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
۞ وَقَالَ نِسْوَةٌ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ ٱمْرَأَتُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ تُرَٰوِدُ فَتَىٰهَا عَن نَّفْسِهِۦ ۖ قَدْ شَغَفَهَا حُبًّا ۖ إِنَّا لَنَرَىٰهَا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
And women in the city said, "The wife of al-ʿAzeez is seeking to seduce her slave boy; he has impassioned her with love. Indeed, we see her [to be] in clear error."
وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَتَبَوَّأُ مِنْهَا حَيْثُ يَشَآءُ ۚ نُصِيبُ بِرَحْمَتِنَا مَن نَّشَآءُ ۖ وَلَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
And thus We established Joseph in the land to settle therein wherever he willed. We touch with Our mercy whom We will, and We do not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.
وَقَالَ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱئْتُونِى بِهِۦ ۖ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُ ٱلرَّسُولُ قَالَ ٱرْجِعْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَسْـَٔلْهُ مَا بَالُ ٱلنِّسْوَةِ ٱلَّـٰتِى قَطَّعْنَ أَيْدِيَهُنَّ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى بِكَيْدِهِنَّ عَلِيمٌ
And the king said, "Bring him to me." But when the messenger came to him, [Joseph] said, "Return to your master and ask him what is the case of the women who cut their hands. Indeed, my Lord is Knowing of their plan."
لَقَدْ كَانَ فِى قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ۗ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَـٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding. Never was it [i.e., the Qur’ān] a narration invented, but a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of all things and guidance and mercy for a people who believe.