The Night of Power (3/3)

As for the reasons why they come, there are several explanations including:

(1) They descend to witness how we worship and obey Allah, and

(2) To show their deep love for the believers. This is why they seek permission from Allah to come and meet us. This is a once-a-year opportunity they do not like to miss.

(3) Allah promised the believers that in the hereafter, angels will approach on them with greetings:

"...And the angels shall enter into them from every gate (with the salutation): Peace be unto you for that you persevered in patience..." (Al-Qur'an, Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:23-24)

Now, if you preoccupy yourself with worship of Allah, the angels will descend on you with salutations.

(4) Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) singles out this night with honors on the earth so the angels can come down and increase their rewards, and as a means to encourage the human race to worship.

(5) Realization that the angels are around is encouragement for the servants to devote more time to good deeds as a man will work harder when a foreman is present.

"...And the Spirit..." (Al-Qur'an, Surah Al-Qadr, 97:4)

There are several explanations for the meaning of the Spirit:

(1) The Spirit is comprised of groups of special angels who are seen only on the Night of Power;

(2) It is referring to Al-Qur’an, as Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) stated: "And thus have We, by Our command sent inspiration (spirit) to thee..." (Al-Qur'an, Surah Ash-Shurah, 42:52),

(3) This is a reference to Angel Jibreel, as this is a special honor to Jibreel who has been mentioned twice Surah 42 first with another angel, and separately as the spirit of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) as the Qur'an says:

"Verily this is a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds. With it came down the spirit of faith and truth." (Al-Qur'an, Surah Ash-Shu'ara', 26:192-193)

Thus the correct explanation of the spirit, Ruuh, is Jibreel in this verse to indicate the angels on one side and Jibreel on the other, while they were descending.

"...By Allah's permission..."

This indicates the angels extend a request to come to meet the believers; and to underscore the fact that angels are infallible; that they do not make a move without explicit permission from their Lord. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) states:

"They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His command." (Al-Qur'an, Surah Al-Anbiya’, 21:27)

"(The angels say) We descend not but by command of thy Lord..." (Al-Qur'an,  Surah Maryam, 19:64)

"(Their) Lord." It indicates honor for the angels. It is as if Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) is saying "They are for Me and I am for them".

Similarly, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) said regarding us:

"Verily your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six days..." (Al-Qur'an, Surah Yunus, 10:3)

And regarding Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) Allah said:

"Behold, your Lord said to the angels..." (Al-Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:30)

It has been reported that when Prophet David was terminally ill, he asked Allah to be for his son Solomon, as He was for him. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) replied, saying:

"Tell Solomon to be for Me as you are for Me.” (Al-Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:30)

"...On every errand..."

This indicates the angels and the Spirit descend for different purposes: some come down for prostration, some for bowing, and others for supplications for the believers and salutations.

Or they come down carrying with them the proclamations of the coming year.

"Peace!..." (Al-Qur'an, Surah Al-Qadr, 97:5)

There are several explanations to this verse:

(1) The whole Night of Power, from sunset to the break of dawn, will be spent by the angels in salutation.

(2) The purpose is to describe the night with peace because of the salutation from the angels. That is very important, because when seven angels visited Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) and saluted him, he was very happy, and when Nimrod threw him in the fire, it turned ice-cold when the angels saluted him.

(3) This is a wish of safety and peace from all evil and harmful things, or the angels will only bring on this night, good things!

"...Until the rise of morn." (Al-Qur’an, Surah Al-Qadr, 97:5)

All the honor, blessings and peace of the Night of Power will continue in every second of the night until Fajr. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) is the Best Knower.