قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا ۖ فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ ۖ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَأْتِيَنِى بِهِمْ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ 83
Translations
[Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. Perhaps Allāh will bring them to me all together. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise."
Transliteration
Qāla bal sawwalat lakum anfusukum amrā, fa-sabrun jamīl, 'asā -llāhu an ya'tiyani bihim jamī'ā, innahu huwa al-'alīmu al-hakīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Ya'qub (Jacob) responds to his sons' claim that Yusuf was eaten by a wolf by rejecting their account, declaring that their own souls have enticed them to concoct this false story. He chooses beautiful patience (sabr jamīl)—patience without complaint or despair—and places his trust in Allah's ability to reunite him with all his sons, affirming Allah's complete knowledge and wisdom. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Ya'qub's response demonstrates the characteristics of a true believer: discernment of truth, unwavering faith despite overwhelming grief, and reliance upon Allah's divine plan.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yusuf's sale into slavery by his jealous brothers. Ya'qub, despite losing his most beloved son and receiving a false account of his death, maintains his faith and intuitive knowledge of his son's innocence. The context reveals the broader Quranic theme of trials (balahs) as a means of spiritual purification and divine testing for the righteous.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever is patient, Allah rewards with Paradise; and whoever is impatient, Allah hastens his punishment' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized that sabr jamīl (beautiful patience) is superior to all other virtues (Sahih Bukhari).
Themes
Key Lesson
Beautiful patience—maintaining composure and faith without complaint during hardship—is a mark of true servitude to Allah and yields the greatest spiritual rewards. Even in the face of seemingly unbearable loss, believers should trust in Allah's omniscience and wisdom, knowing that He orchestrates events for purposes beyond our immediate understanding.
Related Ayahs
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِى ٱشْتَرَىٰهُ مِن مِّصْرَ لِٱمْرَأَتِهِۦٓ أَكْرِمِى مَثْوَىٰهُ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَنفَعَنَآ أَوْ نَتَّخِذَهُۥ وَلَدًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلِنُعَلِّمَهُۥ مِن تَأْوِيلِ ٱلْأَحَادِيثِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And the one from Egypt who bought him said to his wife, "Make his residence comfortable. Perhaps he will benefit us, or we will adopt him as a son." And thus, We established Joseph in the land that We might teach him the interpretation of events [i.e., dreams]. And Allāh is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا ٱسْتَيْـَٔسَ ٱلرُّسُلُ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ كُذِبُوا۟ جَآءَهُمْ نَصْرُنَا فَنُجِّىَ مَن نَّشَآءُ ۖ وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُنَا عَنِ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
[They continued] until, when the messengers despaired and were certain that they had been denied, there came to them Our victory, and whoever We willed was saved. And Our punishment cannot be repelled from the people who are criminals.
قَالُوا۟ تَٱللَّهِ إِنَّكَ لَفِى ضَلَـٰلِكَ ٱلْقَدِيمِ
They said, "By Allāh, indeed you are in your [same] old error."
وَجَآءَ إِخْوَةُ يُوسُفَ فَدَخَلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِ فَعَرَفَهُمْ وَهُمْ لَهُۥ مُنكِرُونَ
And the brothers of Joseph came [seeking food], and they entered upon him; and he recognized them, but he was to them unknown.