4] Laylat al-Qadr: The Night of Power

4]
Let's analyze the significance of Laylat al-Qadr 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 itsbasic theme is
honoring the revelation of this blessed book, the Holy Qur`an. The
Night of Power or honor is a specialgift 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 (saas) mentioned that there was a man among the Israelites
who devotedhis 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 (SWT) 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 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 (SWT) 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 saidto the angels: `I will createa vicegerent..."
(Al-Qur`an, 2:30) . There is no problemwhen 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
andexaltation for the Creator and Cherisher of all the worlds, whose
greatness isincomprehensibly vast andbeyond our imagination.
Or, it is referring to Allah (SWT) 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 (SWT) therefore, "We" cannot mean anything butrespect and
exaltation of the One and Only.
"...Have Indeed Revealed ItIn the Night of Power" (Al-Qur`an 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
(SWT) 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 beattained 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 thatno one knew about. Its revelation was an event
widely known to all duringthe time of Muhammad (saas) and after,
guarding against anyone who may like to challenge it or claimany honor
of teaching Muhammad (saas) 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 (SWT) 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 (raa) said: The
whole Qur'an was revealedto the lower heavens fromthe 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 powerover something, as in the case of the Creator
over the creation. Allah's (SWT) excellence is Al-Qadr , capable,
omnipotent, almighty, all powerful. It also implies excellence andhigh
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 (SWT).
It also implies to maintain,appoint, assign or decree an order. Thus,
in the Night of Power, Allah (SWT) 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,:->