The Intense and Deep Bond Between a Man and His Wife

هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَاَنْتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ 

“Wives are garments for you, and you are garments for them.”

(Surah Baqarah, Aayat 187)

I wish to speak on the purport of this description of “garments”. In other words, I wish to explain the bond between a man and his wife which Allah Ta’ala has mentioned in this beautiful and eloquent manner.

Firstly, understand that here, Allah Ta’ala has used a simile, as the literal meaning of garment is certainly not intended. It is in a figurative sense and a metaphor.

Now understand that one thing is likened to another in a particular attribute. It is necessary for the reason for the simile to be an attribute which is known and evident in the object to which something else is likened. For example, in a simile of bravery it is said: “Zaid is a lion.” A lion is well known for its bravery.

Similarly, here where the husband and wife are likened to garments, the reason for the simile should be an attribute which is known in a garment. Now, we should think about the attributes of a garment.

There are several attributes of a garment. All are appropriate to the relationship between a man and his wife.

One attribute of a garment is that of covering. Accordingly, when the husband and wife engage in intimacy then each one covers the other. Thus, the two have been likened to garments.

However, just this sensual covering is not the only purport of the Divine Verse. More than that, extreme bond is alluded to. Thus, this simile expresses the intense and deep bond between a man and his wife.

(Raf’ul Iltibaas – To be continued, Insha Allah)