وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَتَبَوَّأُ مِنْهَا حَيْثُ يَشَآءُ ۚ نُصِيبُ بِرَحْمَتِنَا مَن نَّشَآءُ ۖ وَلَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 56
Translations
And thus We established Joseph in the land to settle therein wherever he willed. We touch with Our mercy whom We will, and We do not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.
Transliteration
Wa-kadhalika makkanna li-Yusuf fi al-ardi yatabawwa'u minha haythu yasha'u. Nusibu bi-rahmatina man nasha'u wa-la nudhi'u ajra al-muhsinin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah established Yusuf's authority and position in Egypt, granting him the power to govern and settle where he wished. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that this represents the culmination of Yusuf's trials and vindication—his elevation from slavery and imprisonment to a position of honor and authority was a sign of Allah's mercy upon those who remain patient and righteous. The ayah concludes with a universal principle: Allah grants His mercy to whom He wills, and never wastes the reward of those who do good (al-muhsinun).
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yusuf's rise to power in Egypt after interpreting the king's dream. It comes after his release from prison and appointment as minister, representing the thematic resolution of the surah's central narrative arc about patience, divine providence, and justice. The broader context emphasizes that despite human plots and hardships, Allah's plan ultimately prevails for the righteous.
Related Hadiths
The concept of divine reward for righteousness is reinforced in Hadith Qudsi: 'I am with the slave as long as he calls upon Me' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, the principle of protecting the reward of good-doers relates to the general hadith in Sahih Bukhari that 'the best of you are those who have the best character.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that sincere faith, patience through trials, and consistent righteousness are rewarded by Allah in both this life and the next, while also reminding believers that divine mercy is ultimately Allah's prerogative—humbling human agency while encouraging virtue. For modern readers, it provides hope that injustice experienced in this life can be reversed by Allah's wisdom, and that maintaining integrity during hardship is never wasted effort.
Related Ayahs
لَقَدْ كَانَ فِى قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ۗ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَـٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding. Never was it [i.e., the Qur’ān] a narration invented, but a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of all things and guidance and mercy for a people who believe.
فَلَمَّا ذَهَبُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَأَجْمَعُوٓا۟ أَن يَجْعَلُوهُ فِى غَيَـٰبَتِ ٱلْجُبِّ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْهِ لَتُنَبِّئَنَّهُم بِأَمْرِهِمْ هَـٰذَا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
So when they took him [out] and agreed to put him into the bottom of the well... But We inspired to him, "You will surely inform them [someday] about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity]."
ٱقْتُلُوا۟ يُوسُفَ أَوِ ٱطْرَحُوهُ أَرْضًا يَخْلُ لَكُمْ وَجْهُ أَبِيكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ قَوْمًا صَـٰلِحِينَ
Kill Joseph or cast him out to [another] land; the countenance [i.e., attention] of your father will [then] be only for you, and you will be after that a righteous people."
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?