English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Al-Muzzammil means the one wrapped in his garments. Allah addressed the Messenger by the state in which he was found at the beginning of revelation.

The one wrapped in his garments at the beginning of revelation.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Allah commanded him to perform the noblest worship—prayer—at the best and most emphatic time, the night. In His mercy, He did not command him to stand for the whole night.

Stand in prayer during the night, except for a little of it.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Allah specified the time as half the night, or a little less than half, such as about one-third.

Pray for half the night, or somewhat less than that.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Or add to half the night, making it about two-thirds, and recite the Qur’an slowly and distinctly. Measured recitation brings reflection, moves the heart, enables worship through its verses, and prepares the reciter fully.

Recite distinctly and deliberately so that reflection and attentiveness may be achieved.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Allah would reveal to him this weighty Qur’an—great in its meanings and noble in its qualities. A revelation of this description deserves preparation, measured recitation, and reflection on what it contains.

The Qur’an is weighty because of the greatness of its meanings and qualities.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Prayer after sleep in the depths of night is nearer to achieving the purpose of the Qur’an: the heart and tongue agree, distractions decrease, the worshipper understands what he says, and his affair becomes upright.

Night worship unites the heart and tongue and reduces distractions.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

During the day there is prolonged movement for needs and livelihood, which occupies the heart and prevents complete freedom for worship.

The day contains long movement and occupation with one’s needs.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Remembering the name of the Lord includes every kind of remembrance. Devote yourself wholly to Allah: detach the heart from created beings and fill it with love for Allah and for everything that brings near to His pleasure.

Turn the heart completely to Allah and to what draws near to Him.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Allah is the Lord of every east and west and of all that exists between them. None deserves worship except Him, so take Him as the guardian and disposer of all your affairs.

Rely upon Allah as the guardian and disposer of every affair.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Prayer and remembrance give the servant strength to bear heavy duties. Therefore, be patient with the words of the opponents, continue upon Allah’s command, and leave them in a gracious manner—without harm—while addressing them in the best way.

A gracious departure is one that contains no harm or abuse.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Leave the deniers to Allah, for He will take retribution from them. Though He grants them a little respite, He does not neglect them. They are people of wealth and ease who transgressed when provision was expanded for them.

They are people of wealth and ease whose prosperity led them to transgression.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

With Allah are shackles—a severe punishment made exemplary for those who persist in sin—and a blazing, intensely hot Fire.

Severe shackles and a fiercely burning Fire await persistent sinners.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

There is food that chokes because of its bitterness, repulsive taste, and foul smell, together with an agonizing and dreadful punishment.

Food so bitter and repulsive that it catches in the throat.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

On that Day the earth and mountains will quake from the immense terror. The solid mountains will become like loose, flowing sand; afterwards they will be crushed and become scattered dust.

The firm mountains will become loose sand that pours and scatters.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Allah reminds the people of the great blessing of sending them the unlettered Arab Prophet—a bearer of good news, a warner, and a witness over the community’s deeds—just as He sent a messenger to Pharaoh.

The Messenger was sent as a witness over the deeds of his community.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Pharaoh rejected and disobeyed the messenger sent to him, so Allah seized him with a severe and overwhelming seizure. The people are warned not to respond to their Messenger as Pharaoh did.

Allah seized Pharaoh with a severe and overwhelming punishment.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

How could the disbelievers escape and be saved on the tremendous Day of Resurrection—a Day so terrible that it will turn children’s hair grey?

The terror of that Day is so great that it makes children grey-haired.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Because of that Day, the sky will split and its stars will scatter. Allah’s promise must certainly occur, and nothing can prevent it.

Allah’s promise of the Last Day will inevitably be fulfilled.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

This admonition about the states and terrors of the Day of Resurrection is a reminder for the God-fearing and a restraint for the believers. Whoever wills may take a path leading to the Lord by following His clearly explained law.

The path to Allah is taken by following the guidance He has made clear.

English Tafsir (Al-Sa‘di):

Allah knew that the Prophet and a group of the believers stood for nearly two-thirds of the night, half of it, or a third. Because accurately measuring the commanded time was difficult, He lightened it and instructed them to recite whatever was easy, taking account of illness, travel in search of provision, and fighting in Allah’s cause. He then commanded establishing prayer, paying zakah, sincerely spending for Allah, sending good ahead for oneself, and seeking forgiveness; every good will be found with Allah far better and greater in reward.

Allah lightened the night-prayer command and required each person to do what was easy according to his condition.

Establish prayer with its pillars, conditions, and completions, and give zakah, which is a proof of faith and a means of supporting the poor.

Seek forgiveness after acts of obedience, because every servant remains exposed to omission or deficiency, and forgiveness repairs those shortcomings.

Summary of the Meanings:

Allah commanded the Prophet to stand in night prayer for a measured portion of the night, recite the Qur’an distinctly, prepare for its weighty meanings, remember his Lord, devote his heart wholly to Him, and rely upon Him alone.

The Prophet was commanded to remain patient with hurtful words and to leave the opponents graciously. The wealthy deniers were warned of shackles, Fire, choking food, and painful punishment, and were reminded of Pharaoh’s severe end after he disobeyed his messenger.

The Last Day is so terrible that it turns children grey-haired and splits the sky. Allah’s promise will certainly be fulfilled, and this warning directs whoever wills to the path leading to the Lord.

Allah lightened the exact measure of night prayer because people’s strength and circumstances differ. He commanded reciting what is easy, establishing prayer, giving zakah, spending sincerely, sending good ahead, and repairing every shortcoming through seeking forgiveness.