The Night of Power (1/3)

Part of the significance of the Night of Power, has been previously mentioned. Let's to analyze this topic with commentary, (tafseer) on chapter 97 of Al-Qur'an, Al-Qadr (the Night of Power).

Al-Qadr

This chapter (surah) was revealed in Makkah, and its basic theme is honoring the revelation of this blessed book, the Holy Qur'an. The Night of Power or honor is a special gift only to the community (Ummah) of Islam. The night is one which even the angels in the heavens see as worthy of witnessing. The night is so rich with holiness, as the night when good deeds are returned, and is equal to a thousand months in the sight of Allah.

Occasion Of Revelation

In a report by Abi Hatim and Al-Wahidi, by way of Mujahid, the Messenger (Peace be upon him) mentioned that there was a man among the Israelites who devoted his life to the cause of Allah for a thousand months. The companions were amazed and impressed, but were saddened because they knew there would be no way that they could reach this status of devotion. So Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) revealed this surah to inform them that He had just blessed this Ummah with the Night of Honor, which is equal to a thousand months.

"We have indeed revealed it, (Al-Qur’an) in the Night of Power." (Al-Qur’an, Surah Al-Qadr, 97: 1)

There are several points pertaining to the meaning of this verse:

The meaning and the use of the pronoun "We" is a style in Al-Qur'an that when the Creator (Glorified and Exalted be He) is mentioned as a pronoun, He is referred to by "We" or "I", as is evidenced in this surah. Elsewhere He said,

"Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: 'I will create a vicegerent..." (Al-Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:30).

There is no problem when Allah uses the pronoun "I" to refer to His Exalted Self, but when he uses "We" the explanation becomes warranted because it cannot be perceived to indicate plural. There is unanimity among the scholars that "We" indicates respect and exaltation for the Creator and Cherisher of all the worlds, whose greatness is incomprehensibly vast and beyond our imagination.

Or, it is referring to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) and the angels who carry out his words to one all, in every level of His dominion. It cannot mean plural, or more than One Allah, for that would necessitate dropping in ranks, the absoluteness, and the powers of each competing deity. If each is capable of being absolute, each would have been independent from the other and the idea that each deity can be independent from the other is evidence that none is absolute. This is inconceivable of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) therefore, "We" cannot mean anything but respect and exaltation of the One and Only.

"...Have Indeed Revealed It In the Night of Power." (Al-Qur'an, Surah Al-Qadr, 97:1)

There is again unanimity among the commentators that "it" refers to Al-Qur'an, meaning "We revealed" Al-Qur'an in the Night of Power. He (Glorified and Exalted be He) did not mention Al-Qur'an explicitly because to refer to Al-Qur'an by the pronoun implies a certain divine uniqueness of this book, as well as greatness and honor that may not be attained if the word Al-Qur'an was used instead. First, it ascribed the revelation of Al-Qur'an to Himself, and not to anyone else. Second, referring to Al-Qur'an by pronoun is an indication that the revelation of this book was not a secret that no one knew about. Its revelation was an event widely known to all during the time of Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and after, guarding against anyone who may like to challenge it or claim any honor of teaching Muhammad (Peace be upon him) Al-Qur'an. Third, the statement also meant to honor and memorialize the time period in which Al-Qur'an was revealed.

By revealing Al-Qur'an in the Night of Power, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) inaugurated or started its revelation for the beginning of the prophethood ('Bi'ethah), and the Prophet's mission of Al-Islam began in the month of Ramadan on that Night. Al-Qur'an was not revealed in one night; it was revealed over the course of 23 years. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The whole Qur'an was revealed to the lower heavens from the protective slate (Lawhul Mahfuz) on the Night of Power, then from there to the earth in the course of 23 years.

The word power, Al-Qadr, has several implications and meaning, but we cover only those implications which are relevant to the issues here.

Qadr implies having power over something, as in the case of the Creator over the creation. Allah's Excellence is Al-Qadr, Capable, Omnipotent, Almighty, All Powerful. It also implies excellence and high esteem, and as for this Night of Power, it is highly esteemed and regarded. For this night is equal to over 80 years in the sight of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He).

It also implies to maintain, appoint, assign or decree an order. Thus, in the Night of Power, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) proclaims to the angels His commands and orders in regards to the affairs of the universe. From this meaning is derived the concept of Al-Qada Wa Qadar, the fifth article of faith, that Allah has decreed or preordained or, in other words, has full knowledge of all that the human being will do with his free will. A man's decision to act freely in good conscience or bad conscience is all known to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), past, present and future.

Qadr also implies measurement that is all the events of the year will occur in accordance to the exact measurement of what is in the knowledge of Allah, Who states:

"Verily, all things have We created in proportion and measure." (Al-Qur'an, Surah Al-Qamar, 54:49)

Why the name, the Night of Power?

As mentioned above, it is the night of Taqdeer, meaning the one in which Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) announces to the angels His already decreed commands, rules, events, etc., for the coming calendar year, from the present Night of Power to the next Night of Power. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) states:

"We sent it down during a blessed night; We forever wish to warn (against evil). In that (night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom!” (Al-Qur’an, Surah Ad-Dukhan, 44: 3-4)

It should be known that most scholars believe Allah's commands and rules are not made on that night. It has already been decreed in the eternity what is known to Allah, but that knowledge is not known to anyone, including the angels, until He announces it to the angels on that night so that they will record it on the protective slate.

This is also the night of honor and prestige which may be awarded to the servant who devotes himself to special deeds, or to the deeds themselves for the higher value they contain on that night.

The Night Is Concealed

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) in His Mercy, has concealed the Night of Power from us for the following reasons: The problems pertaining to an exact night on which the honors are attained are not unique with this Night. It seems that Allah conceals many things. He conceals his pleasure from us in all our good deeds so that we will strive in all of them. He conceals His wrath from us in all of the sins we commit so that we will avoid them. He conceals His most beloved servants (awliya) so that we will respect all the believers. He has concealed the time of His acceptance of our supplications so that we will strive in all our supplications.

He concealed his greatest name, so that we mention all His names. He has concealed the time of death so that we will be conscious of Him and our deeds all the time.

He has concealed the exact date of the Night of Power so that we would double our efforts in the whole month of Ramadan, or at least the last ten days. He has concealed it also to test the serious and the non-serious. The seriously interested person will search for the night late and in the early hours until he or she attains it, regardless of the hardship.

(Continued)