Learn the Meaning of Surah Al-Qadr (97 The Power)

Unays from 4th grade and Amina from 5th grade share the meaning of Surah Al-Qadr (97 The Power). In just five ayah or verses, Allah teaches us the significance of why Surah Al-Qadr introduces us to the ‘Night of Power.’ In the second verse, Allah asks: “And what could give you any idea what is the night of power?” We learn it is the night Allah sent down His Book, the Holy Qur’an, from the highest heaven as part of the Master Tablet containing all of His Decrees as final revelation to His prophet. Muhammad ﷺ had a habit of secluding himself in a cave on a mountain near Mecca where he could see the Ka’aba which had been built by Prophet Abraham (as) and his son. Living in a society of idol worshippers, who housed idols in the Ka’aba, Muhammad ﷺ would retreat to this cave to medidate and ponder. It was on the Night of Power, Allah sent His angel Gabriel with the first five ayah of Surah Al-’Alaq (96 The Clot) to reveal them to Muhammad ﷺ. Thus, the revelation of Islam began.

The second lesson we learn is in the third verse where Allah says: “The night of power is better than a thousand months,” which includes multiplying good deeds to the equivalent of their being performed for 83 years. No people prior to this have received such a gift from God. The Night of Power is among the last ten nights in Ramadan, likely in the odd nights. Its exact date is intentionally unknown to assist believers in seeking it and performing good deeds to reap their rewards.

The fourth verse explains “The angels and Angel Jibreel come down in it with the permission of their Master from every command” which teaches several lessons. First, this is the night Allah sent down Angel Gabriel to begin revealing the Qur’an, after which he frequently visited Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with subsequent portions of revelation ultimately compiled as the Qur’an over 23 years. Though this task has been completed, it is every Laylatul Qadr or Night of Power that Angel Gabriel descends to earth as our special visitor. It is also on this night that Allah sends His Decrees for the ensuing year. 

Unays and Amina also teach us ten Arabic words and phrases like ‘better than,’ ‘the angels’ and ‘command’ to learn and look for in the rest of the passages of the Holy Qur’an.