Surah Al A'raf Tafseer

Bestowing Raiment and Adornment on Mankind

Allah says;

يَا بَنِي ادَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْءَاتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَىَ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ ذَلِكَ مِنْ ايَاتِ اللّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ

O Children of Adam! We have bestowed Libas (raiment) upon you to cover yourselves with, and as Rish (adornment); and the Libas (raiment) of Taqwa, that is better. Such are among the Ayat of Allah, that they may remember.

Allah reminds His servants that He has given them Libas and Rish.

Libas refers to the clothes that are used to cover the private parts, while Rish refers to the outer adornments used for purposes of beautification. Therefore, the first type is essential while the second type is complimentary.

Ibn Jarir said that;

Rish includes furniture and outer clothes.

Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam commented on the Ayah,

وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَىَ

(and the Libas (raiment) of Taqwa...),

"When one fears Allah, Allah covers his errors. Hence the `Libas of Taqwa' (that the Ayah mentions).