فَإِن لَّمْ تَأْتُونِى بِهِۦ فَلَا كَيْلَ لَكُمْ عِندِى وَلَا تَقْرَبُونِ 60
Translations
But if you do not bring him to me, no measure will there be [hereafter] for you from me, nor will you approach me."
Transliteration
Fa-in lam ta'tunee bihi fa-la kayla lakum 'indi wa-la taqrabun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Yusuf (peace be upon him) sets a binding condition for his brothers: if they do not bring their youngest brother Benjamin to him, they will receive no grain (kayl) and cannot approach him again. This statement demonstrates Yusuf's wisdom in securing Benjamin's safe passage, as he uses his authority as Egypt's grain administrator to enforce this condition. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this was a strategic measure to reunite with his full brother while testing his other brothers' sincerity and ability to protect Benjamin as they had failed to protect him years before.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yusuf's brothers' second journey to Egypt to buy grain during the famine. After recognizing them while remaining unrecognized himself, Yusuf devises a plan to bring Benjamin (his full brother from the same mother and father) to Egypt. This condition reflects both his practical wisdom and his desire to see his youngest brother, setting the stage for the subsequent plot development that leads to family reconciliation.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly addresses this ayah, Surah Yusuf itself is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described it as 'the best of stories' (ahsan al-qasas). The broader theme of testing and patience in trials is reflected in numerous ahadith about sabr (patience) such as those in Sahih Muslim regarding reward for those who endure hardship.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that wisdom sometimes requires setting firm boundaries and conditions to achieve righteous goals, and that reuniting families and loved ones is a noble objective worth strategic effort. It also reminds us that Allah's plan unfolds gradually, and patience combined with wise action leads to the fulfillment of heart's desires.
Related Ayahs
۞ لَّقَدْ كَانَ فِى يُوسُفَ وَإِخْوَتِهِۦٓ ءَايَـٰتٌ لِّلسَّآئِلِينَ
Certainly were there in Joseph and his brothers signs for those who ask, [such as]
قَالَ إِنِّى لَيَحْزُنُنِىٓ أَن تَذْهَبُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَأَخَافُ أَن يَأْكُلَهُ ٱلذِّئْبُ وَأَنتُمْ عَنْهُ غَـٰفِلُونَ
[Jacob] said, "Indeed, it saddens me that you should take him, and I fear that a wolf would eat him while you are of him unaware."
وَمَا تَسْـَٔلُهُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۚ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And you do not ask of them for it any payment. It is not except a reminder to the worlds.
وَقَالَ ٱلْمَلِكُ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ سَبْعَ بَقَرَٰتٍ سِمَانٍ يَأْكُلُهُنَّ سَبْعٌ عِجَافٌ وَسَبْعَ سُنۢبُلَـٰتٍ خُضْرٍ وَأُخَرَ يَابِسَـٰتٍ ۖ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمَلَأُ أَفْتُونِى فِى رُءْيَـٰىَ إِن كُنتُمْ لِلرُّءْيَا تَعْبُرُونَ
And [subsequently] the king said, "Indeed, I have seen [in a dream] seven fat cows being eaten by seven [that were] lean, and seven green spikes [of grain] and others [that were] dry. O eminent ones, explain to me my vision, if you should interpret visions."