Surah 97. Al-Qadr

1.

We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the night of Power: ⁶²¹⁷

Cf. xliv. 3 and n. 4690. The 23rd, 25th or 27th night of Ramadhan, as well as other nights, have been suggested as the Night of Power. See, however, the Introduction to this Sura. It is best to take this in conjunction with verse 3 below, which says that the Night of Power is better than a thousand Months. It transcends Time: for it is Allah's Power dispelling the Darkness of Ignorance, by his Revelation, in every kind of affair.

2.

And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is?

3.

The Night of Power is better than a thousand Months. ⁶²¹⁸

"A thousand" must be taken in an indefinite sense; as denoting a very long period of time. Cf. notes 3632 and 3634 to xxxii. 4-5, and n. 5678 to lxx. 4. This does not refer to our ideas of time, but to "timeless Time". One moment of enlightenment under Allah's Light is better than thousands of months or years of animal life, and such a moment converts the night of darkness into a period of spiritual glory.

4.

Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission on every errand: ⁶²¹⁹

The Spirit: usually understood to be the angel Gabriel.

5.

Peace!... This until the rise of Morn! ⁶²²⁰

When the Night of spiritual darkness is dissipated by the glory of Allah, a wonderful Peace and a sense of Security arise in the soul. And this lasts on until this life closes, and the glorious Day of the new world dawns, when everything will be on a different plane, and the chequered nights and days of this world will be even less than a dream.