Juz 25: Fuṣṣilat 47 to Al-Jāthiyah
Section 17 of 20 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
15. Significance of Laylatul Qadr and Divine Warning
The opening verses of Surah Ad-Dukhan establish its profound significance by connecting the revelation of the Quran to a blessed night. Allah (swt) swears by the clear Book and reveals that the Quran's descent occurred on a night of tremendous blessing and spiritual value:
حم. وَالْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ. إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ.
“Ḥā Mīm. By the clear Book, We have sent it down in a blessed night, (because) We had to warn (people)." (Ad-Dukhan 44:1-3)”
This blessed night refers to Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Decree), which is specifically identified in Surah Al-Qadr. It is a night of extraordinary significance in which Allah (swt) decrees matters for the coming year:
فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ
“In that (night), every wise matter is allocated." (Ad-Dukhan 44:4)”
The mention of this night in the context of the Quran's revelation highlights the precise divine planning behind Allah's commandments. This night is not arbitrary but represents a cosmically important moment when affairs are decided according to Allah's wisdom. The Quran's descent on this night emphasizes its centrality in divine guidance. It is during this blessed night that worship carries extraordinary weight, making it superior to a thousand months of regular worship.
The surah continues by establishing that the revelation is a manifestation of Allah's mercy, not merely a set of prohibitions and commands:
أَمْرًا مِّنْ عِندِنَا ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ
“It was a command from Us. Surely, We were to send (the messenger)." (Ad-Dukhan 44:5)”
Allah (swt) then affirms His absolute lordship over creation, reinforcing that the One who sent this revelation is also the Creator and Sustainer of everything:
رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
“(This was) a mercy from your Lord. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing." (Ad-Dukhan 44:6)”
رَبِّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ
“The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, if you are to believe." (Ad-Dukhan 44:7)”
Despite these clear signs and divine mercy, many among the disbelievers remained skeptical. Their fundamental problem was not a lack of evidence but their persistent doubt about the resurrection and accountability:
لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ ۖ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ آبَائِكُمُ الْأَوَّلِينَ
“There is no god but He. He gives life and brings death. He is your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers." (Ad-Dukhan 44:8)”
The surah then speaks of how the reality of life after death is denied by those who prefer to immerse themselves in worldly pleasures without accountability. Their rejection leads them to dismiss the divine message and mock the warnings. Yet, despite their denial, Allah (swt) asserts that the ultimate reality will manifest, and they will face the consequences of their disbelief.
This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of divine revelation and the importance of heeding its warnings. The blessed night mentioned here continues to be commemorated by believers as they seek its blessings during the final nights of Ramadan, striving to maximize their worship during this time of divine decree.