قَالُوا۟ تَٱللَّهِ تَفْتَؤُا۟ تَذْكُرُ يُوسُفَ حَتَّىٰ تَكُونَ حَرَضًا أَوْ تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْهَـٰلِكِينَ 85
Translations
They said, "By Allāh, you will not cease remembering Joseph until you become fatally ill or become of those who perish."
Transliteration
Qalū tallāhi tafshu tadhkuru Yūsufa ḥattā takūna ḥaraḍan aw takūna mina al-hālikīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Yusuf's brothers are expressing their concern and frustration to their father Ya'qub, who has been continuously grieving over the loss of Yusuf for many years. They swear by Allah that his constant remembrance and sorrow over Yusuf will either waste away his body (harad - extreme emaciation) or lead to his death. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah illustrates the intensity of Ya'qub's grief and his brothers' attempt to convince him to cease his mourning, highlighting the human struggle between patience and the burden of loss.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs in the latter portion of Surah Yusuf, after many years have passed since Yusuf's disappearance. The context depicts Ya'qub's unwavering loyalty to his son despite decades of separation, and his brothers' observation of his deteriorating health due to continuous grief. The surah emphasizes themes of divine providence and eventual reunion, making this moment of familial concern part of the broader narrative arc leading to the resolution of the story.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this verse, Hadith Qudsi 34 relates to patient endurance: 'Whoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, I shall be at war with him.' Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the Prophet's (ﷺ) patience during trials, emphasizing that grief and loss are tests from Allah requiring steadfast faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that while sincere grief for loved ones is natural and human, we must maintain balance and trust in Allah's wisdom, recognizing that excessive sorrow can harm our physical and spiritual health. It reminds us that patience (sabr) in times of loss means accepting Allah's decree while caring for ourselves and our families with wisdom and hope.