وَلَمَّا فَصَلَتِ ٱلْعِيرُ قَالَ أَبُوهُمْ إِنِّى لَأَجِدُ رِيحَ يُوسُفَ ۖ لَوْلَآ أَن تُفَنِّدُونِ 94
Translations
And when the caravan departed [from Egypt], their father said, "Indeed, I find the smell of Joseph [and would say that he was alive] if you did not think me weakened in mind."
Transliteration
Wa-lammā faṣalati al-ʿīru qāla abūhum innī la-ajidu rīḥa Yūsufa law-lā an tufannidūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
After the caravan had departed Egypt, Ya'qub (Jacob) miraculously perceived the fragrance of his son Yusuf from a great distance, declaring that he smelled Joseph's scent despite the long separation. When his sons accused him of being senile or confused (tufannidūn - losing his mental faculties), he responded with certainty in his spiritual intuition, demonstrating a father's profound connection and Allah's preservation of hope. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as evidence of Ya'qub's unwavering faith and the supernatural nature of this olfactory miracle, which restored his hope after years of grief.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs in the climactic portion of Surah Yusuf where the plot of separation and reunion unfolds. It comes after Joseph's brothers have returned to Egypt to buy grain and have taken Benjamin with them, setting the stage for the final recognition and reconciliation. The narrative illustrates the themes of divine providence and the emotional journey of a bereaved father whose faith remains unshaken.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly addresses this miracle, Surah Yusuf itself is mentioned in the Sunnah as a comprehensive story of patience. The general principle of parental intuition and spiritual perception is supported by various ahadith on the rights of parents and their elevated spiritual station in Islam.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that true faith sustains hope even in prolonged separation and hardship, and that sincere believers possess spiritual sensitivities that transcend ordinary human limitation—encouraging us to maintain trust in Allah's plan and the bonds of family love that He has established.
Related Ayahs
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.
يَـٰصَـٰحِبَىِ ٱلسِّجْنِ أَمَّآ أَحَدُكُمَا فَيَسْقِى رَبَّهُۥ خَمْرًا ۖ وَأَمَّا ٱلْـَٔاخَرُ فَيُصْلَبُ فَتَأْكُلُ ٱلطَّيْرُ مِن رَّأْسِهِۦ ۚ قُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ ٱلَّذِى فِيهِ تَسْتَفْتِيَانِ
O two companions of prison, as for one of you, he will give drink to his master of wine; but as for the other, he will be crucified, and the birds will eat from his head. The matter has been decreed about which you both inquire."
فَلَمَّآ أَن جَآءَ ٱلْبَشِيرُ أَلْقَىٰهُ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِۦ فَٱرْتَدَّ بَصِيرًا ۖ قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ إِنِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
And when the bearer of good tidings arrived, he cast it over his face, and he returned [once again] seeing. He said, "Did I not tell you that I know from Allāh that which you do not know?"
وَٱتَّبَعْتُ مِلَّةَ ءَابَآءِىٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ ۚ مَا كَانَ لَنَآ أَن نُّشْرِكَ بِٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِن فَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ
And I have followed the religion of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And it was not for us to associate anything with Allāh. That is from the favor of Allāh upon us and upon the people, but most of the people are not grateful.