وَجَآءُو عَلَىٰ قَمِيصِهِۦ بِدَمٍ كَذِبٍ ۚ قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا ۖ فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ 18
Translations
And they brought upon his shirt false blood. [Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allāh is the one sought for help against that which you describe."
Transliteration
Wa jaa'oo 'alaa qamiiṣihi bi-damim kadhib. Qala bal sawwalat lakum anfusukum amraa, fa-sabrun jameel. Wa-Allahu al-mustaa'anu 'alaa maa taṣifoon.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Jacob's sons brought a false bloodstained shirt to their father, claiming a wolf had devoured Joseph, but Jacob immediately recognized their deception through divine insight and rejected their fabricated account. Rather than succumb to despair or anger, Jacob exemplified beautiful patience (sabr jameel), entrusting his affair to Allah alone. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that Jacob's response demonstrates unwavering trust in Allah despite the apparent tragedy, and his statement 'Allah is the Helper against what you describe' reflects his conviction that Allah knows the truth behind their false claims.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Surah Yusuf (Meccan period), specifically in the scene where Joseph's jealous brothers present false evidence of his death to their father Jacob. The broader context spans 12:11-18, depicting the brothers' deception after they cast Joseph into a well. This narrative sequence illustrates themes central to the Meccan period's emphasis on divine knowledge, patience, and ultimate justice.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly cites this verse, Sahih Bukhari contains narrations about Prophet Muhammad's patience in adversity, demonstrating the Prophetic example of 'sabr jameel' (beautiful patience). Additionally, hadiths emphasizing that 'patience is beautiful when faced with calamity' (as-sabru jameel) relate thematically to Jacob's response.
Themes
Key Lesson
When facing trials and deception, believers should respond with patient endurance and steadfast reliance on Allah rather than despair or accusation, trusting that Allah's knowledge encompasses all hidden truths. This ayah teaches that genuine strength lies not in reactive anger but in composed submission to Allah's will and wisdom.