ثُمَّ بَدَا لَهُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَا رَأَوُا۟ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لَيَسْجُنُنَّهُۥ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍ 35
Translations
Then it appeared to them after they had seen the signs that he [i.e., al-ʿAzeez] should surely imprison him for a time.
Transliteration
Thumma bada lahum min ba'di ma ra'u al-ayat layasjununahu hatta heen
Tafsir (Explanation)
After witnessing the miraculous signs of Yusuf's innocence, the Egyptian officials decided to imprison him for a time. Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that despite the clear evidence of his innocence (the torn shirt, the wife's confession), they chose imprisonment as a political compromise—to protect the honor of the minister's house while satisfying the wife's vindictive desires. This demonstrates how worldly considerations and fear of scandal can override justice, even when truth is evident.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yusuf after Zulaykha's false accusation and the discovery of his innocence through the testimony of the child. The context reflects the broader Quranic theme of trials and divine wisdom: despite being proven innocent, Yusuf faces further injustice through imprisonment, which serves as a continuation of his test and preparation for future leadership.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this ayah, the hadith 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi) relates thematically to the protection of family honor that motivated the unjust imprisonment. Additionally, hadiths about sabr (patience) in trials reflect Yusuf's exemplary response.
Themes
Key Lesson
True believers must remain steadfast when facing injustice despite their innocence, trusting that Allah's wisdom operates beyond immediate circumstances. The ayah teaches that even when vindicated before people, trials may continue—requiring unwavering faith that Allah's plan encompasses greater purposes than temporary deliverance.
Related Ayahs
وَقَالَ لِفِتْيَـٰنِهِ ٱجْعَلُوا۟ بِضَـٰعَتَهُمْ فِى رِحَالِهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَعْرِفُونَهَآ إِذَا ٱنقَلَبُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
And [Joseph] said to his servants, "Put their merchandise into their saddlebags so they might recognize it when they have gone back to their people that perhaps they will [again] return."
فَلَمَّا رَجَعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰٓ أَبِيهِمْ قَالُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَبَانَا مُنِعَ مِنَّا ٱلْكَيْلُ فَأَرْسِلْ مَعَنَآ أَخَانَا نَكْتَلْ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ
So when they returned to their father, they said, "O our father, [further] measure has been denied to us, so send with us our brother [that] we will be given measure. And indeed, we will be his guardians."
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِى نَجَا مِنْهُمَا وَٱدَّكَرَ بَعْدَ أُمَّةٍ أَنَا۠ أُنَبِّئُكُم بِتَأْوِيلِهِۦ فَأَرْسِلُونِ
But the one who was freed and remembered after a time said, "I will inform you of its interpretation, so send me forth."
فَبَدَأَ بِأَوْعِيَتِهِمْ قَبْلَ وِعَآءِ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَخْرَجَهَا مِن وِعَآءِ أَخِيهِ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كِدْنَا لِيُوسُفَ ۖ مَا كَانَ لِيَأْخُذَ أَخَاهُ فِى دِينِ ٱلْمَلِكِ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ نَرْفَعُ دَرَجَـٰتٍ مَّن نَّشَآءُ ۗ وَفَوْقَ كُلِّ ذِى عِلْمٍ عَلِيمٌ
So he began [the search] with their bags before the bag of his brother; then he extracted it from the bag of his brother. Thus did We plan for Joseph. He could not have taken his brother within the religion [i.e., law] of the king except that Allāh willed. We raise in degrees whom We will, but over every possessor of knowledge is one [more] knowing.