Surah Al-Qadr (The Power)

About Surah Al-Qadr

Al-Qadr, “The Power” or “The Decree”, is a five-verse surah about Laylat al-Qadr, the night on which the Quran was sent down. It describes the night as better than a thousand months, a night when the angels and the Spirit descend by their Lord’s permission, and a night of peace that lasts until dawn breaks.

Verse by verse

• Revelation (97:1): the Quran was sent down on this night.
• Its greatness (97:2–3): a question that heightens its importance, then the answer — better than a thousand months, which is more than eighty years.
• Angels descend (97:4): the angels and the Spirit, whom most commentators identify as Gabriel, come down with every decree.
• Peace (97:5): the night is peace until the rising of dawn.

When is the Night of Decree?

Since the Quran says it was revealed in Ramadan (2:185) and on a blessed night (44:3), the night falls in Ramadan. Hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari direct Muslims to seek it in the odd nights of the last ten nights. Its exact date is not fixed, which encourages effort throughout those nights.

Its virtue

Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim report that whoever stands in prayer on this night out of faith and hoping for reward will have past sins forgiven. At-Tirmidhi records that Aisha asked what to say if she found the night, and the Prophet taught her a short supplication asking God, who loves to pardon, for pardon.

The dataset used here lists Al-Qadr as Meccan, the more common view; some scholars classified it as Medinan.

Frequently asked questions

What is Laylat al-Qadr?

The night on which the Quran was revealed, described in Surah Al-Qadr as better than a thousand months. It falls in the last ten nights of Ramadan.

How many verses are in Surah Al-Qadr?

5.

Is Surah Al-Qadr Meccan or Medinan?

Most classify it as Meccan, as does the dataset used on this site; some scholars considered it Medinan.

How many ayahs are in Surah Al-Qadr?

Surah Al-Qadr has 5 ayahs. It is surah number 97 in the Quran and is Meccan.

Can I read Surah Al-Qadr in English or save it as a PDF?

Yes. This page shows the Arabic text of every ayah with the Saheeh International English meaning under it. Use “Print / Save as PDF” for a clean printable copy that you can save as a PDF file from your browser.

Is Surah Al-Qadr the same as Surah Qadr?

Yes. Qadr, Laylatul Qadr and Al-Qadr are different English spellings of the same surah name, القدر.

Summaries describe the surah’s content and commonly cited reports for general readers; they are not a tafsir or a religious ruling.