قَالُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَبَانَا مَا لَكَ لَا تَأْمَ۫نَّا عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَنَـٰصِحُونَ 11
Translations
They said, "O our father, why do you not entrust us with Joseph while indeed, we are to him sincere counselors?
Transliteration
Qalū yā abānā mā laka lā ta'mannā ʿalā Yūsufa wa-innā lahu lanāṣihūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The sons of Yaʿqūb petition their father, asking why he does not trust them with Yūsuf, asserting their sincere intention to care for him. This verse reveals the brothers' apparent concern for their father's trust while masking their true envious intent—a subtle portrayal of hypocrisy that Ibn Kathīr highlights as central to understanding their later betrayal. Al-Ṭabarī notes that their claim of being well-wishers (nāṣihūn) contrasts sharply with their actual malice, demonstrating how the Qur'ān exposes the discrepancy between outward words and hidden intentions.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs early in Sūrah Yūsuf, establishing the narrative tension that drives the surah's plot. The brothers' request to take Yūsuf out with them marks the beginning of the crisis that will separate him from his father. The surah was revealed in Mecca during a period when the Prophet Muhammad (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) faced opposition, and the themes of patience, trust in Allah, and divine providence are woven throughout.
Related Hadiths
While no ḥadīth directly addresses this ayah, the principle of sincere advice (nṣīḥah) is emphasized in the ḥadīth: 'The religion is sincere advice' (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim). Additionally, ḥadīths on trusting one's children and recognizing hidden intentions relate thematically to Yaʿqūb's paternal concern.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that words alone cannot be trusted without examining the hearts behind them; we should develop spiritual discernment to recognize sincere counsel from deceptive claims. It also reminds us that even those closest to us may harbor hidden malice, and that our ultimate trust should rest with Allah, who alone knows the unseen realities of human hearts.
Related Ayahs
وَجَآءَتْ سَيَّارَةٌ فَأَرْسَلُوا۟ وَارِدَهُمْ فَأَدْلَىٰ دَلْوَهُۥ ۖ قَالَ يَـٰبُشْرَىٰ هَـٰذَا غُلَـٰمٌ ۚ وَأَسَرُّوهُ بِضَـٰعَةً ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ
And there came a company of travelers; then they sent their water drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said, "Good news! Here is a boy." And they concealed him, [taking him] as merchandise; and Allāh was Knowing of what they did.
فَلَمَّآ أَن جَآءَ ٱلْبَشِيرُ أَلْقَىٰهُ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِۦ فَٱرْتَدَّ بَصِيرًا ۖ قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ إِنِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
And when the bearer of good tidings arrived, he cast it over his face, and he returned [once again] seeing. He said, "Did I not tell you that I know from Allāh that which you do not know?"
يُوسُفُ أَيُّهَا ٱلصِّدِّيقُ أَفْتِنَا فِى سَبْعِ بَقَرَٰتٍ سِمَانٍ يَأْكُلُهُنَّ سَبْعٌ عِجَافٌ وَسَبْعِ سُنۢبُلَـٰتٍ خُضْرٍ وَأُخَرَ يَابِسَـٰتٍ لَّعَلِّىٓ أَرْجِعُ إِلَى ٱلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
[He said], "Joseph, O man of truth, explain to us about seven fat cows eaten by seven [that were] lean, and seven green spikes [of grain] and others [that were] dry - that I may return to the people [i.e., the king and his court]; perhaps they will know [about you]."
أَرْسِلْهُ مَعَنَا غَدًا يَرْتَعْ وَيَلْعَبْ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ
Send him with us tomorrow that he may eat well and play. And indeed, we will be his guardians."