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.