وَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ ءَاوَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِ أَخَاهُ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أَنَا۠ أَخُوكَ فَلَا تَبْتَئِسْ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ 69
Translations
And when they entered upon Joseph, he took his brother to himself; he said, "Indeed, I am your brother, so do not despair over what they used to do [to me]."
Transliteration
Wa-lamma dakhalu 'ala Yusuf awaa ilayhi akhahu qala inni ana akhuka fa-la tabtais bima kanu ya'malun
Tafsir (Explanation)
When Yusuf's brothers entered his presence, he recognized his full brother Benjamin and drew him close to himself, saying, 'Indeed, I am your brother, so do not grieve over what they used to do.' According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this moment marks Yusuf's emotional reunion with Benjamin, his only full brother (sharing the same mother, Rachel). Yusuf's reassurance to Benjamin reveals his compassionate nature and desire to comfort him after their long separation, while also subtly indicating his knowledge of his brothers' past treachery in selling him into slavery.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the climactic narrative section of Surah Yusuf, after Yusuf has become a powerful minister in Egypt and his brothers have come seeking provisions during famine. The broader context involves Yusuf's strategic plan to keep Benjamin with him (as revealed in verse 12:69), which will eventually lead to the brothers' recognition of Yusuf and their repentance. This scene represents a pivotal moment in the family's reconciliation.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly addresses this verse, Surah Yusuf as a whole is praised in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) called it 'the best of stories' (ahsan al-qisas). Hadiths emphasizing brotherly compassion and forgiveness, such as those in Sahih Bukhari regarding ties of kinship, resonate with Yusuf's conduct here.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us the importance of showing compassion and reassurance to those who are vulnerable or distressed, especially family members, and reminds us that after periods of suffering and separation, Allah may grant us reunion and comfort. It exemplifies how nobility of character—demonstrated through Yusuf's kind treatment of his brother despite his brothers' cruelty toward him—is a means of spiritual elevation.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ هِىَ رَٰوَدَتْنِى عَن نَّفْسِى ۚ وَشَهِدَ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِهَآ إِن كَانَ قَمِيصُهُۥ قُدَّ مِن قُبُلٍ فَصَدَقَتْ وَهُوَ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ
[Joseph] said, "It was she who sought to seduce me." And a witness from her family testified, "If his shirt is torn from the front, then she has told the truth, and he is of the liars.
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَبَانَا ٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا خَـٰطِـِٔينَ
They said, "O our father, ask for us forgiveness of our sins; indeed, we have been sinners."
قَالُوا۟ نَفْقِدُ صُوَاعَ ٱلْمَلِكِ وَلِمَن جَآءَ بِهِۦ حِمْلُ بَعِيرٍ وَأَنَا۠ بِهِۦ زَعِيمٌ
They said, "We are missing the measure of the king. And for he who produces it is [the reward of] a camel's load, and I am responsible for it."
قَالَ لَنْ أُرْسِلَهُۥ مَعَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ تُؤْتُونِ مَوْثِقًا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لَتَأْتُنَّنِى بِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن يُحَاطَ بِكُمْ ۖ فَلَمَّآ ءَاتَوْهُ مَوْثِقَهُمْ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَا نَقُولُ وَكِيلٌ
[Jacob] said, "Never will I send him with you until you give me a promise [i.e., oath] by Allāh that you will bring him [back] to me, unless you should be surrounded [i.e., overcome by enemies]." And when they had given their promise, he said, "Allāh, over what we say, is Entrusted."