"They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them."

"They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them." [2:187]

In the Qur'an, Allah describes a husband and wife as being garments for one another. This ayah is one that is recited at many weddings and is one that is most often referred to when speaking about marriage and the relationship between spouses. I always found it a beautiful ayah. But moreso, because it was placed amidst the ayahs of Ramadhan. This in itself taught me, that the relationship between husband and wife and the closeness between them does not stop even in a month when you are abstaining from relations and other needs. Rather, it only increases. This shows that intimacy and love in marriage far surpasses the physical act. The fact that Allah goes out of the way to mention it is halal to engage in marital relations during ramadan after which He highlights that they are a garment for you, and you are for them, shows us that this closeness, love and mercy doesn't stop because of ramadan, rather it gets more beautiful.

So, why garments? What does this comparisons teach us?

•  When you truly reflect on this comparison, you begin to  appreciate its beauty. It creates in the mind a clear relationship that is needed for a healthy and happy marriage. 

•     Clothes are a basic necessity in our life, used for warmth and beauty. The Ulema thus said: “The sign of a healthy marriage is that one of the two finds warmth when he is the company of his partner.” If there is no mercy and affection, then there is something wrong with that marriage.

•  The closest object to our body with no barriers, is our clothes. The husband and wife should be so close to each other, just like clothes are close to the body. They should be open, honest and transparent. They should share their thoughts, concerns and achievements without any fear of being rejected, judged or embarrassed.

• Clothes are a form of protection. They conceal our imperfections. A husband and wife must protect each other from external threats and from the evil of their own selves.

•  Our clothes protect from toxins coming into our body. The same way, marriage has to be a union that is covered with safety and feelings of security. This also teaches us that third parties must not interfere in every little argument or small issue.

Al Tabari says:

"Each one is like clothing for the other, as they are alone with each other when they sleep, and each one is as important to the other as clothes are to the body. This is because each one is a 'sakan' for the other- a place of tranquility to return to from the storm that is life.”

"Clothes are the most important things for the human body, as it is the covering with which it is covered. At the same time it is a perfect fit, not long nor short. The same way, the man and woman are the most attached to each other. They merge, and so are one body and one ruh…