The surah Al-Qadr (“The Night of Decree”) is a Meccan surah consisting of 5 verses. It was revealed to announce to the Prophet ﷺ the immense value of the night during which the Qur’an was first sent down. This surah highlights the exceptional spiritual worth of Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree, in the blessed month of Ramadan.
According to Ibn Kathīr and Al-Qurtubī, it was revealed after Surah Al-‘Alaq, at the time when the Prophet ﷺ had just begun receiving revelation. It served to magnify the night of revelation and reassure the Messenger of God’s continuous support.
Main Teachings and Key Insights
Al-Qadr celebrates the foundational moment of Revelation and the infinite mercy of God. Its key teachings include:
- Revelation of the Qur’an during the Night of Decree: God chose this sacred moment to send down His Word, a source of guidance and light. (verse 1)
- Unmatched spiritual value of the night: it is better than a thousand months — more than 83 years of worship. (verse 3)
- Descent of the angels and the Spirit (Jibrīl): a manifestation of peace, blessing, and divine forgiveness. (verses 4–5)
- Call to devotion: believers are urged to seek this night to obtain God’s mercy and forgiveness (as reported in hadiths by Al-Bukhārī and Muslim).
This surah affirms the central role of the Qur’an in Islamic faith and the spiritual power of Laylat al-Qadr as a time of divine nearness and mercy.
Structure and Main Themes
- Verse 1: Announcement of the Qur’an’s descent during the Night of Decree.
- Verses 2–3: Declaration of the night’s unique value, greater than a thousand months.
- Verses 4–5: Description of the angels’ descent and the reign of peace until dawn.
The tone of the surah is radiant and sacred: it invites believers to reflect, show gratitude, and seek closeness to Allah during this blessed night.
Key Verse
The key verse of the surah is verse 3:
لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.
Why is this verse key?
- It expresses the unparalleled spiritual worth of Laylat al-Qadr: one night of worship equals over eighty-three years of devotion.
- It reflects God’s generosity toward the ummah of the Prophet ﷺ, whose lifespans are shorter than those of earlier nations.
- It motivates believers to seek this night earnestly during the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, as taught by the Prophet ﷺ (reported by Al-Bukhārī, hadith no. 2017).
In summary, Al-Qadr glorifies the night when the Qur’an was revealed—a symbol of light, mercy, and divine peace. It reminds believers that forgiveness and serenity are within reach for anyone who worships sincerely on this sacred night.