Along with Sūra 96, Muslims believe that Sūra 97 refers to the first recitations by the messenger. In fact, Ibn Isḥāq quotes the entire sūra at the very beginning of his account of “the beginning of the sending down of the Qurān” (Sīra, 111).

97.1 – Surely We sent it down on the Night of the Decree

It is not clear what “it” refers to in this verse, because no antecedent is given to which it could refer. Muslim tradition has identified “it” with the Quran and has explained the “night of the decree” (or “power”) as a night during the month of Ramadan (see 2.185).