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القدر Al-Qadr

The Power 5 verses · Makkah

Topics 1
  1. The Night of Decree

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The Night of Decree

97:1

إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ ۝١

Verily We have sent it (i.e., the whole Qur’ān) down to you personally on the night of the decree.S. M. Rizvi (Explanatory)

There is a difference between “inzāl” and “tanzīl”. Inzāl (and its verb form anzalnā) means sending down something completely and at once; whereas tanzīl (and its verb form nazzalnā) means sending down something gradually and in piece meal form. Tanzīl refers to the gradual revelation of the Qur’ānic verses commencing on 27th of Rajab in the 40th year of ‘Āmul Fīl in the cave of Ḥirā and ending with the Prophet’s demise—in the span of approximately 22 years and few months. (See 17:106, 44:1-2) This revelation was for conveying it to the people as and when the verses came down. Whereas inzāl refers to the special grace of Allāh upon the Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him) when the whole Qur’ān was revealed upon his blessed heart every year in Ramaḍān on the night of the decree. (2:185) This was for the Prophet himself.

97:2

وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ ۝٢

But how will you know what is the night of decree?S. M. Rizvi (Explanatory)

97:3

لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌۭ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍۢ ۝٣

The night of decree is better than a thousand months! Why?S. M. Rizvi (Explanatory)

97:4

تَنَزَّلُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍۢ ۝٤

Therein the angels and the Rūḥ (the greatest of the angels) descend to the earth by Allāh’s permission with all the decrees of the coming year and present them to His representative on the earth.S. M. Rizvi (Explanatory)

Also see 44:4. “Decrees” means those issues that are absolutely in God’s discretion such as a person's lifespan, time of death, and the source and amount of sustenance.

97:5

سَلَٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۝٥

Indeed it is a peaceful night till the appearance of dawn.S. M. Rizvi (Explanatory)