وَسْـَٔلِ ٱلْقَرْيَةَ ٱلَّتِى كُنَّا فِيهَا وَٱلْعِيرَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَقْبَلْنَا فِيهَا ۖ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ 82
Translations
And ask the city in which we were and the caravan in which we came - and indeed, we are truthful.'"
Transliteration
Wa's'al al-qaryata allati kunna fiha wa al-'ira allati aqbalna fiha wa inna la sadiqun
Tafsir (Explanation)
The brothers of Yusuf propose to verify their truthfulness by asking the people of Egypt and the caravan from which they came about the theft of the cup. This statement demonstrates their confidence in their innocence and their appeal to objective witnesses. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari note this reflects their desperation to prove their honesty before the Egyptian ruler, showing how the brothers attempted to use available evidence and testimony to clear themselves.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yusuf's trial, specifically after his brothers are accused of stealing the royal cup (planted by Yusuf as a test). The verse reflects the brothers' defense strategy in the court of the Egyptian ruler, representing a crucial moment in their redemptive journey and the unfolding of divine wisdom through the story.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this verse, Sahih Muslim contains hadiths about the virtue of truthfulness and bearing witness. The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized that truthfulness leads to righteousness, which thematically aligns with the brothers' appeal to truthful witnesses.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that truth can be established through credible witnesses and objective evidence, encouraging believers to seek fair judgment through legitimate means rather than deception. It also reminds us that maintaining integrity and truthfulness is the strongest defense against false accusations.
Related Ayahs
۞ قَالُوٓا۟ إِن يَسْرِقْ فَقَدْ سَرَقَ أَخٌ لَّهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ فَأَسَرَّهَا يُوسُفُ فِى نَفْسِهِۦ وَلَمْ يُبْدِهَا لَهُمْ ۚ قَالَ أَنتُمْ شَرٌّ مَّكَانًا ۖ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا تَصِفُونَ
They said, "If he steals - a brother of his has stolen before." But Joseph kept it within himself and did not reveal it to them. He said, "You are worse in position, and Allāh is most knowing of what you describe."
قَالَ قَآئِلٌ مِّنْهُمْ لَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ يُوسُفَ وَأَلْقُوهُ فِى غَيَـٰبَتِ ٱلْجُبِّ يَلْتَقِطْهُ بَعْضُ ٱلسَّيَّارَةِ إِن كُنتُمْ فَـٰعِلِينَ
Said a speaker among them, "Do not kill Joseph but throw him into the bottom of the well; some travelers will pick him up - if you would do [something]."
قَالُوا۟ سَنُرَٰوِدُ عَنْهُ أَبَاهُ وَإِنَّا لَفَـٰعِلُونَ
They said, "We will attempt to dissuade his father from [keeping] him, and indeed, we will do [it]."
فَلَمَّا ذَهَبُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَأَجْمَعُوٓا۟ أَن يَجْعَلُوهُ فِى غَيَـٰبَتِ ٱلْجُبِّ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْهِ لَتُنَبِّئَنَّهُم بِأَمْرِهِمْ هَـٰذَا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
So when they took him [out] and agreed to put him into the bottom of the well... But We inspired to him, "You will surely inform them [someday] about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity]."