Sūrah al Qadr The Night That Changed Human History (97). An Analytical and Spiritual Study by Dr Shabir Choudhry

  Sūrah al Qadr The Night That Changed Human History (97)

An Analytical and Spiritual Study by Dr Shabir Choudhry

 

Translation

 

1. Indeed, We sent it (the Qur’ān) down during the Night of Power.

2. And what will make you understand what the Night of Power is?

3. The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.

4. The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with every decree.

5. Peace it is — until the rising of the dawn.

 

Historical Context (Asbāb al-Nuzūl)

 

Sūrah al-Qadr commemorates the most transformative moment in history:

 

The first revelation of the Qur’ān to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

 

This occurred:

•  In the Cave of Ḥirā’

•  During the month of Ramaḍān

•  On an unknown night later described as Laylat al-Qadr

This night marks the beginning of:

•  Guidance after misguidance,

•  Moral clarity after confusion,

•  A new civilisation rising from a desert society.

The surah emphasises:

This revelation was not an ordinary event — it was a cosmic intervention.

 

Verse-by-Verse Analysis

 

Verse 1 — “Indeed, We sent it down during the Night of Power.”

 

The Qur’ān uses the Arabic “anzalnāhu” — “We sent it down all at once.”

 

Scholars explain this in two layers:

1.  The Qur’ān descended as a whole from the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūẓ) to the lowest heaven.

2.  From there, it was revealed gradually over 23 years to the Prophet ﷺ.

This night marks the beginning of:

•  A new era of knowledge,

•  A new world order,

•  A new moral horizon for humanity.

The phrase “Laylat al-Qadr” carries multiple meanings:

•  The Night of Power

•  The Night of Destiny

•  The Night of Decree

•  The Night of Value / Honour

It is the night when history turns.

 

Verse 2 — “And what will make you understand what the Night of Power is?”

 

The Qur’ān uses this rhetorical question to show:

•  Human intellect alone cannot grasp its magnitude

•  the event is beyond worldly categories

•  divine revelation brings meanings unavailable through reason alone

 

This verse builds awe — the night’s status is extraordinary.

 

Verse 3 — “The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.”

 

A thousand month equals:

•  83 years and 4 months

•  a full human lifetime in pre-modern Arabia

But “better” (khayr) means:

•  A greater opportunity

•  A higher spiritual value

•  Blessings beyond calculation

•  Multiplied rewards

It is not equal to a thousand months —

It surpasses them.

This verse emphasises quality over quantity:

One night of sincerity can outweigh a lifetime of ritual without consciousness.

 

Verse 4 — “The angels and the Spirit descend therein…”

 

This is one of the most mystical descriptions in the Qur’ān.

 

The angels descend in waves

 

·   Filling the earth with mercy.

·   “al-Rūḥ” refers to:

•  The Angel Jibrīl (most commentators),

•  Or the divine command,

•  Or the essence of life.

The descent signifies:

•  Renewal

•  Purification

•  Restoration of hope

•  Transformation of destiny

This night reconnects heaven and earth.

 

Verse 5 — “Peace it is — until the rising of the dawn.”

 

The surah ends with the word “Salām”:

•  Peace from sin,

•  Peace from fear,

•  Peace from divine punishment,

•  Peace for the sincere believer.

The entire night — from sunset to dawn — becomes a field of peace.

This is the only night in the year where:

•  The forces of mercy dominate completely

•  Evil is subdued

•  The soul can ascend easily

•  Forgiveness flows continuously

•  Destinies are written

•  Prayers are accepted

•  Hearts are healed

It is the most spiritually charged night in the Islamic calendar.

 

Theological and Philosophical Themes

 

1. Revelation as the foundation of civilisation

 

The surah reminds us:

•  Moral progress does not arise from wealth or weapons.

•  It begins with ideas, guidance, and knowledge.

Islamic civilisation began not with:

•  Armies,

•  Kingdoms,

•  Or conquests,

But with a night of reflection in a cave.

 

2. Human destiny is transformable

 

“Al-Qadr” also means destiny.

 

This surah teaches:

•  Individuals can transform their lives.

•  Nations can change their trajectory.

•  Societies can rewrite their futures.

 

Nothing is fixed except God’s ultimate justice.

 

3. The night belongs to the sincere

 

There is a profound democratic message:

 

Laylat al-Qadr is not reserved for:

•  Scholars

•  Leaders

•  Spiritual elites

It is equally available to:

•  The weak

•  The poor

•  The oppressed

•  The sinner seeking forgiveness

•  The ordinary believer

In the sight of God, the heart defines value — not social rank.

 

4. Divine assistance arrives in moments of crisis

 

The Qur’ān’s first light emerged:

•  When Arabia was morally collapsing

•  When the weak were crushed

• When justice was broken

•  When idols dominated society

•  When humanity needed guidance

This teaches:

Whenever society approaches darkness:

A new light emerges.

 

Relevance for Today

 

Sūrah al-Qadr is not about history alone — it speaks to modern struggles:

 

1. For people living under oppression

 

It reminds them:

•  Despair is not permanent

•  God’s help can descend at any moment

•  A single night can change the destiny of nations

2. For societies drowning in conflict

 

The surah teaches:

 

Real change begins with a shift in moral consciousness — not military power.

 

3. For the Muslim world’s crisis of knowledge

 

The night of Qadr began with the command:

 

Read.

 

Therefore:

•  Ignorance is not piety

•  Superstition is not spirituality

•  Extremism is not devotion

•  Oppression is not Islam

4. For individuals facing personal crises

 

One moment of sincerity can:

•  Rewrite destiny

•  Erase a lifetime of sins

• Open new spiritual horizons

 

Conclusion

 

Sūrah al-Qadr celebrates the most significant night in human history,

the night that transformed the world.

 

It is a declaration that:

•  Guidance is a divine gift

•  Destiny can change

•  angels walk among humanity

•  peace is possible

•  and light always defeats darkness

The surah is an invitation to discover the power of one moment, one prayer, one night of sincerity.

A new world began on Laylat al-Qadr, and each year, the opportunity returns. END.

How People Are Robbed Without a Gun – Part 1

  How People Are Robbed Without a Gun – Part 1

Dr Shabir Choudhry, January 2026, London.

A family from Mirpur lives near my house. Sufi Sahib was a very decent and respectable man. One day, his son-in-law said to me,

“Uncle, you should give your zakat and charity to Qari Sahib.”

I asked a few questions about Qari Sahib. He replied,

“Uncle, he is a very good and honest man. He teaches children Islam in a madrasa and looks after orphaned children.”

A few days later, I also received a call from Qari Sahib himself. He spoke very sweetly. With the intention of earning reward (sawab), I began sending him money. I was told that thirty boys and girls were receiving education there, and that some orphaned children lived in the madrasa itself.

I continued supporting them regularly—especially during Ramadan. I also provided clothes for Eid. Qari Sahib was presented as a lover of the Prophet (Aashiq-e-Rasool).

One day, he said,

“My heart longs to present myself before my beloved Prophet, but my financial situation does not allow it.”

I replied,

“Do not worry. I will arrange your Umrah.”

Whatever amount he asked for, I sent it. Two weeks later, he called again and said that since he was under forty years of age, he could not go alone. If his wife accompanied him, the visa would be granted.

I asked how much more money was required and sent the additional amount as instructed.

When he returned, he said that it was summer and there were no fans in the madrasa, and that the children were suffering due to the heat. At his request, I sent more money.

Then, in winter, another request came: there was no carpet in the madrasa, and the children were feeling very cold. I sent money for carpets as well.

Qari Sahib would regularly call and give me reports about the children’s education. I felt very happy, thinking that because of me, children were receiving Islamic education.

Religious scholars say that when you help someone, your other hand should not even know about it. I followed this advice and told no one, so that my reward would not be reduced.

One day, Qari Sahib called again and said that Ramadan was approaching and requested money so that everyone could manage sehri and iftar properly.

At that time, I was away from London, so I asked my brother-in-law in Azad Kashmir to purchase a month’s full ration for forty people and deliver it to the madrasa. I also asked him to meet Qari Sahib, convey my greetings, and—if possible—meet the children studying there.

My brother-in-law purchased everything, loaded it onto a van, and delivered it to Qari Sahib.

Instead of expressing gratitude, Qari Sahib became furious. He said that Choudhry Sahib had insulted him. By giving goods instead of cash, he had shown distrust.

When I questioned my brother-in-law, I learned that he had seen only five children there.

The next day, Qari Sahib also called me and complained at length. He was angry that I did not send him cash. Is it that I did not trust him?

After Ramadan, I decided to visit Azad Kashmir. The madrasa was only two or three miles from my village. Qari Sahib was originally from Gujrat, Pakistan.

Without informing anyone, I went to the madrasa. A large building stood there. I met a bearded man who gave me a tour of the madrasa. Qari Sahib was not present.

There were only five children there, and they were the children of that man and Qari Sahib.

I praised the carpets in the madrasa and asked who had donated them. He replied that a certain Raja Sahib had provided them. I prayed for him.

Then I asked about the electric fans. He said they were donated by a certain Choudhry Sahib. I prayed for him as well.

The cost of both the carpets and the fans had been paid by me.

At that moment, I realised that countless Raja Sahibs and Choudhry Sahibs must have been robbed—without a gun—by this Gujarati Qari’s smooth tongue. The robber held neither a gun nor a sword.

In the name of religion and the pursuit of reward, millions are made fools of—yet people say, “He didn’t take the money at gunpoint.”

Two days later, I called Qari Sahib to a place. He arrived with his team. At first, he tried hard to defend himself. Two other men were with me.

I had my two cousins with me, who knew who was doing what in the area. When they started exposing him and his colleagues, he realised that he was cornered, so he began apologising. He said mistakes had been made.

Even afterwards, he phoned me many times in London. I refused to help anymore. His request was, if I can’t help, then “Please forgive me.”

I forgave him, but the regret remains: how many times do people continue to be robbed even after such exposure? I know how many times I have been fooled in the name of donations to help the poor and orphans, and the construction of Masjids (Mosques) and the health of old people. End.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

How People Are Robbed Without a Gun – Part 2

Dr Shabir Choudhry, January 2026, London.

Most pirs (spiritual leaders) in Britain originate from Pakistan, and the majority of those who are exploited come from Azad Kashmir. The pir sahib being referred to here was also from Pakistan. He is no longer alive—may Allah have mercy on him. He was regarded as a major scholar and religious figure in Pakistan and Europe. Much could be said about the various activities associated with him, but I will mention only one incident.

He travelled to a town approximately eighty miles from London. Naturally, pirs and Pakistani leaders do not travel alone. One can estimate how many people emptied their pockets—without ever seeing a gun—by considering the experience of a follower from District Mirpur whom we know.

The method used by pirs is usually the same. The pir sahib created an atmosphere, a spiritual environment, in which people eager for paradise were prepared to sacrifice everything.

A man we know, a Haji sahib, offered a donation (nazrana) of five thousand pounds (this was around fifteen years ago). The pir sahib rejected it and said:

“A person like you, upon whom Allah’s mercy rests, is offering only five thousand pounds in Allah’s name? If you wish to give, then at least ten thousand pounds must be given.”

Poor Haji sahib felt humiliated in front of others and, in order to please the pir sahib, presented ten thousand pounds at his service.

In such an environment, and to save face, the followers must have donated at least one hundred thousand pounds in total. After setting up his camp, enjoying high-quality food, and offering prayers to the followers, the pir sahib returned to London.

In addition to this, many pirs run lucrative businesses under the guise of:

·       removing black magic,

·       warding off the evil eye,

·       increasing sustenance,

·       spiritual cures for every illness,

·       exorcising jinn,

·       arranging marriages for children,

·       securing jobs,

·       business success,

·       resolving divorce cases,

·       halala arrangements,

·       and “correcting” rebellious children through amulets and incantations.

Incidentally, it is also said that some pirs’ own children are rebellious, but they claim to know the art of correcting other people’s children.

Some people give lectures that no one was holding a gun to their heads to give money. True, no one was holding guns to take money, which is illegal. These Peers who use the name of religion to deprive people of their hard-earned money are worse than those who use guns.

However, these peers and Mullahs instil fear of losing rewards (sawab), social honour, or religious standing, and convince people to give generously in the name of Allah. The fear and reward produce the same outcome as the gun produces. The only difference is that the man with a gun could be caught by the police and punished. No one can dare to touch a Peer with a large following.

As long as ignorance survives, and as long as faith is outsourced from God to intermediaries, the business of piety will flourish—and its victims will continue to thank their robbers.

In conclusion, I can say, when ignorance is prevailing, and as long as women seek help from pirs instead of Allah, the pirs will continue to enjoy all the benefits—their fingers dipped in ghee, and their heads….. End