Surah Introduction
Surah Al-Qadr speaks about a night associated with the revelation of the Quran and described as better than a thousand months. In just five verses it evokes the night's greatness, the descent of the angels and the Spirit, and the peace that lasts until dawn. Divine guidance and mercy are thus connected with God's governance of the affairs of the world.
Name and Meaning
The surah takes its familiar name from the expression Laylat al-Qadr, “the Night of Decree”. The word qadr is associated both with determining and measuring matters and with worth, dignity and standing. The meaning of decree is particularly important in one major interpretation of the verses, although commentators have also considered the meaning of the night's exalted status.
Historical Context
Commentators have differed over whether the surah was revealed in Mecca or Medina, and the available historical evidence has not led to one certain conclusion. Its central message concerns the greatness of the Quran's revelation and the Night of Decree; that message is not confined to the date of revelation.
Main Themes
Read alongside passages about the Quran's revelation in Ramadan and on a blessed night (Al-Baqarah:185; Ad-Dukhan:3–4), the Night of Decree is understood to fall within Ramadan. A widely known interpretation regards the night as recurring each year and connected with the determining of affairs for the year ahead.
The commentaries on the individual verses explore several questions separately: how the Quran was sent down, who or what is meant by the Spirit, and how divine decree is to be understood.
The Night of Decree in the Hadith Literature
A report cited in Al-Mizan through Tafsir al-Burhan describes the Prophet being asked whether the Night of Decree ends with the era of the prophets. The reported reply indicates that it continues until the Resurrection.
In Shi'a hadith literature, particular attention is given to seeking the Night of Decree on the 19th, 21st and 23rd nights of Ramadan, with some reports giving the 23rd special emphasis. Sunni hadith literature likewise emphasises seeking it during the last ten nights of Ramadan, particularly on odd-numbered nights.
The Quran itself does not give the exact date, and the authenticity and interpretation of individual reports must be considered separately rather than assumed.
Structure and Reading Guide
The surah opens by declaring the Quran's descent, then uses an emphatic question and the comparison with a thousand months to reveal the night's special status. It goes on to describe the angels and the Spirit descending and concludes with the peace that extends until daybreak.
Each verse's commentary provides further explanation and acknowledges relevant differences of interpretation.
Public Sources
- Al-Mizan, Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i: Surah Al-Qadr and its hadith discussion.
- Majma' al-Bayan, al-Tabarsi: commentary on Al-Qadr.
- Al-Tibyan, al-Tusi: commentary on Al-Qadr.
- Jami' al-Bayan, al-Tabari: commentary on Al-Qadr.
- At-Tahrir wa at-Tanwir, Ibn Ashur: introduction and commentary on Al-Qadr.
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Night of Decree: reports concerning its observance.
- Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting: reports on the timing of the Night of Decree.