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Part of the significance of Lailatul Qadr or the Night of
Power, has been previously mentioned. Let's to analyze this topic with commentary,
(Tafseer) on chapter 97 of Al-Qur'an, Al-Qadr (the Night of Power).
Al-Qadr
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 the night when good deeds
are returned, and is equal to a thousand months in the sight of Allah.
Occasion Of Revelation
In a report by Abi Hatim and Al-Wahidi, by way of Mujahid, the Messenger (PBUH) mentioned
that there was a man among the Israelites 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 (SWT)
revealed this
Surah to inform them that He had just blessed this Ummah with the Night of Honor, which is
equal to a thousand months.
"We have indeed revealed it (the Qur'an), in the Night of Power." (Al-Qur'an
97:1)
There are several points pertaining to the meaning of this verse. The meaning and the use
of the pronoun "We" is a style in the Holy Qur'an that when the Creator (SWT) is
mentioned as a pronoun, He is referred to by "We" or "I," as is
evidenced in this Surah. Elsewhere He said, "Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: `I
will create a vicegerent..." (Al-Qur'an, 2:30). There is no problem when Allah uses
the pronoun "I" to refer to His Exalted Self,
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.
Or, it is referring to Allah (SWT) and the angels who carry out his words to one and all,
in every level of His dominion. It cannot mean plural, or more than One Allah, for that
would necessitate dropping in ranks, the absoluteness, and the powers of each competing
deity. If each were capable of being absolute, each would have been independent from the
other and the idea that each deity can be independent from the other, is evidence that
none is absolute. This is inconceivable of Allah (SWT) therefore, "We" cannot
mean anything but respect and exaltation of the One and Only.
"...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. He (SWT) did not
mention Qur'an explicitly because to refer to Qur'an by the pronoun implies a certain
divine uniqueness of this book, as well as greatness and honor that may not be attained if
the word Qur'an was used instead. First, it ascribed the revelation of Qur'an to Himself,
and not to anyone else. Second, referring to Qur'an by pronoun is an indication that the
revelation
of this book was not a secret that no one knew about. Its revelation was an event widely
known to all during the time of Muhammad (PBUH) and after, guarding against anyone who may
like to challenge it or claim any honor of teaching Muhammad (PBUH) the Qur'an. Third, the
statement also meant to honor and memorialize the time period in which the Qur'an was
revealed.
By revealing the Qur'an in the Night of Power, Allah (SWT) inaugurated or started its
revelation for the beginning of the prophethood (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 (RAA) said: The whole Qur'an was revealed to the lower heavens from the
protective slate (Lawhin Mahfuz) on the Night of Power, then from there to the earth in
the course of 23 years.
The word power, Al-Qadr, has several implications and meaning, but we cover only those
implications, which are relevant to the issues here. Qadr implies having power over
something, as in the case of the Creator over the creation. Allah's (SWT) excellence is
Al-Qadr, capable, omnipotent, almighty, all-powerful. It also implies excellence and high
esteem, and as for this Night of Power, it is highly esteemed and regarded. For this night
is equal to over 80 years in the sight of Allah (SWT).
It also implies to maintain, appoint, assign or decree an order. Thus, in the Night of
Power, Allah (SWT) 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-Qada Wa 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 Allah (SWT),
past, present and future.
Qadr also implies measurement, that is all the events of the year will occur in accordance
to the exact measurement of what is in the knowledge of Allah, Who States: "Verily,
all things have We created in proportion and measure." (Al-Qur'an, 54:49)
Why the name, the Night of Power?
As mentioned above, it is the night of Taqdeer, meaning the one in which Allah (SWT)
announces to the angels His already decreed commands, rules, events, etc., for the coming
calendar year, from the present Night of Power to the next Night of Power. Allah (SWT)
States: "We sent it down during a blessed night; We forever wish to warn (against
evil). In that (night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom." (Al-Qur'an, 44:3-4)
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.
The Night Is Concealed
Allah (SWT) in His Mercy, has concealed the Night of Power from us for the following
reasons: The problems pertaining to an exact night on which the honors are attained are
not unique with this Night. It seems that Allah (SWT) conceals many things. He conceals
his pleasure from us in all our good deeds so that we will strive in all of them. He
conceals His wrath from us in all of the sins we commit so that we will avoid them. He
conceals His
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.
Where Is The Night?
The majority of the scholars, who agreed that the night occurs in the month of Ramadan,
disagreed on the exact night. Some said it comes on the first day of Ramadan. Others said
it is on the seventh; while others say it is on the 19th night. All these opinions are not
built on sound proof. There is evidence that the night comes on the last ten days of
Ramadan, specifically
on the odd numbered nights. In a report by Bukhari, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"Seek it on the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan."
In a hadith by Ibn Umar (RAA), some men among the companions saw the night in a dream
occurring in the last seven nights. Responding to this, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) told
them, "I see your dreams coincide on the last seven, whoever wants to seek it should
do so in the last seven." (Agreed upon)
In Muslim's report, the Prophet (PBUH) said, "Seek the night in the last ten days,
and if any of you is weak, or can't observe it, he should not miss the remaining seven
days." In Hadith by Ubayy bin Ka'ab (RAA), he said: "By Allah, I know which
night it is. It is the night the Messenger commanded us to observe, the night of the
27th." (Ahmed/Tirmidhi)
Analyzing all these citations indicates that still no one knows for sure which night is
the Night of Power at least in a given year. It seems that the night shifts and rotates to
different nights from one year to another. It may occur on the 27th in one year, while the
next year it will be on the 25th, while on the following year it will be occurring on the
29th, etc. There is an indication to this in hadith by Bukhari, when the Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) states: "Seek it on the twenty-ninth; it may be on the twenty-seventh,
or on the twenty-fifth." Imam Ibn Hajr, in his book, "Fathul Bari", in the
commentary of the Book of Bukhari, said: "I accept the ruling
that the night occurs on the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, namely the
twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh and or twenty-ninth.''
Seeking The Night
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 (SWT) is emphasizing by
putting the second verse in question form. The answer being no one knows, or comprehends,
the awesomeness and the depth of honor of the night. As if to say whatever merits Allah
informs you about the night is just nothing compared to the things you have no idea about.
Nonetheless, He mentions three honors in the credit of the night: 1."The Night is
better than a thousand months. 2. "Therein, come down the angels..." and 3.
"Peace!"
"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.
Imam Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was shown the long life span of
people of previous nations, so the Prophet bemoaned the shortness of the life span of the
Ummah, fearing that they might not be able to save many good deeds for the Hereafter.
Therefore, Allah gave him the Night of Power to compensate for their lack of longevity.
Hence, the devoted
believer has as chance of adding 80 something 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.
You can see why the devotions were highly encouraged by the Prophet. Indeed, you can
achieve the honor of the Night of Power if you so wish by spending the odd nights of the
last ten days in acts of worship.
"Therein, come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every
errand." (Al-Qur'an 97:4) This is far from the earlier cry of the angels who, when
Allah told them, "...I will create a vicegerent on earth," they said, "Will
you place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?..." (Al-Qur'an,
2:30)
You see, when the angels first looked at our spirit with its traits of
mischief, vanity and desires, and the rages of anger, they, the embodiment of all that is
good, did not like us at all. That explains their response in the above verse. So is the
case with parents, when they first conceptualize the shape of the offspring, semen and
congealed blood; they do not like it. They will even wash their hands, clothes and
everything that this substance touches, a gruesome thing. They may even think about
aborting the baby in
the beginning. But after the baby is being fashioned in the most beautiful shape and they
feel the movement of life, they change from dislike to caring love.
That is seemingly what happened to the angels. When they saw in us this beautiful spirit
of knowing the Creator, and worshipping Allah alone, they hanged from dislike to complete
love, and cannot wait for another Night of Power to come down so they can pray for us.
Allah states: "...And they implore forgiveness for those who believe..."
(Al-Qur'an, 40:7)
He used the form (Tanazzal) "They come", to indicate that the angels descend on
the Night of Power, group after group; some coming down to earth while others ascend into
the heaven. This heavenly, angelic organized traffic of good will continues until the
break of dawn.
As for the reasons why they come, there are several explanations including:
(1) they descend to witness how we worship and obey Allah, and (2) to show their
deep love for the believers. This is why they seek permission from Allah to come and meet
us. This is a once-a-year opportunity they do not like to miss.
(3) Allah promised the believers that in the hereafter, angels
will approach on 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 (SWT) 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, as a man will work harder when a foreman is
present.
"...And the Spirit..." (Al-Qur'an 97:4)
There are several explanations for the meaning of the Spirit: (1) The Spirit is comprised
of groups of special angels who are seen only on the Night of Power; (2) it is referring
to the Qur'an, as Allah (SWT) Stated: "And thus have We, by Our command sent
inspiration (spirit) to thee.." (Al-Qur'an 42:52); (3) This is a reference to Angel
Gabriel, as this is a special honor to Gabriel who has been mentioned twice Surah 42 first
with another angel,
and separately as the spirit of Allah (SWT) 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.
"...By Allah`s permission..."
This indicates the angels extend a request to come to meet the believers; and to
underscore the fact that angels are infallible; that they do not make a move without
explicit permission from their Lord. Allah (SWT) States:
"They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His command."
(Al-Qur'an, 21:27) "(The angels say) We descend not but by command of thy
Lord..." (Al-Qur'an 19:64)
"(Their) Lord." It indicates honor for the angels. It is as if Allah (SWT) is
saying ``They are for Me and I am for them''. Similarly, Allah (SWT) said regarding us:
"Verily your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six days..."
(Al-Qur'an, 10:3) And regarding Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Allah said: "Behold, your
Lord said to the angels..." (Al-Qur'an, 2:30)
It has been reported that when Prophet David was terminally ill, he asked Allah to be for
his son Solomon, as He was for him. Allah (SWT) replied, saying: "Tell Solomon to be
for Me as you are for Me. (Al-Qur'an 2:30)
"...On every errand..."
This indicates the angels and the Spirit descend for different purposes:
some come down for prostration, some for bowing, and others for
supplications for the believers and salutations. Or they come down carrying with them the
proclamations of the coming year.
"Peace!..." (Al-Qur'an 97:5)
There are several explanations to this verse: (1) The whole Night of Power, from sunset to
the break of dawn, will be spent by the angels in salutation. (2) The purpose is to
describe the night with peace because of the salutation from the angels. That is very
important, because when seven angels visited Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) and saluted him, he
was very happy, and when Nimrod threw him in the fire, it turned ice-cold when the angels
saluted him. (3) This is a wish of safety and peace from all evil and
harmful things, or the angels will only bring on this night, good things!
"...Until the rise of morning." (Al-Qur'an 97:5)
The entire honor, blessings and peace of the Night of Power will continue in every second
of the night until Fajr. Allah (SWT) is the Best Knower.
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