How Are the Odd Nights of Laylatul Qadr Counted?

Regarding Laylatul Qadr, the hadiths provide guidance in both ways. Therefore, scholars have explained that it should generally be sought in the last ten nights of Ramadan.

Normally, the odd nights are counted according to the regular counting of Ramadan, which are the nights of 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th.

However, some hadiths also mention that if the month turns out to be 29 days, the last ten nights can also be counted backwards from the end. In that case, nights such as the 22nd or 24th may effectively become odd when counted from the end.

For this reason, scholars advise that one should not limit worship to just one or two nights, but rather make a special effort in worship during all of the last ten nights of Ramadan, as this is the practice proven from the Prophet ﷺ.

According to the normal count, the odd nights are 21, 23, 25, 27, and 29, but as a precaution and in accordance with the Sunnah, it is best to seek Laylatul Qadr throughout all of the last ten nights.