قَالَتْ فَذَٰلِكُنَّ ٱلَّذِى لُمْتُنَّنِى فِيهِ ۖ وَلَقَدْ رَٰوَدتُّهُۥ عَن نَّفْسِهِۦ فَٱسْتَعْصَمَ ۖ وَلَئِن لَّمْ يَفْعَلْ مَآ ءَامُرُهُۥ لَيُسْجَنَنَّ وَلَيَكُونًا مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰغِرِينَ 32
Translations
She said, "That is the one about whom you blamed me. And I certainly sought to seduce him, but he firmly refused; and if he will not do what I order him, he will surely be imprisoned and will be of those debased."
Transliteration
Qalat fa-dhalікunna alladhee lamtunni feehi wa-laqad rawadttuhu 'an nafsih fa-sta'sama wa-la-in lam yaf'al ma amuruhu layusjanan wa-layakunan min as-sagjireen
Tafsir (Explanation)
The wife of al-'Aziz addresses the other women, confessing that Joseph is the one they had blamed her for desiring, and revealing that she had attempted to seduce him but he refused to comply. She then threatens him with imprisonment and humiliation if he does not obey her commands. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah demonstrates Joseph's steadfast virtue and the woman's desperation, as well as her willingness to resort to threats when temptation failed—a turning point where her desire transforms into malice.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Joseph in Egypt, specifically after the incident where the women of the city gossiped about the wife of al-'Aziz's infatuation with Joseph. The context involves Joseph's refusal of her advances and his seeking refuge in Allah. This scene captures a critical moment where the woman's initial seduction attempt gives way to her accusation and threat against Joseph.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim contain hadiths emphasizing the virtue of guarding one's chastity and resisting forbidden desires. The story of Joseph is considered the exemplar of patient virtue (sabr) and chastity in Islamic tradition, referenced in numerous prophetic teachings about moral steadfastness.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true strength lies in maintaining moral integrity despite intense pressure, temptation, and threats. It reminds believers that standing firm on principles may invite worldly consequences, but Allah protects those who seek His refuge and remain steadfast in virtue.
Related Ayahs
فَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ ءَاوَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِ أَبَوَيْهِ وَقَالَ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ مِصْرَ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ءَامِنِينَ
And when they entered upon Joseph, he took his parents to himself [i.e., embraced them] and said, "Enter Egypt, Allāh willing, safe [and secure]."
۞ وَمَآ أُبَرِّئُ نَفْسِىٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلنَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌۢ بِٱلسُّوٓءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّىٓ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And I do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful."
أَفَأَمِنُوٓا۟ أَن تَأْتِيَهُمْ غَـٰشِيَةٌ مِّنْ عَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْ تَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
Then do they feel secure that there will not come to them an overwhelming [aspect] of the punishment of Allāh or that the Hour will not come upon them suddenly while they do not perceive?
قَالَ لَا يَأْتِيكُمَا طَعَامٌ تُرْزَقَانِهِۦٓ إِلَّا نَبَّأْتُكُمَا بِتَأْوِيلِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمَا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمَا مِمَّا عَلَّمَنِى رَبِّىٓ ۚ إِنِّى تَرَكْتُ مِلَّةَ قَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَهُم بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ كَـٰفِرُونَ
He said, "You will not receive food that is provided to you except that I will inform you of its interpretation before it comes to you. That is from what my Lord has taught me. Indeed, I have left the religion of a people who do not believe in Allāh, and they, in the Hereafter, are disbelievers.