Islam perceives the house as a place of matchless
delight. It is a ground for taking pleasure in the most and best gifts
(al-tayyibat) that Allah has made permissible to man. The term
"maskan", which also means the house, is derived from an Arabic verb
"sakana" which means to calm down, to repose, to rest, to become
quiet and tranquil, to feel at ease with. Hence, the words "sukun"
and "sakinah" mean calmness, tranquility, peacefulness, serenity,
peace of mind, etc.
The house is called "maskan" or "maskin" because it offers its inhabitants a chance to take a break from the demands and pressure of the outside world and concentrate on physical, mental and even spiritual recuperation. The house in Islam is a retreat, sanctuary, and one's source of rest and leisure. Thus, those who live in such houses do not need to impatiently look forward to breaking away frequently from the strains of work and everyday life and go for splendid holidays.
The people residing in a house are the only authors of a house ambiance and, as such, of their own emotions and overall conditions. For these reasons is there a maxim in many cultures across the world to the effect that "my house is my paradise". Everyone also is fond of saying that "there's no place like home", that is to say, one's home is the best place to be.
In the presence of one's closest family members in it, and due to the ways its spaces are designed, planned and utilized, the house in Islam is a perfect avenue for its users to disengage from the fetters of the outside life. One's house provides the environment to focus on the family institution and its development. To its users, the house in Islam is a "fortified" private "paradise" on earth. It has been granted by Allah, the Creator and Master of all things, as one of the best and most valuable earthly gifts so that within its realm the foremost joys and pleasures of this life could be appreciated and enjoyed. As such, no one could ever claim a right to deny, manipulate, or misuse this divinely given entitlement to man. On this, Allah proclaims in the Qur'an: "It is Allah Who made your habitations (houses) homes of rest and quiet for you" (al-Nahl, 80).
"Say: Who has prohibited the beautiful (gifts) of Allah which He has brought forth for His servants and the good provisions? Say: These are for the believers in the life of this world, purely (theirs) on the resurrection day; thus do We make the communications clear for a people who know." (al-A'raf 32).
The house is called "maskan" or "maskin" because it offers its inhabitants a chance to take a break from the demands and pressure of the outside world and concentrate on physical, mental and even spiritual recuperation. The house in Islam is a retreat, sanctuary, and one's source of rest and leisure. Thus, those who live in such houses do not need to impatiently look forward to breaking away frequently from the strains of work and everyday life and go for splendid holidays.
The people residing in a house are the only authors of a house ambiance and, as such, of their own emotions and overall conditions. For these reasons is there a maxim in many cultures across the world to the effect that "my house is my paradise". Everyone also is fond of saying that "there's no place like home", that is to say, one's home is the best place to be.
In the presence of one's closest family members in it, and due to the ways its spaces are designed, planned and utilized, the house in Islam is a perfect avenue for its users to disengage from the fetters of the outside life. One's house provides the environment to focus on the family institution and its development. To its users, the house in Islam is a "fortified" private "paradise" on earth. It has been granted by Allah, the Creator and Master of all things, as one of the best and most valuable earthly gifts so that within its realm the foremost joys and pleasures of this life could be appreciated and enjoyed. As such, no one could ever claim a right to deny, manipulate, or misuse this divinely given entitlement to man. On this, Allah proclaims in the Qur'an: "It is Allah Who made your habitations (houses) homes of rest and quiet for you" (al-Nahl, 80).
"Say: Who has prohibited the beautiful (gifts) of Allah which He has brought forth for His servants and the good provisions? Say: These are for the believers in the life of this world, purely (theirs) on the resurrection day; thus do We make the communications clear for a people who know." (al-A'raf 32).
