Adapted from Tafsir Ibn Ashur

Themes and purpose:

This surah is the code for prophetic training, commanding the Prophet (ﷺ) to rise for night prayer as preparation for conveying the weighty revelation. Its purpose is to fortify the Prophet’s resolve, guarantee divine support against the polytheists, and establish the initial, mandatory laws of worship and spirituality, concluding with a merciful relaxation of the night prayer obligation.

Context of Revelation:

Era: The surah is definitively Makkan in its beginning [1-19] and Madinan in its concluding ayah.

Context: The opening was revealed very early in the Prophethood (likely 4th in order, after al-Muddaththir), establishing the initial obligation of night vigil. The concluding ayah [20] was revealed as many as ten years later in Madinah, lifting the strict obligation of night prayer due to the community's engagement in fighting and the hardship they faced.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: The surah's established name is "Sūrat al-Muzzammil" (The Enveloped One), for the unique description of the Prophet (ﷺ) when he received the call to rise for night prayer.

Ayah Count: 18 ayahs (Madīnah), 19 (Baṣrah), or 20 (Kūfah).

Surah Overview:

• Consoling and addressing the Prophet (ﷺ) by his intimate title, "The Enveloped One." [1]
• Commanding the Prophet (ﷺ) and the believers to perform night prayer for spiritual preparation. [2-4]
• The "Heavy Word": Strengthening the Prophet (ﷺ) to bear the burden of receiving and conveying the profound revelation with its weighty implications. [5]
• Commanding the Prophet (ﷺ) to dedicate himself solely to Allah and trust in Him. [8-9]
• Ordering the Prophet (ﷺ) to disregard the mockery of the polytheists and leave their punishment to Allah. [10-11]
• Historical Warning: Warning the polytheists of Makkah by citing the comprehensive destruction that befell Pharaoh when he denied his messenger. [15-16]
• Lightened Burden: lifting the obligation of praying most of the night, to ease the burden on the Ummah due to travel and fighting. [20]
• Conclusion: Command to establish regular prayer, give the alms and charity, and seek forgiveness, promising great reward. [20]