Transliteration:( Wa awhainaaa ilaa Moosaa wa akheehi an tabaw wa aali qawmikuma bi Misra buyootanw waj'aloo buyootakum qiblatanw wa aqeemus Salaah; wa bashshiril mu'mineen )
"And We revealed to Musa and his brother, 'Settle your people in Egypt in homes and make your homes places of worship, and establish prayer. And give glad tidings to the believers [231].'"
This verse teaches the importance of setting aside spaces for worship within one's home, also known as house mosques. It is a practice of the Prophets to dedicate a clean and pure area where Salah can be performed, and where women can engage in I'tikaf (seclusion for worship). Some Salahs, such as Sunnah and Nafl prayers, are encouraged to be performed at home, while Fard prayers should be conducted at the mosque.
At that time, the Israelites were unable to perform their Salah openly due to fear. As a result, they were instructed to perform their prayers in private within their homes. It is noteworthy that Hazrat Musa’s (Alaihis Salaam) Qibla was the sacred Ka'bah.
Constructing a home for necessity, not pride: Building a house is a practice of the Prophets, done to meet one’s needs, not for boasting or pride.
Sunnah of setting aside a worship space: It is sunnah to designate a part of the home for worship.
Performing Salah under cover in times of fear: In times of fear or oppression, it is permissible to perform Salah in the privacy of the home, as was done by the Israelites.
Giving glad tidings in difficult times: Providing hope and encouragement during hardships is a prophetic tradition.
Obligations of prayer and charity: During Hazrat Musa’s time, Salah was obligatory, but Zakah was not required as the Israelites were impoverished. Zakah became mandatory once they gained wealth.
87. And We revealed to Musa and his brother (saying): “Provide dwellings for your people in Egypt, and make your dwellings as places for your worship, and perform the Salah, and give glad tidings to the believers.”
Allah tells us why He saved the Children of Israel from Fir`awn and his people. He tells us how he saved them. Allah commanded Musa and his brother Harun to take houses for their people in Egypt,
(and make your dwellings as places for your worship,) Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said, while interpreting this Ayah: “The Children of Israel said to Musa, `We cannot offer our prayers in public in front of Fir`awn’s people.’ So Allah permitted them to pray in their houses. They were commanded to build their houses in the direction of the Qiblah.” Mujahid commented,
(and make your dwellings as places for your worship,) When Banu Israel feared that Fir`awn might kill them in their gatherings at their temples, they were commanded to take their houses as places of worship. The houses should be facing the Qiblah and the prayer could be in secret.” This was stated by Qatadah and Ad-Dahhak as well.
(10:87) And We directed Moses and his brother: ‘Prepare a few houses for your people in Egypt, and make your houses a direction for men to pray, and establish Prayer,[84] and give glad tidings to the men of faith.[85]
84. There is a difference of opinion among the commentators in regard to the meaning of this verse. As for me, I have considered deeply its wording and the circumstances under which this was sent down, and have come to the conclusion that Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) was commanded to build or acquire some houses for the establishment of Salat in congregation This was necessitated because the system of Salat in congregation had been abandoned by the Israelites and the Egyptian Muslims as a result of their persecution by the government, and owing to the weakness of their faith. As this had brought about their disintegration and killed their religious spirit, it was essential to re-establish the system of Salat in congregation, which is indeed the first and foremost thing for the revival of that spirit and the integration of a scattered Muslim community and its powers.
As regards to appointing your houses as qiblah, I am of the opinion that it means: Set apart these houses as common places of worship for offering Salat in congregation and the central places for holding their meetings. That is why it is followed by establishing Salat, which means that they should offer their Salat collectively in congregation instead of individually.
85. The Arabic word bashshir means: Fill them with hope and courage by giving them the good news of success by the grace of Allah. And they needed that very badly at that time, for they were full of despair, fear and depression.
[537]- In order that they might pray therein unseen by their enemy.
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