Sūrat al-Qadr

Sūrah No.97, Revealed in Makkah, 5 verses.

The Sūrah is named al-Qadr due to the first verse which refers to the revelation of the Quran in the night of Qadr. The Sūrah is also known as ‘Innā anzalnā’ as it starts with this phrase.

Scholars say there is a link between the last verse of the Sūrah preceding Sūrah al-Qadr and the first verse of this Sūra. The last verse of Sūrat al-‘Alaq gives the command of prostration and seeking closeness to Allah. The first verse of al-Qadr talks about the night of Qadr as a means of seeking greater closeness than in any other night or day.

Merits of reciting the Sūrah

Whoever recites Sūrat al-Qadr will get the reward of one who fasted in the month of Ramadan and stayed up for the night of Qadr. Holy Prophet a.

Note: This reward is who believes in and follows the message of Sūrat al-Qadr.

Reciting the Sūrah during the year can be a means to get the rewards of the month in Ramadan and the night of Qadr at times other than the month of Ramadan.

It is quoted that the best Sūras that can be recited in obligatory prayers after al-Fātiha are Sūrat al-Qadr and Sūrat al-Tawhīd.

General synopsis of contents

The Sūrah is about the greatness and virtues of the night of Qadr and the descent of angels and the Spirit to earth on that night. For the Shī’ah it is a proof of the necessity of an infallible Imam on earth to whom the angels descend on the night of Qadr. The Quran was revealed in two different ways. It was sent down instantaneously to the heart of the Prophet a on the night of Qadr. And it was revealed gradually to the Prophet a for conveying to the people over a period of 23 years.

1) Instantaneous revelation of the Quran (v. 1)

2) Greatness of the night of Qadr (vv. 2-3)

3) The descent of angels (v. 4)

4) Peace throughout the night. (v. 5)

Selected Lessons

1) Allah gives believers opportunities such as the night of Qadr to intensify spiritual progress and accelerate in the journey towards Him.

2) The angels descend to the earth bringing Allah’s decree and present it to His representative on earth, the Imam of the time.

3) The night of Qadr is a unique spiritual night that brings peace and safety for the soul.

Activities for self-study

This Sūrah tells us about the significance of the night of Qadr. To read more about this night, check:

Short read – https://www.al-islam.org/supplications-month-ramadhan/laylatul-qadr-night-power