وَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَـٰٓأَسَفَىٰ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَٱبْيَضَّتْ عَيْنَاهُ مِنَ ٱلْحُزْنِ فَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ 84
Translations
And he turned away from them and said, "Oh, my sorrow over Joseph," and his eyes became white from grief, for he was [of that] a suppressor.
Transliteration
Wa-tawallaʾ ʿanhum wa-qaala yaʾ-asafaʾ ʿalaʾ Yusufa wa-ibyaddatʾ ʿaynaahu min-al-ḥuzni fa-huwa kāẓīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Prophet Yaqub's overwhelming grief upon learning of Yusuf's alleged death, turning away from his sons in anguish and crying out in sorrow. The phrase 'his eyes turned white from grief' is interpreted by classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari as either his eyes becoming clouded/dim from weeping, or literally whitening due to the intensity of his sorrow. The word 'kāẓīm' (suppressing/concealing) indicates that despite his visible distress, Yaqub restrains himself, embodying patient endurance in the face of calamity.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yusuf's disappearance, where his brothers deceive their father by presenting Yusuf's shirt stained with false blood, claiming he was devoured by a wolf. The verse illustrates the emotional climax of Yaqub's initial response to this devastating news, setting the stage for the demonstration of sabr (patience) that becomes central to the surah's message about trials and divine wisdom.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The greatest trial is the loss of children' (recorded in various collections). Additionally, Surah Yusuf itself is praised in a hadith where the Prophet called it 'the best of stories' (ahsan al-qasas), emphasizing the lessons of patience and faith demonstrated by Yaqub throughout his trials.
Themes
Key Lesson
True patience does not mean the absence of emotion or grief, but rather the regulation of one's response and trust in Allah's wisdom despite profound sorrow. This ayah teaches that displaying emotional vulnerability while maintaining faith and restraint is a mark of spiritual maturity, as exemplified by the greatest of prophets.
Related Ayahs
وَشَرَوْهُ بِثَمَنٍۭ بَخْسٍ دَرَٰهِمَ مَعْدُودَةٍ وَكَانُوا۟ فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلزَّٰهِدِينَ
And they sold him for a reduced price - a few dirhams - and they were, concerning him, of those content with little.
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]."
فَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ ءَاوَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِ أَبَوَيْهِ وَقَالَ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ مِصْرَ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ءَامِنِينَ
And when they entered upon Joseph, he took his parents to himself [i.e., embraced them] and said, "Enter Egypt, Allāh willing, safe [and secure]."
وَسْـَٔلِ ٱلْقَرْيَةَ ٱلَّتِى كُنَّا فِيهَا وَٱلْعِيرَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَقْبَلْنَا فِيهَا ۖ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ
And ask the city in which we were and the caravan in which we came - and indeed, we are truthful.'"