Muzzammil Versus Muddaththir
Question:
Salaam,
Can I ask about the difference and relevance of using the words Muzammil and Mudassir. Both mean as I understand wrapped in a covering.
So what is the difference
Answer:
Salam,
The two words seem to practically refer to the same meaning (i.e. one who covers himself with a cloak or sheet).
When looking at the root of the two words, a slight difference between the two may be deducted. Muzzammil comes from the root Zaml, which (according to Al-Tahqiq fi Kalamat al-Qur’an al-Karim, 4:348) means to bear a heavy thing. On the other hand, the root of Muddaththir is Dathara which (according to Al-Tahqiq, 3:177) means to put something on another thing.
What can be derived from the above is that while both Muzzammil and Mddaththir refer to covering with cloak or sheet, in Muzzammil this covering is more severe as if the person is trying to comfort himself from a difficult feeling and thought, while Muddaththir simply means covering one self.
When looking at the rest of the verses for each of the above statements in the Qur’an, this difference seems to make sense:
For Muzzammil, the verses after advise the prophet (pbuh) to do more in staying up for worshipping in order to prepare for what he has worries and concerns about.
For Muddaththir, the verses after advise the prophet to start the general warning phase of his mission. It is interesting that in Kitab al-Tashil li-Ulum al-Tanzil, Gharnati writes that Arab used to say Al-Naziru al-Uryan (the warner is naked, meaning a real warner who has a serious warning to deliver is so anxious that he does not even mind about whether he has worn anything or not, he would simply jump out and warn people). He argues that the word Muddaththir here therefore has an 'Attention' tone in it. (In my words) the implication is that this is now the end of your less difficult phase of the mission (where you would only preach to your family and close friends) and the more difficult part of it (general warning) is now started.
I should however say that the above is my deduction based on very tiny difference in the meaning of the two words that itself is a deduction. It might be the case that no difference between the two words were intended and that the only reason that two expressions were used was to avoid repetition, and God knows best.
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February 2014
Salaam,
Can I ask about the difference and relevance of using the words Muzammil and Mudassir. Both mean as I understand wrapped in a covering.
So what is the difference
Answer:
Salam,
The two words seem to practically refer to the same meaning (i.e. one who covers himself with a cloak or sheet).
When looking at the root of the two words, a slight difference between the two may be deducted. Muzzammil comes from the root Zaml, which (according to Al-Tahqiq fi Kalamat al-Qur’an al-Karim, 4:348) means to bear a heavy thing. On the other hand, the root of Muddaththir is Dathara which (according to Al-Tahqiq, 3:177) means to put something on another thing.
What can be derived from the above is that while both Muzzammil and Mddaththir refer to covering with cloak or sheet, in Muzzammil this covering is more severe as if the person is trying to comfort himself from a difficult feeling and thought, while Muddaththir simply means covering one self.
When looking at the rest of the verses for each of the above statements in the Qur’an, this difference seems to make sense:
For Muzzammil, the verses after advise the prophet (pbuh) to do more in staying up for worshipping in order to prepare for what he has worries and concerns about.
For Muddaththir, the verses after advise the prophet to start the general warning phase of his mission. It is interesting that in Kitab al-Tashil li-Ulum al-Tanzil, Gharnati writes that Arab used to say Al-Naziru al-Uryan (the warner is naked, meaning a real warner who has a serious warning to deliver is so anxious that he does not even mind about whether he has worn anything or not, he would simply jump out and warn people). He argues that the word Muddaththir here therefore has an 'Attention' tone in it. (In my words) the implication is that this is now the end of your less difficult phase of the mission (where you would only preach to your family and close friends) and the more difficult part of it (general warning) is now started.
I should however say that the above is my deduction based on very tiny difference in the meaning of the two words that itself is a deduction. It might be the case that no difference between the two words were intended and that the only reason that two expressions were used was to avoid repetition, and God knows best.
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February 2014
