يُوسُفُ أَيُّهَا ٱلصِّدِّيقُ أَفْتِنَا فِى سَبْعِ بَقَرَٰتٍ سِمَانٍ يَأْكُلُهُنَّ سَبْعٌ عِجَافٌ وَسَبْعِ سُنۢبُلَـٰتٍ خُضْرٍ وَأُخَرَ يَابِسَـٰتٍ لَّعَلِّىٓ أَرْجِعُ إِلَى ٱلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ 46
Translations
[He said], "Joseph, O man of truth, explain to us about seven fat cows eaten by seven [that were] lean, and seven green spikes [of grain] and others [that were] dry - that I may return to the people [i.e., the king and his court]; perhaps they will know [about you]."
Transliteration
Yusuf ayyuha al-siddiq aftina fi saba' baqarat siман ya'kuluhunna saba' 'ijaf wa saba' sunbulat khudur wa ukhra yabisат la'allي arji'u ila al-nas la'allahum ya'lamun
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Egyptian king's counselor appeals to Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), acknowledging his truthfulness and integrity, to interpret a mysterious dream involving seven fat cows being consumed by seven lean ones, and seven green ears of grain alongside seven withered ones. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this dream was a divine warning of seven years of abundance followed by seven years of drought and famine, which Yusuf would later interpret with precision, demonstrating his wisdom and prophetic knowledge. The address 'O al-Siddiq' (the truthful one) reflects the established reputation Yusuf had gained even in his imprisonment, validating his character and divine favor.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the historical narrative of Yusuf's life in Meccan Surah Yusuf (revealed during the Meccan period). The context depicts Yusuf's moment of deliverance after years of wrongful imprisonment; the king's dream becomes the catalyst for Yusuf's release and elevation to a position of authority. This narrative illustrates divine providence and the eventual vindication of the truthful and patient.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim contain hadiths affirming the interpretive science of dreams ('ilm al-ru'ya) and the trustworthiness of righteous servants, supporting the thematic validation of Yusuf's character and prophetic insight.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that integrity and truthfulness establish a reputation that precedes one even in difficult circumstances, and that patience through trials ultimately leads to vindication and positions of trust. For modern believers, it emphasizes that maintaining honest character is an investment that attracts respect and opens unexpected doors of opportunity.
Related Ayahs
۞ 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."
ثُمَّ بَدَا لَهُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَا رَأَوُا۟ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لَيَسْجُنُنَّهُۥ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍ
Then it appeared to them after they had seen the signs that he [i.e., al-ʿAzeez] should surely imprison him for a time.
۞ رَبِّ قَدْ ءَاتَيْتَنِى مِنَ ٱلْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِى مِن تَأْوِيلِ ٱلْأَحَادِيثِ ۚ فَاطِرَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِىِّۦ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ تَوَفَّنِى مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِى بِٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
My Lord, You have given me [something] of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous."
قَالُوا۟ تَٱللَّهِ تَفْتَؤُا۟ تَذْكُرُ يُوسُفَ حَتَّىٰ تَكُونَ حَرَضًا أَوْ تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْهَـٰلِكِينَ
They said, "By Allāh, you will not cease remembering Joseph until you become fatally ill or become of those who perish."