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
قَالُوا۟ تَٱللَّهِ لَقَدْ ءَاثَرَكَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا وَإِن كُنَّا لَخَـٰطِـِٔينَ
They said, "By Allāh, certainly has Allāh preferred you over us, and indeed, we have been sinners."
۞ قَالُوٓا۟ إِن يَسْرِقْ فَقَدْ سَرَقَ أَخٌ لَّهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ فَأَسَرَّهَا يُوسُفُ فِى نَفْسِهِۦ وَلَمْ يُبْدِهَا لَهُمْ ۚ قَالَ أَنتُمْ شَرٌّ مَّكَانًا ۖ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا تَصِفُونَ
They said, "If he steals - a brother of his has stolen before." But Joseph kept it within himself and did not reveal it to them. He said, "You are worse in position, and Allāh is most knowing of what you describe."
نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْقَصَصِ بِمَآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمِنَ ٱلْغَـٰفِلِينَ
We relate to you, [O Muḥammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur’ān although you were, before it, among the unaware.
وَلَمَّا جَهَّزَهُم بِجَهَازِهِمْ قَالَ ٱئْتُونِى بِأَخٍ لَّكُم مِّنْ أَبِيكُمْ ۚ أَلَا تَرَوْنَ أَنِّىٓ أُوفِى ٱلْكَيْلَ وَأَنَا۠ خَيْرُ ٱلْمُنزِلِينَ
And when he had furnished them with their supplies, he said, "Bring me a brother of yours from your father. Do you not see that I give full measure and that I am the best of accommodators?