Tafsir of Yunus 10:87

Surah Yunus (10:87)

(87) And We inspired to Moses and his brother, [saying], "Take for your people in Egypt houses and make your houses places of prayer and establish prayer. And give good tidings to the believers."

It is noted that after explaining the fear of the believers from the disbelievers and their reliance upon God Almighty, the text follows this by commanding Moses and Aaron to establish houses (places of worship) and attend to prayer.

The phrase "Take for your people in Egypt houses" (أَنْ تَبَوَّآ لِقَوْمِكُمَا بِيُوتًا) means: Make for your people in Egypt dwellings, or places to settle, similar to the usage of tawṭana (to make a place one's home). The meaning is: Make houses for your people in Egypt, and a place to which you can return for worship and prayer.

Then He said: "And make your houses places of prayer" (وَاجْعَلُوا بُيُوتَكُمْ قِبْلَةً). Regarding this, there are several discussions:

First Discussion: The Meaning of "Houses" and "Qiblah"

1. Interpretation of "Houses":
   • Some scholars hold that "houses" refers specifically to mosques, citing the verse: {In houses which God has permitted to be raised and that His name be mentioned therein} (An-Nur: 36).
   • Others hold that it refers to general dwellings.

2. Interpretation of "Qiblah" (Place of Prayer/Direction):
   • For those who interpret "houses" as mosques, they explain "make your houses qiblah" as: Make your houses places you face for prayer.
   • Al-Farra' said: "Make your houses qiblah" means towards the Qiblah (the direction of prayer).
   • Ibn al-Anbari said: "Make your houses qiblah" means places of prayer (mosques), using the singular form (qiblah) to imply the plural (mosques).

3. The Direction of the Qiblah:
   • Scholars differed on the specific direction of this Qiblah. The apparent meaning of the Qur'an does not specify it.
   • It is narrated from Ibn Abbas that the Ka'bah was the Qiblah for Moses (peace be upon him).
   • Al-Hasan used to say: The Ka'bah was the Qiblah for all the Prophets, and the direction was only changed by God's command during the time of the Prophet (PBUH) after the Hijra.
   • Others said that this Qiblah was the direction of Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem).

4. Interpretation if "Houses" means General Dwellings:
   • Those who interpret "houses" as general dwellings have two views on "make them qiblah":
     • The intent is that they should be facing each other (mutqābilah), aiming for congregation and mutual support among the believers.
     • The intent is: Pray in your houses (i.e., use your homes as places for prayer).

Second Discussion: The Change in Address

The address begins by specifically commanding Moses and Aaron: "Take for your people in Egypt houses..." Then, the address becomes general: "...and make your houses places of prayer." Finally, it singles out Moses again: "...And give good tidings to the believers."

The reason for this structure is:

1. God commanded Moses and Aaron to secure houses for their people for worship—a matter often delegated to the Prophets.
2. The subsequent command to establish mosques and pray in them is a general obligation upon everyone (Moses, Aaron, and their people).
3. Moses is singled out at the end because the ultimate goal of all worship is receiving this good tidings (the ultimate reward). God singled him out to indicate that Moses is the primary recipient and the foundation of the Prophethood in this context, with Aaron being his follower.

Third Discussion: The Circumstances of the Command

Explanations regarding the context of this command include three views:

1. Moses and his followers were initially commanded to pray secretly in their houses, hidden from the disbelievers, lest they be harmed or tempted away from their religion—similar to the early Muslims in Mecca.
2. It is said that when God sent Moses, Pharaoh ordered the destruction of the Israelites' synagogues and forbade them from praying. Thus, God commanded them to establish places of worship in their homes out of fear of Pharaoh.
3. When God sent Moses and Pharaoh displayed extreme hostility, God commanded Moses, Aaron, and their people to establish mosques openly, despite the enemies, guaranteeing that God would protect them from the evil of their adversaries.

(88) And Moses said, "Our Lord, indeed You have given Pharaoh and his chiefs splendor and wealth in the worldly life, [saying], 'Our Lord, let them lead astray from Your way. Our Lord, destroy their wealth and harden their hearts, for they will not believe until they see the painful punishment.'"

(89) [The response] said, "Your invitation has been answered. So remain upright and do not follow the way of those who do not know."