Surat Al-Qadr (The Power)
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This Surah is one of the early Surahs revealed at Makkah.
Major Issue, Divine Law and Guidance:
• The night of Qadr, in which the Qur'an was revealed, is better than one thousand months.
The theme of this Surah is to acquaint man with the value, worth and importance of the Qur'an. Being placed just after Surah Al-'Alaq in the arrangement of the Qur'an by itself explains that in the Holy Book, the revelation of which began with the first five verses of Surah Al-'Alaq, was sent down in a destiny making night, which is also called the Night of Power. It is a glorious Book and its revelation for mankind is full of blessings.
The Night of Qadr (destiny) has two meanings, and both are implied here. First, it is the night during which destinies are decided. Second the revelation of this Book in this night is not merely the revelation of a book, but an event which will change the destiny of the entire world. In other words, this is a night of unique honor, dignity and glory; so much so that it is better than one thousand months. Thus, the disbelievers of Makkah have been warned: "You, on account of your ignorance, regard this Book, which Muhammad (peace be upon him) has presented, as a calamity for yourselves and complain that a disaster has befallen you, whereas the night in which it was decreed to be sent down was such a blessed night that it is worth more than one thousand months. In other words, a task was accomplished in it for the well-being of mankind which had not been accomplished before during one thousand months of human history.
Finally, it is stated that during this night, the angels along with angel Gabriel, descend with all decrees by the leave of their Rabb. There is be peace from evening till morning; that is, there is no interference of evil in it, for all decrees of Allah are intended to promote good.
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Revelation began on a night known as laylat al-qadr—the night of glory and splendor. There is no agreement on the exact date of this night, but it is taken to fall in the last ten nights of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Muslim calendar. Since this is a lunar calen- dar, the birth of the new moon, marking the beginning of each month, varies throughout the year, making it difficult to determine exactly on which night laylat al-qadr actually falls. Muslims wishing to offer additional voluntary prayers on that night are urged to do so every night during the last half or third of the month of Ramadan.
The beginning of the revelation of the Qur’an to mankind was undoubtedly a most auspicious event that should be commemorated with prayer and devotion. The Qur’an is God’s own word and final revelation to mankind. It is a gift and a blessing to the world, as attested by the words:
Would that you knew what the Night of Power is! It is better than a thousand months. Hosts of angels and the Spirit [the Archangel Gabriel] are dispatched on that night by their Lord’s leave with decrees for all manner of purpose. (2–4)
Elsewhere in the Qur’an, laylat al-qadr is described as the night on which “the fate and destiny of all creatures are carefully determined by Our commandments. We send messengers as a blessing from your Lord” (al-Dukh¥n: 4–6).
A Thematic Commentary on the Qur’an
The Qur’an contains all the principles, rules, teachings, and gui- delines necessary for the organization of human life and behavior in this world. It is the only source of inspiration and true guidance. A cursory comparison between the Qur’an and other allegedly divinely-revealed books available today would bear this out.
The night the Qur’an was sent down was also a night of peace, one of Islam’s main objectives in this world. But peace can only be attained when justice is established on earth.