Surah Yusuf 12:58-68 - Quran Translation Commentary

59. And when he provided them with their provision, he said: “Bring to me your (step) brother from your father do you not see that I fill up the measure to the full and I am the best of hosts ?¹⁰²

60. “So if you will not bring him to me, there shall be no measure to you from me, nor should you come to me.”

61. They said: “We will try to persuade his father (to send him with us), surely we sahll do it”.

62. And he said to his servants: Put the merchandise (which they had bought) in their saddle-bags, so that they might find it when they return to their people, so that they might come again¹⁰³.

63. So when they returned back to their father said: “O our father! The measure (corn) has been denied us, so send with us our brother that we may obtain the measure, surely we will guard him well”.

64. He said: “Am I to trust you with him as I trusted you before with his brother (Yusuf)?¹⁰⁴ Allah is the best guardian and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.”

65. And when they opened their belongings they found that their merchandise (price) had been returned to them. They said: “O our father! What (more) can we desire? Here is our merchandise returned to us. We shall get provision for our people and guard our brother and we shall have the extra measure of a camel load¹⁰⁵. That (provision)much is easy to get.”

66. He said: “I will not send him with you till you give me an assurance in Allah’s name that you will bring him back to me, unless you are surrended(by enemies )¹⁰⁶". And when they gave him their assurance, he said: “Allah is the Warden over what we say.”

67. And he said: “O my sons! Do not enter by one gate, but enter by different gates¹⁰⁷. I cannot be of slightest help to you against Allah. Verily, the decision rests with Allah only. In Him do I put my trust, and in Him let all the trusting put their trust¹⁰⁸”.

68. And when they entered according to their father’s command, it availed them not a thing against Allah ‘s (plan), but it was just a need in Yaqub’s heart which he satisfied: and verily, he was knowledgeable for We had taught him¹⁰⁹, but most of the mankind do not know ¹¹⁰.

Commentary

100. When Egypt was reeling under the trying times of famine, other nearby countries like Palestine, etc. were also suffering from scarcity of food grains. On account of Yusuf’s foresight and efficient administration there was plenty of grain in Egypt. Therefore, his step brothers came to Egypt from Canaan to buy food grains and since they had come from a foreign country, probably they were required to appear before the ruler (Yusuf). The Bible states:

“And the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread— When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, —— go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live, and not die. So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt——— Now Joseph was governor over the land; he it was who sold to all the people of the land. —— Thus Joseph knew his brothers, but they did not know him.” (Gen. 41:54 & 42: 1 to 8)

101. They could not recognise Yusuf, because they could not imagine that the helpless brother whom they had thrown in the well could have become the ruler of Egypt, and since quite a long period of time had elapsed after their separation from Yusuf, the changes in his appearance would have further made it difficult for them to recognise him,

No doubt Yusuf was handsome, but if the nature of his handsomeness and beauty were something of a miracle, then his step brothers would have recognised him immediately on seeing him. But their inability to recognise shows that the stories of his very extraordinary beauty are based on exaggeration.

As there was a rationing system of sorts prevalent in Egypt, Yusuf inquired of them how many individuals were there in their house and when they mentioned that they had a step brother, he might have asked them to bring him next time with them to check their statement, This was quite in order, but actually Yusuf wanted to meet his full Brother. Since it was not advisable to disclose his identity at that time, he merely stated what was required.

102. He also referred to his hospitality, etc. so that they might be attracted to come again.

103, The price which they had paid for the food grains was ordered to be kept in their saddlebags by Yusuf’s orders, so that they come again to him and financial difficulties might not prevent them from their return to him.

104. Before this, Prophet Yaqub had a very bitter experience of the disappearance of Yusuf. He therefore asked them whether he should trust them in the same way in which he trusted them earlier and had to lose his beloved son, and send Bin Yamin with them.

Although Bin Yamin had grown up, but being their step brother, they did not like him. In the conditions prevailing at that time, it was quite dangerous to send him outside the country, for nobody knew what this group of ten might do with him.

105. According to the rationing system introduced by Yusuf in Egypt food grains equal to one camel-load was issued to a foreigner. Because of this they said in the event of Bin Yamin accompanying them they would be able to get an extra camel load of grains.

106. That is: In the event of their being unable to guard him on account of some unforeseen circumstances.

107. It appears that there might have been a fortification wall around the city, in which there were a number of gates. Prophet Yaqub advised them to enter the city from different gates so that people seeing them enter in a group might not suspect them of some ill will towards the citizens. The suspicion could have been with regard to their being robbers or spies, depending on the conditions of the times.

108. Although Prophet Yaqub advised them about the precautionary measures to be taken, at the same time he told them that nothing would hold good against what Allah had planned for them. Allah’s decision is enforced without fail and all measures of precaution come to no avail. Therefore, man should try to employ the best of measures, but should not think that is the only operative agent; he should also believe and rely on Allah’s will-that whatever He wishes only that will be done.

109. Yaqub (Peace be upon him) was a prophet, therefore, Allah had granted him knowledge directly. On this occasion Allah has praised Prophet Yaqub that although his precautionary measures did not succeed against Allah’s plan, the measures suggested by him were proper and on account of the knowledge that he had he knew the difference between the measures taken and the destiny.

110. That is: Many people do not know that the deciding factor in the measures taken by men is the will of God. Men consider the steps taken by them in a matter the decisive element, and therefore, their whole reliance is on their own action and measures, and when they fail in their schemes, they are disappointed. This is because of their being ignorant of the actual reality.