Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of The Glorious Koran. An Explanatory Translation (1930)

SÛRAH LXXIV

Al-Mudath-thir takes its name from a word in verse 1. The Prophet was accustomed to wrap himself in his cloak at the time of his trances. A tradition says that some time — about six months — elapsed between the first revelation (Sûrah XCVI, vv. 1–5) and the second revelation in this Sûrah. Then the Prophet suddenly again beheld the angel who had appeared to him on Mt. Ḥirâ, and wrapped himself in his cloak, whereupon this Sûrah was revealed to him. Another opinion is that by this Sûrah the Prophet was ordered to begin the public preaching of Al-Islâm, his preaching having until then been done privately among his family and intimates. He is said to have begun his public preaching three years after his call.

In either case this is a very early Meccan Sûrah.

The Cloaked One

1. O thou enveloped in thy cloak,

2. Arise and warn!

3. Thy Lord magnify,

4. Thy raiment purify,

5. Pollution shun!

6. And show not favour, seeking worldly gain!

7. For the sake of thy Lord, be patient!

8. For when the trumpet shall sound,

9. Surely that day will be a day of anguish,

10. Not of ease, for disbelievers.

11. Leave ME (to deal) with him whom I created lonely,

12. And then bestowed upon him ample means,