Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 80

(Ayah 80) ➊ {وَ اللّٰهُ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِّنْۢ بُيُوْتِكُمْ سَكَنًا : ’’بُيُوْتٌ‘‘ ’’بَيْتٌ‘‘} is the plural. Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: That which is above you, giving shade, is called saqf (roof), chhat (ceiling), and samaa (sky); that which is below is called ardh (earth); and that which surrounds you from all sides as a screen is called jidar (wall). When these are organized together in order, it is called bayt (house). {’’ سَكَنًا ‘‘} is a verbal noun, and its meaning is also to reside in a place, as He said: «{ اَسْكِنُوْهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ سَكَنْتُمْ مِّنْ وُّجْدِكُمْ }» [ الطلاق : ۶ ] "House them (i.e., divorced women) where you dwell, according to your means." Its meaning is also tranquility and comfort, as He said: «{ وَ جَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا لِيَسْكُنَ اِلَيْهَا } » [ الأعراف : ۱۸۹ ] "And from it He created its mate, so that he may find tranquility in her." In this verse, Allah Almighty has mentioned several of His blessings regarding residence. The reality is that only the one who does not have a house can truly understand the value of living in a house and the comfort, well-being, and peace that comes from it. This verse makes one realize the value and greatness of the blessing of a house. The house is a place of physical and psychological comfort. Islam wants to see the house as a place of peace, not of mutual quarrels and disputes, because this is against the wisdom and purpose of the "house." Therefore, Allah Almighty has established the sanctity of the house. He said that no one should enter another's house without permission, and even peeking and spying have been prohibited. See the sanctity of the house in Surah An-Nur (27 to 29 and 58, 59). Also, see Surah Al-Ahzab, verse (53). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ اَلسَّفَرُ قِطْعَةٌ مِّنَ الْعَذَابِ، يَمْنَعُ أَحَدَكُمْ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ وَنَوْمَهٗ، فَإِذَا قَضَی نَهْمَتَهُ فَلْيُعَجِّلْ إِلٰی أَهْلِهِ ] [ بخاری، العمرۃ، باب السفر قطعۃ من العذاب : ۱۸۰۴، عن أبي ھریرۃ رضی اللہ عنہ ] "Travel is a piece of torment that deprives one of his food, drink, and sleep, so when one of you has fulfilled his need, let him hasten to return to his house."
➋ {وَ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِّنْ جُلُوْدِ الْاَنْعَامِ بُيُوْتًا :} Although any house is a great blessing, building a house of bricks and stones, despite being a blessing, involves much hardship, burden, and expense: first acquiring land, then bricks, stones, mortar, clay, wood, iron—everything must be arranged, then dealing with the whims of the builders, all stages are difficult, and then that house cannot be moved anywhere. See the favor of Allah Almighty, that for our ease He made tents from the skins of animals: a few sticks and ropes, and a ready-made complete house; wherever desired, drive in pegs, tie ropes, and set up the tent; with the same leather, set up screens and make four walls. Then, whenever desired, dismantle, fold, and take it along, and move on to the next destination. Now Allah Almighty has granted even lighter tents of plastic and aluminum.
➌ {تَسْتَخِفُّوْنَهَا يَوْمَ ظَعْنِكُمْ وَ يَوْمَ اِقَامَتِكُمْ … : ’’ تَسْتَخِفُّوْنَهَا ‘‘ ’’خَفَّ يَخِفُّ‘‘} is the second person masculine plural from the form "istif‘aal." {’’يَوْمَ ظَعْنِكُمْ ‘‘} here 'yawm' means time. {’’أَصْوَافٌ‘‘ ’’صُوْفٌ‘‘} is the plural, sheep's wool. {’’أَوْبَارٌ‘‘ ’’وَبَرٌ ‘‘} is the plural, camel's hair. {’’أَشْعَارٌ‘‘ ’’شَعْرٌ‘‘} is the plural, goat's hair. {’’ اَثَاثًا ‘‘} means household goods in abundance. {’’أَثَّ يَؤُثُّ‘‘} (n) when something is abundant and dense. Imru’ al-Qais praised the braid of hair, saying:
{وَ فَرْعٍ يَزِيْنُ الْمَتْنَ أَسْوَدَ فَاحِمٍ ¤ أَثِيْثٍ كَقِنْوِ النَّخْلَةِ الْمُتَعَثْكِلِ ¤ ’’ أَثِيْثٍ ‘‘} meaning dense, {’’ مَتَاعًا ‘‘} are the specific household necessities from which benefit is taken. In { ’’ اَثَاثًا ‘‘}, { ’’ مَتَاعًا ‘‘} is also included, but due to its importance, it is mentioned separately. {’’ اِلٰى حِيْنٍ ‘‘} means for a period, i.e., as Allah Almighty has decreed, for example, until new goods arrive, or until the old ones wear out, or until departure from this world.

80. 1. That is, leather tents, which you easily carry with you during travel, and whenever needed, you pitch them and protect yourselves from the severity of the weather.

80. 2. اَصْوَاف is the plural of صُوْف, meaning sheep's wool; اَوْبَار is the plural of وَبَر, meaning camel hair; اَشْعَار is the plural of شَعَر, meaning the hair of rams and goats. Many types of items are made from these, from which a person gains wealth and also benefits from them for a certain period.

80. Allah has made your homes a place of rest for you, and made for you dwellings (tents) from the hides of cattle, which you find light to carry both when you travel and when you stay. And from their wool, fur, and hair, He has provided you furnishings and goods for a time [82].

[82]
Things That Protect Humans from External Effects:

In these verses, Allah's blessings are mentioned which protect humans from external effects such as sunlight, heat, cold, rain, etc. Among these blessings, the first to be mentioned are the houses which people build in settlements for their residence. These are made from clay, bricks, stones, mortar, and wood, all of which are obtained from the earth, which Allah had created long before the creation of mankind. Then, the houses of the nomads are mentioned, which are much lighter and portable compared to the first type of houses, and these are the tents made from the hides of livestock or thick fibers. These livestock and all kinds of plant fibers, animal hair, and wool are all things created by Allah. Then, some natural things are mentioned, such as shades where humans can take refuge from the sun, then the shelters in the mountains, which serve as a natural home for humans. An additional benefit of these is that humans can also take refuge in them from their enemies.