وَجَآءَتْ سَيَّارَةٌ فَأَرْسَلُوا۟ وَارِدَهُمْ فَأَدْلَىٰ دَلْوَهُۥ ۖ قَالَ يَـٰبُشْرَىٰ هَـٰذَا غُلَـٰمٌ ۚ وَأَسَرُّوهُ بِضَـٰعَةً ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ 19
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Wa jaa'at sayyaaratun fa arsaluu waridahum fa adlaa dallawahu qala yaa bushraa hadha ghulaamun wa asarruhu bi daa'ah wa Allahu alimun bima ya'malun
Tafsir (Explanation)
A caravan of travelers passes by the well where Yusuf had been thrown, and they send their water-drawer (servant) to fetch water. When he lowers the bucket, he finds Yusuf and joyfully announces the discovery of a boy, intending to sell him as merchandise. The ayah emphasizes that despite their plans to conceal this transaction, Allah is fully aware of all their actions and intentions. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that this represents a turning point in Yusuf's trial—while the brothers sought to hide their crime, Allah's providence was guiding events toward ultimate justice and Yusuf's elevation.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative arc of Surah Yusuf, which details the tribulations of Prophet Yusuf after his brothers cast him into the well out of jealousy. The surah was revealed in Mecca during a period when the Prophet Muhammad faced persecution, and Yusuf's story serves as consolation (tasalliyah) and a lesson in patience and trust in Divine providence. This particular verse advances the plot as Yusuf is rescued from the well, though his trials are far from over.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly references this verse, the broader theme relates to Sahih Bukhari's hadith on patience: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for all of his affairs are good.' This reflects the underlying principle that Allah turns trials into blessings for the believers, as exemplified by Yusuf's rescue.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no action or intention remains hidden from Allah, regardless of human efforts to conceal wrongdoing, and that apparent misfortunes often contain hidden blessings and serve as means of elevation for those who remain patient and faithful. For modern readers, it reinforces that integrity and honesty are essential, and that ultimate justice rests with Allah alone.