قَالَ إِنِّى لَيَحْزُنُنِىٓ أَن تَذْهَبُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَأَخَافُ أَن يَأْكُلَهُ ٱلذِّئْبُ وَأَنتُمْ عَنْهُ غَـٰفِلُونَ 13
Translations
[Jacob] said, "Indeed, it saddens me that you should take him, and I fear that a wolf would eat him while you are of him unaware."
Transliteration
Qala inni layahzununni an tadhhabu bihi wa akhāfu an ya'kulahu al-dhi'bu wa antum 'anhu ghāfilūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Ya'qub (Jacob) expresses his deep emotional pain at the prospect of sending his beloved son Yusuf away, fearing that a wolf might attack and devour him while they are negligent. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this statement, though made with sincere paternal concern, paradoxically opens the door for Yusuf's brothers to scheme against him, as it demonstrates the father's extreme attachment and vulnerability regarding this son. The ayah illustrates the natural human emotions of a parent, while also demonstrating how Divine wisdom works through human circumstances.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Surah Yusuf, which is entirely Meccan. It captures the pivotal moment when Yusuf's brothers approach their father requesting to take Yusuf with them for play and trade, and Ya'qub's reluctant response. This conversation directly precedes the brothers' plot to dispose of Yusuf, making this ayah essential to understanding the surah's dramatic tension and the unfolding of Divine decree (qadr).
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Surah Yusuf is referenced in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said it is 'the best of stories' (ahsan al-qasas). Additionally, hadiths emphasizing parental love and concern for children's safety reflect the emotional authenticity of Ya'qub's statement.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that genuine parental concern is natural and legitimate, yet reminds us that our deepest fears and protective measures ultimately rest in Allah's hands—our role is to do what we can while maintaining trust in Divine wisdom, even when our worst anxieties seem to materialize.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا ۖ فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ ۖ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَأْتِيَنِى بِهِمْ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
[Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. Perhaps Allāh will bring them to me all together. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise."
قُلْ هَـٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِىٓ أَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا۠ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِى ۖ وَسُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allāh with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allāh; and I am not of those who associate others with Him."
وَسْـَٔلِ ٱلْقَرْيَةَ ٱلَّتِى كُنَّا فِيهَا وَٱلْعِيرَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَقْبَلْنَا فِيهَا ۖ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ
And ask the city in which we were and the caravan in which we came - and indeed, we are truthful.'"
وَدَخَلَ مَعَهُ ٱلسِّجْنَ فَتَيَانِ ۖ قَالَ أَحَدُهُمَآ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰنِىٓ أَعْصِرُ خَمْرًا ۖ وَقَالَ ٱلْـَٔاخَرُ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰنِىٓ أَحْمِلُ فَوْقَ رَأْسِى خُبْزًا تَأْكُلُ ٱلطَّيْرُ مِنْهُ ۖ نَبِّئْنَا بِتَأْوِيلِهِۦٓ ۖ إِنَّا نَرَىٰكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
And there entered the prison with him two young men. One of them said, "Indeed, I have seen myself [in a dream] pressing [grapes for] wine." The other said, "Indeed, I have seen myself carrying upon my head [some] bread, from which the birds were eating. Inform us of its interpretation; indeed, we see you to be of those who do good."