Surah Al-Muddaththir (The Cloaked One)

56 verses, Meccan.

Some scholars hold that this is the first Surah revealed (to the Prophet).

Al-Muddaththir: (1) O You Who Wraps Himself [in a Garment]

Issues Discussed:

Al-Muddaththir (المدثر) is originally Al-Mutadaththir (المتدثر), meaning one who wraps himself in his garment (yadaththir) for sleeping or for warmth. Dithār (الدثار) is the name for what one wraps oneself in. The tā’ (ت) was assimilated into the dāl (د) due to the proximity of their articulation points.

There is a consensus that Al-Muddaththir refers to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). However, there is a difference of opinion regarding the reason for this appellation.

View 1: Literal Interpretation (Wrapping in a Garment)

This view holds that the Prophet (PBUH) was literally wrapped in his garment. There are several reported reasons for this:

1. The First Revelation: This occurred at the beginning of the revelation. Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "I was on Mount Hirā’ when I was called, 'O Muhammad, you are the Messenger of Allah.' I looked to my right and left and saw nothing. I looked above me and saw the Angel seated on a throne between heaven and earth. I became frightened and returned to Khadījah, saying, 'Cover me! Cover me!' They poured cold water on me. Then Gabriel descended with the words: {O You Who Wraps Himself [in a Garment]}."

2. The Reaction of the Quraysh Leaders: The leaders who persecuted the Prophet (PBUH)—including Abū Jahl, Abū Lahab, Abū Sufyān, Al-Walīd ibn Al-Mughīrah, An-Naḍr ibn Al-Ḥārith, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, and Al-‘Āṣ ibn Wa’il—gathered. They noted that Arab delegations visiting during the Hajj season would ask them about Muhammad, and their conflicting answers (one calling him mad, another a soothsayer, another a poet) would expose the falsehood of their claims. They agreed to settle on one label.
   • When one suggested "poet," Al-Walīd ibn Al-Mughīrah compared the Qur'an to the poetry of ‘Ubayd ibn Al-Abraṣ and Umayyah ibn Abī aṣ-Ṣalt, finding no resemblance.
   • When another suggested "soothsayer" (kāhin), Al-Walīd asked what a soothsayer was, and they replied: one who sometimes tells the truth and sometimes lies. Al-Walīd countered: "Muhammad has never lied."
   • When another suggested "madman" (majnūn), Al-Walīd asked what a madman was, and they replied: one who frightens people. Al-Walīd responded: "No one has ever been frightened by Muhammad."
   • Al-Walīd then left for his house. The people said, "Al-Walīd ibn Al-Mughīrah has defected [from our position]." Abū Jahl visited him, asking why he was arguing against the consensus. Al-Walīd replied that he had no need for Muhammad, but upon reflection, he concluded: "He is a sorcerer (sāḥir), because a sorcerer is one who separates a father from his son, a brother from his brother, and a wife from her husband."
   • They agreed to label the Prophet (PBUH) as a sorcerer. They proclaimed this in Mecca, causing a stir. When the Prophet (PBUH) heard this, it greatly distressed him, and he returned home saddened, wrapping himself in his garment. Then Allah revealed: {O You Who Wraps Himself [in a Garment] * Rise and warn}.

3. The Prophet (PBUH) was Asleep: The Prophet (PBUH) was sleeping, wrapped in his clothes, when Gabriel came and woke him, saying: {O You Who Wraps Himself [in a Garment] * Rise and warn}. This is interpreted as a command to leave the wrapping and sleeping and attend to the mission Allah had appointed him for.

View 2: Metaphorical Interpretation (Not Literal Garment)

This view holds that Al-Muddaththir does not refer to wrapping in a physical garment. There are several interpretations:

1. Wrapped in the Garment of Prophethood: It means he was clothed in the dithār (mantle) of Prophethood and Message, similar to the saying, "Allah clothed him in the garment of piety and adorned him with the mantle of knowledge." The meaning is: "O You Who is clothed in the mantle of Prophethood, {Rise and warn}."

2. Wrapped in Concealment/Seclusion: One who is wrapped in a garment is often concealed. The Prophet (PBUH) was in seclusion on Mount Hirā’. Thus, it is as if Allah said: "O You who is wrapped in the mantle of obscurity and concealment, rise up with this command, leave the corner of seclusion, and engage in warning creation and calling them to the knowledge of Truth."

3. Wrapped in Mercy and Noble Character: Since Allah made him a mercy to the worlds, it is as if He said: "O You who is wrapped in the garments of great knowledge, noble character, and complete mercy, rise and warn [people] of your Lord's punishment."

According to ‘Ikrimah, this word was sometimes recited in the passive participle form, as if it were derived from daththara (دَثَّرَهُ), meaning: "You have neglected/abandoned this matter and disobeyed it." A similar point was previously mentioned regarding Al-Muzzammil.

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