49 Preface كَأَنَّهُنَّ بَيضٌ مَكنونٌYusuf AliAs if they were1 (delicate) eggs closely guarded.This is usually understood to refer to the delicate complexion of a beautiful woman, which is compared to the transparent shell of eggs in the nest, closely guarded by the mother-bird; the shell is warm and free from stain. In 55:58 the phrase used is “like rubies and coral”, referring to the red or pink of a beautiful complexion.