Understand Quran

Surah Al-Qadr

Surah Al-Qadr

The Night of Decree

القدر
Arabic Name القدر
Meaning of the Name The Night of Decree
Revealed In Makkah
Type Makki Surah
Total Ayahs 5 Ayahs
Main Message A Makki surah that declares the Qur’an was sent down on Laylatul Qadr, explains that this night is better than a thousand months, and describes the descent of the angels and Jibreel عليه السلام by Allah’s permission with peace until dawn.
Why It Matters It teaches the greatness of the Qur’an, the immense value of blessed time, the mercy of Allah in multiplying reward, and the peace and decree connected to this special night.
Purpose It trains the heart to honor the Qur’an, seek Laylatul Qadr with worship and repentance, believe in the unseen descent of angels, and value Allah’s peace, mercy, and decree until dawn.
Ayah 1
Surah Al-Qadr

إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ

Transliteration

Innaaa anzalnaahu fee lailatil-qadr

English Translation

Indeed, We sent it down during the Night of Decree.

Word-by-Word Meaning

ArabicTransliterationSimple Meaning
إِنَّآInnaaaindeed We
أَنزَلْنَـٰهُAnzalnaahusent it down
فِىFeein / during
لَيْلَةِLailatithe Night of
ٱلْقَدْرِAl-qadrDecree / Power

Simple Explanation

Allah tells us that He sent down the Qur’an during Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Decree.

This shows the greatness of the Qur’an. Its revelation is connected to a night Allah made honored, powerful, and filled with mercy.

The ayah teaches that guidance is not ordinary. Allah sent His words down as light for hearts, lives, and generations.

What This Ayah Builds Inside You

Inner QualityHow This Ayah Builds It
Love of Qur’anYou honor the Book Allah sent down.
Gratitude for GuidanceYou thank Allah for revealing light to humanity.
Respect for Sacred TimeYou value nights Allah made special.

Pause and Speak to Allah

The ayah is not only information; it is a mirror for the heart.

Say in your heart: Ya Allah, make the Qur’an light in my heart and guidance in my life.

Reflection: Do I treat the Qur’an as the honored revelation Allah sent down?
Ayah 2
Surah Al-Qadr

وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ

Transliteration

Wa maaa adraaka maa lailatul-qadr

English Translation

And what can make you know what the Night of Decree is?

Word-by-Word Meaning

ArabicTransliterationSimple Meaning
وَمَآWa maaaand what
أَدْرَىٰكَAdraakacan make you know
مَاMaawhat
لَيْلَةُLailatuthe Night of
ٱلْقَدْرِAl-qadrDecree is

Simple Explanation

Allah makes us pause by asking what can make us know the true value of Laylatul Qadr.

Then Allah explains its greatness: Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months. Worship on this night carries a value far beyond normal time.

These ayahs teach that Allah can place huge blessing inside a short moment. A single night, when honored by Allah, can outweigh a lifetime of ordinary months.

What This Ayah Builds Inside You

Inner QualityHow This Ayah Builds It
HopeYou know Allah can multiply small worship greatly.
Eagerness for WorshipYou seek the night better than a thousand months.
Awe of Allah’s MercyYou realize time becomes blessed when Allah blesses it.

Pause and Speak to Allah

The ayah is not only information; it is a mirror for the heart.

Say in your heart: Ya Allah, allow me to reach Laylatul Qadr and gain its reward with sincerity.

Reflection: Am I using blessed moments properly, or letting them pass like ordinary time?
Ayah 3
Surah Al-Qadr

لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ

Transliteration

Lailatul-qadri khairum-min alfi shahr

English Translation

The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.

Word-by-Word Meaning

ArabicTransliterationSimple Meaning
لَيْلَةُLailatuthe Night of
ٱلْقَدْرِAl-qadrDecree
خَيْرٌKhairunis better
مِّنْMinthan
أَلْفِAlfia thousand
شَهْرٍShahrmonths

Simple Explanation

Allah makes us pause by asking what can make us know the true value of Laylatul Qadr.

Then Allah explains its greatness: Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months. Worship on this night carries a value far beyond normal time.

These ayahs teach that Allah can place huge blessing inside a short moment. A single night, when honored by Allah, can outweigh a lifetime of ordinary months.

What This Ayah Builds Inside You

Inner QualityHow This Ayah Builds It
HopeYou know Allah can multiply small worship greatly.
Eagerness for WorshipYou seek the night better than a thousand months.
Awe of Allah’s MercyYou realize time becomes blessed when Allah blesses it.

Pause and Speak to Allah

The ayah is not only information; it is a mirror for the heart.

Say in your heart: Ya Allah, allow me to reach Laylatul Qadr and gain its reward with sincerity.

Reflection: Am I using blessed moments properly, or letting them pass like ordinary time?
Ayah 4
Surah Al-Qadr

تَنَزَّلُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

Transliteration

Tanazzalul-malaaa’ikatu war-roohu feehaa bi izni Rabbihim min kulli amr

English Translation

The angels and the Spirit descend therein by the permission of their Lord for every matter.

Word-by-Word Meaning

ArabicTransliterationSimple Meaning
تَنَزَّلُTanazzaludescend
ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُAl-malaaa’ikahthe angels
وَٱلرُّوحُWar-roohand the Spirit
فِيهَاFeehaatherein
بِإِذْنِBi izniby permission of
رَبِّهِمRabbihimtheir Lord
مِّنMinfor / from
كُلِّKullievery
أَمْرٍAmrmatter / command

Simple Explanation

Allah describes the unseen honor of this night: the angels and the Spirit descend by the permission of their Lord.

The Spirit refers to Jibreel عليه السلام, the great angel entrusted with revelation. Their descent shows the night is filled with Allah’s command, mercy, and decree.

Every matter descends by Allah’s permission. Nothing is random; the night belongs to Allah’s wisdom and command.

What This Ayah Builds Inside You

Inner QualityHow This Ayah Builds It
Belief in the UnseenYou believe in the descent of angels by Allah’s command.
Trust in Allah’s DecreeYou know every matter is by His permission.
ReverenceYou treat this night with seriousness and humility.

Pause and Speak to Allah

The ayah is not only information; it is a mirror for the heart.

Say in your heart: Ya Allah, include me in the mercy, peace, and blessings You send down on this night.

Reflection: Do I trust that every matter descends only by Allah’s permission?
Ayah 5
Surah Al-Qadr

سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ

Transliteration

Salaamun hiya hattaa matla‘il-fajr

English Translation

Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.

Word-by-Word Meaning

ArabicTransliterationSimple Meaning
سَلَـٰمٌSalaamunpeace
هِىَHiyait is
حَتَّىٰHattaauntil
مَطْلَعِMatla‘ithe emergence / rising of
ٱلْفَجْرِAl-fajrdawn

Simple Explanation

Allah ends the surah by describing the night as peace until the rise of dawn.

This peace is a mercy from Allah. It is a night of safety, worship, forgiveness, angelic presence, and calm for those who turn to Him.

The ayah teaches us to seek this night with prayer, Qur’an, repentance, and hope until dawn arrives.

What This Ayah Builds Inside You

Inner QualityHow This Ayah Builds It
Inner PeaceYou seek the peace Allah places in this night.
RepentanceYou use the night to return to Allah.
Consistency Until DawnYou keep worship alive until the night ends.

Pause and Speak to Allah

The ayah is not only information; it is a mirror for the heart.

Say in your heart: Ya Allah, grant me peace, forgiveness, and closeness to You until dawn and beyond.

Reflection: How can I seek peace with Allah before dawn arrives?