Tafsir of Al-Muzzammil 73:19

Al-Muzzammil (The Enshrouded One): Verse 19

"Indeed, this is a reminder."

This means these verses are admonitions encompassing all types of guidance and direction.

"{So whoever wills may take to his Lord a way.}"

Taking the way (or path) is an expression for engaging in obedience and abstaining from sin.

Verse 20:

"{Indeed, your Lord knows that you stand [in prayer] nearly two-thirds of the night, or half of it, or a third of it, and [so do] a party of those who are with you. And Allah determines the night and the day. He knows that you will not be able to do it [i.e., the full extent of the night prayer], so He has turned to you in forgiveness. So recite what is easy for you of the Qur'an. He knows that there will be among you those who are ill, and others traveling throughout the land, seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah, and others fighting in the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy thereof and establish the prayer and give zakāh and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forth for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness from Allah; indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.}"

1. The Knowledge of Standing in Prayer:
   • Allah's statement, "Indeed, your Lord knows that you stand [in prayer] nearly two-thirds of the night, or half of it, or a third of it," confirms the Prophet's (PBUH) diligence in night vigil (Qiyām al-Layl).
   • The mention of these specific fractions (two-thirds, half, a third) indicates the varying degrees of effort exerted by the Prophet and the early believers.

2. The Divine Mitigation (Tawbah):
   • "And Allah determines the night and the day. He knows that you will not be able to do it [i.e., maintain the full vigil], so He has turned to you in forgiveness."
   • This signifies a divine concession (rukhṣah). Since the division of time is determined by Allah, and He knows human capacity, He eased the obligation that was initially implied to be perpetual or absolute. The turning to forgiveness (Tāba 'alaykum) is the removal of the strict obligation to stand the entire night.

3. The New Command (Ease of Recitation):
   • "So recite what is easy for you of the Qur'an."
   • This replaces the previous, more stringent requirement. The command shifts from a fixed duration of standing to reciting whatever portion of the Qur'an is manageable during the vigil.

4. Acknowledging Circumstances:
   • The verse then lists valid excuses for not maintaining the maximum effort:
     • Illness: Those who are sick.
     • Travel (Seeking Livelihood): Others traveling in the land seeking Allah's bounty (Rizq).
     • Jihad: Others fighting in the cause of Allah.
   • For all these groups, the instruction remains: "So recite what is easy thereof." This confirms that the obligation of night prayer is flexible based on genuine need and circumstance.

5. The Enduring Pillars of Worship:
   • Even with the easing of the night vigil, the fundamental obligations remain firm: "And establish the prayer [the five daily obligatory prayers] and give zakāh."

6. The Virtue of Good Deeds (Qard Hasan):
   • "And loan Allah a goodly loan." This refers to spending in charity or lending to those in need, framed as a loan to Allah to emphasize the certainty of the reward.
   • "And whatever good you put forth for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward." This assures the believer that any act of righteousness performed now will yield a superior and greater recompense in the Hereafter compared to its worldly value.

7. Final Exhortation:
   • "And seek forgiveness from Allah; indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." This concludes the passage by reminding the community that even when striving diligently, they should always seek pardon for shortcomings, relying on Allah's infinite mercy.