قَالُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْعَزِيزُ إِنَّ لَهُۥٓ أَبًا شَيْخًا كَبِيرًا فَخُذْ أَحَدَنَا مَكَانَهُۥٓ ۖ إِنَّا نَرَىٰكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 78
Translations
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."
Transliteration
Qāloo yā ayyuha al-ʿazīzu inna lahū abān shaykhan kabīran fakhudh aḥadanā makānahu innā narāka mina al-muḥsinīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The brothers of Yusuf, facing the Egyptian ruler's demand to keep one of them as punishment for the alleged theft, plead with him to take one of them instead of Binyamin, appealing to his sense of justice and mercy. Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that this verse demonstrates the brothers' compassion and willingness to sacrifice themselves, as well as their recognition of the ruler's virtue, seeking to soften his heart through acknowledging his good character (ihsan). This moment highlights the brothers' genuine concern for their aged father and youngest brother, contrasting with their earlier cruelty toward Yusuf.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs near the climax of the Yusuf narrative, when the brothers have come to Egypt to buy grain and find themselves accused of theft. The context is the dramatic scene where the ruler (who is actually Yusuf himself, unrecognized) commands that one of them remain as a slave. This moment reveals the transformation and growth in the brothers' character as they now prioritize family loyalty and justice over self-interest.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly addresses this verse, the broader theme of familial duty and justice is reflected in the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) teachings on kindness to parents (Surah Isra 17:23-24) and just leadership, which are thematically connected to the ruler's portrayal as just and merciful.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that acknowledging and appealing to the good character in others can move hearts toward mercy and justice, and that genuine concern for family members should motivate us to make personal sacrifices—reflecting the Islamic values of maintaining family bonds (silat al-rahim) and seeking justice with wisdom.