S74. SURAH AL-MUDDATH-THIR

NAME : In the beginning of the Surah the Holy Prophet has been addressed as’ Al- Muddaththir’ (Who has put on a sheet). ‘This has given the name “Al- Muddath- thir” to it.
TIME Of REVELATION : It was revealed in the initial period of the Makkan era. The ayah in the beginning were revealed earlier and the remaining part was sent down afterwards.
CENTRAL THEME : To instruct the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) to fulfill the responsibilities of the prophethood and to give a strict warning of severe Divine torment to those who persist in denying even after the Prophet’s
ORDER OF VERSES : In ayah 1 to 10, while, instructing the Holy Prophet to warn people, he has been counseled to adorn himself with a high moral character.
In ayah 11 to 31 a warning of punishment in Hell is given to the leaders of Quraish who were bent upon opposing the Truth.
In ayah 32 to 48 there is counsel about the Hereafter and in Ayah 49 to 56 the admonishing aspect of the Holy Quran has been presented in such a way which appeals to human hearts thoroughly.

74. AL-MUDDATH-THIR Ayah: 56

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

1. O you wrapped up. 1

2. Arise and warn. 2

3. and describe the greatness of your Lord. 3

4. and keep your garments clean. 4

5. and shun the pollution (of idols).5

6. and show no favour, seeking more. 6

7. and be patient for the sake of your Lord. 7

8. Then when the trumpet will be blown 8

9. that Day will be very hard.

10. It will not be easy for the disbelievers 9

11. Leave ME and that fellow whom I created alone. 10

12. and gave him much wealth. 11

13. and sons ever-present. 12

14. and provided livelihood for him. 13

1. The first revelation to descend on the holy prophet was the opening ayah of Surah Alaq:
Thereafter the second revelation came In the form of the opening ayah of Surah Muddath-thir. Since it was the first occasion of the arrival of a revelation and of seeing an angel, it was but natural for the prophet to get somewhat Frightened, as mentioned in a tradition. (Please see Bukhari, Kitabut Tafseer, Baab Surah Muddath-thir). The holy prophet had covered himself in a sheet due to the said fear. Therefore, on this occasion he has been addressed with the sweet words of YAA AYYUHAL MUDDATHTHIR( O you wrapped up) so as to remove his natural fear and to make him conversant with revelation.
It should be remembered that when the prophets receive revelation for the first time they never entertain any doubt regarding its being a Divine revelation. The holy prophet too did not have any doubt. Of course on seeing an angel for the first time he had become fearful but it was a temporary uneasiness.
Here Note: 1 of Surah Muzzammil may also be kept in mind.

2. Here ‘Get up’ does not mean that he was deeply asleep in comfort and that he should wake up from that slumber. But the meaning is that he may get up with courage and enthusiasm to do the work of cautioning the common people who were unmindful of God and the Hereafter.
It becomes clear from this ayah that the first instruction given to the prophet was regarding ‘Inzaar’ (cautioning). And this is the most important speciality of the call of the prophets (peace be upon them all) according to which they, first of all, frighten the people about the torment of Allah so that they may be alarmed and concerned about their improvement. The focus of their message is the heart of man. To remove the corruption in collective life and to establish a pious system (order) are the demands of the Shariat. But the manner of Messengers’ call has fixed a particular place for every thing. So it is necessary to keep it at the same place. Otherwise the balance is upset which can be seen in the missionary work in our age. It appears that the missionaries have tied the cart before the horse. Hence the invitation does not get enough response.
Here note: 2 of Surah Nooh may be kept in view.

3. Means the Greatness is only for Allah. Therefore only HIS Greatness should always be on your tongue and the same should be got circulated among people. The Salat begins with the words “Allahu Akbar’ (God is the Greatest) and the same phrase is being repeated in Azan (Call of the Mosque) too, so that the whole atmosphere may be rent with the proclamation of God’s greatness.
The order for Takbeer is given in the last ayah of Surah Bani Israil also:
“WA KABBIRHU TAKBEERAH” (And proclaim His Greatness as is His due).
There is both the negation of shirk (polytheism) and the affirmation of Tawheed (Oneness of God) in the proclamation of God’s Greatness (Takbeer) The polytheists have made some one a ‘Mahatma’ and some one a ‘Mahadeo’ and they worship them. But these are mere claims. The truth is that Greatness is for none save Allah and hence there is no deity except HIM who may be worshipped.

4. The outward cleanliness evokes inner cleanliness. Therefore Islam has attached much importance to outward cleanliness. Accordingly clean clothes is a must for performing salat. And when it has been commanded to keep clothes clean then the cleanliness of the body becomes all the more essential.
Islam has shown the best way to get purified from the filths of urine and other impurities and of keeping clothes clean. The concern for purity is the first virtue of those who perform salat. But many ‘civilized’ people of modern times are totally unaware even of this idea of cleanliness!

5. The meaning of ‘Rujz’ as mentioned in ‘Al Qamoos- al-Muheet is like this:
Filth, worship of idol, torment and shirk. And ‘Hijr’ also means to keep away (Lisan-ul- Arab, 5: 252)
What is specifically meant is the dirt or filth of idols and to keep away from their uncleanness. For the holy prophet, this command was an emphatic command just as prophet Ibrahim was told:
“Ascribe nothing as partner to me.” (Hajj: 26)
Otherwise, the holy prophet had kept away from idol worship even in the days of pre-Islamic ignorance. Moreover, this command also, wanted to convey it to the people and to make them understand that Allah has commanded that idol worship should be given up and so they must refrain from it.

6. Man does some favour to others so that he may gain more in exchange or there is some self interest underlying it. This is low morality. The lofty morality is that man may do good to others with a pure heart. There are several aspects of this instruction. The outstanding aspect here is that of the messenger ship and well-wishing of people. It was an important aspect of the Holy prophet’s life that he never demanded any return for conveying God’s message to the people.
(Say (O Prophet!): I ask of you no recompense for this). (Saad:86)
This shows how grand the teaching of Quran is. What will be the climax of a teaching which begins with such a lofty level! That the Quran is a miracle can also be seen from its teachings.

7. That is, when you will rise up to warn the people you will have to face hard difficulties. So patience should become your habit and such a patience should be purely to please Allah. HE will give its best reward.

8. The trumpet of Qiyamat (Resurrection) will be blown into.

9. It means that day will prove very hard for the disbelievers. So much hard that there will be no hope of ease from any corner.

10. I am the ONE who alone has created him and am sufficient to deal with him. In these words there is a solace for the holy prophet that he need not worry about the people who are leading the opposition to his call and on the other hand there is also a warning to the opponents that they must know that they are dealing with Allah whose grip is very hard.

11. That is, he made wealthy.

12. Means such sons who may help him in his business and be ready to serve him.

13. May make the Pathways to worldly power smooth for him.
Then he hopes that I will give him more. Never, he bears malice toward Our ayah.Soon I will make him climb a stiff climbing. He pondered and made a plan. So, be he killed, how he planned! Again, be he killed how he planned! Then he looked around. Then he frowned and scowled. (Al-Quran)

15. then he hopes that I will give him more. 14

16. Never, he bears malice toward Our ayah. 15

17. Soon I will make him climb a stiff climbing. 16

18. He pondered and made a plan. 17

19. So, be he killed, how he planned!

20. Again, be he killed how he planned!

21. Then he looked around.

22. Then he frowned and scowled.

23. Then turned his back and became proud. 18

24. and said: this is mere majic of old.

25. this is only human word. 19

26. Soon, I will thrust him in Saqar (Hell) 20

27. Did you follow, what is Saqar (Hell)? 21

28. It will neither spare nor leave. 22

29. Scorching the skin. 23

30. Nineteen (angels) have been appointed on it.

14. Instead of thanking Allah who gave him so many bounties, he became more greedy of wealth and position, and is wishfully thinking that if there is a resurrection he will be forgiven despite his disbelief and polytheism and will be bestowed with the bounties of the other world also!

15. That is, this is his wishful thinking. When he is disbelieving our ayah (signs) and is not prepared to put faith in Our messenger nor in our Word, how can he be worthy of the other world’s wealth?
The above verses pictures those leaders who were well-to-do from the worldly view-point but were in the forefront of opposition to the holy prophet. This fully applies to Waleed bin Mugheerah.

16. A man pants while climbing up. So what will be the extent of hardship if one has to make such a difficult climbing and that too in Hell!!

17. This thinking of his was like that of a fool and the thing which he proposed regarding the holy prophet and the holy Quran is mentioned in the forthcoming ayah No: 24 and 25.

18. These ayah describe the gestures of the disbelieving leader which he made after being displeased with the ayah of Quran which he heard.

19. That is, he tried to give such an impression to the people that he has reached, after enough thinking, to the conclusion that Quran is a human word and that it is only the verbal enchantment that fascinates the people, and that the fascination of talking is not a new thing; that it is an old trick. It is recorded in traditions that Waleed bin Mugheerah had advised Abu Jahl to propagate among the people that Quran was a kind of magic.

20.’Saqar’ is one the names of Hell. Here the word means extreme heat.

21. That is do not think that the Hell is something ordinary. It is the place of a painful torment.

22. The fire of Hell will not give any let up in burning the man. Even after burning him it will not leave him but will continue the work of burning. Hell will not allow man to live nor to die. Also. It will never free anyone from its grip.

23. Skin is a tender part of man’s body and he feels pain with the skin. What will be the condition when the Hell-fire will burn down his skin! God Almighty is warning man by giving such details of the Hell so that he may try to save himself from that intolerable ordeal.

31. and WE have made none but angels as guardians of the Hell and have made their number a trial for the disbelievers, so that the People of the Book may gain certainty and the Faith of believers may increase and the People of the Book and the believers may have no doubt and those in whose hearts is a disease and the disbelievers may say what does Allah mean by this description.24 Thus Allah leaves in error whom HE will and guides whom HE will. And none knows the army of your LORD but He.25 And this Quran is an admonition all in all for the mankind.26

32. Never, 27 by the moon. 28

33. and by the night when it retreats.

34. and by the morn when it brightens.

35. that this (Quran) is one of the very big signs. 29

36. a warning to mankind. 30

37. to everyone of you who may like to march on or to remain behind. 31

38. Every person is a pledge for his earning 32

39. except those of the right hand. 33

40. hey will be the people of the Garden, there they will ask.

41. about the guilty’s.

42. what brought you into Hell? 34

24. No act of Allah is without wisdom. Hence the appointment of guards of the Hell too is a wise decision of Allah even though we do not comprehend the strategy behind it. Nor we have any knowledge of the nineteen angel guards. Of course, we do know that the angels have been given a strength which we are unable to measure. For example, their dissension from heaven, capturing of souls by the angel of death (Malakul maut) etc. Therefore it is sheer foolishness to think the number of nineteen as negligible (imagining that how can they be sufficient to deal with a very big number of people confined to Hell). But the disbelievers expressed this very foolishness after hearing the news given by the Quran. This ayah warns them.
Regarding the wisdom behind describing this number it is also stated that it may be a thing of trial for the disbelievers. That is, if they, instead of being cautioned, want to enjoy by making Hell an object of mockery, they may do so, and may drown themselves deep in their waywardness. Another strategy can be that by observing such minute details of the Hell, the people of the Book may be convinced that Quran is indeed the Divine Revelation, because, the description of hell was, already there in their Books but the holy Quran presented a detailed picture of it. The third strategy, it seems, is that it may increase the Faith of the Faithful, because, it is not their way that they should believe each and every statement of Quran only after understanding the wisdom behind it. Rather they should put Faith in whatever is said by the Divine Book notwithstanding whether its strategy is explained by Allah or not. The job of a slave is only to believe unconditionally whatever is said by Allah. For his trust it is enough to learn that it is Allah’s Word. When the Faithful people believe in the description of the Hereafter, which is now unseen their Faith increases. The fourth wisdom is stated thus: that the objections raised by the disbelievers may not confuse the Muslims and the People of the Book, rather they may become assured that only a prophet can narrate these things so authentically (hence Muhammad, peace be upon him, is indeed the prophet of Allah).The fifth reason is that those who are victims of uncertainty and those who are the adamant deniers may remain calm after expressing their wonder.
It should be remembered that some of the commentators have given various reasons for the appointment of nineteen angels for guarding Hell. But it is all mere imagination and formality. When Allah has not shown the reason for this number and has put us to test by mentioning it in abstract why should we indulge in a discussion over it (the number)?

25. Do not think that Allah has a shortage of manpower for His army and hence HE put only 19 angels to guard Hell. Though this number is apparently small, in view of their great powers and resources, they will surely suffice to control the Hell. When a man himself can, by resorting to chemical warfare, annihilate thousands of people instantly and can kill millions by dropping a nuclear bomb, what to talk about the angels. Who can measure the strength given to them by Almighty Allah for controlling the Hell? When it is possible for man to target someone or something which is thousands of miles away by using a scud or a patriot missile why the powerful angels will not be able to target far off people in a vast Hell?
Allah’s armies are numerous and only HE knows their number. No man can make an estimate of it by guessing.

26. Whatever the Holy Quran describes about Hell contains a lot of admonition for the people. Wise, among them are those who pay attention to it without entering into arguments.

27. That is, it is not at all correct to think that Quran is a word of magic, or a human oratory.

28. This oath is in the sense of witness and evidence.

29. That is, the revelation of the holy Quran is the manifestation of a very great sign of Allah. It gives man the correct knowledge about his Lord. It describes the aim of his life, that is, it informs us about the reward of deeds along with Unity of God. This sign in the form of God’s Word is thus very great. It is supported by the signs scattered in the horizons. For example, the moon that besides revealing Her creator’s beauty also announces His unity (being only one), and this arrangement of night and day according to which the night disappears with its darkness and the day breaks with its light. This turn of night and day is a witness to God’s greatness. It also testifies that Resurrection is going to come out of the womb of this world. Thus you will find harmony in the signs of this universe and in this talking testimony of the holy Quran. This is a proof of the fact that the revelation of Quran is the manifestation of a very great sign of Allah.

30. That is, the foremost aim of the Holy Quran is to warn the people about the Day of judgment (reward and punishment).

31. That is, after being cautious by this, those who want to walk further in the path of Allah and to make provision for their future may do so. Likewise those who, despite this warning, want to remain backward and who do not intend to proceed in the path of God and do not wish to make any provision for their future, may suffer the punishment of their carelessness and shortsightedness.

32. This has been explained in note: 21 of Surah Toor.

33. By ‘those of the right hand’ is meant the righteous believers, who will get their work sheet in their right hands.

34. The Faithful believers will be talking about the disbelievers in the Paradise as to what happened to them? So they will be given a chance to talk personally with the people of the Hell. While remaining in Paradise, they will talk directly with the sinners in Hell. They will also get answer to their question which follows. Hell will be very far away from Paradise. Yet it will be possible for them to communicate. This could have been astonishing at the time of the revelation of the Quran. But now, when it has become easy for two person to talk with others living thousands of miles away through telephone and when the invention of wireless communication has enabled man even to talk from this earth with others flying in the outer space, this statement of the Quran that the people of Paradise will talk with the criminals lodged in Hell, is no more astonishing. It can be said that the inventions of such instruments has highlighted the truth telling of the Holy Quran. The statement of the holy Quran that:
“Soon WE will show them Our signs in horizons and in their own souls. until it will be manifest to them that it is the Truth.” (Haa Meem Sajdah:53) Is now before us in the form of reality.
So the intercession of the intercessors will avail them nothing. What has happened to them that they are turning away from admonition, as if they are frightened asses. That have fled from a lion. Rather, everyone of them wants that he should be given an open scripture. Never, but they have no fear of the Hereafter. Never, this is but an admonition. So whosoever wishes may take heed. And they cannot heed, unless Allah so wills He is worthy of being afraid of and HE alone has the authority to pardon. (Al-Quran)

43. They will say: we were not of those who prayed (Salat).35

44. nor were we feeding the poor. 36

45. and we were disputing with the disputers. 37

46. and we were denying the Day of requital (Judgment).

47. till we confronted the certain thing. 38

48. So the intercession of the intercessors will avail them nothing. 39

49. What has happened to them that they are turning away from admonition.

50. as if they are frightened asses.

51. That have fled from a lion 40

52. Rather, everyone of them wants that he should be given an open scripture.41

53. never, but they have no fear of the Hereafter. 42

54. Never, this is but an admonition. 43

55. So whosoever wishes may take heed.

56. And they cannot heed, unless Allah so wills 44 He is worthy of being afraid of 45 and HE alone has the authority to pardon. 46

35. The importance of Salat has hereby become more clear because the loss of neglecting it will be felt by the sinners in the Hell. Salat is the biggest pillar of Islam and Faith is essential for it. Without Faith no Salat can be called a Salat nor it will be accepted by Allah. Similar is the case of worships like Zakaat also. In other words, the responsibility of acting upon the orders of Shariat falls on all men but, for its performance and its acceptance by Allah, Faith is a must.
After reading this ayah those Muslims should also become mindful who are neglecting salat totally.

36. For explanation please see Surah Al Haaqqah, note: 32.

37. In their worldly life these people were raising various kinds of discussions about Allah and Hereafter and Quran and Messengership and targeting religion with their objections. But they will get the feeling of this big mistake in the Hell.

38. Means death, the occurrence of which was certain and which brought those things before them by seeing which they believed that it was all truth.

39. The statement of the sinners has ended above. Now Allah says that those who had adopted a criminal attitude are now relying on intercession (Shafa’at) hoping that in case resurrection occurs they will get salvation by intercession of such and such persons. The truth, however, is that no intercession will bring about salvation. Salvation depends not on intercession but on true Faith and righteous deeds. When these persons have become criminals by denying Resurrection, the door of intercession has been totally closed for them and those persons whom they had made their intercessors, almost deifying, them will not be available there for making intercession.

40. Just as wild donkeys run away frighteningly on seeing a lion these unwise people are, running away from the admonition of the prophet. This flight of theirs from the Quran and its Messenger is sheer foolishness.

41. These people are prepared to accept that Allah has sent HIS Book to HIS Messenger. But they want that if Allah at all wants to send a book HE should supply a copy of it to everyone of them. In their view there is no need of a Messenger; that God should give His Book directly to them. These were their boastful talks and this demand was totally nonsense.

42. It is not that Quran’s being a revelation from God is an unclear fact, and hence these people are running away from it. No, the real reason of their flight from it is that they have no feeling regarding their responsibility in the Hereafter and they are totally careless about it. Fear of the Hereafter is created by the INZAAR (frightening) of the Quran provided man pays attention to it. Then when he becomes fearful of the Hereafter it becomes easy for him to listen to all the discourses of admonition and to accept them. But when man does not consider himself responsible to God and is not impressed even by the warnings concerning the Hereafter then this treasure of admonition (Holy Quran) cannot affect him at all.

43. That is, the Quran is never magic. It is admonition and a reminder from God.

44. It should be well understood that the acceptance of admonition by you also depends on the will of Allah. If there is no will of Allah, you cannot accept admonition, Whatever discretion of accepting admonition you possess is given by God, otherwise, you do not have any authority of your own.

45. On the basis of His Greatness, Highness and Divinity, Allah deserves that His creation should fear Him and be righteous.

46. The authority of forgiving sins also is only with Him. Obviously only HE Who is the Creator and the LORD can be worthy of pardoning sins of His slaves. There is no one except Him who can pardon sins. This refutes the Christian belief that prophet Isa (Jesus: peace be upon him) will pardon the sins of his followers.