Surah Al-Qadr, the 97th chapter of the Quran, is a short but profound Meccan surah consisting of five verses. It is entirely dedicated to celebrating Laylat al-Qadr, known as the "Night of Decree" or the "Night of Power." This chapter serves as a spiritual companion to Surah Al-Alaq, which records the first moment of revelation; while Al-Alaq describes what was revealed, Al-Qadr describes the majesty of the night in which that revelation began.
The Message within the Surah
The surah conveys a message of divine mercy, hope, and the immense value of a single moment of sincere devotion. Its key themes include:
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The Descent of Guidance: It affirms that the Quran was sent down by Allah on this specific night, marking the most significant event in human history—the commencement of final guidance for mankind.
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Exponential Reward: By declaring the night "better than a thousand months," the surah teaches that worship on this night outweighs the rewards of a lifetime (approximately 83 years) of devotion, offering believers a unique "spiritual shortcut" to closeness with God.
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Celestial Communion: It describes a massive annual event where the heavens open, and the angels, led by the Spirit (Angel Jibreel), descend to earth with divine decrees for the coming year.
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Serenity and Peace: The chapter concludes with the assurance that this night is characterized by absolute peace (Salam) that guards the faithful and prevails until the break of dawn.
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