وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥٓ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 22
Translations
And when he [i.e., Joseph] reached maturity, We gave him judgement and knowledge. And thus We reward the doers of good.
Transliteration
Wa-lamma balagha ashuddahu ataynahhu hukman wa 'ilman, wa-kadhalika najzi al-muhsineen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah granted Prophet Yusuf wisdom (hikma) and knowledge ('ilm) when he reached maturity and full strength (ashudd). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that this refers to both spiritual maturity and prophetic wisdom that enabled Yusuf to navigate the trials ahead with discernment. The ayah concludes with a universal principle: Allah rewards those who do good (al-muhsinun) with similar blessings of guidance and understanding.
Revelation Context
This verse is part of the broader narrative of Yusuf's life in Surah Yusuf (a Meccan surah). It marks the transition from Yusuf's childhood to his adulthood, positioned between his years in Potiphar's household and the trial of temptation he would soon face. The context illustrates how Allah prepares His servants spiritually before testing them.
Related Hadiths
The concept of hikma (wisdom) is elaborated in Surah Luqman 31:12 and related to the Prophet's supplication in Surah 2:251. A thematically related hadith: 'The best of you are those with the best character' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3662), which aligns with the principle that goodness (ihsan) brings divine reward.
Themes
Key Lesson
As we mature, we should seek wisdom and knowledge not merely for worldly gain but as gifts from Allah that enable us to serve His purposes. Excellence in character and conduct (ihsan) invites divine blessings of understanding and guidance that sustain us through life's inevitable challenges.
Related Ayahs
قَالُوا۟ سَنُرَٰوِدُ عَنْهُ أَبَاهُ وَإِنَّا لَفَـٰعِلُونَ
They said, "We will attempt to dissuade his father from [keeping] him, and indeed, we will do [it]."
قَالَ قَآئِلٌ مِّنْهُمْ لَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ يُوسُفَ وَأَلْقُوهُ فِى غَيَـٰبَتِ ٱلْجُبِّ يَلْتَقِطْهُ بَعْضُ ٱلسَّيَّارَةِ إِن كُنتُمْ فَـٰعِلِينَ
Said a speaker among them, "Do not kill Joseph but throw him into the bottom of the well; some travelers will pick him up - if you would do [something]."
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ ۗ أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۗ وَلَدَارُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ ۗ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
And We sent not before you [as messengers] except men to whom We revealed from among the people of cities. So have they not traveled through the earth and observed how was the end of those before them? And the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allāh; then will you not reason?
وَكَأَيِّن مِّنْ ءَايَةٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ يَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضُونَ
And how many a sign within the heavens and earth do they pass over while they, therefrom, are turning away.