Surah Qadr, also known as al-qadr, translates in English as ‘The Power, or The Fate’. In the tafseer, it is the 97th chapter in the Holy Quran, appearing in the 30th juz. It consists of 5 verses and was revealed to the Prophet (SAW) in Makkah before the migration, while some scholars say it is a Madani surah.
Surah | |
| Name | Al-Qadr |
| Meaning | The Power, Fate |
| Number of Verses | 5 |
| Place of Revelation | Makkah |
| Chapter Number | 97 |
Surah al-Qadr audio
Surah in Arabic Text
Transliteration
- Innaa anzalnaahu fee lailatil qadr
- Wa maa adraaka ma lailatul qadr
- Lailatul qadri khairum min alfee shahr
- Tanaz zalul malaa-ikatu war roohu feeha bi izni-rab bihim min kulli amr
- Salaamun hiya hattaa mat la’il fajr
Surah Qadr Translation
- We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power:
- And what will explain to thee what the night of power is?
- The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
- Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah´s permission, on every errand:
- Peace!…This until the rise of morn!
Meaning of Surah Qadr
The purpose of the surah is to encourage the believers to get up and worship Allah on laylatul qadr. It tells us when the revelation of the Quran began and follows on from surah Alaq which mentions how it was revealed.
One of the ways the verses mentioning ‘It’ is meant the Quran that came down from the Preserved Tablet in the high Heavens to this world. On the Night of Power, the Quran came down in its complete form to the heaven of this world. And then it was revealed to the Prophet (SAW) in stages over a period of 23 years.
Other scholars have the opinion that the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet (SAW) on the Night of Power – Laylatul Qadr. Another meaning of Qadr is power where Allah exhibits His power over all things.
What is Laylatul Qadr – the Night of Power?
This is a special night and in Arabic, one of the meanings of the word Layla is a measure or limit of something. It is believed that on this night, every matter is decreed for the following year. For example, what sustenance each person is going to get, who will be born and who will die etc.
The night of power is better than a thousand months. It is understood to mean that this night is better than a lifetime in terms of worship. On this night, the same deed is rewarded more than the reward you would receive for doing it every other night for over a thousand months, which equates to over 83 years.
When is Laylatul Qadr?
From different ahadith, this night is understood to be somewhere in the last ten nights of Ramadan and the Prophet’s (SAW) extra effort on worship in these nights highlighting it.
Benefits of Laylatul Qadr
Those who stand in prayer on laylatul qadr with faith and hope of reward get these benefits:
- Forgiveness of sins
- Multiplied rewards for each good deed
- Peace and mercy throughout the night
- Acceptance of prayers
Dua for Laylatul Qadr
Hadith on the Surah
Aisha (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW), said, “Search for the Night of Decree in the odd nights among the last ten nights of Ramadan.” (Bukhari, Muslim).
Anas ibn Malik (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW), said when the month of Ramadan began, “Verily, this month has presented itself to you. There is a night within it that is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of it has been deprived of all good. None is deprived of its good but that he is truly deprived.” (ibn Majah)
Aisha (RA) reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is the Night of Decree, what should I say during it?” The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Say: O Allah, You are pardoning. You love to forgive, so forgive me.” (Tirmidhi)
