وَلَقَدْ جَآءَكُمْ يُوسُفُ مِن قَبْلُ بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَمَا زِلْتُمْ فِى شَكٍّ مِّمَّا جَآءَكُم بِهِۦ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا هَلَكَ قُلْتُمْ لَن يَبْعَثَ ٱللَّهُ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ رَسُولًا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ مُّرْتَابٌ 34
Translations
And Joseph had already come to you before with clear proofs, but you remained in doubt of that which he brought to you, until when he died, you said, 'Never will Allāh send a messenger after him.' Thus does Allāh leave astray he who is a transgressor and skeptic."
Transliteration
Wa-laqad jaa'akum Yusufу min qablu bil-bayyinati fa-ma ziltu fι shakkin mim-ma jaa'akum bihi hattá idhá halaka qultum lan yab'athu Allahu min ba'dihi rasulah. Kadhalika yudillu Allahu man huwa musrifun murtab.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the Children of Israel, reminding them that Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) came to them with clear proofs and signs, yet they remained in doubt about his message. Even after his death, they denied that Allah would send another messenger after him—a statement reflecting their persistent disbelief and ingratitude. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that this ayah demonstrates how Allah allows those who are excessive in transgression and doubt to remain in misguidance as a consequence of their own rejection.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ghafir's discourse on the Children of Israel's rejection of prophets throughout history. It serves as a historical reminder to the Quraysh of how previous nations treated their messengers, implicitly warning them against similar behavior toward Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The reference to Yusuf specifically emphasizes the long chain of prophetic missions and humanity's recurring pattern of doubt.
Related Hadiths
The theme of rejecting messengers is reflected in Sahih Bukhari (3274) where the Prophet mentioned how the Children of Israel rejected their prophets, leading to their abandonment by Allah. Additionally, Surah Ghafir's opening verses relate to hadiths about the consequences of stubborn disbelief.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that persistent doubt combined with arrogance (israf) distances one from divine guidance—Allah grants misguidance to those who choose it through their own stubbornness. For modern believers, it serves as a reminder to accept prophetic guidance with certainty and to reflect on how doubt rooted in pride prevents spiritual growth.