Calling Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree) with that name

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Verily, We have sent it (this Qur'ân) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree). * And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? * The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allâh in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months). * Therein descend the angels and the Rûh [Jibrîl (Gabriel)] by Allâh's Permission with all Decrees, * (All that night), there is Peace (and Goodness from Allâh to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn." [Surat Al Qadr: 1 - 5].

Q 1: The question remains: Why was that night named Laylat-ul-Qadr?

Talking about Laylat-ul-Qadr is talking about the night of glory and honor. It is said: So and so has a value, that means: He has a high status and honor.

It was named as such because of the following:

1- A valuable book was revealed by a valuable angel to a valuable Messenger and to a valuable nation.

2- Others said: Because the one who does a righteous action will be valuable and honorable in the sight of Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted).

3- It was said: Laylat-ul-Qadr means: The night of narrowness. Al Khalil ibn Ahmad hold the following Ayah as a proof: "And the man whose resources are restricted." [Surat At-Talaq: 7]. It was named as such because the earth becomes narrow due to the number of the coming angels during that night although the descend of angels is full of goodness and blessing. Abu Dawud reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The number of angels who would descend to earth during that night may be more than the number of pebbles on earth." [Reported by Imam Ahmad from Qatadah].

4- It was said: The meaning of the night is glorification as Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "They (the Jews, Quraish pagans, idolaters) did not estimate Allâh with an estimation due to Him." [Surat Al An`am: 91]. [Surat Az-Zumar: 67].

5- It was said: Laylat-ul-Qadr means the Night of Decree. It was named as such because of the Hadith of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) and others: That Allah destines in that Night rain, sustenance, life, and death until the next year as Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "We sent it (this Qur'ân) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the night of Al-Qadr, Sûrah No. 97) in the month of Ramadân - the 9th month of the Islâmic calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]. * Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments." [Surat Ad-Dukhan: 3 - 4].

Note: The meaning of estimation or decree is showing these matters to angels who are commanded to handle universal events and who are entrusted by people's affairs because the estimation of Allah was done before the creation of heavens and earth.

Warning: There is nothing prevents that the meaning of Layla-ul-Qadr may include all these meanings because it is the night of honor and decree because of the revelation of the Qur'an, because the descend of honorable angels, and because Allah reveals to His Angels the destiny of His people in the new year. And Allah knows the best!