قَالَ مَعَاذَ ٱللَّهِ أَن نَّأْخُذَ إِلَّا مَن وَجَدْنَا مَتَـٰعَنَا عِندَهُۥٓ إِنَّآ إِذًا لَّظَـٰلِمُونَ 79
Translations
He said, "[I seek] the refuge of Allāh [to prevent] that we take except him with whom we found our possession. Indeed, we would then be unjust."
Transliteration
Qala ma'aza allahi an na'khuza illa man wajadna mata'ana 'indahu inna iza la-zalimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Yusuf's brothers respond to the Egyptian official's accusation by declaring they would never take anyone except the one in whose possession they actually found their merchandise, for doing otherwise would be unjust. This statement reflects their sense of justice and their refusal to falsely accuse an innocent person. Ibn Kathir notes this demonstrates the brothers' moral restraint despite their difficult circumstances, emphasizing that even in hardship, one should not commit injustice by blaming the innocent.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the dramatic narrative of Yusuf's test of his brothers. The official has accused one of them of theft (the cup in Benjamin's bag), and the brothers respond with this righteous objection. This moment illustrates the theme of justice and honesty even when facing adversity—a central theme throughout Surah Yusuf's narrative of trials and moral integrity.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this verse, it relates thematically to the Hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized: 'The best among you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family'—highlighting the importance of justice and integrity in all relationships.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that maintaining justice and refusing to blame the innocent, even when facing difficult circumstances, is a cornerstone of Islamic morality. For modern believers, it serves as a reminder that integrity cannot be compromised for convenience, and that true nobility lies in upholding truth even when it costs us.