Muzzammil is not one of the names of the Prophet Muhammad peace upon him and was not commonly known as such, contrary to what some people believe. I will explain it better as we proceed. Surah Al-Muzzammil has 27 verses. It is entirely Makkan according to Al-Hassan, Ikrimah, Ataa, and Jaabir.
However, Ibn Abbaas and Qataadah said: two verses were revealed in Madinah: وَٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَٱهْجُرْهُمْ هَجْرًا جَمِيلًا " "Be patient with what they say," and the verse following it, as mentioned by Al-Mawardi.
Al-Imam Ath-Thalabi said the verse: "Indeed, your Lord knows that you stand (in prayer)..." until the end of the Surah was revealed in Madinah.
Some points I want to mention are:
1. Comment by Al-Imam As-Suhayli: The term Al-Muzzammil is not one of the names of the Prophet Muhammad peace upon him and was not commonly known as such, contrary to what some people believe. Instead, it describes his condition at the time of the revelation. The same applies to Al-Muddathir.
In Arabic culture, when someone wants to be kind and avoid blame, they may call a person by a name derived from their current state.
For example, the Prophet peace upon him once addressed Ali may Allah be pleased with him as Abu Turab (Father of Dust) when he found him lying down with dust on his side after a disagreement with Fatimah. This nickname showed no blame and conveyed affection.
Similarly, he once addressed Hudhayfah as Ya Numan (O Sleeper) because he was asleep, indicating friendliness rather than criticism.
So In essence, when Allah addressed the Prophet peace upon him as O you who wraps himself, it was a form of comfort and gentle encouragement, not rebuke.
2. Interpretation of "O you who wraps himself": Al-Akhfash Sa'id said the word Al-Muzzammil originally comes from Al-mutazammil (the one who wraps himself), but the ta was merged into the zay to simplify pronunciation. The same applies to Al-Muddathir. Ubayy ibn Ka'b recited it in its original form as Al-mutazammil and Al-mutadathir.
3. Meaning of "Al-Muzzammil":
One interpretation is that it refers to someone carrying a burden. The word zammala means to carry something, and from this comes the word zamilah (a carrier of goods).
Another interpretation is that it means someone wrapped in clothing. The term tazammala or tadaththara means to cover oneself with a garment. When someone wraps or covers something, it is called zammala or daththara. The great Poet Imru Al-Qays said: [كأن أبانا في أفانين ودقه ]
"As if our father, wrapped in his cloak,
is a great man among the tribes."
4. Address to the Prophet peace upon him: This verse addresses the Prophet peace upon him. There are three views:
1. Ikrimah said it refers to him being wrapped in prophethood and committed to the message.
Another view is that it means "O you who have taken on this burden (of the message) and then became less active for a time."
It can also refer to being literally wrapped or covered. Some recited it as muzzammil with the zay softened and the mim either opened or stressed. This can refer to either the Prophet wrapping himself or being wrapped by someone else.
"O you wrapped in the Qur'an":
Ibn Abbaas said it refers to the Prophet peace upon him being closely connected with the Qur'an.
2. "O you wrapped in clothing":
Qataadah and others mentioned that the Prophet was wrapped in his garments. Al-Imam An-Nakha'i said he was wrapped in a thick cloak.
A'ishah may Allah be pleased with her said:
"He was wrapped in a cloak 14 arm-lengths long. Half of it covered me while I was sleeping, and the other half covered the Prophet peace upon him as he prayed. By Allah, it was neither silk, fine wool, nor thick wool, but its warp was made of hair, and its weft was of soft fibers." This was narrated by Al-Imam Ath-Thalabi.
This statement from Aa'ishah indicates that the Surah might have been revealed in Madinah, as the Prophet peace be upon him married her in Madinah. Therefore, the claim that it is a Makkan Surah may not be accurate. Allah knows best.
Al-Imam Ad-Dhahhak said:
"He wrapped himself in his clothes to sleep."
Another explanation suggests that he wrapped himself out of distress due to offensive remarks from the disbelievers, leading to the revelation of the verses:
"O you who wraps himself!" and "O you who covers himself!"
Some said this happened when revelation first began. When the Prophet peace upon him saw and heard the angel, he was struck by fear and went to his family, saying: "Wrap me, cover me!" This was narrated from Ibn Abbaas.
Scholars explained that
Allah addressed the Prophet as "the one wrapped in a cloak" and "the one covered" at the beginning of his mission because he had not yet fully undertaken the responsibility of delivering the message.
Ibn Al-Arabi also mentioned different interpretations: Some understood it literally, meaning "O you who wrapped yourself in a cloak, stand up." This view was held by Ibrahim and Qataadah.
Others took it metaphorically, as if saying: "O you who have taken up the responsibility of prophethood," as Ikrimah explained.
This metaphorical interpretation would only be valid if the word was pronounced with a stressed, open mim, indicating the passive form. However, since it is in the active form, such an interpretation would not be accurate.
As mentioned earlier, the passive interpretation is possible because the object was implied and some recitations support this. Therefore, it holds a valid meaning.
Regarding the view that it refers to being "wrapped in the Qur'an," while metaphorically correct, it may not be necessary in this context.
The term also serves as a reminder for anyone who wraps themselves in sleep during the night, urging them to rise for prayer and remember Allah. A name derived from an action can apply to anyone who performs that action, encouraging them to follow the guidance given.
Abdulwahab Ibn Yusuf Isah
(Qur'an Chronicles)
