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
ٱرْجِعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰٓ أَبِيكُمْ فَقُولُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَبَانَآ إِنَّ ٱبْنَكَ سَرَقَ وَمَا شَهِدْنَآ إِلَّا بِمَا عَلِمْنَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِلْغَيْبِ حَـٰفِظِينَ
Return to your father and say, 'O our father, indeed your son has stolen, and we did not testify except to what we knew. And we were not witnesses of the unseen.
قَالُوا۟ تَٱللَّهِ إِنَّكَ لَفِى ضَلَـٰلِكَ ٱلْقَدِيمِ
They said, "By Allāh, indeed you are in your [same] old error."
وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُم بِٱللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُم مُّشْرِكُونَ
And most of them believe not in Allāh except while they associate others with Him.
قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا ۖ فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ ۖ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَأْتِيَنِى بِهِمْ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
[Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. Perhaps Allāh will bring them to me all together. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise."