He said: ‘I have been shown Lailatul-Qadr, then I was caused to forget it, so seek it in the last ten night, on the odd-numbered nights.’”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1766In-book reference : Book 7, Hadith 129English translation : Vol. 1, Book 7, Hadith 1766
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 1766
This Laylatul Qadr odd nights hadith gives a clear direction for Ramadan worship. Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri said that they observed I’tikaf with the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم during the middle ten days of Ramadan. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then said that he had been shown Lailatul-Qadr and was caused to forget it. He told them to seek it in the last ten nights, on the odd-numbered nights. The hadith focuses on effort, searching, and worship in the last part of Ramadan. It does not name one fixed night here. Instead, it pushes believers to stay active and hopeful across the final odd nights.
What we learn from this hadith
- Lailatul-Qadr should be sought in the last ten nights of Ramadan.
- The hadith gives special focus to the odd-numbered nights.
- I’tikaf is connected here with seeking Lailatul-Qadr.
- Not knowing the exact night encourages continued worship.
