قَالُوٓا۟ أَضْغَـٰثُ أَحْلَـٰمٍ ۖ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِتَأْوِيلِ ٱلْأَحْلَـٰمِ بِعَـٰلِمِينَ 44
Translations
They said, "[It is but] a mixture of false dreams, and we are not learned in the interpretation of dreams."
Transliteration
Qalu adghathu ahlamin wa ma nahnu bi ta'wili al-ahlami bi alimin
Tafsir (Explanation)
The courtiers of Pharaoh dismiss the king's dreams as confused visions without real meaning, claiming they lack knowledge of dream interpretation. This response reflects their spiritual blindness and arrogance, as they reject the possibility of divine revelation through dreams, a common means of communication in the Quranic narrative. Ibn Kathir notes that their disbelief in the validity of dreams prevented them from recognizing the truth when Yusuf later provided the correct interpretation.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yusuf (Joseph) in Surah al-Kahf's companion surah. The context depicts Pharaoh's troubled dreams and his summoning of his advisors for interpretation. Their dismissal sets the stage for Yusuf's eventual prominence when he succeeds where they fail, demonstrating divine wisdom working through unexpected means.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The truest dreams are those of the pious believers' (Sahih Muslim 2263). Additionally, the Quran and Sunnah affirm that dreams can contain truth and divine messages, contrasting with the courtiers' skepticism in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that those in positions of power and authority can be spiritually blind when they reject guidance, and that true wisdom comes from Allah rather than human status or collective opinion. We should remain humble about the limits of our knowledge and open to signs from unexpected sources.