Sūrah Al-Muzzammil The Wrapped in Garments: Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr The Complete Qurʾān Commentary

Surah Overview

DetailInformationClassificationSignificance

SurahالمزملAl-Muzzammil The WrappedFirst command for tahajjud prayer

TypeMakkī (v.20 Madanī)20 versesJuzʾ 29

TartīlRecite the Qurʾān in measured recitation (73:4)Slow, deliberate, beautifulIbn Kathīr: the Sunnah of Qurʾānic recitation

Night prayerHalf the night, or a third, or two-thirds (73:2–4)Then relaxed by the final verseThe Companions prayed standing until their feet swelled

Key Themes from Ibn Kathīr

The initial command and then the relaxation (73:1–4 vs 73:20): The early command required extended night prayer half the night or more. The Companions stood so long their feet swelled. A year later, the final verse relaxed the command: pray whatever is easy of it. Ibn Kathīr: the gradual easing of obligation mirrors the gradual establishment of the sharīʿah starting with the most intense purification, then making it sustainable for the long journey of the community.

Reciting in measured, beautiful recitation (73:4): "Recite the Qurʾān in measured recitation." Ibn Kathīr cites Umm Salamah: she described the Prophet's ﷺ recitation as deliberate he would pause at every verse, extend the vowels, and give each letter its right. This is tartīl not rushing, not dragging, but the measured beauty that allows the words to penetrate.

يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُزَّمِّلُ ۝ قُمِ اللَّيْلَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ۝ نِّصْفَهُ أَوِ انقُصْ مِنْهُ قَلِيلًا ۝ أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلًا Yā ayyuha l-muzzammil · qumi l-layla illā qalīlā · niṣfahu awi nquṣ minhu qalīlā · aw zid ʿalayhi wa rattili l-qurʾāna tartīlā O you who is wrapped arise for prayer in the night, except a little half of it, or lessen it a little, or add to it, and recite the Qurʾān in measured recitation. (73:1–4)

إِنَّ نَاشِئَةَ اللَّيْلِ هِيَ أَشَدُّ وَطْءًا وَأَقْوَمُ قِيلًا Inna nāshiʾata l-layli hiya ashaddu waṭʾan wa aqwamu qīlā Indeed the hours of the night are more impactful and more suitable for words. (73:6) Night prayer is harder on the self and that difficulty is precisely what makes it more powerful in forming the heart and more effective in the words of worship.

Wrapping at the beginning of revelation (73:1): Ibn Kathīr: "al-Muzzammil" the wrapped one. The Prophet ﷺ wrapped himself in a garment after the first terrifying revelation. Allah called him by this state transforming his fear into the call to prayer: the answer to the anxiety of revelation is standing in prayer before the Revealer.
Severing from the dunya (73:10–11): "And be patient over what they say and avoid them with gracious avoidance. And leave Me with those who deny..." Ibn Kathīr: the Prophet ﷺ's instruction to avoid pointless confrontation leave the persistent deniers to Allah and focus on worship and mission.
Establish prayer and pay zakāh (73:20): The final verse of the surah mentions: pray what is easy, establish prayer, give zakāh, loan Allah a goodly loan. Ibn Kathīr: the three pillars of the believer's relationship with Allah (prayer), with wealth (zakāh and loan), and with the community.
Mūsā sent to Pharaoh (73:15–16): "Indeed We have sent to you a Messenger as a witness upon you as We sent to Pharaoh a messenger. But Pharaoh disobeyed the messenger so We seized him with a severe seizure." Ibn Kathīr: the Quraysh being warned through Pharaoh's example the Prophet ﷺ sent to them exactly as Mūsā ﷺ was sent to Pharaoh.
The wealth left behind (73:20): "And whatever good you put forward for yourselves you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward." Ibn Kathīr: the paradox of Islamic spending giving away is keeping; keeping without giving is losing. Everything spent for Allah is preserved perfectly in the divine record.

Surah Overview

Key Themes from Ibn Kathīr

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