Surah al-Muzzammil
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.

[Surah al-Muzzammil (73): verse 8]
“And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him completely.” (8)

Tabattul means detachment. It follows the pattern tafa‘‘ul and derives from batl, meaning cutting off. Mary was called al-Batūl because she remained apart from husbands and stood apart from the other women of her time. She surpassed them in honour and excellence and was set apart from them.

The verbal noun of tabattala ilayhi is tabtīl, like ta‘allum (learning) and tafahhum (understanding). Yet the verbal noun of tafa‘‘ala is given here on the pattern taf‘īl for a subtle reason.

This verb conveys gradual progression, deliberate effort, exertion, repeated action, and intensity. Thus, the verb employed indicates one of the two meanings, while the verbal noun indicates the other. It is as though it were said: “Devote yourself wholly to Allah, and apply yourself earnestly to devotion to Him.” Both meanings are therefore understood from the verb and its verbal noun. This occurs frequently in the Quran and exemplifies its elegant brevity and concision.