Kadir

Surah Al-Qadr is the ninety-seventh surah of the Quran, consisting of five verses devoted to the value of the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr), the night on which the revelation of the Quran began. The surah takes its name from the word qadr, which carries the meanings of honor, worth, and divine decree. It describes this blessed night as better than a thousand months, a span in which sincere devotion outweighs decades of ordinary effort. For Muslims today, the surah anchors the practice of seeking out Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan, and it reminds the reader that time takes its value from God, and that a single night of genuine turning toward Him can transform a lifetime.

Revelation & background

Surah Al-Qadr is classified as Meccan, revealed in the early period of the Prophet's mission, although a minority of scholars considered it Medinan. No specific occasion of revelation is firmly reported for it; its content recalls the beginning of revelation and announces the merit of the Night of Decree in general terms.

Major themes

The surah centers on the descent of the Quran and the unmatched worth of the Night of Decree. The opening verse states that the Quran was sent down on this night; verse 97:3 declares it better than a thousand months. Verse 97:4 describes the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) descending by their Lord's permission with every decree, and 97:5 closes with the night being peace until the break of dawn. In five concise verses the surah weaves together revelation, the blessedness of time, the descent of the angels, and the continuity of divine mercy through the night.

Virtues

Sound hadith collections, including those of al-Bukhari and Muslim, contain reports that whoever stands in prayer on the Night of Decree out of faith and hope for reward will have past sins forgiven. The Prophet is reported to have encouraged seeking this night in the last ten nights of Ramadan, particularly the odd ones, which is why this surah is recited so often in Ramadan devotions.