المزمل
Al Muzzammil
Verses
20
Revelation
Makki
Period
Early Makkan
Surah No.
73 / 114
Al-Muzzammil addresses the Prophet wrapped in his garments – one of the earliest images of prophetic life – and commands him to rise for the night prayer, recite the Quran with measured recitation (tartil), and bear patiently with the opposition of the Makkans. It describes the heavy word of revelation and the spiritual power of night prayer to prepare the Prophet for his mission. The closing verse moderates the night prayer obligation for the community, acknowledging human limitation and the demands of daily life.
أسباب النزول
Among the earliest revelations. The Prophet had received the first revelation in the cave and returned trembling to Khadijah. The surah was revealed as the follow-up charge – the Prophet must now prepare himself through the discipline of night prayer for the immense task ahead. The final verse, which moderates the obligatory night prayer to a voluntary one, was revealed much later in Madinah after the companions found the extended night prayer burdensome.
“O you who wraps himself, arise for prayer the night – except for a little – half of it or subtract from it a little, or add to it, and recite the Quran with measured recitation.”
The formative command to the Prophet – the night vigil is the primary spiritual discipline that prepares the soul for the weight of prophethood, and tartil transforms recitation into contemplative prayer.
“Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word.”
A frank acknowledgement of the weight of prophetic responsibility – the Quran is not merely information but a transformative burden that reshapes the recipient's entire being and mission.