Surah Al-Qadr

Its theme is to acquaint man with the value, worth and importance of the Qur’an. It’s being placed just after Surah 96: al-’Alaq (The Clinging Substance) in the arrangement of the Qur’an by itself explains that the Book, the revelation of which began with the first five verses of Surah 96: al-’Alaq was sent down in a destiny making night. It is a glorious Book and its revelation for mankind is full of blessings. At the outset, Allah says: “We have sent the Qur’an down.” That is, it is not a composition of Muhammad ﷺhimself, but We Ourself have revealed it.”

Then, it is said that “We sent it down in the Night of Destiny.” Night of Destiny has two meanings and both are implied here. First, that it is the night during which destinies are decided; or, in other words, it is not an ordinary night like the other nights, but a night in which destinies are made or marred. 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 not only the Quraysh, or of Arabia, but of, the entire world. The same thing has been said in Surah 44: ad-Dukhan (Smoke), (please see Introduction to that Surah). The other meaning is that this is a night of unique honour, dignity and glory; that it is better than a thousand months. Thus, the disbelievers of Makkah have been warned, “You on account of your ignorance regard this Book, which Muhammad ﷺhas 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 a task was accomplished in it for the well-being of mankind, which had never been accomplished even during a thousand months of history.”

In conclusion, it has been stated that in this night the angels and Gabriel descend with every decree by the leave of their Lord, and it is all 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 and not evil. Even if a decision to destroy a nation is taken, it is taken for the sake of ultimate good, not evil.