سُوْرَةُ الْمُدَّثِّرِ

Surah Al-Muddaththir (74) — Ayah 1

The Cloaked One · Meccan · Juz 29 · Page 575

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمُدَّثِّرُ ﴿1﴾
O you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) enveloped in garments!
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا yāayyuhā O you
ٱلْمُدَّثِّرُ l-mudathiru who covers himself

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The very first revelation was sent down to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) « اِقْرَاْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِيْ خَلَقَ», after which the revelation stopped for a period, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) became saddened. Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with them both) mentioned regarding this period of cessation of revelation, narrating from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: [ بَيْنَا أَنَا أَمْشِيْ إِذْ سَمِعْتُ صَوْتًا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ، فَرَفَعْتُ بَصَرِيْ فَإِذَا الْمَلَكُ الَّذِيْ جَائَنِيْ بِحِرَاءٍ جَالِسٌ عَلٰی كُرْسِيٍّ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ، فَرُعِبْتُ مِنْهُ، فَرَجَعْتُ فَقُلْتُ زَمِّلُوْنِيْ زَمِّلُوْنِيْ فَأَنْزَلَ اللّٰهُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ : « يٰۤاَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ (1) قُمْ فَاَنْذِرْ» إِلٰی قَوْلِهِ: « وَ الرُّجْزَ فَاهْجُرْ» فَحَمِيَ الْوَحْيُ وَ تَوَاتَرَ ] [بخاري، بدء الوحي، باب کیف کان بدء الوحي… : ۴۔ مسلم : ۱۶۱ ] "While I was walking, I heard a voice from the sky. I looked up and saw that the angel who had come to me at Hira was sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. I became frightened of him and returned, saying: 'Cover me! Cover me!' Then Allah the Exalted revealed these verses: from « يٰۤاَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ (1) قُمْ فَاَنْذِرْ » to «وَ الرُّجْزَ فَاهْجُرْ », then the revelation became intense and continuous." From this, it is understood that the very first verses revealed were from Surah Al-‘Alaq, and after the cessation of revelation, the first to be revealed was Surah Al-Muddathir.

(Ayah 1) {يٰۤاَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ: ’’ الْمُدَّثِّرُ ‘‘} was originally {’’ اَلْمُتَدَثِّرُ ‘‘}; the "ta" was changed to "dal" and merged into the "dal." The cloth that is in direct contact with the body is called "shi‘ar," and what is worn over it is called "dithar." For the reason for this address, see the commentary on the first verse of Surah Al-Muzzammil.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

O you who wraps himself in clothing (1)

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

O you who are wrapped up (in your cloak) and are sleeping [1],

[1]
The Heaviness of Revelation:

The very first revelation that was sent down to you ﷺ in the Cave of Hira was the initial five verses of Surah Al-‘Alaq. In these verses, Allah Almighty introduced Himself as the Creator of the universe. He is the One who created you and He is the One who sent down this angel. In these verses, you were not commanded to preach, etc. The only purpose was to prepare you ﷺ for the responsibilities that were to be placed upon you. The revelation that is sent down to the heart of the Prophet through the angel Jibreel is extremely difficult and burdensome for the Prophet. During this, at first, sounds like the ringing of a bell are heard. Then, the Prophet’s connection with this world is severed and he becomes connected to the higher realm, and the burden of this revelation is so great that sometimes, during the winter, sweat would appear on you ﷺ at the time of revelation. Once, you ﷺ had placed your thigh upon the thigh of Sayyiduna Zaid bin Thabit ؓ when the revelation began to descend. Sayyiduna Zaid says that he felt such a weight that it seemed as if his thigh would break from underneath. And once, you ﷺ were riding a she-camel. When the revelation began to descend, due to its weight and pressure, the she-camel sat down. Thus, the first time when revelation descended in the Cave of Hira, you ﷺ yourself stated that due to the pain and burden, you feared for your life. Anyway, you ﷺ came home in this anxious state, and Sayyidah Khadijah al-Kubra ؓ greatly comforted you. After this, the series of revelation stopped for some time. Despite the pain and burden of revelation, during this period you ﷺ also felt a strange kind of pleasure. Because of this pleasure, you would also await the revelation. Later, one day, the following incident occurred: Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah ؓ says that he heard from you ﷺ while you were mentioning the cessation of revelation. You ﷺ said: Once, while I was walking, I heard a voice from the sky, so I looked towards the sky and saw the same angel who had come to me in Hira. He was sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. Seeing him, I was so frightened that I fell to the ground out of fear. Then I came home and said to the people of my house: “Cover me with a blanket, cover me with a blanket.” So they covered me with a blanket. Then Allah Almighty revealed these verses: up to ﴿يَايُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرْ.. فَاهْجُرْ﴾. Abu Salamah said that by “rijz” idols are meant. After this, the revelation became intense and began to come continuously. [بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير]