On the Night of Decree

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. May Allah bless our master Muhammad and his family and grant them peace.

On the Night of Decree

Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:

“Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of Decree.” [al-Qadr: 1]

He means the clear Book, for the pronoun “it” in “We sent it down” refers to it. Although the Book has not previously been mentioned in this surah, it has already been mentioned in Surah al-Dukhān, in His words:

“Hā Mīm.” [al-Dukhān: 1]
“By the clear Book. Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night.” [al-Dukhān: 2–3]

Section

The Night of Decree is the blessed night on which Allah sent down the entire Quran from the Preserved Tablet to the lowest heaven. It was then sent down from the lowest heaven to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in successive portions as the need arose. Twenty years elapsed between the first and last portions revealed. This explanation of the verse is reported from Ibn Abbās.

Section

Allah, blessed and exalted is He, called it blessed because the Quran was sent down on it and because goodness is established and enduring within it, for “blessing” in Arabic signifies stability and permanence. Allah Most High called it the Night of Decree because on it He decrees the provisions, lifespans, and all other affairs of His servants for that year, until the Night of Decree of the following year. Mujāhid said, “Except wretchedness and felicity.” This is supported by the words of Allah Most High: