And of His signs is that He created for you, from yourselves, mates, that you may find tranquillity in them;
and He placed between you affection and mercy.
Indeed in that are signs for a people who reflect.
The verses around it speak of the heavens, the earth, sleep and rain. Marriage is placed among these signs.
“From yourselves”: for Ibn Kathîr, it means of your own kind. A spouse is a companion, not a stranger.
He created you from one soul, and created from it its mate.
The commentators say this is Hawwâ', created from Âdam (peace be upon him): the first couple.
“That you may find tranquillity”: litaskunû, from a root that means rest, calm after movement.
A home is meant to be the place where each one sets down his load, she with him as much as he with her.
Then Allah places two gifts between you: mawadda and rahma, affection and mercy.
Mawadda is love that shows: a kind word, a gesture, a gift, time given.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “We have not seen anything like marriage for two who love each other.”
But two different people under one roof will hurt each other, sometimes without meaning to.
That is where rahma comes in: when the other slips, you soften instead of hardening.
Ibn Kathîr notes that a man may stay with his wife out of love for her, or out of mercy for her.
The verse ends: “Indeed in that are signs for a people who reflect.” Signs, in the plural.
Year after year, a marriage keeps teaching the one who stops to look at it.
Our Lord, grant us from among our spouses and offspring comfort for our eyes, and make us an example for the righteous.
One verse is recited at almost every Muslim wedding.
Why does Allah call a married couple one of His signs?
Affection and mercy are gifts that Allah places. So you can ask Him for them.
Tonight, make the dua of 25:74 for your home, or for the home you hope for.