Christian
Churches of God
No. Q097
Commentary on the Koran: Surah 97 “The Night of Decree”
or “Power”
(Edition 1.5 20180531-20201228)
The text refers to the Night of Predestination or Power which refers to
the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Christian
Churches of God
E-mail: secretary@ccg.org
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© 2018, 2020 Wade Cox and Alan
Brach)
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Commentary on the Koran: Surah 97
“The Night of Decree”
or “Power”
Pickthall
Translation; Bible Quotes are from the English Standard Version unless
otherwise noted.
Introduction
Al-Qadr takes its name from a word in verse 1. It refers to the night which
was held to be one of the last nights of Ramadan which was the end of the Omer
Count to Pentecost at the Feast of Weeks.
That was the time when the Prophet received his call and the first
verses of the Koran (S96:1-5) were revealed at Mt Hira. Thus S97 was revealed as immediately
following S96.
The text is also
tied to the giving of the Law to Moses at Sinai as revealed in Surah 95 “The
Fig”.
The cutting loose of
the Calendar from the Intercalations ensures that Islam has no idea when the
true Calendar was in application.
The text refers to
the sequence of the receipt of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the decrees
given at Sinai in the laws of God and in prophecy.
Read Exodus 20 on
the giving of the Law on Pentecost at Sinai. The church was energised by the
giving of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost in 30 CE. The Muslim
commentators believe, as it is stated in 2.185, that the revelation to the
Arabian Prophet was given on one of the nights during the last 10 days of the
fasting month which equates to the last few days of the Omer Count to Pentecost.
See also the text on The Forty Days Following
Christ’s Resurrection (No. 159B).
The “Ten Days” refers to the ten days after the last forty days and his ascent
to the throne of God. Those ten days are the days to Pentecost and the
empowerment of the Church of God at Jerusalem in 30 CE and the receipt of the Holy
Spirit in power.
Time spent doing
intense activity fasting and praying is spiritually of immense value as
compared to other normal days in our life. We know that there is great rejoicing by the angels of God when even one sinner
repents so there would be great activity among the loyal angels in every
progression in the plan of God. The night the revelation was given to the Prophet
was one special event of activity and rejoicing.
Note also there
are five verses which is the number of grace at Pentecost through the gift of
God.
The texts in the
sequence were all Very Early Beccan Surahs as was this text.
*****
97.1. Lo! We revealed it on the Night of
Predestination.
97.2. Ah, what will convey unto thee
what the Night of Power is!
97.3. The Night of Power is better than
a thousand months.
97.4. The angels and the Spirit descend
therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees.
97.5. (The night is) Peace until the
rising of the dawn.
Note the Night of
Power is the Night of Predestination; which is then also the Night of Power. The
text refers to Romans 8:29-30 in which those are predestined and chosen to be
called and then sanctified and then justified and then glorified (cf. also Predestination (No. 296)). The process is further developed
in the commentary on Sarah 2 “The Heifer”.
(See also
Introduction above)
See 1Peter 2:9 in Commentary on the
Koran: Surah 24 (No. Q024) at ayat 36.
John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Nehemiah 9:13-14 You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments, 14and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant.
Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Psalm 84:10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Romans 13:11-12 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
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