قَالُوا۟ تَٱللَّهِ لَقَدْ ءَاثَرَكَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا وَإِن كُنَّا لَخَـٰطِـِٔينَ 91
Translations
They said, "By Allāh, certainly has Allāh preferred you over us, and indeed, we have been sinners."
Transliteration
Qalū tallāhi laqad āthharaka -llāhu 'alaynā wa-in kunnā lakhaṭi'īn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The brothers of Yusuf confess to their father that Allah has indeed favored Yusuf over them, acknowledging both his superiority and their own wrongdoing in how they treated him. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this statement reflects the brothers' recognition of divine favor (tafḍīl) and their admission of guilt (khaṭī'ah), demonstrating a moment of sincere acknowledgment after years of concealment. Al-Qurtubi notes this represents their gradual spiritual reform as they witness Yusuf's authority and prosperity in Egypt.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs in the climactic reunion scene in Surah Yusuf when the brothers encounter Yusuf in Egypt and gradually realize his identity. The brothers make this confession to their father Yaʿqūb after being confronted with evidence of Yusuf's position and status, prompting them to finally admit the truth about their past actions and divine favor upon their brother. This moment concludes the central narrative arc of the surah.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, the theme of acknowledging past wrongs and seeking forgiveness relates to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet ﷺ emphasizes sincere repentance (tawbah). Additionally, the concept of divine preference and justice connects to hadith collections discussing qadr (divine decree) and fairness among children.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that genuine repentance begins with honest acknowledgment of wrongdoing and recognition of others' worth, reminding us that sincere confession can bridge even the deepest family rifts and restore broken relationships through humility before Allah's wisdom.
Related Ayahs
قَالُوٓا۟ أَضْغَـٰثُ أَحْلَـٰمٍ ۖ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِتَأْوِيلِ ٱلْأَحْلَـٰمِ بِعَـٰلِمِينَ
They said, "[It is but] a mixture of false dreams, and we are not learned in the interpretation of dreams."
وَجَآءَتْ سَيَّارَةٌ فَأَرْسَلُوا۟ وَارِدَهُمْ فَأَدْلَىٰ دَلْوَهُۥ ۖ قَالَ يَـٰبُشْرَىٰ هَـٰذَا غُلَـٰمٌ ۚ وَأَسَرُّوهُ بِضَـٰعَةً ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ
And there came a company of travelers; then they sent their water drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said, "Good news! Here is a boy." And they concealed him, [taking him] as merchandise; and Allāh was Knowing of what they did.
لَقَدْ كَانَ فِى قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ۗ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَـٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding. Never was it [i.e., the Qur’ān] a narration invented, but a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of all things and guidance and mercy for a people who believe.
قَالَ سَوْفَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ رَبِّىٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
He said, "I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."