Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) (لَيلَةُ القَدْرِ)

إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ

Indeed, ˹it is˺ We ˹Who˺ sent it [the Quran] down on the Night of Power.

The attached pronoun (ـهُ) here refers to the Quran, and an attached pronoun is used to venerate its glorious nature and veneration. Notice here that the verse is saying: “Indeed, We sent it down in the Night of Power.” The scholars differ vastly on what this could mean, but two opinions are: 1.) The revelation of the Quran started in Laylatul Qadr, and then continued piecemeal over the next 23 years; 2.) The entire Quran was revealed at once to the lowest heaven (السَّمَاءُ الدُّنْيَا) and then, Jibril عليه السلام revealed it piecemeal to the Prophet ﷺ over the next 23 years. 

Linguistic note: Both Form II (نَـزَّلَ) and Form IV (أَنْزَلَ) mean “to descend or reveal.” One of the differences between these two is that the Form II (نَزَّلَ) verb is used for gradual descent, while the Form IV (أَنْزَلَ) verb is used for immediate descent. Here, since the Form IV masdar (gerund) of إِنْزَال was used, this supports the second position above that the Quran may have been at once to the lowest heaven (السَّمَاءُ الدُّنْيَا) and then, Jibril عليه السلام revealed it piecemeal to the Prophet ﷺ over the next 23 years. 

The word قَدْر has several meanings in the Arabic language. The intended meaning here is that of power and might, hence why it is translated as “the Night of Power.” 

وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ

And what will make you realize what the Night of Power is?

Why would this verse be asking if we realize what the Night of Power is? Was it not clear to the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions رضي الله عنهم أجمعين what the Night of Glory was? This question, according to one source, is meant to be for emphasis and astonishment. The idea is that only God knows the true power and awe of this night, as if to say that the ability to fully appreciate the grandeur of this night is beyond human comprehension. 

لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌۭ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍۢ 

The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months.

Why was the Night of Power not specified as to the exact night? One source posits that, had we known which night it was, we would all engage in extra devotional prayers 🕌 on that night and we might neglect other nights. In His Divine Wisdom, He hid the exact details of this night from us so that we may seek out His Bounty and Grace on all nights of Ramadan. 

تَنَزَّلُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍۢ

That night the angels and the ˹holy˺ spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every ˹decreed˺ matter.

The word الرُّوحُ means “soul,” but here refers to Archangel Jibril عليه السلام, hence why it is commonly translates as “the Holy Spirit.” It is said in one source that on the Night of Power, there will be angels that descend to the Earth that have not descended before. In other words, these angels uniquely descend on the Night of Power, and they descend with vast amounts of barakah and mercy upon worshippers.

By the phrase (مِنْ كُلِّ أَمْرٍ), one source posits that what is meant is that angels descend for the sake of every matter and need, and that God informs His angels of the provisions of all of His creation. It also points to the vast mercy that descends on this night.

سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ

It is all peace until the break of dawn.

Scholars differ on what is meant by the word سَلَام in this surah. One source opines that it means “peace/safety” (سَلَامَة), while another source suggests the meaning of “greetings” (تَحِيَّة). The former (سلامة) indicates all of goodness 🌟, as goodness (خير) is safety from all evils and harm. The latter is supported by the notion that angels greet the worshippers and righteous servants on this night. Therefore, in this night will come a sense of complete safety and security due to the plentitude of angels greeting the worshippers. 

The word (سَلَام) therefore refers to forgiveness, reward, and the answering of supplications 🤲. This word can also mean the greetings and praise of the angels towards those who worship on this night. In fact, according to one source, on the Night of Power, not a single believer is left without a greeting by the angels.  

This word (سلام) is also indefinite (نكرة), indicating veneration and might (التَّعْظِيم). Yet another meaning posited by Al-Muhajid (authoritative mufassir) is that سَلَامٌ refers to safety from illnesses, and as such, it is said that on this night, no illness befalls those who engage in devotional worship.