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
ٱرْجِعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰٓ أَبِيكُمْ فَقُولُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَبَانَآ إِنَّ ٱبْنَكَ سَرَقَ وَمَا شَهِدْنَآ إِلَّا بِمَا عَلِمْنَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِلْغَيْبِ حَـٰفِظِينَ
Return to your father and say, 'O our father, indeed your son has stolen, and we did not testify except to what we knew. And we were not witnesses of the unseen.
قَالُوا۟ تَٱللَّهِ تَفْتَؤُا۟ تَذْكُرُ يُوسُفَ حَتَّىٰ تَكُونَ حَرَضًا أَوْ تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْهَـٰلِكِينَ
They said, "By Allāh, you will not cease remembering Joseph until you become fatally ill or become of those who perish."
قَالَ لَا يَأْتِيكُمَا طَعَامٌ تُرْزَقَانِهِۦٓ إِلَّا نَبَّأْتُكُمَا بِتَأْوِيلِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمَا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمَا مِمَّا عَلَّمَنِى رَبِّىٓ ۚ إِنِّى تَرَكْتُ مِلَّةَ قَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَهُم بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ كَـٰفِرُونَ
He said, "You will not receive food that is provided to you except that I will inform you of its interpretation before it comes to you. That is from what my Lord has taught me. Indeed, I have left the religion of a people who do not believe in Allāh, and they, in the Hereafter, are disbelievers.
فَلَمَّا جَهَّزَهُم بِجَهَازِهِمْ جَعَلَ ٱلسِّقَايَةَ فِى رَحْلِ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ أَذَّنَ مُؤَذِّنٌ أَيَّتُهَا ٱلْعِيرُ إِنَّكُمْ لَسَـٰرِقُونَ
So when he had furnished them with their supplies, he put the [gold measuring] bowl into the bag of his brother. Then an announcer called out, "O caravan, indeed you are thieves."