Surah Al-Muzzammil 73:8
سُورَةُ المُزَّمِّلِ · Meccan · Verse 8 of 20
وَٱذْكُرِ ٱسْمَ رَبِّكَ وَتَبَتَّلْ إِلَيْهِ تَبْتِيلًۭا
Translation
so celebrate the name of your Lord and devote yourself wholeheart-edly to Him.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse, Surah Al-Muzzammil (73:8), is a profound call to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and through him, to us, to deepen our connection with Allah. It instructs us on two vital acts of the heart and tongue, using specific words that reveal layers of meaning.
The ayah begins with "وَٱذْكُرِ ٱسْمَ رَبِّكَ" (And remember the Name of your Lord). This command, according to Ibn Ashur, emphasizes remembering Allah's Name with the tongue (ذِكْرُ اللِّسَانِ). While true remembrance always involves the heart and mind, beginning with the vocal mention of "Allah's Name" is the initial step that gathers one's focus. Imam al-Razi elaborates, suggesting this "mentioning the Name" is a starting point, a first stage that can lead to a deeper internal awareness of Allah Himself, moving from the Name to the One being named, from His Lordship (ربوبيته) to His Divine Oneness (إلهيته). The phrase "ربك" (your Lord) personalizes this call, reminding us of Allah's continuous care and upbringing for us.
Devotion to Him
The verse then commands, "وَتَبَتَّلْ إِلَيْهِ تَبْتِيلًۭا" (and devote yourself to Him with complete devotion). The word "تَبَتَّلْ" comes from the root meaning "to cut off" or "to sever." It describes a state of intense spiritual severance from distractions, a turning away from everything else to fully focus on Allah. It means to free one's mind and thoughts for what pleases Allah. However, this is not the monasticism (رهبانية) that rejects worldly life entirely; as Ibn Ashur highlights, Prophet Muhammad himself rejected this extreme form for his companions. Rather, it signifies an internal dedication, ensuring that all actions in life, even eating, sleeping, and family time, become means to serve Allah's purpose.
The choice of the verbal noun "تَبْتِيلًا" (devotion) here is particularly illuminating. Instead of using the more common "تَبَتُّلًا" from the same verb, the Quran uses "تَبْتِيلًا," which comes from the transitive form of the verb "to cut off." Ibn Ashur and al-Razi explain that this emphasizes the *active effort* and *training of the self* required to achieve this state of complete devotion. "تَبَتَّلْ" is the desired internal state of being cut off for Allah, while "تَبْتِيلًا" is the external, conscious act of cutting off one's attachments and distractions. It implies that true devotion isn't passive; it's a constant, deliberate act of severing ties with anything that takes you away from Allah and reorienting your heart towards Him. This active "cutting off" is the path to achieving genuine "devotion."
In essence, this verse guides us to remember Allah frequently, starting with our tongues and progressing to a deep inner awareness. And it calls for a profound, active devotion, where we intentionally cut off distractions and dedicate our hearts and minds fully to Him, making every aspect of our lives a means of serving His divine will.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Muzzammil 73:8 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.