قَالَ إِنِّى لَيَحْزُنُنِىٓ أَن تَذْهَبُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَأَخَافُ أَن يَأْكُلَهُ ٱلذِّئْبُ وَأَنتُمْ عَنْهُ غَـٰفِلُونَ 13
Translations
[Jacob] said, "Indeed, it saddens me that you should take him, and I fear that a wolf would eat him while you are of him unaware."
Transliteration
Qala inni layahzununni an tadhhabu bihi wa akhāfu an ya'kulahu al-dhi'bu wa antum 'anhu ghāfilūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Ya'qub (Jacob) expresses his deep emotional pain at the prospect of sending his beloved son Yusuf away, fearing that a wolf might attack and devour him while they are negligent. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this statement, though made with sincere paternal concern, paradoxically opens the door for Yusuf's brothers to scheme against him, as it demonstrates the father's extreme attachment and vulnerability regarding this son. The ayah illustrates the natural human emotions of a parent, while also demonstrating how Divine wisdom works through human circumstances.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Surah Yusuf, which is entirely Meccan. It captures the pivotal moment when Yusuf's brothers approach their father requesting to take Yusuf with them for play and trade, and Ya'qub's reluctant response. This conversation directly precedes the brothers' plot to dispose of Yusuf, making this ayah essential to understanding the surah's dramatic tension and the unfolding of Divine decree (qadr).
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Surah Yusuf is referenced in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said it is 'the best of stories' (ahsan al-qasas). Additionally, hadiths emphasizing parental love and concern for children's safety reflect the emotional authenticity of Ya'qub's statement.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that genuine parental concern is natural and legitimate, yet reminds us that our deepest fears and protective measures ultimately rest in Allah's hands—our role is to do what we can while maintaining trust in Divine wisdom, even when our worst anxieties seem to materialize.
Related Ayahs
فَلَمَّا ٱسْتَيْـَٔسُوا۟ مِنْهُ خَلَصُوا۟ نَجِيًّا ۖ قَالَ كَبِيرُهُمْ أَلَمْ تَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ أَبَاكُمْ قَدْ أَخَذَ عَلَيْكُم مَّوْثِقًا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمِن قَبْلُ مَا فَرَّطتُمْ فِى يُوسُفَ ۖ فَلَنْ أَبْرَحَ ٱلْأَرْضَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْذَنَ لِىٓ أَبِىٓ أَوْ يَحْكُمَ ٱللَّهُ لِى ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلْحَـٰكِمِينَ
So when they had despaired of him, they secluded themselves in private consultation. The eldest of them said, "Do you not know that your father has taken upon you an oath by Allāh and [that] before you failed in [your duty to] Joseph? So I will never leave [this] land until my father permits me or Allāh decides for me, and He is the best of judges.
وَقَالَ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱئْتُونِى بِهِۦٓ أَسْتَخْلِصْهُ لِنَفْسِى ۖ فَلَمَّا كَلَّمَهُۥ قَالَ إِنَّكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ لَدَيْنَا مَكِينٌ أَمِينٌ
And the king said, "Bring him to me; I will appoint him exclusively for myself." And when he spoke to him, he said, "Indeed, you are today established [in position] and trusted."
قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا ۖ فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ ۖ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَأْتِيَنِى بِهِمْ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
[Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. Perhaps Allāh will bring them to me all together. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise."
قَالَ لَا يَأْتِيكُمَا طَعَامٌ تُرْزَقَانِهِۦٓ إِلَّا نَبَّأْتُكُمَا بِتَأْوِيلِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمَا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمَا مِمَّا عَلَّمَنِى رَبِّىٓ ۚ إِنِّى تَرَكْتُ مِلَّةَ قَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَهُم بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ كَـٰفِرُونَ
He said, "You will not receive food that is provided to you except that I will inform you of its interpretation before it comes to you. That is from what my Lord has taught me. Indeed, I have left the religion of a people who do not believe in Allāh, and they, in the Hereafter, are disbelievers.