قَالَ هَلْ ءَامَنُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا كَمَآ أَمِنتُكُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَخِيهِ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ فَٱللَّهُ خَيْرٌ حَـٰفِظًا ۖ وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ 64
Translations
He said, "Should I entrust you with him except [under coercion] as I entrusted you with his brother before? But Allāh is the best guardian, and He is the most merciful of the merciful."
Transliteration
Qāla hal āmantukum 'alayhi illā kamā amintukum 'alā akhīhi min qablu ۖ fa-Allāhu khayru ḥāfiẓan ۖ wa-huwa arḥamu ar-rāḥimīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Yaʿqūb expresses his reluctance to entrust his youngest son Benjamin to his brothers, reminding them of the betrayal they committed against his older brother Yūsuf years before. He places his ultimate trust in Allāh alone, declaring that Allāh is the best guardian and the most merciful of those who show mercy. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Ṭabarī note this ayah demonstrates the psychological weight of past trauma on Yaʿqūb's heart, while simultaneously showcasing his profound reliance on divine providence despite his human anxiety.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yaʿqūb's sons requesting to take Benjamin to Egypt to meet Yūsuf (whom they had sold into slavery). The context reflects Yaʿqūb's deep concern, stemming from the loss of Yūsuf twenty years prior, and his internal struggle between his paternal love, fear of loss, and faith in Allāh's plan.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sahih Bukhari (3391) contains hadiths about trusting in Allāh's decree (tawakkul), and Sunan At-Tirmidhi (2516) records the Prophet's teaching that 'Whoever trusts in Allāh, He is sufficient for him.'
Themes
Key Lesson
Even righteous believers experience fear and anxiety when facing difficult circumstances, yet true faith manifests in ultimately surrendering our concerns to Allāh's care and wisdom. This ayah teaches us that acknowledging our human vulnerability while trusting in Allāh's perfect guardianship and mercy is the path to peace.
Related Ayahs
ثُمَّ يَأْتِى مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ عَامٌ فِيهِ يُغَاثُ ٱلنَّاسُ وَفِيهِ يَعْصِرُونَ
Then will come after that a year in which the people will be given rain and in which they will press [olives and grapes]."
أَفَأَمِنُوٓا۟ أَن تَأْتِيَهُمْ غَـٰشِيَةٌ مِّنْ عَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْ تَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
Then do they feel secure that there will not come to them an overwhelming [aspect] of the punishment of Allāh or that the Hour will not come upon them suddenly while they do not perceive?
قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَشْكُوا۟ بَثِّى وَحُزْنِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
He said, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allāh, and I know from Allāh that which you do not know.
مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَسْمَآءً سَمَّيْتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَـٰنٍ ۚ إِنِ ٱلْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۚ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
You worship not besides Him except [mere] names you have named them, you and your fathers, for which Allāh has sent down no evidence. Legislation is not but for Allāh. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.