On the Concept of Inzāl 📥

 📥 On the Concept of Inzāl

On the Concept of Inzāl: A Conceptual Approach in the Context of Surah al-Qadr

One of the central themes of Surah al-Qadr is the concept of inzāl (sending down). The statement in the first verse, "Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of Decree," employs the term inzāl, which does not merely refer to the transmission of a text, but rather to its presentation in a form accessible and usable by human beings. This verb goes beyond a simple act of “descending”; it describes an interactive process wherein the Qur’an begins to engage with life, guiding human action and understanding.

In various other verses of the Qur’an, the word inzāl is similarly used to describe the process of making something available and suitable for human benefit:

Iron being made accessible for human use (Hadid 57:25),

The presentation of eight pairs of livestock as sustenance (Zumar 39:6),

Rain sent to revive the earth (Zumar 39:21),

Clothing provided for covering and protection (A‘raf 7:26),

Manna and quails offered as sustenance to the Children of Israel (Baqarah 2:57).

The common denominator in these examples is that the root n-z-l conveys the meaning of something “prepared, arranged, and offered for use.” Within this framework, the Qur’an can be seen as “a body of revealed knowledge prepared and presented so that it may influence the human mind, conscience, and life.” Therefore, inzāl signifies not only a moment in time but also the beginning of a transformative process. The Night of Decree marks the initiation of this process.

Verses 4 and 5 of Surah al-Qadr, which mention the descent of the angels and the Spirit with all matters, suggest that this is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process. The Night of Decree is not merely a past historical moment; it is a personal and spiritual experience for each individual—the moment one encounters the Qur’an, begins to comprehend it, and accepts the moral responsibility it demands. In this sense, inzāl is the Qur’an being “cast into the heart”—not merely as information, but as a divine guide that takes root in one’s conscience.

For this reason, inzāl is not limited to the initial revelation of the Qur’an. It is the continuous process whereby each reader and thinker experiences the Qur’an being revealed to their own heart—transforming, affecting, and guiding them. The true value of the Night of Decree lies in its being the starting point of such a profound transformation.

When inzāl is interpreted this way, the Night of Decree is no longer just a historical event. It becomes the moment in which every human being can say, “The Qur’an has been revealed to me too.” Thus, the message of the surah is revitalized, gaining historical, personal, and universal dimensions.