Surah 73. Al-Muzzammil

O THOU enwrapped one!¹

  - Mohammad Asad

The expression muzzammil has a meaning similar to that of muddaththir, which occurs at the beginning of the next surah: namely, "one who is covered [with anything]", "enwrapped" or "enfolded [in anything]"; and, like that other expression, it may be understood in a concrete, literal sense - i.e., "wrapped up in a cloak" or "blanket" - as well as metaphorically, i.e., "wrapped up in sleep" or even "wrapped up in oneself". Hence, the commentators differ widely in their interpretations of the above apostrophe, some of them preferring the literal connotation, others the metaphorical; but there is no doubt that irrespective of the linguistic sense in which the address "O thou enwrapped one" is understood, it implies a call to heightened consciousness and deeper spiritual awareness on the part of the Prophet.

O Muzzammil (folded in garments - one of the nick names of the Prophet Muhammad)!

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

O you wrapped 'in your clothes'!

  - Mustafa Khattab

O thou wrapped up in thy raiment!

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

O thou folded in garments! ⁵⁷⁵⁴

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Muzzammil: Some Commentators understand by this, "properly dressed for prayer", or "folded in a sheet, as one renouncing the vanities of this world. Muzzammil is one of the titles of our holy Prophet. But there is a deeper meaning in this and the address "Thou wrapped up" of the next Sura. Human nature requires warm garments and wrappings to protect the body from cold or heat or rain. But in the spiritual world these wrappings are useless: the soul must stand bare and open before Allah, in the silence of the night, but not too austerely, as the following verses show.

Keep awake [in prayer] at night, all but a small part

  - Mohammad Asad

Stand in prayers at night, but not the whole night,

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Stand all night 'in prayer' except a little-

  - Mustafa Khattab

Keep vigil the night long, save a little--

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Stand (to pray) by night but not all night ⁵⁷⁵⁵

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The Prophet was prone to austerities in the cave of Hiraa, both before and after he received his mission, spending days and nights in prayer and contemplation. Midnight and after-midnight prayers have technically received the name of Tahajjud. See also verse 20 below; also xvii. 79.

of one-half thereof² - or make it a little less than that,

  - Mohammad Asad

Thus Zamakhshari, relating the phrase illa qalilan ("all but a small part" to the subsequent word nisfahu ("one-half thereof", i.e., of the night).

half of it or a little less,

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

'pray' half the night, or a little less,

  - Mustafa Khattab

A half thereof, or abate a little thereof

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Half of it or a little less

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

or add to it [at will]; and [during that time] recite the Qur'an calmly and distinctly, with thy mind attuned to its meaning.³

  - Mohammad Asad

This, I believe, is the closest possible rendering of the phrase rattil al-qur'ana tartilan. The term tarts primarily denotes "the putting [of something] together distinctly, in a well-arranged manner, and without any haste" (Jawhari, Baydawi; also Lisan al-'Arab, Qamus). When applied to the recitation of a text, it signifies a calm, measured utterance with thoughtful consideration of the meaning to be brought out. A somewhat different significance attaches to a variant of this phrase in 25:32 , applying to the manner in which the Qur'an was revealed.

or a little more; and recite the Qur'an with measured tone.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

or a little more- and recite the Quran 'properly' in a measured way.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Or add (a little) thereto and chant the Qur'an in measure,

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Or a little more; and recite the Qur'an in slow measured rhythmic tones. ⁵⁷⁵⁶

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

At this time there was only S. xcvi., S. lxviii, and possibly S. lxxiv, and the opening Sura (Al-Hamd). For us, now, with the whole of the Qur-an before us, the injuction is specially necessary. The words of the Qur-an must not be read hastily, merely to get through so much reading. They must be studied, and their deep meaning pondered over. They are themselves so beautiful that they must be lovingly pronounced in rhythmic tones.

Behold, We shall bestow upon thee a weighty message -

  - Mohammad Asad

Soon We are going to send you a weighty message.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

'For' We will soon send upon you a weighty revelation.

  - Mustafa Khattab

For We shall charge thee with a word of weight.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Soon shall We send down to thee a weighty Message. ⁵⁷⁵⁷

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The Qur-an as completed by degrees, after the Fatra (see Introduction to this Sura).

[and,] verily, the hours of night impress the mind most strongly and speak with the clearest voice,⁴

  - Mohammad Asad

Lit., "are strongest of tread and most upright of speech".

Surely the getting up at night for prayer is most effective for controlling the self and most suitable for reciting the Qur'an as well;

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Indeed, worship in the night is more impactful and suitable for recitation.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Lo! the vigil of the night is (a time) when impression is more keen and speech more certain.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Truly the rising by night is most potent for governing (the soul) and most suitable for (framing) the Word (of Prayer and Praise). ⁵⁷⁵⁸

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

For contemplation, prayer, and praise, what time can be so suitable as the night, when calm and silence prevail, the voices of the market-place are still, and the silent stars pour forth their eloquence to the discerning soul.

whereas by day a long chain of doings is thy portion.

  - Mohammad Asad

because, during the day you are hard pressed with worldly affairs.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

For during the day you are over-occupied 'with worldly duties'.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Lo! thou hast by day a chain of business.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

True there is for thee by day prolonged occupation with ordinary duties: ⁵⁷⁵⁹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

A prophet of Allah, as a man, a member of a family, or a citizen, has many ordinary duties to perform; and his work may be made difficult and irksome in protecting those who listen to his preaching and are therefore molested and persecuted by the world. But while discharging all his ordinary duties, he should work as in the presence of Allah, and in all matters and at all times retain the sense of Allah's nearness. His work may be on earth, but his heart is in Heaven.

But [whether by night or by day,] remember thy Sustainer's name, and devote thyself unto Him with utter devotion.

  - Mohammad Asad

Remember the name of your Rabb and devote yourself to Him exclusively.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

'Always' remember the Name of your Lord, and devote yourself to Him wholeheartedly.

  - Mustafa Khattab

So remember the name of thy Lord and devote thyself with a complete devotion--

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

But keep in remembrance the name of the Lord and devote thyself to Him wholeheartedly.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The Sustainer of the east and the west [is He]: there is no deity save Him: hence, ascribe to Him alone the power to determine thy fate,⁵

  - Mohammad Asad

For this rendering of the term wakil, see surah {17}, note [4].

He is the Rabb of the east and the west: there is no god but Him, therefore, take Him as your Protector.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

'He is the' Lord of the east and the west. There is no god 'worthy of worship' except Him, so take Him 'alone' as a Trustee of Affairs.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Lord of the East and the West; there is no God save Him; so choose thou Him alone for thy defender--

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

(He is) Lord of the East and the West: there is no god but He: take Him therefore for (thy) Disposer of Affairs. ⁵⁷⁶⁰

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Allah is Lord of all places. He rules the world. Therefore be not discouraged by the plots or enmity of wicked men. Leave all things to Allah; trust Him; He is just and will do justice. Only turn away from the unjust, but in a worthy and noble way; i.e., to show them clearly that you do not fear them, but that you leave all affairs in Allah's hands. If we divide the world into hemispheres from north to south, "East and West" will cover all directions.

and endure with patience whatever people may say [against thee], and avoid them with a comely avoidance.

  - Mohammad Asad

Bear patiently with what they say and leave their company in a polite manner.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Be patient 'O Prophet' with what they say, and depart from them courteously.

  - Mustafa Khattab

And bear with patience what they utter, and part from them with a fair leave-taking.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And have patience with what they say and leave them with noble (dignity).

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali