This blog is part of a series of blogs based on my research
and compilation of surahs of the Quran, in an effort to understand these surahs
in an easy way. Today's effort is on SURAH
AL-QADR-Chapter-97, hope going through it will be a learning journey for
all of you. May Allah forgive any mistake, omission, or error on my part in its
compilation (Aameen Summa Aameen).
Introduction:
Surah al-Qadr (Arabic: سورة القدر) or Innā Anzalnā (انّا
انزلنا). It is a Makki Surah in the thirtieth (30th) Juzz' of the
Qur'an and revealed during the same period in which Surahs Yunus, Hud and
Al-A'raf were revealed. The name, "al-Qadr", comes from the first
verse of the surah, which refers to the revelation of the Quran in the Night of
Qadr. The Surah is also known as "Inna Anzalna" because it opens with
this phrase. Surah al-Qadr is a Makki Surah, and in the order of revelation, it
is the twenty fifth surah revealed to the Prophet (s). In the current order of
compilation, this surah is the ninety seventh surah of the Quran. Surah al-Qadr
has five (5) verses (ayats), thirty (30) words, and 114 letters. With respect
to size, it counts as one of the Mufassalat Suras in the subgroup of
"Awsat" (mediums) and a small surah of the Qur'an.
About the
occasion of the revelation of Surah al-Qadr it is said that one day the Prophet
(s) told his companions about the story of a man from the Israelites who had put on his combat clothes
for the sake of God for one thousand months. His companions
were surprised by the story.
Then,
Surah al-Qadr was revealed, which said that vigilance in the Night of Qadr is
better than one thousand months of wearing combat clothes for the sake of God.
Surah al-Qadr is about the greatness, virtues, and
blessings of the Night of Qadr and the descent of the angels of mercy to Earth
on that night. Shi'as appeal to the content of the surah to argue for the
necessity of the existence of an Infallible Imam (a) on Earth until the Day of
Resurrection. Inspirational Quote: The Night of Decree is better than a
thousand months.
Major
Issues, Divine Laws, and Guidance of Surah al-Qadr:
Ø The
Qur'an is the revelation of Allah.
Ø Trees,
fruit, and vegetables are among the signs of Allah.
Ø Allah
never changes the condition of a people unless they are willing to change
themselves.
Ø Those
who do not respond to the call of Allah will have no way to escape from the
fire of hell.
Ø It
is the remembrance of Allah that provides tranquility to hearts.
Ø Rasools
have no power to show any miracle except by the leave of Allah.
Four
(4) different meanings of Qadr:
Qadr (Arabic: قدر, transliterated Qadr, meaning
literally "power", but translated variously as: "fate",
"divine fore-ordainment", "predestination," "divine
decree", "decree" of Allah", "preordainment") is
the concept of divine destiny in Islam.
Theme
of the Surah:
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. The main theme of this Surah is
that the Message of Allah is the Truth. It is a mistake for people to reject
it. The arguments in the whole Surah turns around this theme, and the basic
components of the Message which are Tawhid (God is One), Risalat (Prophet hood)
and Resurrection, are repeated over and over again. People are invited to
believe in these facts for their own good and if they don't, they are warned
about incurring their own ruin. This Surah not only provides reasoning to
satisfy the mind, but also appeals to the heart to accept the faith. It puts
forward logical arguments in support of the True Message and against the
people's wrong notions. It makes frequent use of sympathetic advice to win over
the hearts of disbelievers by warning them about the consequences of Kufr
(unbelief) and the good results and rewards of having True Faith.
This Surah also answers the objections and doubts of
the disbelievers which appeared to be a hindrance to accepting the Divine
Message. It also provides comfort, hope, and courage to the believers who were
passing through a long and hard ordeal.
Characteristics
of Surat Al-Qadr:
Surah Al-Qadr, also known as “The Night of Decree” or
“The Power,” is the 97th chapter of the Quran. It is a short surah consisting
of only 5 verses, but it holds significant importance in Islam. Here are some
of its characteristics:
1. Revelation:
Surah Al-Qadr was revealed in the final part of the Quranic revelation to
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during the month of Ramadan.
2. Focus
on Laylat al-Qadr: The surah emphasizes the
significance of Laylat al-Qadr, often referred to as the Night of Decree or
Power. It is a night of immense blessings and divine mercy, occurring in the
last ten nights of Ramadan, particularly on odd-numbered nights.
3. Miraculous
Nature: The surah describes Laylat al-Qadr as
being “better than a thousand months” (Quran 97:3), highlighting the immense
spiritual value of worship during this night.
4. Special
Characteristics: Surah Al-Qadr describes the peace and
tranquility that prevails throughout the night until the break of dawn. It
signifies the descent of angels and the fulfillment of divine decrees.
5. Encouragement
for Worship: The surah encourages believers to seek
out Laylat al-Qadr and engage in acts of worship such as prayer, supplication,
and Quranic recitation during this blessed night.
6. Spiritual
Reward: It emphasizes the immense spiritual reward for those
who sincerely worship during Laylat al-Qadr, promising forgiveness of past sins
and elevation of spiritual status.
7. Reminder of Divine Mercy:
Surah Al-Qadr serves as a reminder of Allah’s mercy and compassion towards
humanity, providing an opportunity for believers to seek forgiveness, guidance,
and blessings.
Virtues
·
In some hadiths, many divine rewards and
virtues have been cited for the surah. It is quoted that the best surahs that
can be recited in obligatory prayers after Qur'an 1 are surahs of al-Qadr and
al-Tawhid. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a) was quoted as saying that "the superiority
of the faith of someone who believes in 'Inna anzalna' and its interpretation
over someone who does not have such a faith is like the superiority of a human
person over an animal."
·
According to another hadith from Imam
al-Sadiq (a), if someone recites Surah Inna Anzalna in one of his obligatory
prayers, the unseen messenger (an angel) will address him like this: "O
the servant of God! God has forgiven every sin you have thus far committed. Now
resume your actions anew."
·
On the virtue of studying this Surah,
there is a narration from the holy Prophet (S) which says: "He who recites
it (Surah Qadr) will be rewarded like the one who has fasted the whole month of
Ramadan and has kept vigil the night of Qadr, (the Night of Honour).”
·
Another narration from Imam Baqir (as)
says: "He who recites Surah Qadr loudly and openly like a person who
fights in the Holy War on the path of Allah and he who recites it hiddenly like
a person who swims in his own blood for the sake of Allah".
·
One who recites Surah Qadr twenty-one
times after Maghrib on the first night of Ramadan, will attain barakah in his
sustenance like water flowing down the hill, means his sustenance will increase
as fast as the water flows down the hill.
·
Aisha (r.a) related that the Prophet
(pbuh) said: “Look for Lailatul Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the last
ten nights of Ramadan.” So, the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th night of Ramadan
could be Shab-e-Qadr.
Benefits
of Surah Al-Qadr:
Whoever recites this surah in Ramadan, will receive
countless good deeds from Allah as compensation. Protection from evil with
surah Qadr benefits. If you recite this surah 1 time before sleep, you will be
safe from any evilness. Also, Allah will protect your house the whole night.
Settlement
of Debts: One
of the benefits of reciting this surah is settling one’s debts. One of our
Imams said, “Those who wish to pay their debts must seek forgiveness from God a
lot and recite surah Qadr many times.”
Eyesight:
Whoever
recites surah Qadr close to a glass of water, then drinks it, God will place a
light in his eyes.
Ease
of Childbirth: Anytime childbirth becomes difficult for a
woman, one must recite surah Qadr next to her.
Having
Children: Some people are deprived of having
children or the desired gender of their child. One of our Imams has said in
this regard, “Write surah Qadr with musk and saffron, then wash it and give to
a woman to drink so she can conceive.”
Cure
for Liver Disease: If someone writes surah Qadr on
pottery and washes it with rainwater, then adds some sugar to it and drinks it,
God willing, he will have a healthy liver.
Sound
Sleep and Safety at Time of Sleep: Whoever
recites surah Qadr 15 times after the ‘Isha prayer, he will be safe until the
next night. And, whoever recites surah Qadr seven times before going to sleep,
God will protect him until morning.
Answer
to Prayer: Whoever
recites surah Qadr in one of his obligatory prayers, God will accept his prayer
and double his reward. And, whoever recites this surah and then says a prayer,
God will answer his prayer. God willing, by reading,
memorizing, and reciting surah Qadr, we will be able to receive all of these
rewards and benefits. Increase in Wealth.
Spiritual
Elevation: Reciting Surah Al-Qadr elevates one’s
spirituality and draws the believer closer to Allah. It is a means of
connecting with the divine and seeking His guidance and mercy.
Forgiveness
of Sins: The recitation of Surah Al-Qadr during the month of Ramadan,
especially on Laylat al-Qadr, is believed to lead to the forgiveness of past
sins. It is a time for repentance and seeking Allah’s pardon.
Guidance
and Wisdom: Surah Al-Qadr contains profound wisdom
and guidance for believers. Its verses shed light on the mysteries of the
universe and the divine decree, providing comfort and direction to those who
ponder upon them.
Protection
from Evil: Reciting Surah Al-Qadr acts as a
spiritual shield, protecting believers from evil influences and harm. It
instills a sense of peace and security in the hearts of those who seek refuge
in Allah.
Healing
Properties: Surah Al-Qadr is believed to possess
healing properties, both physical and spiritual. Its recitation is often
accompanied by a sense of tranquility and well-being, providing solace to those
who are suffering.
Strengthening
of Faith: Regular recitation of Surah Al-Qadr
strengthens one’s faith and trust in Allah. It serves as a reminder of His
power and mercy, fostering resilience and perseverance in the face of
challenges.
Community
Unity: The recitation of Surah Al-Qadr fosters a sense of
unity and solidarity among believers, especially during Ramadan. It is a time
when Muslims come together to worship and seek blessings as a community,
strengthening their bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood.
Manifestation
of Mercy: Surah Al-Qadr is a reminder of Allah’s
boundless mercy and compassion towards His creation. It is a time when
believers earnestly pray for His mercy and blessings, seeking His favor in this
life and the hereafter.
Recitation of Surah al Qadr Rumi 7 times before
sleeping enhances the wealth of the reciter. Along with providing safety, it
also tends to increase the wealth of the reciter.
Imam
al-Baqir (a.s.) is also reported to have said, “Whenever a servant (of Allah)
recites Surah al-Qadr
7
times after dawn (fajr)ing, a line of angels will invoke blessings and mercy
upon him, each seventy times.”
Imam Muhammad al-Taqi(a.s.) is reported to have mentioned abundant rewards for one who recites Surah
al-Qadr
seventy-six times a day; seven times before the dawn (Fajr) Prayer and ten times
after it, ten times before the supererogatory (mustahab / nafilah) prayer of
midday (Zohar) and twenty-one times after it, ten times after the Afternoon
(Asr) Prayer, seven times after the Evening (Isha’) Prayer, and eleven times
when going to bed. One of these rewards is that Almighty Allah will create one thousand
angels to record the rewards of this act for thirty-six thousand years.
Conclusion,
In conclusion, the benefits of reciting Surah Al-Qadr
are manifold, encompassing spiritual, emotional, and social dimensions. As
believers engage with its verses, they draw closer to their Creator, find
solace in His guidance, and experience transformative growth in their lives.
May we continue to seek blessings through the recitation of Surah Al-Qadr and
embody its teachings in our daily lives. Moreover it has been
stated that in this night the angels and Gabriel descend with every decree
(which in verse 4 of Surah Ad-Dukhan has been described as arm-hakim: wise
decree) by the leave of their Lord, and it is all peace from evening till
morning; that is, there is no interference of evil in it.
Supplication:
o
Lord! Bestow on us such a wakefulness and
acknowledgement that we take sufficient benefit from the virtue of the Night of
Honor.
o
O Lord! We hope, only, that our
predestined fates be determined based on Your Grace.
o
O Lord! Do not put us among those who are
deprived from this month, because it is the worst deprivation.
Researched & Compiled by:
OVAIS ASAD KHAN
1 comment:
Very Informative as was not aware of that much virtues and benefits of this Surah, May Allah bless you (Ameen)
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