"The likeness of those who choose other patrons than Allah is as the likeness of the spider when she taketh unto herself a house, and lo! the frailest of all houses is the spider's house, if they but knew." (Quran 18:41)
1. From the physical point of view
A spider's web is the weakest of all houses. It is composed of a group of intricate fine silk threads, mostly with large gaps in-between. However, the spider's silk is one of the strongest substances available on earth, as it can withstand a tension force up to 42000 kg/cm2 which gives it strong stretching abilities. This feature enables it to trap prey insects without being ruptured. Hence, this explains why Allah (SWT) said in his noble book "… the frailest (weakest) of houses" instead of "the flimsiest threads". The spider's home remains to be the weakest and frailest of all homes despite its strong threads.1
2. From the spiritual point of view
A spider's house is the most fragile of all houses. It is deprived of notions of love and mercy; the basis for any happy family.
Male & female: In some species, the female spider kills the male immediately after the fertilization process. The female devours the male’s body, since the former is larger and fiercer than the latter.
In the Muslim's house: the husband has a great respect and appreciation when he is young and strong and working to make the living of this family and when he is weak and old, he still has all respect. It is only logical that the one who is naturally the physically and emotionally stronger of the two parents is made head of the household: the male. “…And they (women) have rights (over their husbands) similar (to the rights of their husbands) over them - according to what is equitable. But men have a degree (of responsibility, etc.) over them…” (Quran 2:228)
In the spider's house: the male is only hosted for a while to make use of him by mating with the female, then he may be killed and eaten by this female or he may run away leaving this deceiving house. This case is like a lot of marriages in which the woman accept to marry someone to take advantage of his wealth or power then she leaves him after taking control.
In the Muslim's house: the mother has its high position that it can not be reached by anyone as she fills the house with compassion and mercy rising up children to be good persons, So when A man once consulted the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) about taking part in a military campaign. The Prophet asked the man if his mother was still living. When told that she was alive, the Prophet said: "(Then) stay with her, for Paradise is at her feet." (Al-Tirmidhi).
In the spider's house: in some cases, the female mercilessly eats its offspring. In other cases, the female dies after the complete fertilization of the eggs that it usually carries in a silk sac.
In the Muslim's house: Children are the fruits and flowers of the house, they are surrounded by mercy from parents and love between each others. They are taught to respect and appreciate their parents. "Thy Lord hath decreed, that ye worship none save Him, and (that ye show) kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age with thee, say not "Fie" unto them nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word. (23) And lower unto them the wing of submission through mercy, and say: My Lord! Have mercy on them both as they did care for me when I was little." (Quran 17:23-24)
In the spider's house: the children remain calm and obedient until they grow up and form their jaws and poisons then they start to fight the adults and kill them, you will see them eating their mother that previously ate the male. This also is like a lot of houses filled with hatred and injustice.
In the Muslim's house: the guest is welcomed and stay in atmosphere of peace and happiness in contrast to the spider's house in which anything gets in the web will live in terror until it is eaten by the spider.
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This verse really presents a comprehensive social picture of our lives and it now our turn to choose a life filled with love and mercy or to live in the spider's house.
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The Muslim's house is a strong house which is built on love, mercy and care, in contrast with the spider's house which is built on the material benefits
