Muhammad The Great Exemplar — Page 37
37 إِنَّ لَكَ فِ النََّارِ سًَْا ا ً ْل ی ِ ً وَّاَقْوَمُ ق أ ْلِ هَِ اَشَدُّ وَط�ْ ی َّ نَشِئَةَ ال 17 ً ْل ی ِ تَبْتِ ہ ْ ی َ وَاذْكُرِ اسَْ رَبِّكَ وَتَبَتَّلْ اِل ً ْل ی طَوِ Sir Muir may well be a great scholar. Yet it did not occur to him that the above verses are unanimously accepted as dating from the first year of prophethood, and Surah Muzzammil , the chapter to which they belong, is from among the earliest [revealed portions]. Some researchers even consider it one of the first chapters. Perhaps the greatest miracle is that a part [of the Qur’an] which was revealed in the first year of prophethood, was fulfilled and acted upon by the Prophet sa in the fifth to tenth year of his mission as Muir seems to suggest, for it is not possible for a person to foretell a thing which is to occur five or six years into the future when they have no control over it. In short, the enemies of Islam strive to diminish [the radiance of ] this brilliant sign, yet ultimately their efforts only serve to show that in their hearts they accept 17 O thou who art bearing a heavy responsibility , stand up in Prayer at night except a small portion thereof — Half of it, or make it a little less than that or make it a little more than that — and recite the Qur’an slowly and thoughtfully. Verily, We are charging thee with a weighty Word. Verily, getting up at night is the most potent means of subduing the self and most effective in respect of words of prayer. Thou hast indeed, during the day, a long chain of engagements. So remember the name of thy Lord, and devote thyself to Him with full devotion. Surah Al- Muzzammil , 73:2-9 [Publishers]