وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ لِبَاسًا 10
Translations
And made the night as clothing.
Transliteration
Wa ja'alna al-layla libāsan
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah has made the night like a garment or covering for us, referring to its darkness that conceals and provides rest, comfort, and privacy. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain this as a metaphor for how night envelops the earth and its inhabitants, providing relief from the heat and labor of the day, while also symbolizing the concealment and protection night offers. This ayah emphasizes the divine wisdom in creating the night-day cycle for human benefit and tranquility.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah An-Naba, a Meccan surah that focuses on the signs of Allah's creation and wisdom in the natural world. The surah begins by addressing those who dispute the Day of Judgment and then presents evidence of Allah's power through His creation, including the celestial bodies and the night-day cycle. This particular ayah contributes to the broader theme of highlighting Allah's merciful design for human welfare.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi), which relates thematically to the comfort and rest the night provides for families. Additionally, various hadiths discuss the virtue of night prayers and the night's significance in Islamic practice, such as those in Sahih Bukhari regarding tahajjud (night prayers).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to recognize and appreciate Allah's deliberate provision for our physical and spiritual well-being, reminding us that even seemingly simple things like night are signs of divine care. We should develop gratitude for Allah's creation and reflect on how the natural world demonstrates His perfect wisdom and mercy toward humanity.