Mujahid said that the meaning of «تبتل» is "become purely His." And Imam Hasan al-Basri said the meaning of «أنكالا» is "shackles." «منفطر به» will become heavy because of it, it will become heavy and burst. Ibn Abbas said «كثيبا مهيلا» is "slippery flowing sand." The meaning of «وبيلا» is "hard."
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said the meaning of «عسير» is "severe." The meaning of «قسورة» is "the noise and commotion of people." Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) said «قسورة» refers to a lion, and every severe and powerful thing is called «قسورة». «مستنفرة» means "blazing."
Narrated Yahya bin Abi Kathir: I asked Aba Salama bin `Abdur-Rahman about the first Sura revealed of the Qur'an. He replied "O you, wrapped-up (i.e. Al Muddaththir)." I said, "They say it was, 'Read, in the Name of your Lord Who created,' (i.e. Surat Al-`Alaq (the Clot)." On that, Abu Salama said, "I asked Jabir bin `Abdullah about that, saying the same as you have said, whereupon he said, 'I will not tell you except what Allah's Messenger had told us. Allah's Messenger said, "I was in seclusion in the cave of Hiram', and after I completed the limited period of my seclusion. I came down (from the cave) and heard a voice calling me. I looked to my right, but saw nothing. Then I looked up and saw something. So I went to Khadija (the Prophet's wife) and told her to wrap me up and pour cold water on me. So they wrapped me up and poured cold water on me." Then, 'O you, (Muhammad) wrapped up! Arise and warn,' (Surat Al Muddaththir) was revealed." (74.1)
Hadith Referenceصحيح البخاري / كتاب تفسير القرآن / 4922
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:أحاديث صحيح البخاريّ كلّها صحيحة