قَالُوا۟ فَمَا جَزَٰٓؤُهُۥٓ إِن كُنتُمْ كَـٰذِبِينَ 74
Translations
They [the accusers] said, "Then what would be its recompense if you should be liars?"
Transliteration
Qalū famā jazāuhu in kuntum kādhībīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The brothers of Yusuf respond to his accusation by asking what the punishment should be for the one who stole the cup, if they are liars. This rhetorical question demonstrates their confidence in their innocence and sets the stage for Yusuf's wise judgment. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari note this statement reveals their arrogance and lack of foresight, as they unknowingly invite a punishment upon themselves that will separate Yusuf's youngest brother Benjamin from them.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yusuf's scheme to keep his youngest brother Benjamin with him in Egypt. The brothers had come to buy grain during the famine, and Yusuf had secretly placed his drinking cup in Benjamin's saddlebag. When the cup was discovered, Yusuf announced that whoever stole it must remain as a slave. The brothers' question here reflects the climactic moment where their fate is about to change.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly addresses this ayah, the story of Yusuf itself is referenced in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim as the best of stories (Ahsan al-Qasas) in the Quran. The principle of justice and wise judgment exemplified in Yusuf's response relates to hadiths on righteous leadership.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that confident assertions made without complete knowledge can lead to unforeseen consequences, and that we should be humble before Allah's divine wisdom which often operates beyond our understanding and expectations.