Overview - Surah 74: al-Mudathir (The Cloaked One)
The subject of this Surah is da'wah of Islam. The Prophet and his followers are told to stand up to remove the evils and vices from the society. It also gives the warnings of the coming doom for those who deny the truth.
This Surah takes its name from the first Ayat, يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ "O you who covers himself [with a garment]," [74:1].
There are 56 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 56 |
| Total Words * | 255 |
| Root Words * | 114 |
| Unique Root Words * | 2 |
| Makki / Madani | Makki |
| Chronological Order* | 4th (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | 1st-3rd year of Prophethood |
| Events during/before this Surah*
Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam
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| Events during/after still to occur*
Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam ,Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam ,Public Invitation to Islam - Persecution of Muslims; antagonism - ridicule - derision - accusation - abuse and false propaganda.,Physical beating and torture of some Muslims - 1st Migration of Muslims to Abyssinia,2nd Migration to Abyssinia,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 1,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 2,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 3,Death of Abu Talib - Death of Khadijah - Stoning at Ta'if - al-Isra wal Mi'raj - Night Journey,1st Pledge of Aqabah,2nd Pledge of Aqabah,,Migration from Makkah to Madinah - Building of Masjid Nabi in Madinah - Treaty with Jews of Madinah - Marriage of Prophet to Aishah,Change of Qiblah from Jerusalem to Makkah - Battle of Badr,Battle of Uhud,,Battle of Ahzab - Expedition of Banu Quraydhah,Treaty of Hudaiybiyah - Letters to Kings and Rulers,,Conquest of Makkah - Battle of Hunain,Hajj led by Abu Bakr - Expedition of Tabuk,Farewell Hajj by Prophet - Death of Prophet - End of Divine Revelation
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| Names of Prophets Mentioned
No Prophets names are mentioned in this Surah
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| Surah Index
God (knows that beyond comprehension) , Angels (nineteen lord over hell) , Apostasy (do not ask for speedy doom for apostates) (God alone will punish them), Astronomy (celestial mechanics) (moon), Children, Hell, Judgement (Day) , Resurrection (of soul) , Revelation
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Theme 1: Striving in giving Dawah
The first seven verses of this Surah belong to the earliest period at Makkah. Even according to some hadith which have been related in Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Musnad Ahmad, etc., on the authority of Jabir bin Abdullah, these are the very earliest verses of the Qur’an to be revealed to the Prophet. But the Muslim Ummah almost unanimously agreed that the earliest revelation to the Prophet consisted of the first five verses of Surah 96: al-‘Alaq (The Clinging Substance). However, what is established by authentic hadith that after this first Revelation, no Revelation came down to the Prophet for quite some time. Then, when it was resumed, it started with the verses of Surah al-Muddathir - Imam Zuhri has given the following details of it:
“Revelation to the Prophet remained suspended for quite some time and it was such a period of deep grief and distress for him that he started going early to the tops of the mountains to throw himself down from them. But whenever he stood on the edge of a peak, the Angel Gabriel would appear and tell him that he was God’s Prophet. This would console him and restore to him full peace of mind.” (Ibn Jarir). After this Imam Zuhri relates the following tradition on the authority of Jabir bin Abdullah; “The Messenger of God describing the period of ‘break in revelation’ (falrat al-wahi) said: One day when I was passing on the way, I suddenly heard a call from heaven. I raised my head and saw that the same Angel who had visited me in the Cave of Hira was sitting on a throne between heaven and earth. This struck terror in my heart, and reaching home quickly, I said: ‘Cover me up, cover me up’. So the people of the house covered me up with a quilt (or blanket). At that time God sent down the Revelation: “O you who covers himself” (Ya ayyuhal-Muddathiru...). From then on revelation became intense and continuous.” (Bukhari, Muslim Musnad Ahmad, Ibn Jarir).
The rest of the Surah (v. 8-56) was revealed when the first Hajj season came after public preaching of Islam had begun in Makkah.
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
1250–1350 AD
1250–1350 AD
- Surah al-Muzzammil [73] and al-Mudathir [74] both begin with addressing the Prophet.
- Surah al-Muzzammil [73] and al-Mudathir [74] both have similar Ayat speaking of the Qur'an being a reminder
إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِ تَذْكِرَةٌ ۖفَمَن شَاءَ اتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِ سَبِيلًا "Indeed, this is a reminder, so whoever wills may take to his Lord a way." [73:19]
كَلَّا إِنَّهُ تَذْكِرَةٌ فَمَن شَاءَ ذَكَرَهُ "No! Indeed, the Qur'an is a reminder. Then whoever wills will remember it." [74:54-55] - Towards the end of Surah al-Mudadathir [74] we have the Ayat كَلَّا ۖ بَل لَّا يَخَافُونَ الْآخِرَةَ "No! But they do not fear the Hereafter." [74:53]. The following Surah is al-Qiyamah - about the Akhirah.
(74:31) is the longest Ayat of this Surah with 57 words,
وَمَا جَعَلْنَا أَصْحَابَ النَّارِ إِلَّا مَلَائِكَةً ۙ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا عِدَّتَهُمْ إِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِيَسْتَيْقِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ وَيَزْدَادَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِيمَانًا ۙ وَلَا يَرْتَابَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۙ وَلِيَقُولَ الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ وَالْكَافِرُونَ مَاذَا أَرَادَ اللَّـهُ بِهَـٰذَا مَثَلًا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ اللَّـهُ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ جُنُودَ رَبِّكَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَمَا هِيَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْبَشَرِ "And We have not made the keepers of the Fire except angels. And We have not made their number except as a trial for those who disbelieve - that those who were given the Scripture will be convinced and those who have believed will increase in faith and those who were given the Scripture and the believers will not doubt and that those in whose hearts is hypocrisy and the disbelievers will say, "What does Allah intend by this as an example?" Thus does Allah leave astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And none knows the soldiers of your Lord except Him. And mention of the Fire is not but a reminder to humanity." (74:31)
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = 2* | ||
| # | Root Word | Frequency in Surah | Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | إِلَّا | 8 | 663 |
| 2. | ك و ن | 5 | 1390 |
| 3. | ٱلَّذِى | 5 | 1464 |
| 4. | ش ي أ | 5 | 519 |
| 5. | ذ ك ر | 5 | 292 |
| 6. | ق و ل | 4 | 1722 |
| 7. | ب ش ر | 4 | 123 |
| 8. | أ ت ي | 4 | 549 |
| 9. | ر ب ب | 3 | 980 |
| 10. | ك ب ر | 3 | 161 |
| Root Word | Frequency in Surah |
Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|
| إِلَّا | 8 | 663 |
| ك و ن | 5 | 1390 |
| ٱلَّذِى | 5 | 1464 |
| ش ي أ | 5 | 519 |
| ذ ك ر | 5 | 292 |
| ق و ل | 4 | 1722 |
| ب ش ر | 4 | 123 |
| أ ت ي | 4 | 549 |
| ر ب ب | 3 | 980 |
| ك ب ر | 3 | 161 |
The first seven verses of this Surah belong to the earliest period at Makkah. Even according to some hadith which have been related in Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Musnad Ahmad, etc., on the authority of Jabir bin Abdullah, these are the very earliest verses of the Qur’an to be revealed to the Prophet. But the Muslim Ummah almost unanimously agreed that the earliest revelation to the Prophet consisted of the first five verses of Surah 96: al-‘Alaq (The Clinging Substance). However, what is established by authentic hadith that after this first Revelation, no Revelation came down to the Prophet for quite some time. Then, when it was resumed, it started with the verses of Surah al-Muddathir - Imam Zuhri has given the following details of it:
“Revelation to the Prophet remained suspended for quite some time and it was such a period of deep grief and distress for him that he started going early to the tops of the mountains to throw himself down from them. But whenever he stood on the edge of a peak, the Angel Gabriel would appear and tell him that he was God’s Prophet. This would console him and restore to him full peace of mind.” (Ibn Jarir). After this Imam Zuhri relates the following tradition on the authority of Jabir bin Abdullah; “The Messenger of God describing the period of ‘break in revelation’ (falrat al-wahi) said: One day when I was passing on the way, I suddenly heard a call from heaven. I raised my head and saw that the same Angel who had visited me in the Cave of Hira was sitting on a throne between heaven and earth. This struck terror in my heart, and reaching home quickly, I said: ‘Cover me up, cover me up’. So the people of the house covered me up with a quilt (or blanket). At that time God sent down the Revelation: “O you who covers himself” (Ya ayyuhal-Muddathiru...). From then on revelation became intense and continuous.” (Bukhari, Muslim Musnad Ahmad, Ibn Jarir). The rest of the Surah (v. 8-56) was revealed when the first Hajj season came after public preaching of Islam had begun in Makkah.
- Instructions to the Prophet for cleanliness and patience.
- The fact that the Day of Judgement will be very difficult especially for those who deny Allah's revelations and oppose His cause.
- Actions which lead to the hellfire are: Not offering Salah, not feeding the poor, wasting time in vain talk and denying the Day of Judgement.
Tafsir Zone
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Sayyid Qutb Overview (Verses 49 - 51) Who Heeds the Reminder? The surah now puts them back in this life, where they have the chance to do something before facing such an abject outcome. Yet they turn away, fleeing from the guidance that would bring them only what is good. The means of salvation are shown to them, but they run away from them. Therefore, the surah draws a sarcastic image of their situation: What is the matter with them that they turn away from all admonition like terrified asses fleeing from a lion? (Verses 49-51) The scene of asses or zebras in great agitation, running in all directions as they hear a lion roaring, was well known to the Arabs. It is a scene of fast movement in a state of panic. Hence, when it is applied to humans, it invites loud laughter. This is especially so if those humans were in real fear of some impending danger. What can be said about them if such is their state, like terrified asses, only because someone is reminding them of their Lord and their eventual destiny, showing them the way to avoid such misery and pain? The image drawn is profound and effective. Those who contemplate it will be too ashamed if they find themselves in it. Such is their external condition. The surah, however, describes their inner feelings as well: "Every one of them demands to be given revelations unfolded before him." (Verse 52) It is, then, a question of envy. They begrudge the Prophet for God having given him this exceptional favour. Each one of them is so keen to attain the same status and to be given scriptures to announce to mankind. This must be a reference to their elders who felt hurt that they were bypassed when divine revelations were granted to Muhammad (peace be upon him). Hence, they said: "Why was not this Qur'an revealed to some great man of the two cities?" (43: 31) God certainly knows to whom to entrust His final message. He chose for this task a great man with the noblest of hearts. This was enough to fill those unbelievers with rancour. Their unjustifiable grudges were also enough for the Qur'an to expose. The surah continues its presentation of their inner feelings. As it censures their envy, which lacks sound basis, the surah now gives another reason for the unbelievers' continued denial of the truth and their rejection of the message: "No! They do not fear the lift to come." (Verse 53) It is indeed their lack of fear of what may happen in the life to come that leads to their heedless attitude to reminders. It makes them react illogically to the divine message. Had they genuinely felt the truth of the hereafter they would have had a totally different reaction. The surah repudiates their attitude once more, as it puts its final word to them, leaving them to choose for themselves what they may: "No! This is indeed an admonition. Let him who will, take heed." (Verses 54-55) This Qur'an to which they refuse to listen, and from which they turn away like frightened asses, is a reminder highlighting the truth. Everyone adopts the attitude they want towards it. Whoever is willing to be reminded will have the reminder. Others choose their own way. The outcome is either heaven and the dignity it imparts or hell and the humiliation it involves. It all depends on one's own choice. The surah concludes with a restatement of God's free will which ultimately determines all affairs. This is the truth the Qur'an is keen to state whenever an occasion arises in order to give the believers the correct concept concerning His will, and its being absolutely free and universally applicable. They however, will not take heed unless God so wills. He is the Lord to be feared, the Lord of forgiveness. (Verse 56) Whatever happens in the universe is tied to God's grand will and occurs within it. It is not possible for anyone or anything to will something that is in conflict with God's will. It is His will that controls everything in the universe. It is the will that brought the universe into existence and established its rules and forces. Therefore, the universe, with all living things in it, moves within the framework of God's will that is unbound by limit or restriction. Taking heed is something that God facilitates for everyone He knows to deserve it. When a servant of His shows that he or she has sincerity of intention, He directs them to what brings them closer to Him. No servant knows what God's will is for him, but everyone knows what God wants of them. He has explained this to them. Therefore, He helps, according to His free will, everyone who is sincere in the attempt to fulfil the duties He has assigned to them. The Qur'an aims to impress on every Muslim mind the dual notion that divine will is absolutely free and that it incorporates every will; this so that we turn to it willingly and submit to it completely. This is the essential notion without which Islam cannot be firmly established in one's heart. When it is thus established, it initiates a comprehensive vision to which a Muslim resorts in all life events. This is why this principle is emphasised whenever the Qur'an promises believers they will be in heaven, warns unbelievers against hell, and speaks of guidance and error. To take such a statement in a narrow way arguing about predestination is no more than taking a partial view of a universal truth, forcing it into a narrow vision that leads nowhere. "They, however, will not take heed unless God so wills." (Verse 56) Their will cannot be on a collision course with God's will. Indeed, they cannot move in any direction without the operation of God's will that so enables them to move. God is "the Lord to be feared," by His servants. Hence, they are required to demonstrate this. He is also "the Lord of forgiveness," who bestows this on His servants by His will. To fear God is to deserve forgiveness, and God is the Lord of both. The surah concludes with this humbly felt glorification of God. It leaves us looking up to God. It leaves us hoping that He will guide us to His remembrance, so that we will always fear Him and that He will then grant us forgiveness. |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
Mawdudi
الطبري - جامع البيان
ابن كثير - تفسير القرآن العظيم
القرطبي - الجامع لأحكام
البغوي - معالم التنزيل
ابن أبي حاتم الرازي - تفسير القرآن
ابن عاشور - التحرير والتنوير
ابن القيم - تفسير ابن قيّم
السيوطي - الدر المنثور
الشنقيطي - أضواء البيان
ابن الجوزي - زاد المسير
الآلوسي - روح المعاني
ابن عطية - المحرر الوجيز
الرازي - مفاتيح الغيب
أبو السعود - إرشاد العقل السليم
الزمخشري - الكشاف
البقاعي - نظم الدرر
الهداية إلى بلوغ النهاية — مكي ابن أبي طالب
القاسمي - محاسن التأويل
الماوردي - النكت والعيون
السعدي - تيسير الكريم الرحمن
عبد الرحمن الثعالبي - الجواهر الحسان
السمرقندي - بحر العلوم
أبو إسحاق الثعلبي - الكشف والبيان
الشوكاني - فتح القدير
النيسابوري - التفسير البسيط
أبو حيان - البحر المحيط
البيضاوي - أنوار التنزيل
النسفي - مدارك التنزيل
ابن جُزَيّ - التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل
علي الواحدي النيسابوري - الوجيز
السيوطي - تفسير الجلالين
المختصر في التفسير — مركز تفسير
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- Surah 74. Al-Mudathir - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX6pfbqKBzs&index=74&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN
- Surah 74. Al-Mudathir Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdHbFdBXcts&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM&index=74
- Surah 74. Al-Mudathir Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6LzGuJlWUY&index=74&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe
- idris abkar Al-Mudathir https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r178NwpYIZw
- Surah 74. Al-Mudathir Muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBScoL3O4-A&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG&index=74
