قَالَ ٱجْعَلْنِى عَلَىٰ خَزَآئِنِ ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنِّى حَفِيظٌ عَلِيمٌ 55
Translations
[Joseph] said, "Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian."
Transliteration
Qāla ijʿalnī ʿalā khazāʾini al-arḍ, innī ḥafīẓ ʿalīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) requests from the king (Pharaoh) to be appointed as guardian over the treasuries of Egypt, asserting his trustworthiness (ḥafīẓ) and knowledge (ʿalīm). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this request was made after Yusuf had interpreted the king's dream about seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, and demonstrates his strategic wisdom in positioning himself to manage the crisis. Al-Tabari emphasizes that Yusuf's dual qualification—loyalty and intelligence—made him the ideal candidate for such a critical administrative role, and his request reflects both humility (acknowledging his dependence on Allah) and confidence in his abilities granted by God.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yusuf's vindication and elevation in Egypt. After being sold into slavery and wrongfully imprisoned, Yusuf interprets the king's dream, which leads to his recognition and the king's willingness to employ him. The ayah reflects the historical context of Ancient Egypt and Yusuf's ascent from prison to a position of authority, demonstrating divine providence and the reward for steadfastness.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly addresses this specific incident, Sahih Bukhari contains several narrations about trustworthiness (amānah) and seeking positions of responsibility with sincere intention. The principle is reflected in the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) saying: 'Verily, the most truthful of you in speech is the most trustworthy of you in fulfilling trusts' (Al-Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that competence combined with integrity forms the foundation of rightful leadership and success; Yusuf does not merely seek power, but offers genuine qualifications rooted in his trustworthiness and knowledge. For modern readers, it emphasizes that advancement should be pursued through demonstrated virtue and capability, and that proper leadership requires both reliable character and practical wisdom.
Related Ayahs
إِذْ قَالُوا۟ لَيُوسُفُ وَأَخُوهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَبِينَا مِنَّا وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّ أَبَانَا لَفِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
When they said, "Joseph and his brother are more beloved to our father than we, while we are a clan. Indeed, our father is in clear error.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَجْتَبِيكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِن تَأْوِيلِ ٱلْأَحَادِيثِ وَيُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُۥ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰٓ ءَالِ يَعْقُوبَ كَمَآ أَتَمَّهَا عَلَىٰٓ أَبَوَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of narratives [i.e., events or dreams] and complete His favor upon you and upon the family of Jacob, as He completed it upon your fathers before, Abraham and Isaac. Indeed, your Lord is Knowing and Wise."
وَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَـٰٓأَسَفَىٰ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَٱبْيَضَّتْ عَيْنَاهُ مِنَ ٱلْحُزْنِ فَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ
And he turned away from them and said, "Oh, my sorrow over Joseph," and his eyes became white from grief, for he was [of that] a suppressor.
وَسْـَٔلِ ٱلْقَرْيَةَ ٱلَّتِى كُنَّا فِيهَا وَٱلْعِيرَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَقْبَلْنَا فِيهَا ۖ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ
And ask the city in which we were and the caravan in which we came - and indeed, we are truthful.'"