Sūrat al-Muzzammil

سورۃ المزمل

Sūrat al-Muzzammil was revealed in Makkah. It contains 20 āyāt and two rukūʿs.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُزَّمِّلُ

yā ayyuhā l-muzzammil.

"O you who wraps himself!" (al-Muzzammil 73:1)

Yā ayyuhā l-muzzammilu — O you who covers and wraps yourself up, who takes cover in a cloak, a garment — when divine revelation first came upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ He would become unaware of the world around Him and wrap something over Himself and remain thus.

Translation: "O you who wraps himself up (lies covered)."

قُمِ اللَّيْلَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

qumi l-layla illā qalīlā.

"Stand in the night, all but a little." (al-Muzzammil 73:2)

Qumi l-layla — arise and stand at night, remain in the night prayer. Illā qalīlā — except a little (it is not necessary to stay awake the whole night).

Translation: "Stand awake at night, but you may sleep a little (rest is permissible)."

نِّصْفَهُ أَوِ انقُصْ مِنْهُ قَلِيلًا

niṣfahu awi nquṣ minhu qalīlā.

"Half of it, or reduce from it a little." (al-Muzzammil 73:3)

Niṣfahu — half the night. Awi nquṣ minhu qalīlā — or reduce from it a little as well.

Translation: "Stand in prayer half the night or reduce from it a little."

أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلًا

aw zid ʿalayhi wa-rattili l-qurʾāna tartīlā.

"Or add to it, and recite the Qurʾān in measured, clear recitation." (al-Muzzammil 73:4)

Aw zid ʿalayhi — or increase upon it, remain awake more than half the night and recite other prayers. Wa-rattili l-qurʾāna — and recite the Qurʾān distinctly, clearly, measured with care, composedly. Tartīlā — a composed, well-articulated recitation, a proper reading without stumbling.

Translation: "Or stay up more than half (maintaining night vigil) and recite the Qurʾān in well-arranged, measured recitation (meaning: read without stumbling)."

Esteemed readers, the standard of the Qurʾān Sharīf today is unfortunately deteriorating. Some people say that the Qurʾān should be recited with musical melodies — the fact is that the purpose of reciting the Qurʾān is to understand it, not to sing it. Reading the Qurʾān is itself worship — the most basic level of worship is to read it. The best is understanding the Qurʾān, followed by memorizing it letter by letter and maintaining its continuous recitation. This has been the practice in our times as well — B.A., M.A. — in these levels the study of Qurʾān is not taught at all — and it seems that some people are troubled by the proper recitation of the Qurʾān. Some people sing the Qurʾān to beautiful tunes — they think the recitation is synonymous with music. These people simply do not understand. If you were to practice the recitation of letters and diacritical marks properly every day — Arabī tunes and styles would start coming to you of themselves. Learn Arabic so that you understand the meaning of the Qurʾān. Ponder the meanings of the Qurʾān. One clear indication of your guidance in life is the Qurʾān. Act upon its injunctions. This will set right your religion and your world.

إِنَّا سَنُلْقِي عَلَيْكَ قَوْلًا ثَقِيلًا

innā sanulqī ʿalayka qawlan thaqīlā.

"Indeed, We shall soon cast upon you a weighty word." (al-Muzzammil 73:5)

Innā — indeed We. Sanulqī ʿalayka — We shall soon send down, cast upon you, deliver. Qawlan thaqīlā — a heavy and weighty word, a word of great import — a command that has much weight.

Translation: "We shall soon send down upon you heavy commands and heavy words (the Qurʾān will descend upon you)."

إِنَّ نَاشِئَةَ اللَّيْلِ هِيَ أَشَدُّ وَطْأً وَأَقْوَمُ قِيلًا

inna nāshiʾata l-layli hiya ashaddu waṭʾan wa-aqwamu qīlā.

"Indeed, the arising at night is stronger in treading and more upright in speech." (al-Muzzammil 73:6)

Inna nāshiʾata l-layli — indeed the arising in the night, the standing up of the night. Hiya ashaddu — it is stronger, more severe — it presses down hard, subdues. Waṭʾan — in its treading, its weight. Wa-aqwamu qīlā — and more upright in speech, more correct and straight in saying.

Translation: "The night's arising (upon the soul) presses it down and subdues it well — and it is better suited to upright speech."

إِنَّ لَكَ فِي النَّهَارِ سَبْحًا طَوِيلًا

inna laka fī l-nahāri sabḥan ṭawīlā.

"Indeed in the day you have many occupations." (al-Muzzammil 73:7)

Inna laka — indeed for you. Fī l-nahāri — in the daytime. Sabḥan ṭawīlā — very lengthy movement and activity, a great deal of coming and going.

Translation: "Indeed in the day you have a great deal of engagement."

وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ وَتَبَتَّلْ إِلَيْهِ تَبْتِيلًا

wa-dhkuri isma rabbika wa-tabattal ilayhi tabtīlā.

"And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with complete devotion." (al-Muzzammil 73:8)

Wa-dhkuri — and remember, invoke with remembrance. Isma rabbika — the name of your Lord, make dhikr. Wa-tabattal ilayhi — and turn devotedly to Him, cut yourself off from all else. Tabtīlā — cutting off and devoting completely.

Translation: "And make dhikr of your Lord's name and devote yourself entirely to Him, cutting away from all else."

رَّبُّ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ فَاتَّخِذْهُ وَكِيلًا

rabbu l-mashriq wa-l-maghrib lā ilāha illā huwa fa-ttakhidhhu wakīlā.

"The Lord of the East and the West — there is no god but He, so take Him as your Wakīl." (al-Muzzammil 73:9)

Rabbu l-mashriqi wa-l-maghrib — He is the Lord of the East and the West. Lā ilāha illā huwa — there is no god worthy of worship besides Him, no true object of devotion but He. Fa-ttakhidhhu wakīlā — so take Him as your trustee, your agent, commit your affairs to Him.

Translation: "He is the Lord of the East and the West — there is none worthy of worship beside Him — therefore make Him your sole trustee (and commit all your affairs to Him)."

وَاصْبِرْ عَلَى مَا يَقُولُونَ وَاهْجُرْهُمْ هَجْرًا جَمِيلًا

wa-ṣbir ʿalā mā yaqūlūna wa-hjurhum hajrān jamīlā.

"And be patient over what they say and part from them in a gracious parting." (al-Muzzammil 73:10)

Wa-ṣbir — and remain patient. ʿAlā mā yaqūlūna — over the things these deniers say. Wa-hjurhum — and leave them. Hajrān jamīlā — a gracious separation — remaining good with them, leaving with care, without need for conflict.

Translation: "And remain patient over their words and part from them graciously."

وَذَرْنِي وَالْمُكَذِّبِينَ أُولِي النَّعْمَةِ وَمَهِّلْهُمْ قَلِيلًا

wa-dharnī wa-l-mukadhibīna ūlī l-niʿmati wa-mahhilhum qalīlā.

"And leave Me with the deniers, those of ease, and give them a little respite." (al-Muzzammil 73:11)

Wa-dharnī — and leave Me with them, leave them to Me. Wa-l-mukadhibīna — and the deniers who falsify the truth. Ūlī l-niʿmati — those who live in luxury, those who are lords of bounties and pleasures. Wa-mahhilhum qalīlān — and give them a little respite, a short reprieve.

Translation: "And leave those wealthy deniers of the truth to Me (to drive away those who deny) and give them a brief delay. (Where will they go when they flee?)"

إِنَّ لَدَيْنَا أَنكَالًا وَجَحِيمًا

inna ladaynā ankālan wa-jaḥīmā.

"Indeed We have fetters and a blazing fire." (al-Muzzammil 73:12)

Inna ladaynā — indeed with Us there are. Ankālan — fetters, heavy chains, shackles, bonds. Wa-jaḥīmā — and blazing fire, the intensely raging fire.

Translation: "Indeed We have chains and a blazing fire."

وَطَعَامًا ذَا غُصَّةٍ وَعَذَابًا أَلِيمًا

wa-ṭaʿāman dhā ghuṣṣatin wa-ʿadhāban alīmā.

"And food that chokes and a painful punishment." (al-Muzzammil 73:13)

Wa-ṭaʿāman — and food. Dhā ghuṣṣatin — that is choking and stuck in the throat, that causes grief and anguish. Wa-ʿadhāban alīmā — and a pain-filled punishment that reaches even to the nose and nostrils.

Translation: "And there is also food for them that sticks in the throat — and a painful punishment."

يَوْمَ تَرْجُفُ الْأَرْضُ وَالْجِبَالُ وَكَانَتِ الْجِبَالُ كَثِيبًا مَّهِيلًا

yawma tarjufu l-arḍu wa-l-jibālu wa-kānat al-jibālu kathīban mahīlā.

"On the day when the earth and the mountains will tremble and the mountains will become like a running heap of sand." (al-Muzzammil 73:14)

Yawma tarjufu — the day when. Al-arḍu wa-l-jibālu — the earth and the mountains will shake with trembling. Wa-kānat al-jibālu — and the mountains will become. Kathīban mahīlā — flat, like piles — a hill, a flat heap of sand — shifting, moving sand.

Translation: "On the day when the earth and mountains will tremble and shake — and the mountains will become running, shifting piles of sand."

إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْكُمْ رَسُولًا شَاهِدًا عَلَيْكُمْ كَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَى فِرْعَوْنَ رَسُولًا

innā arsalnā ilaykum rasūlan shāhidan ʿalaykum kamā arsalnā ilā firʿawna rasūlā.

"Indeed We sent to you a Messenger, a witness over you — just as We sent to Pharaoh a Messenger." (al-Muzzammil 73:15)

Innā arsalnā ilaykum — indeed We have sent to you. Rasūlan shāhidan — a Messenger who is a witness, one who testifies, who will be present over all the situations that come to pass. ʿAlaykum — over you. Kamā arsalnā — just as We sent. Ilā firʿawna — to Pharaoh. Rasūlā — a Messenger (to Pharaoh, a Prophet ﷺ was sent).

Translation: "(People!) We have sent a Prophet like such a Messenger who observes all your situations — just as We sent a Prophet to Pharaoh."

فَعَصَى فِرْعَوْنُ الرَّسُولَ فَأَخَذْنَاهُ أَخْذًا وَبِيلًا

fa-ʿaṣā firʿawnu l-rasūla fa-akhādhnāhu akhdhan wabīlā.

"Then Pharaoh disobeyed the Messenger and We seized him with a heavy seizing." (al-Muzzammil 73:16)

Fa-ʿaṣā firʿawnu l-rasūla — then Pharaoh disobeyed the Messenger and rejected what the Prophet said and did not accept his call. Fa-akhādhnāhu — then We seized him, took hold of him. Akhdhan wabīlā — with a severe, grievous, terrible seizure — We took him very harshly.

Translation: "Then Pharaoh disobeyed the Prophet and rebelled against him — and We seized him with a very severe and heavy punishment."

فَكَيْفَ تَتَّقُونَ إِن كَفَرْتُمْ يَوْمًا يَجْعَلُ الْوِلْدَانَ شِيبًا

fa-kayfa tattaqūna in kafartum yawman yajʿalu l-wildāna shībā.

"Then how will you protect yourselves if you disbelieve on the day that will make children white-haired?" (al-Muzzammil 73:17)

Fa-kayfa tattaqūna — then how will you guard yourselves, how will you protect yourselves. In kafartum — if you have disbelieved and rejected. Yawmā — a day. Yajʿalu l-wildāna shībā — that will make children old — that day is one of such distress from its afflictions and anguish that children will grow white-haired and old. People weaken from old age — and that day of terrible anguish is so long that children in it will grow old.

Translation: "Then if you have disbelieved, how will you guard yourselves against that day (from its punishments) which will make children grow old?"

السَّمَاءُ مُنفَطِرٌ بِهِ كَانَ وَعْدُهُ مَفْعُولًا

al-samāʾu munfaṭirun bih kāna waʿduhū mafʿūlā.

"The heaven will be split apart by it — His promise is ever fulfilled." (al-Muzzammil 73:18)

Al-samāʾu munfaṭirun bihi — the sky will be rent asunder, cleft apart by the calamities of that day. Kāna waʿduhū mafʿūlā — His promise is ever fulfilled, ever coming to pass.

Translation: "Those calamities will cause the sky to be torn apart — and God's promise is ever fulfilled."

إِنَّ هَذِهِ تَذْكِرَةٌ فَمَن شَاءَ اتَّخَذَ إِلَى رَبِّهِ سَبِيلًا

inna hādhihi tadhkiratun fa-man shāʾa ttakhadha ilā rabbih sabīlā.

"Indeed this is a reminder — so whoever wills, let him take to his Lord a path." (al-Muzzammil 73:19)

Inna hādhihi tadhkiratun — indeed this is a reminder, a piece of counsel. Fa-man shāʾa — then whoever wishes to. Attakhadha ilā rabbih — let him take toward his Lord, choose. Sabīlā — a path, a road.

Translation: "Indeed this (of ours) is a reminder (a counsel) — whoever wishes may now take the path toward God."

Some traditions record that the Prophet ﷺ used to stand in the night prayer on both feet until they swelled. At first the tahajjud had been obligatory, then afterward a concession was given — the tahajjud was commanded as obligatory and thereafter Allah Most High, with His subsequent bounty and grace, facilitated it.

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ أَدْنَى مِن ثُلُثَيِ اللَّيْلِ وَنِصْفَهُ وَثُلُثَهُ وَطَائِفَةٌ مِّنَ الَّذِينَ مَعَكَ وَاللَّهُ يُقَدِّرُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ عَلِمَ أَن لَّن تُحْصُوهُ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَاقْرَءُوا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ عَلِمَ أَن سَيَكُونُ مِنكُم مَّرْضَى وَآخَرُونَ يَضْرِبُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَبْتَغُونَ مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَآخَرُونَ يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَاقْرَءُوا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنْهُ وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَقْرِضُوا اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ اللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْرًا وَأَعْظَمَ أَجْرًا وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

inna rabbaka yaʿlamu annaka taqūmu adnā min thulthayī l-layli wa-niṣfahu wa-thulthahu wa-ṭāʾifatun mina l-ladhīna maʿaka wa-llāhu yuqaddiru l-layla wa-l-nahāra ʿalima an lan tuḥṣūhu fa-tāba ʿalaykum fa-qraʾū mā tayassara mina l-qurʾāni ʿalima an sayakūnu minkum marḍā wa-ākharūna yaḍribūna fī l-arḍi yabtaghūna min faḍli llāhi wa-ākharūna yuqātilūna fī sabīli llāhi fa-qraʾū mā tayassara minhu wa-aqīmū l-ṣalāta wa-ātū l-zakāta wa-aqriḍū llāha qarḍan ḥasanā wa-mā tuqaddimū li-anfusikum min khayrin tajidūhu ʿinda llāhi huwa khayran wa-aʿẓama ajrā wa-staghfirū llāha inna llāha ghafūrun raḥīm.

"Indeed your Lord knows that you stand for prayer nearly two-thirds of the night, and half of it, and a third — and so does a group of those with you. And Allah measures the night and the day. He knows that you cannot keep proper account of it, so He has turned to you in mercy. So recite as much of the Qurʾān as is easy. He knows there will be among you those who are ill, and others who travel in the land seeking Allah's bounty, and others fighting in the path of Allah. So recite of it what is easy, and establish prayer, give zakāt, and give Allah a good loan. And whatever good you send forward for your souls you will find it with Allah — better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah — indeed Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful." (al-Muzzammil 73:20)

Inna rabbaka yaʿlamu — indeed your Lord knows everything well. Annaka taqūmu — that you stand in tahajjud prayer. Adnā min thulthayī l-layli — approximately, nearly two-thirds of the night and half of it and a third. Wa-ṭāʾifatun — and a group of those who are with you from the community are also standing. Wa-llāhu yuqaddiru l-layla wa-l-nahāra — and Allah measures the precise extent of the night and day. ʿAlima an lan tuḥṣūhu — He knows you cannot fully keep to this. Fa-tāba ʿalaykum — and He has turned toward you in mercy and ease. Fa-qraʾū mā tayassara mina l-qurʾāni — so recite that portion of the Qurʾān which is easy — i.e., read as much of the Qurʾān as you can without strain. Even the recitation of Sūrat al-Fātiḥa is sufficient for fulfilling the obligation — for the smallest sūra with three āyāt is also sufficient since from three āyāt the form of the recitation is established. Therefore the Qurʾān as a whole is our constitution and this is a sufficient indication for you — conform its injunctions to its principles.

Allah also knows that among you some will be ill and some traveling in the land seeking Allah's bounty (from business), and some engaged in jihad in the path of Allah — therefore even with ease in recitation (from you) it is possible to pray. And observe ṣalāt with proper regularity and give zakāt and give Allah a good loan (meaning: for the sake of Allah's pleasure) — give generously. And whatever good you send ahead for yourself, you will find it with Allah — it will be better and greater in reward. And certainly seek forgiveness from Allah, spread His mercy around you — indeed Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful — He is the pardoner, the Merciful.

Translation: "Allah knows that you and those with you sometimes stand two-thirds of the night, sometimes half the night, and sometimes a third — and Allah measures the full extent of the night and day. He knows you cannot strictly observe this, so He has shown you mercy — therefore recite as much Qurʾān as is easy. Some among you will be ill and some will be traveling seeking Allah's bounty and some will be fighting in jihad in the path of Allah — so recite the Qurʾān (as much as is easy for you) and pray ṣalāt with discipline, give zakāt, and offer good loans to Allah — whatever good you send ahead you will find it with Allah, better and more greatly rewarded, and surely seek forgiveness and Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful."

This makes it clear to us that you and those with you sometimes stand two-thirds of the night, sometimes half and sometimes a third — and Allah alone measures their full extent and knows the best way to do so. Allah knows also that some people will be ill and some will be traveling seeking the bounty of Allah (meaning roaming about), and some will be waging war in the path of Allah — therefore it is possible for them to read the Qurʾān with ease. This is Allah's great favor upon us and His mercy. He commands us to pray ṣalāt and give zakāt with care and discipline — and to offer loans to Allah (i.e., good deeds) — and to give whatever we can in advance so that whatever good we send we will find with Allah. His reward is better and more magnificent. And seek forgiveness from Allah — Allah is truly Most Forgiving, Merciful.