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
وَقَالَ ٱلْمَلِكُ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ سَبْعَ بَقَرَٰتٍ سِمَانٍ يَأْكُلُهُنَّ سَبْعٌ عِجَافٌ وَسَبْعَ سُنۢبُلَـٰتٍ خُضْرٍ وَأُخَرَ يَابِسَـٰتٍ ۖ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمَلَأُ أَفْتُونِى فِى رُءْيَـٰىَ إِن كُنتُمْ لِلرُّءْيَا تَعْبُرُونَ
And [subsequently] the king said, "Indeed, I have seen [in a dream] seven fat cows being eaten by seven [that were] lean, and seven green spikes [of grain] and others [that were] dry. O eminent ones, explain to me my vision, if you should interpret visions."
قَالَ هِىَ رَٰوَدَتْنِى عَن نَّفْسِى ۚ وَشَهِدَ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِهَآ إِن كَانَ قَمِيصُهُۥ قُدَّ مِن قُبُلٍ فَصَدَقَتْ وَهُوَ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ
[Joseph] said, "It was she who sought to seduce me." And a witness from her family testified, "If his shirt is torn from the front, then she has told the truth, and he is of the liars.
وَمَآ أَكْثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ
And most of the people, although you strive [for it], are not believers.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا ٱسْتَيْـَٔسَ ٱلرُّسُلُ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ كُذِبُوا۟ جَآءَهُمْ نَصْرُنَا فَنُجِّىَ مَن نَّشَآءُ ۖ وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُنَا عَنِ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
[They continued] until, when the messengers despaired and were certain that they had been denied, there came to them Our victory, and whoever We willed was saved. And Our punishment cannot be repelled from the people who are criminals.