Tafsir of Al-Muzzammil 73:2

"Stand [to pray] the night": That is, stand for prayer. It is also said: persist in it. Regardless of the interpretation, the object (direct object) of qum (stand) is implied. Al-layl (the night) is in the accusative case due to being an adverb of time (zarfiyyah). It is permitted that it be in the accusative case by way of extension (tawassu') and metaphorical attribution; this is attributed to the Kufans, while the former is attributed to the Basrans. It is also said that 'standing' is a metaphor for prayer, and the meaning of qum is 'pray,' so there is no implied object.

Abu al-Summal recited it with a damma (u-vowel) on the mim, following the vowel of the qaf. It has also been recited with a fatha (a-vowel) seeking lightness. The kasra (i-vowel) in the reading of the majority is based on the original rule for the meeting of two vowelless consonants (sakinayn).

"Except a little": An exception from the night. And His saying, the Exalted...