Transcription
Following this verse, we see it is said, "Indeed, We sent it down during the Night of Decree." That is, we sent down this Quran. We sent it down during the Night of Decree. This Night of Decree, and the entire Surah is named Surah Al-Qadr. In the entire Surah, we see that one subject is discussed, which we do not see elsewhere. That is, only the description of Qadr, the honor of Qadr, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala has discussed Qadr here.
So, what did Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala mean by this Night of Decree? If we can understand why this term "Night of Decree" was used, then we will truly understand the importance of the entire Surah. So, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala has clearly told us in this Quran about the characteristics or honor of the Night of Decree. And here we see that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is telling us that for the entire world, for the entire universe, this is the greatest and most significant event. It is an event that has changed the entire human race. The entire world's management, organization, and planning have all changed. And this one night is enough to change people. It is enough to change society if we can take this night seriously. And in this regard, we see that the next four verses focus solely on this Night of Decree.
So, here, "Laylatul Qadr" - "Laylatun" means night, which we know. Now, the night has been characterized by "Qadr." So, if we understand the Night of Decree and the word "Qadr," then we will gain good knowledge about this night. So, this is the Night of Decree. Then, what is the meaning of the word "Qadr"? The exegetes have mentioned several meanings for the word "Qadr." One meaning is that the word "Qadr" means measurement or destiny. So, this is a night in which calculations are made. Things are measured, counted. So, the thing that is counted, that is measured, estimation, and determination – both of these are expressed by this "Qadr."
So, here Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala says "Laylatul Qadr" because this is a night in which Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala determines what commands He will send down for the next year for this world, for the people of this world. So, Subhanallah. This is the night in which Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala informs the angels what He has determined for which servant for the next one year, or what He has determined for the world. So, here we see that this is a night in which Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala informs the angels of His decisions for the rest of the year. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala already knows. He has already told the Pen to write what is in the destiny of each person. From the beginning of creation, the Pen has written everything, and as soon as we are born, our destiny is determined. Only Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala knows that. And for each year, the decision to execute what has been reserved for that year is conveyed to the angels on this Night of Decree.
So, we see that we always plan for our next year, set goals, what our long-term vision will be, and accordingly, what we will do in the next year and in the next ten years, what our goal in our entire life will be. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala already knows what is in our destiny. But that plan is conveyed to the angels little by little each year, and that time of conveying is the Night of Decree. So, on this Night of Decree, our destiny is announced. So, this night is an assigned day for each of us, or for the nation, or for the entire world. At that time, the angels learn all the planning of what will happen to us throughout the year. What will happen in our lives from this Ramadan until the next Ramadan, what are the important events coming in our lives – all of this is part of this planning. And Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said that there are four angels who work on this planning: Israfil (peace be upon him), Mikail (peace be upon him), Isra'il (peace be upon him), and Jibril (peace be upon him). So, when these angels were informed and destiny was determined, that is why this night is called the Night of Decree. Because the worship of this night can determine our Qadr. We can also change our Qadr. We know that there are some destinies that we cannot change in any way. But there are some things that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala can change due to our supplications. So, this is the night in which destiny is determined, and if we can supplicate to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala with sincerity, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala can change that destiny for us, in the parts that Allah wishes to change, within this night. So, this is a night that determines our fate, and from that, its name can be Laylatul Qadr.
The second meaning is that the word "Qadr" means honor, nobility, dignity, and greatness. So, the great part of the honor of this Night of Decree comes from where? A great reason for this honor is this Holy Quran. Because this Quran is our most honored book. A book that will be preserved until the Day of Judgment. Which is our guideline. By following the Quran, we can bring about change in our lives. That Quran was brought by the honored angel Jibril (peace be upon him). So, for this reason, this night has so much honor that on this night, the honored angel like Jibril (peace be upon him) brought the Quran. So, this greatness, this honor, this dignity, the talk of this honor – this honor comes primarily from the Quran. So, the more we look at the Quran with respect. Looking with respect does not mean that we will wrap the Quran nicely in a cover and keep it on the highest shelf and never open it. Rather, for the purpose for which Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala sent it to us as guidance for mankind, as a guideline for us, when we can implement the Quran as a guideline in our lives, then that honor will come to us. We will be able to truly comprehend the honor of this glorious, honored night only when we return to the Quran. So, a person can also be worthy of that honor when, through repentance and seeking forgiveness from Allah, they fully utilize this night and get their sins forgiven according to the specialty of this night. They will also be honored in the eyes of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "The best among you is he who learns the Quran and teaches it." So, this Quran can elevate me very high in terms of honor in the eyes of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, and Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala loves the servant who repeatedly turns to Allah in repentance. So, this night is the night to unite oneself with the Quran, and through it, to understand the Quran, to resolve to mold oneself according to the Quran, and this night is to beg forgiveness from Allah and present oneself before Allah as a complete believer, as a new person.
So, another meaning is restriction, congestion. It is said that this night will become very congested. Why it becomes congested, we will see in the next verse. This night is the night when angels descend from the heavens to the earth in swarms. So, such an immense number of angels come to this earth that they spread their wings, and there will be no space to even place a sesame seed. That is why we see a description of the Night of Decree, what that night will be like. That night will be peaceful. There will be no intense light that night. Even the sunlight will seem dim in the morning. This is because so many angels will come to the earth on that day that there will be no empty space. So, another meaning of "Qadr" could be that it refers to the honored angels. That these honored angels will come to see which servants of Allah are spending this night in remembrance of Allah. Another meaning could be that "Qadr" means appreciation, that is, giving it importance, valuing it. So, this is the night that will increase the importance and value of someone who spends it in the worship of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. Subhanallah. We think about such a night when Jibril (peace be upon him) and countless other angels come to the earth and see that we are spending this night carelessly, or doing something that is displeasing to Allah. How insulting that would be for us. So, this night is the Night of Appreciation. A time that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala has given us, a great opportunity. Our lifespan may be between 40 to 60 years. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala has given us such a night that even worshipping for one night can yield more results than a thousand nights. So, if we appreciate this, then if we make a little effort, endure a little hardship, and give importance to this night, then how much our importance increases in the eyes of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. And for that reason, we see that another meaning of "Qadr" could be power or strength. So, this is the night when the Quran came, and the Quran is that power which can change a person's actions. Not just one person, it is not only applicable to individual humans, but it can even change a nation. If we can hold onto the Quran correctly. So, through complete faith in Allah and correct adherence to the Quran, we can change our destiny, we can change our nature, we can overcome our problems. And the supplications of this night are so honored by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala never turns them away. What night could be more powerful than this? From this, we see that its immense spiritual significance can be seen through the word "Qadr" of this night. In Surah Dukhan, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala said, "Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night." Here, we see the same thing is said: "We sent it down during a blessed night." And "Indeed, We were warners," meaning Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is warning us through this. That you are reading about the Night of Decree in this Surah Al-Qadr, and you are seeing so much glory, so much importance, so much meaning of this Qadr. This is the great wisdom of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala that He sent this to you. Through this, you can honor yourselves and create a great opportunity for yourselves.