Ad-Dukhaan (The Smoke)

4. Therein [the blessed night] is decreed [and explicated] every [momentous] matter of Ordainments [as per Divine Wisdom].

5. As a Command [the Revelation of the Qur’an on the Night of Decree and the Decree of every matter on that night] from Us. Indeed, We are ever sending [all the Messengers].

6. [Revelation of the Book and sending Messengers is] a Mercy from your Lord. Indeed, He is the All-Hearer, the Omniscient.

The Night of Decree is recurrent each and every year. The present tense of the verb indicates progression. The Ordainments of the Night of Decree concern basic issues. The Night of Decree is the fateful and momentous night.

The blessed Verse provides a description of the Night of Decree

“Therein [the blessed night] is decreed [and explicated] every [momentous] matter of Ordainments [as per Divine Wisdom].” “Is decreed” (yufraqu)

makes a reference to the Ordainment of all fateful and momentous matters on that night.

The employment of the word:

“All-Wise” (hakim)

demonstrates the wisdom and unchangeability of Divine Ordainment. The attribute is usually used in the Holy Qur’an for God but its employment for things other than God is for the sake of emphasis.

The exposition is in harmony with many a tradition to the effect that the Ordainments of all humanity, e.g. provisions and longevity, within a period of one year are ordained on the Night of Decree. The exposition of the issue and other discussions on the Night of Decree and the harmony of Divine Ordainment with human free will are to found in the exegesis of Chapter 97¹ .

Emphasis is laid on the Divine Revelation of the Qur’an in Verse five:

“As a Command [the Revelation of the Qur’an on the Night of Decree and the Decree of every matter on that night] from Us. Indeed, We are ever sending [all the Messengers].”

Basic grounds for the revelation of the Qur’an, sending the prophets, and the Ordainments of the Night of Decree are mentioned in the third Verse:

“A Mercy from your Lord.”

His infinite Mercy necessitates that he does not abandon His servants but send them plans and guides in order to guide them on the winding path of perfection toward God. All the world of existence is basically emanated from his infinite Mercy and humanity enjoys His Mercy more than other creatures.

Seven Divine Attributes are enumerated in the Verse and the following Ones all of which indicate His Unity.

These Attributes include:

“All-Hearing (His servants’ invocations) and Omniscient (of the secrets of His servants’ hearts).”