قَالُوا۟ تَٱللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُم مَّا جِئْنَا لِنُفْسِدَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا كُنَّا سَـٰرِقِينَ 73
Translations
They said, "By Allāh, you have certainly known that we did not come to cause corruption in the land, and we have not been thieves."
Transliteration
Qaalū taallaahi laqad 'alimtum mā ji'nā linufsida fil-ardi wa mā kunnā sāriqīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The brothers of Yusuf swear by Allah, asserting their innocence and righteousness, claiming they did not come to Egypt to cause corruption in the land nor are they thieves. This statement reflects their defense against the accusation of theft regarding the drinking cup found in Benjamin's sack. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this oath demonstrates how the brothers attempted to establish their honorable character and trustworthiness, though it also reveals their desperation and anxiety in this critical moment when Benjamin faces imprisonment.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yusuf's test of his brothers, specifically after the cup (the king's drinking vessel) is discovered in Benjamin's bag. The brothers are responding to the accusation of theft, trying to defend both their character and Benjamin's innocence. This scene illustrates the divine wisdom in how Yusuf orchestrated events to bring about family reconciliation and the revelation of his identity.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly addresses this verse, the theme of false oaths and truthful testimony is related to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (ﷺ) warned against swearing oaths unnecessarily. The brothers' oath here, though meant to be truthful, reflects the gravity with which oaths were taken in Islamic tradition.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that sincere protestation of innocence, coupled with trust in Allah's justice, is the proper response to unjust accusations. It reminds us that Allah tests the righteous through trials, and maintaining integrity and truthfulness during such tests ultimately leads to clarity and divine resolution.
Related Ayahs
فَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِ قَالُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْعَزِيزُ مَسَّنَا وَأَهْلَنَا ٱلضُّرُّ وَجِئْنَا بِبِضَـٰعَةٍ مُّزْجَىٰةٍ فَأَوْفِ لَنَا ٱلْكَيْلَ وَتَصَدَّقْ عَلَيْنَآ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَجْزِى ٱلْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ
So when they entered upon him [i.e., Joseph], they said, "O ʿAzeez, adversity has touched us and our family, and we have come with goods poor in quality, but give us full measure and be charitable to us. Indeed, Allāh rewards the charitable."
وَجَآءَتْ سَيَّارَةٌ فَأَرْسَلُوا۟ وَارِدَهُمْ فَأَدْلَىٰ دَلْوَهُۥ ۖ قَالَ يَـٰبُشْرَىٰ هَـٰذَا غُلَـٰمٌ ۚ وَأَسَرُّوهُ بِضَـٰعَةً ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ
And there came a company of travelers; then they sent their water drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said, "Good news! Here is a boy." And they concealed him, [taking him] as merchandise; and Allāh was Knowing of what they did.
قَالُوا۟ وَأَقْبَلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِم مَّاذَا تَفْقِدُونَ
They said while approaching them, "What is it you are missing?"
إِذْ قَالُوا۟ لَيُوسُفُ وَأَخُوهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَبِينَا مِنَّا وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّ أَبَانَا لَفِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
When they said, "Joseph and his brother are more beloved to our father than we, while we are a clan. Indeed, our father is in clear error.