Surah al-Muzzammil (The Enwrapped One) is Makkan. (1)

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

“O you who wraps himself in his garment, arise to pray by night, except for a little: half of it, or lessen it a little, or add to it; and recite the Quran with measured recitation.”

“O you who wraps himself in his garment” means: the one enveloped in his clothing. Its original form is al-mutazammil, with the t assimilated into the zāy. Likewise, al-muddaththir derives from al-mutadaththir, with the t assimilated into the dāl. One says tazammala and tadaththara bi-thawbihi when one covers oneself with a garment.

Al-Suddi said: It means, “O sleeper, arise and pray.”

The scholars said: This address was directed to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, at the beginning of revelation, before he had conveyed the Message. Afterwards, he was addressed by the titles of Prophet and Messenger. “Arise by night”—that is, for prayer—“except for a little.” Standing in prayer at night was initially obligatory, and its measure was clarified in His words: “Half of it, or lessen it a little,” down to one-third. “Or add to it,” beyond a half, up to two-thirds. He was given the choice between these measures, and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Companions would stand in prayer for these lengths of time. Yet a man did not know when a third of the night had passed, when half had passed, or when two-thirds had passed; so he would remain standing until morning, fearing that he might fail to observe the obligatory measure. This became difficult for them, until their feet swelled. Allah then had mercy on them, relieved them of it, and abrogated the obligation through His words: “So recite whatever is easy for you of the Quran. He knows that there will be among you those who are ill...” The verse. Thus, one year elapsed between the beginning of the surah and its end. (4)