قَالُوا۟ لَئِنْ أَكَلَهُ ٱلذِّئْبُ وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّآ إِذًا لَّخَـٰسِرُونَ 14
Translations
They said, "If a wolf should eat him while we are a [strong] clan, indeed, we would then be losers."
Transliteration
Qalu la-in akalahu al-dhi'bu wa nahnu 'usba-tan inna idhan la-khasiroon
Tafsir (Explanation)
The brothers of Yusuf respond to their father's concern about sending Yusuf with them, asserting that if a wolf were to devour him while they are a strong group, they would indeed be great losers—implying their shame and failure would be immense. This statement, according to classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir, reflects both their attempt to reassure Yaqub and their overconfidence in their ability to protect Yusuf, while simultaneously foreshadowing their treachery and the divine plan unfolding. The phrase 'usba-tan (a strong group) emphasizes their numerical strength, yet ironically this strength proves futile against Allah's will.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the broader narrative of Surah Yusuf (a Meccan surah), which recounts the story of Prophet Yusuf and his trials. The context is when Yusuf's brothers request permission from their father Yaqub to take young Yusuf with them, and Yaqub, having lost his sight through grief, expresses fear that a wolf might attack Yusuf. The brothers' response here sets up the dramatic irony of their upcoming betrayal.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly addresses this specific verse, the broader themes of trust in Allah and divine decree are reflected in authentic traditions. See Sahih Bukhari's narrations on qadar (divine decree) and Surah Yusuf's significance as mentioned in various hadith collections regarding the best of stories (ahsan al-qisas).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that human strength and numbers are ultimately powerless against Allah's divine will and decree, and that overconfidence in our abilities can blind us to moral responsibilities and consequences. It reminds believers to place trust in Allah rather than in material means alone.