Al-Muzzammil المزمل, “The Enshrouded One”, “Bundled Up”, “Enfolded”

Holy Quran

Al-Muzzammil (المزمل, “The Enshrouded One”, “Bundled Up”, “Enfolded”) is the seventy-third chapter of the Qur'an, containing 20 verses, which are recognized by Muslims as the word of God (Allah). The last Ruku of this surah contains only one ayāt making it possibly the smallest Ruku according to the number of verses or ayāt

Al-Muzzammil takes its name from the reference to prophet Muhammad, in his cloak praying at night, in the opening verses of the chapter. Many commentators claim that “The Enfolded One” is a name for Muhammad, used throughout the Qur'an.[1]

Summary

• 1-4 Muhammad and the Muslims bidden to pray during the night
• 5-9 The Quran to be pronounced with a distinct sonorous tone
• 10-11 Muhammad exhorted to bear patiently the contumelies of the infidels
• 11-14 God will visit the infidels with dire calamities
• 15-19 The punishment of Pharaoh a warning to the people of Makkah
• 20 Modification of the law given in verses 1-4 [2]

Content

In the beginning of Al-Muzzammil (Quran 73), God expounds upon the merits of night prayer in the First Meccan Period. Muhammad, and subsequently the Muslim community, is commanded to “stay up throughout the night, all but a small part of it, half, or a little less, or a little more; recite the Qur’an slowly and distinctly.”[3] During the First Meccan Period, the total Qur'anic revelation was brief enough to recite during the night. As such, it was expected of Muslims to recite the Qur'an in full during the night. The night prayer was of such importance, because the believer's focus on prayer and separation from any distraction was believed to “make a deeper impression”[4] on the believer.[5]

However, as time passed, the Qur'an continued to grow, and by the time ayat 20 was revealed, the Qur'an was too long to fully recite during the night. Consequently, God relaxes his prior command to recite the Qur'an at night. Muhammad is told to pray what is easy for him during the night (“recite as much of the Qur’an is easy for you”[6]), but to continue to pray throughout the day (“keep up the prayer [during the day], pay the prescribed alms, and lend God a good loan[6])