وَما أَدراكَ ما لَيلَةُ القَدرِ
And what will show you what is the Night of Qadr?
EXEGESIS
This question is addressed to Prophet Muhammad (s) although it is also suggested that the second person, singular suffix pronoun ka (you (singular)) attached to the verb adrā is intended generally. However, the question can be taken to address both the Prophet and the Muslims, for while the Prophet was the first recipient of the revelation, the Muslims were also included in the address by extension since the revelation was sent for their guidance.
The rhetorical nature of this verse is a rhetorical form of speech which occurs many times in the Quran, such as in 69:3, 74:27, 77:14, 82:17-18, 83:8, 86:2, 90:12, 101:3, and 104:5. It serves to emphasise the greatness or significance of what follows, and serves to draw attention to its greatness, which in this case refers to the Night of Qadr. The implication therefore is that: your knowledge of this night, O Muhammad, has not reached the ultimate extent of its significance and that it is difficult for any being or thing to explain to you its true and real significance, save God.
EXPOSITION
This verse resumes the conversation from where it ended in the previous verse but marks a departure from the main theme of the preceding verse, which was with regards to the revelation of the Quran, although it remains indirectly connected to it. It intends to convey the mystical nature, lofty merit, utter holiness, and great esteem of this night, implying that true knowledge of it, from all its perspectives, is beyond human understanding and belongs only to God; unknown even to the Prophet prior to the descent of this surah despite his superior knowledge; or that its special value in its fullest extent was unknown even to him.
The next three verses expound and emphasise the significance of this night.
[1] The Qur’an: A New Annotated Translation, p. 442.
[2] Tibyan, 10/386.
[3] Tabrisi.J, 4/519.
[4] Shawkani, 5/575.
[5] Mizan, 20/332.
[6] Tibyan, 10/386.
[7] Tibyan, 10/386.