Adapted from Tafsir Ibn Ashur

Themes and purpose:

This surah is dedicated to affirming the immense dignity and power of the Quran. Its purpose is to elevate the status of the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr), confirming that the descent of the revelation and the angels during this single night is a grace greater than an entire lifetime of worship.

Context of Revelation:

Era: There are strong arguments for it being either Makkan or Madinan, but the majority opinion is that it is Makkan.

Context: The surah was revealed to inform the Muslims of the immense virtue of the night in which the Quran was sent down, encouraging them to seek it out through devotion.

Chronology: It has been counted as the 25th surah in the order of revelation, revealed after Sūrat ʿAbasa and before al-Shams.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: The surah is known both as "Sūrat al-Qadr" (Value/Power) and "Sūrat Laylat al-Qadr" (The Night of Value), based on the opening ayah concerning the Quran’s revelation.

Ayah Count: 5 ayahs (Madinah/Baṣrah/Kūfah) or 6 (Makkah/Shām).

Surah Overview:

• Praising the greatness of the Quran by attributing its descent to Allah. [1]
• Elevating the status of the night of its descent, Laylat al-Qadr, and affirming its superiority over “a thousand months”. [3]
• Highlighting the descent of the Angels and the Spirit with every divine decree during this night. [4]
• Describing the night as a period of profound peace and spiritual energy that lasts until the break of dawn. [5]