ذَٰلِكَ لِيَعْلَمَ أَنِّى لَمْ أَخُنْهُ بِٱلْغَيْبِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى كَيْدَ ٱلْخَآئِنِينَ 52
Translations
That is so he [i.e., al-ʿAzeez] will know that I did not betray him in [his] absence and that Allāh does not guide the plan of betrayers.
Transliteration
Dhālika liya'lama annī lam akhunhu bil-ghaybi wa-anna Allāha lā yahdī kayda al-khāinīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is Yusuf's statement to the king, declaring that his request to be placed in charge of the treasury was made so that Allah would know he had not betrayed his former master (al-'Azīz) in secret, and to demonstrate that Allah does not grant success to the schemes of those who betray trusts. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, Yusuf emphasizes his integrity and reliance on divine guidance, showing that his moral rectitude was not hidden from Allah even when no one else was watching, and that Allah's justice ensures betrayers do not prosper.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yusuf's vindication and rise to power in Egypt. After being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife (al-'Azīz's wife) and imprisoned, Yusuf interprets the king's dream and is rewarded with authority. This statement reflects Yusuf's consciousness of his past trials and his unwavering commitment to honesty and trustworthiness throughout his ordeal, demonstrating the thematic focus of Surah Yusuf on patience, integrity, and divine providence.
Related Hadiths
The hadith of Abu Hurairah in Sahih Bukhari: "The truthful and trustworthy merchant will be with the prophets on the Day of Judgment" relates to Yusuf's emphasis on trustworthiness. Additionally, the hadith "Whoever betrays a trust has lost his faith" (Tirmidhi) directly parallels the ayah's condemnation of betrayal.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that sincere intention and ethical conduct, even when unwitnessed by others, are known to Allah and will ultimately lead to success and honor. For modern readers, it emphasizes that integrity should stem from God-consciousness rather than fear of human judgment, and that trustworthiness is a pathway to both spiritual reward and worldly advancement.
Related Ayahs
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."
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَبَانَا ٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا خَـٰطِـِٔينَ
They said, "O our father, ask for us forgiveness of our sins; indeed, we have been sinners."
وَلَقَدْ هَمَّتْ بِهِۦ ۖ وَهَمَّ بِهَا لَوْلَآ أَن رَّءَا بُرْهَـٰنَ رَبِّهِۦ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ لِنَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ ٱلسُّوٓءَ وَٱلْفَحْشَآءَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ
And she certainly determined [to seduce] him, and he would have inclined to her had he not seen the proof [i.e., sign] of his Lord. And thus [it was] that We should avert from him evil and immorality. Indeed, he was of Our chosen servants.
قُلْ هَـٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِىٓ أَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا۠ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِى ۖ وَسُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allāh with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allāh; and I am not of those who associate others with Him."