Let us analyze chapter 97 Al-Qadr (the Night of Power) in the Qur’an taking into considerations several comments by different scholars.
This chapter (surah) was revealed in Makkah. Its basic theme is honoring the revelation of this blessed book, the Holy Qur’an. The Night of Power or honor is a special gift only to the community (Ummah) of Islam. The night is one, which even the angels in the heavens see as worthy of witnessing. The night is so rich with holiness, as it is the night in which good deeds are returned, and it is better than a thousand months in the sight of Allah.
In a report by Abi Hatim and Al-Wahidi, by way of Mujahid, the Messenger (PBUH) mentioned that there was a man among the Jews who devoted his life to the cause of Allah for a thousand months. The companions were amazed and impressed, but were saddened because they knew there would be no way that they could reach this status of devotion. So Allah (THE ALMIGHTY) revealed this chapter to inform them that He had just blessed this Ummah with the Night of Honor, which is better than a thousand months.
but when he uses “We” the explanation becomes warranted because it cannot be perceived to indicate plural. There is unanimity among the scholars that “We” indicates respect and exaltation for the Creator and Cherisher of all the worlds, whose greatness is incomprehensibly vast and beyond our imagination.
“…Have Indeed Revealed It In the Night of Power” (Al-Qur’an 97:1) There is again unanimity among the commentators that “it” refers to the Holy Qur’an, meaning, “We revealed” the Qur’an in the Night of Power.
By revealing the Qur’an in the Night of Power, Allah the Almighty inaugurated or started its revelation for the beginning of the prophet-hood (Bi’ethah), and the Prophet’s mission of Islam began in the month of Ramadan on that Night.
Holy Qur’an was not revealed in one night; it was revealed over the course of 23 years. Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with Him) said: The whole Qur’an was revealed to the lower heavens from the protective slate (Lawhin Mahfudh) on the Night of Power, then from there to the earth in the course of 23 years.
is better than over 80 years in the sight of Allah (The Almighty).
It also implies to maintain, appoint, assign or decree an order. Thus, in the Night of Power, Allah the Amighty proclaims to the angels His commands and orders in regards to the affairs of the universe. From this meaning is derived the concept of al-Qadhaa Wa al-Qadar, the fifth article of faith, that Allah has decreed or preordained or, in other words, has full knowledge of all that the human being will do with his free will. A man’s decision to act freely in good conscience or bad conscience is all known to the Almighty Allah including past, present and future conscience.
It should be known that most scholars believe Allah’s commands and rules are not made on that night. It has already been decreed in the eternity what is known to Allah, but that knowledge is not known to anyone, including the angels, until He announces it to the angels on that night so that they will record it on the protective slate.
This is also the night of honor and prestige which may be awarded to the servant who devotes himself to special deeds, or to the deeds themselves for the higher value they contain on that night.
most beloved servants (‘Awliya) so that we will respect all the believers. He has concealed the time of His acceptance of our supplications so that we will strive in all our supplications. He concealed his greatest name, so that we mention all His names. He has concealed the time of death so that we will be conscious of Him and our deeds all the time. He has concealed the exact date of the Night of Power so that we would double our efforts in the whole month of Ramadan, or at least the last ten days. He has concealed it also to test the serious and the non-serious. The seriously interested person will search for the night late and in the early hours until he or she attains it, regardless of the hardship.
It is recommended to seek the night and spend it diligently in devotion, including night Sunnah prayers (Tahajjud), recitation of Al-Qur’an and supplications. In a hadith related by Abu Hurairah (RAA), the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “He who spends the night in prayer on the Night of Power, as a sign of His faith, and seeking rewards from Allah, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari/Muslim) This citation indicates that regardless of whether a person knows the night or not, Allah will grant him forgiveness for previous shortcomings.
” And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is?; The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.” (Al-Qur’an 97:2-3) Allah is emphasizing by putting the second verse in a question form. The answer being no one comprehends the awesomeness and the depth of honor of the night.
1.”The Night is better than a thousand months.
“The Night of Power is better than a thousand months”. This indicates that acts of worship such as prayer, charity, and recitation done on this night are better in reward than the same act done on other nights. The rewards (Thawaab) are being multiplied several-fold.
believer has as chance of adding more than 80 years of worship to his life on the Night of Power. You see, for instance, if you worship Allah on this night every year for 65 years, by multiplying 65 by 80, you would have lived for 5,200 years, or achieved the reward of a person who lived that long.
will approach them with greetings: “…And the angels shall enter into them from every gate (with the salutation): Peace be unto you for that you persevered in patience…” (Al-Qur’an, 13:23-24). Now, if you preoccupy yourself with worship of Allah, the angels will descend on you with salutations.
(4) Allah singles out this night with honors on the earth so the angels can come down and increase their rewards, and as a means to encourage the human race to worship.
(5) Realization that the angels are around is encouragement for the servants to devote more time to good deeds.
and separately as the spirit of Allah as the Qur’an says: “Verily this is a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds. With it came down the spirit of faith and truth.” (Al-Qur’an, 26:192-193) Thus the correct explanation of the spirit, Ruuh, is Gabriel in this verse to indicate the angels on one side and Gabriel on the other, while they were descending.
supplications for the believers and salutations. Or they come down carrying with them the proclamations of the coming year.
harmful things, or the angels will only bring on this night, good things!
The entire honor, blessings and peace of the Night of Power will continue in every second of the night until Fajr. Allah is the Best Knower.