Surah al-Muzammil (The Enwrapped One) 73 : 17

The two sections of this Surah were revealed in two separate periods. The first section (v. 1-19) is unanimously a Makkan Revelation and this is supported both by its subject matter and by the hadith. As for the question, in which specific period of the life at Makkah it was revealed, it is not answered by the tradition, but the internal evidence of the subject matter of this section helps to determine the period of its revelation.

Firstly, in it the Prophet has been instructed to the effect: “Arise during the night and worship God so that you may develop the capability to shoulder the heavy burden of Prophethood and to discharge its responsibilities.” This shows that this Command must have been given in the earliest period of the Prophethood when training was being imparted to the Prophet by God for this office.

Secondly, a Command has been given in it that the Qur’an be recited in the Prayer for half the night, or thereabouts (Tahajjud Prayer). This Command by itself points out that by that time at least so much of the Qur’an had been revealed as could be recited for that long.

Thirdly, in this section the Prophet has been exhorted to have patience at the excesses being committed by his opponents and the disbelievers of Makkah have been threatened with the torment. This shows that this section was revealed at a time when the Prophet had openly started preaching Islam and the opposition to him at Makkah had grown active and strong.

About the second section (v. 20) although many of the commentators have expressed the opinion that this too was sent down at Makkah, yet some other commentators regard it as a Madīnan Revelation and this same opinion is confirmed by the subject matter of this section. For it mentions fighting in the way of God, and obviously, there could be no question of it at Makkah; it also contains the Command to pay the financial obligation (Zakah) and it is fully confirmed that the Zakah at a specific rate and with an exemption limit (nisab) was enjoined at Madīnah.