أَرْسِلْهُ مَعَنَا غَدًا يَرْتَعْ وَيَلْعَبْ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ 12
Translations
Send him with us tomorrow that he may eat well and play. And indeed, we will be his guardians."
Transliteration
Arsílhu maʿanā ghadan yartaʿ wa yalʿab wa inna nā lahu lahāfizūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The brothers of Yusuf request their father Yaʿqub to send Yusuf with them, promising he will enjoy himself and that they will protect him. This request is deceptive, as their true intention is to harm Yusuf out of jealousy. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that this verse demonstrates how the brothers concealed their malicious plot with false assurances, reflecting the reality of envy and deceit within families.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yusuf's early life in Surah Yusuf, which tells the complete story of Prophet Yusuf from his childhood dream to his position of authority in Egypt. The surah emphasizes divine providence and the consequences of jealousy and treachery. This particular verse marks the critical moment when the brothers seek permission to take Yusuf away, setting in motion the events that test Yusuf's faith and virtue.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly references this verse, the broader theme of patience in trial (sabr) is emphasized in numerous ahadiths, such as in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet ﷺ said: 'Amazing is the affair of the believer, for there is good in every matter of his affairs' - reflecting Yusuf's eventual triumph despite his brothers' betrayal.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to be cautious of those whose words contradict their actions, and to recognize that worldly harm from others cannot prevent Allah's protection and plan for the righteous. It reminds believers that trials rooted in human jealousy are ultimately part of Allah's divine wisdom for spiritual growth and elevation.
Related Ayahs
ثُمَّ يَأْتِى مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ عَامٌ فِيهِ يُغَاثُ ٱلنَّاسُ وَفِيهِ يَعْصِرُونَ
Then will come after that a year in which the people will be given rain and in which they will press [olives and grapes]."
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.
وَرَفَعَ أَبَوَيْهِ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ وَخَرُّوا۟ لَهُۥ سُجَّدًا ۖ وَقَالَ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ هَـٰذَا تَأْوِيلُ رُءْيَـٰىَ مِن قَبْلُ قَدْ جَعَلَهَا رَبِّى حَقًّا ۖ وَقَدْ أَحْسَنَ بِىٓ إِذْ أَخْرَجَنِى مِنَ ٱلسِّجْنِ وَجَآءَ بِكُم مِّنَ ٱلْبَدْوِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَن نَّزَغَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَتِىٓ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى لَطِيفٌ لِّمَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
And he raised his parents upon the throne, and they bowed to him in prostration. And he said, "O my father, this is the explanation of my vision of before. My Lord has made it reality. And He was certainly good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you [here] from bedouin life after Satan had induced [estrangement] between me and my brothers. Indeed, my Lord is Subtle in what He wills. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise.
فَإِن لَّمْ تَأْتُونِى بِهِۦ فَلَا كَيْلَ لَكُمْ عِندِى وَلَا تَقْرَبُونِ
But if you do not bring him to me, no measure will there be [hereafter] for you from me, nor will you approach me."