قَالُوا۟ نَفْقِدُ صُوَاعَ ٱلْمَلِكِ وَلِمَن جَآءَ بِهِۦ حِمْلُ بَعِيرٍ وَأَنَا۠ بِهِۦ زَعِيمٌ 72
Translations
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."
Transliteration
Qaaluu nafqidu swaa'a al-maliki wa liman jaa'a bihi himlu ba'irin wa ana bihi za'eem
Tafsir (Explanation)
The officials of Egypt announce that the King's drinking cup (al-swaa') is missing and offer a reward of a camel-load of grain to whoever brings it back, with one of them guaranteeing this reward. This occurs after Yusuf's brothers have been accused of theft as part of Yusuf's plan to detain his youngest brother Binyamin. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that the swaa' was the King's cup used for measuring grain and drinking, and the reward reflects the cup's value to the King, setting the stage for Yusuf to frame Binyamin and keep him in Egypt.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative sequence in Surah Yusuf describing Yusuf's reunion with his brothers in Egypt. After his brothers arrive seeking provisions, Yusuf devises a plan to keep his youngest brother Binyamin with him by planting the King's cup in his belongings. This verse presents the announcement of the missing cup and the reward, demonstrating divine wisdom working through seemingly intricate circumstances.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly addresses this specific ayah, the general theme of truthfulness and divine providence is reflected in the hadith: 'The closest to me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who are most truthful in speech' (Tirmidhi). The surah's overall theme of patience and divine wisdom is central to Islamic tradition.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that Allah's plan often unfolds through complex circumstances and apparent difficulties, and that those with wisdom and patience can navigate challenges while maintaining their integrity and faith. It teaches believers to trust in divine providence even when situations seem unclear or challenging.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰصَـٰحِبَىِ ٱلسِّجْنِ أَمَّآ أَحَدُكُمَا فَيَسْقِى رَبَّهُۥ خَمْرًا ۖ وَأَمَّا ٱلْـَٔاخَرُ فَيُصْلَبُ فَتَأْكُلُ ٱلطَّيْرُ مِن رَّأْسِهِۦ ۚ قُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ ٱلَّذِى فِيهِ تَسْتَفْتِيَانِ
O two companions of prison, as for one of you, he will give drink to his master of wine; but as for the other, he will be crucified, and the birds will eat from his head. The matter has been decreed about which you both inquire."
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْعَزِيزُ إِنَّ لَهُۥٓ أَبًا شَيْخًا كَبِيرًا فَخُذْ أَحَدَنَا مَكَانَهُۥٓ ۖ إِنَّا نَرَىٰكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
They said, "O ʿAzeez, indeed he has a father [who is] an old man, so take one of us in place of him. Indeed, we see you as a doer of good."
فَإِن لَّمْ تَأْتُونِى بِهِۦ فَلَا كَيْلَ لَكُمْ عِندِى وَلَا تَقْرَبُونِ
But if you do not bring him to me, no measure will there be [hereafter] for you from me, nor will you approach me."
ٱذْهَبُوا۟ بِقَمِيصِى هَـٰذَا فَأَلْقُوهُ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِ أَبِى يَأْتِ بَصِيرًا وَأْتُونِى بِأَهْلِكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Take this, my shirt, and cast it over the face of my father; he will become seeing. And bring me your family, all together."