فَلَمَّا سَمِعَتْ بِمَكْرِهِنَّ أَرْسَلَتْ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَأَعْتَدَتْ لَهُنَّ مُتَّكَـًٔا وَءَاتَتْ كُلَّ وَٰحِدَةٍ مِّنْهُنَّ سِكِّينًا وَقَالَتِ ٱخْرُجْ عَلَيْهِنَّ ۖ فَلَمَّا رَأَيْنَهُۥٓ أَكْبَرْنَهُۥ وَقَطَّعْنَ أَيْدِيَهُنَّ وَقُلْنَ حَـٰشَ لِلَّهِ مَا هَـٰذَا بَشَرًا إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا مَلَكٌ كَرِيمٌ 31
Translations
So when she heard of their scheming, she sent for them and prepared for them a banquet and gave each one of them a knife and said [to Joseph], "Come out before them." And when they saw him, they greatly admired him and cut their hands and said, "Perfect is Allāh! This is not a man; this is none but a noble angel."
Transliteration
Falamma samiʿat bimakrihinna arsalat ilayhinna wa-aʿtadat lahunna muttakaan wa-ātat kulla wāḥidatin minhunna sikkīnā wa-qālati ʾkhruǧ ʿalayhinna, falamma raʾaynahu akbarnahu wa-qaṭṭaʿna aydīhunna wa-qulna ḥāsha lillāhi mā hādhā basharā in hādhā illā malakun karīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the famous incident where the wives of the Egyptian nobles conspired against Yusuf due to his refusal to commit sin with the wife of al-ʿAzīz. Upon learning of their mockery, the wife of al-ʿAzīz invited them to a banquet, provided each with a knife, and asked Yusuf to appear before them, whereupon they were so overwhelmed by his beauty that they cut their own hands, declaring him to be not human but a noble angel. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this demonstrates both the extraordinary beauty of Yusuf and the supernatural effect of divine protection upon him, while also illustrating the serious consequences of moral corruption and the triumph of virtue.
Revelation Context
This occurs within the broader narrative of Yusuf's test in Egypt, specifically after his steadfast refusal of the advances of al-ʿAzīz's wife. The incident reveals how the women of the city became aware of the scandal and became complicit in attempting to shame and humiliate Yusuf, only to have their intentions backfire when confronted with his extraordinary character and appearance. This scene marks a turning point where public opinion begins to shift regarding Yusuf's innocence.
Related Hadiths
While no single hadith directly narrates this event (as it is from the Quranic account of Yusuf), Sahih Bukhari contains hadiths praising Yusuf's beauty and his steadfastness against temptation. The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) reportedly said Yusuf was given half of all beauty, emphasizing the significance of the beauty mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that steadfastness in righteousness and refusal to compromise moral principles, despite social pressure and temptation, ultimately leads to vindication and honor, while lustful desires and mockery of the virtuous lead to shame and disgrace. It reminds modern readers that true beauty and nobility lie in character and integrity, not merely in physical appearance, and that divine protection accompanies those who remain steadfast in their faith.