Surah Al-Muzzammil
Surah Muzammil is a Meccan surah, consisting of 20 verses and 2 rukus (sections). This surah elaborates various aspects of the life of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), including his devotion (towards Allah), obedience, standing (in prayer) and recitation, his struggle and striving (in the path of Allah). The name of the surah itself indicates that it describes the personality of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Muzammil means “the one wrapped in garments.” When these verses were revealed, you were wrapped in your cloak, lying down. Allah, addressing you with love and affection, said: “O you wrapped in garments! Arise and warn, and glorify your Lord (Allah) during the night and in the early hours of the morning. Verily, the night prayer is a means of steadfastness for you and a means of remembrance of Allah. And remember the Name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with complete devotion. He is the Lord of the East and the West; there is no deity except Him, so take Him as Disposer of your affairs.” After commanding you to establish the night prayer, it was said: “Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word.” By “a heavy word,” it means the Great Quran, which carries a particular awe and majesty. Only those whose souls have been illuminated by the light of knowledge and recognition can bear it, and standing in the night prayer has a special role in this spiritual upbringing. In the following verses, the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) is commanded to endure patiently the persecutions inflicted upon him by the disbelievers in the context of calling people to Islam. They used to physically harm you and use harsh words against you. Then this surah mentions the story of Pharaoh to instill fear in your opponents, whom Allah seized in a severe manner due to his disbelief and arrogance. At the conclusion of the surah, Allah announces ease for His Messenger and the believers. It is eased for them that standing for half the night, or a third, or two-thirds is not obligatory; rather, they should stand in prayer for as much as is easy for them. Another concession is that now the believers are not obliged to perform Tahajjud (late-night prayer); its obligation has been converted into recommendation.
