وَإِن كَانَ قَمِيصُهُۥ قُدَّ مِن دُبُرٍ فَكَذَبَتْ وَهُوَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ 27
Translations
But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied, and he is of the truthful."
Transliteration
Wa in kāna qamīṣuhū qudda min duburin fa kadhabat wa huwa mina aṣ-ṣādiqīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the evidence that proved Yusuf's innocence in the accusation made by Potiphar's wife. When Yusuf's shirt was torn from the back, it indicated that he had fled from her advances rather than attacking her, as she had claimed. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this physical evidence exposed her lie and vindicated Yusuf as truthful, demonstrating how Allah protects the innocent and reveals truth through signs.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yusuf's trial in Egypt, specifically addressing the false accusation by the wife of al-'Aziz (Potiphar). The surah presents this incident as a test of Yusuf's character and faith, illustrating how truth ultimately prevails over falsehood despite worldly power and influence attempting to suppress it.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly cites this ayah, Surah Yusuf itself is praised in a hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (ﷺ) called it 'the best of stories' (ahsan al-qasas). The themes of patience in trial and Allah's protection are reflected in various hadiths about sabr (patience) and tawakkul (reliance on Allah).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that truth has inherent signs and markers that cannot be permanently concealed, and that maintaining integrity and innocence during trials is ultimately vindicated by Allah. For modern readers, it reinforces trust in divine justice and the importance of evidence-based truth in resolving disputes.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ ٱجْعَلْنِى عَلَىٰ خَزَآئِنِ ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنِّى حَفِيظٌ عَلِيمٌ
[Joseph] said, "Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian."
يُوسُفُ أَعْرِضْ عَنْ هَـٰذَا ۚ وَٱسْتَغْفِرِى لِذَنۢبِكِ ۖ إِنَّكِ كُنتِ مِنَ ٱلْخَاطِـِٔينَ
Joseph, ignore this. And, [my wife], ask forgiveness for your sin. Indeed, you were of the sinful."
قُلْ هَـٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِىٓ أَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا۠ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِى ۖ وَسُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allāh with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allāh; and I am not of those who associate others with Him."
فَلَمَّا ذَهَبُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَأَجْمَعُوٓا۟ أَن يَجْعَلُوهُ فِى غَيَـٰبَتِ ٱلْجُبِّ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْهِ لَتُنَبِّئَنَّهُم بِأَمْرِهِمْ هَـٰذَا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
So when they took him [out] and agreed to put him into the bottom of the well... But We inspired to him, "You will surely inform them [someday] about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity]."