Surah al-Qadr is the 97th Surah of The Quran, comprising of just five ayahs. This short Surah talks about Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Decree, in Ramadan.
This post provides English translation of Surah al-Qadr in the form of images, along with a short summary of the Surah.Â
The Virtues of Laylat al-Qadr
Ramadan is the most blessed month of the year. It is also the one during which Quran was revealed and fasting was prescribed for Muslims. One of the most distinctive aspects of Ramadan is Laylat al-Qadr. Literally, Layl means Night and al-Qadr means Power or Decree. So Laylat al-Qadr means The Night of Decree or The Night of Power.
Discussing the importance of Laylat al-Qadr, Syed Iqbal Zaheer writes:
Muslims love and wait for Ramadan. For, the Quran – their life and their spirit – was sent down to the Bayt al-Mamur in Ramadan as a whole. From there, it began to be revealed in parts and pieces to the Prophet (PBUH), beginning with the first revelation in Ramadan, in a night called the Night of Qadr, better than a thousand months. When the Prophet (PBUH) said that someone of the past nations fought in Allah’s path for a thousand months, the Companions felt envious; so, Allah gave them Laylat al-Qadr and said that it is better than a thousand months.
Ramadan, the Quran and Laylat al-Qadr are deeply interlinked.
This night is said to be better than any other time of the entire year, such that any good deed done during Laylat al-Qadr is a thousand times better than what is done all year round.
Laylat al-Qadr occurs on any of the odd-numbered nights during the last ten days of Ramadan. Any act of worship done on the night of al-Qadr out of sincere faith and belief in Allah is surely rewarded, to the extent that one’s previous sins or misdeeds from the past will be forgiven.
The significance of Laylat al-Qadr is such that Allah revealed a complete Surah in order to stress upon the importance and greatness of it. And yes, that Surah is none other than Surah al-Qadr.
Surah al-Qadr — in Pictures
Here is the English translation of the Surah verse by verse:
Ayah 01
Ayah 02
Ayah 03
Ayah 04
Ayah 05
Surah al-Qadr — Summary
Surah al-Qadr describes the Night of Decree or Laylat al-Qadr. To help us understand the greatness of this night, Allah says in this Surah that this night is better than a thousand months. This comparison implies that the good deeds performed on this particular night out of sincere intentions are better than a thousand months’ of good deeds such as charity, prayers and fasting.
Surah al-Qadr also tells us that Laylat al-Qadr is honored to such an extent that Gabriel and other angles descend on this night with Allah’s Permission. As such, on the Night of al-Qadr, from evening till morning, angels offer salutations of peace upon those who are occupied in prayer and good deeds.
Therefore, may Allah enable each and every one of us to engage in sincere worship during the blessed month of Ramadan, and especially on Laylat al-Qadr, so that we may all benefit from the Mercy of Allah, both in this life and in the Hereafter.