Surah al-Muzzammil (The Wrapped Up One), is one of the earliest revealed suar in the Quran. It’s a relatively short surah which appears to be organized in a ring structure when observed on both the macro- and micro-level.
Macro-Level
Micro-Level
Each sub-section of the macro structure can be further broken down into their own individual rings.
[A] - Dedicate yourself to prayer at night; Ring Structure of Ayaat 1-8
Connections
Section A/A’
The surah begins with Allah ﷻ commanding the Messenger ﷺ to pray in the middle of the night when he can be alone, without distraction. The section ends with Allah ﷻ telling the Messenger ﷺ to devote himself to Allah ﷻ. What better time than at night when all obligations to people are on hold?
Section B/B’
This section begins with the command to recite Quran and ends with the command to “remember the name of your Lord". What better way to remember Allah ﷻ than with the Quran?
Section C/C’
Allah ﷻ says He sent down a “weighty revelation” upon the Messenger ﷺ [C]. The information and news the Messenger ﷺ learns through this revelation is what keeps him busy all day long [C’].
Section D
This entire ring centers on the idea that night is the best time for prayer and focusing on Allah ﷻ.
[B] - Trust yourself to Allah or face the consequences; Ring Structure of Ayaat 9-19
Connections
Section E/E’
The section begins by imploring us to entrust ourselves to the one true God, and ends by reminding us that anyone may go to Him if they so will.
Section F/F’
Both [F] and [F’] provide stern words against the enemies of Islam. Allah ﷻ mentions the threats of Hell (“shackles", “burning fire”, “food that chokes”, a day so terrifying it makes children’s hair go white, etc), but says that these warnings won’t affect those who disbelieve.
Section G/G’
[G] begins by mentioning the archetype disbeliever, Pharaoh, and how he also received a messenger from Allah ﷻ. Unfortunately, Pharaoh rejected the messenger which led to his destruction. This acted as a subtle warning to those who also had a messenger, Muhammad ﷺ, living in their midst as well as for us who have his detailed biography and teachings preserved.
[A’] - Prayer at night can be difficult; Ring Structure of Ayah 20
Connections
Section H/H’
The final ring begins with Allah ﷻ acknowledging that praying in the middle of the night, every single day, is a difficult task so Allah ﷻ pardons those who can’t commit to it. The section ends with Allah ﷻ telling us to seek His forgiveness. What better time to ask for forgiveness than during the night prayer when one is most sincere and focused on their worship?
It begins with mercy (removing the obligation of the night prayer) and forgiveness and ends with Allah’s two names, the “Forgiving” and “Merciful”.
Section I/I’
The ring continues with Allah ﷻ asking us to recite what little we can - again, because it’s difficult to leave the comfort of one’s bed to pray at night. The corresponding section acts as encouragement as Allah ﷻ tells us that those efforts will be rewarded beyond our expectations.
Section J/J’
[J] presents three groups of people and corresponds it to three actions [J’]. Sick people will struggle to pray at night, but Allah ﷻ reminds them to stick to their five obligatory ritual prayers. Those going out to make money are reminded to give their zakaat (alms) due to poor people. And those going out to fight are reminded to loan what they can to strengthen the army.
Section K
The entire ring centers on [K], which reminds us to recite what little we can despite the duties and obstacles around us (and around these words in this ring)
واللّهُ أَعلَمُ - And Allah knows best
Sources
Personal notes and reflections. Special thanks to Hasan M. for the help outlining the macro and many of the micro structures.
Great work brother, jazakallah khayr for all your effort. It is also worth noting that some scholars are of the opinion that ayah 20 was revealed in Medina, suggesting that there was a 'gap' in the ring structure that was only fulfilled after the hijrah. One would struggle to explain why or how a human author would intentionally leave an incomplete chiastic structure for so many years in such an early surah, so this can definitely be a sign of the Qur'an's divine origin, and Allah knows best.