وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِى ٱشْتَرَىٰهُ مِن مِّصْرَ لِٱمْرَأَتِهِۦٓ أَكْرِمِى مَثْوَىٰهُ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَنفَعَنَآ أَوْ نَتَّخِذَهُۥ وَلَدًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلِنُعَلِّمَهُۥ مِن تَأْوِيلِ ٱلْأَحَادِيثِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ 21
Translations
And the one from Egypt who bought him said to his wife, "Make his residence comfortable. Perhaps he will benefit us, or we will adopt him as a son." And thus, We established Joseph in the land that We might teach him the interpretation of events [i.e., dreams]. And Allāh is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know.
Transliteration
Wa-qala alladhee ishtaraahu min Misra li-imra'atihi akrimi mathwaahu asa an yanfa'ana aw nattakhidhahu walada. Wa-kadhalika makkanna li-Yusufa fi al-ardi wa-li-nu'allimahu min ta'wil al-ahadith. Wa-Allahu ghalibun ala amrihi wa-lakin akthara al-nasi la ya'lamun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Egyptian nobleman who purchased Yusuf (Joseph) commanded his wife to treat him honorably, hoping he might benefit them or they might adopt him as a son. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this act of kindness was divinely ordained to provide Joseph a place of safety and education. Allah established Joseph in the land of Egypt and taught him the interpretation of dreams, demonstrating that despite human plans and ignorance, Allah's will prevails—a truth most people fail to comprehend.
Revelation Context
This ayah continues the narrative of Yusuf's journey after being sold into slavery in Egypt. It establishes the turning point where his circumstances improve through divine providence, setting the stage for his rise to prominence in Egypt. The context demonstrates how Allah orchestrates events to fulfill His purposes and Joseph's prophetic destiny.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3399): The Prophet Muhammad said, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family.' This relates to the nobleman's command to honor Joseph's dwelling. Additionally, there are traditions about the Prophet's admiration for Prophet Joseph's patience and character.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that beneath apparent hardships lie divine blessings and purposes we may not immediately comprehend; trust in Allah's plan and treat others with dignity, for we never know how Allah may use kindness to fulfill His greater designs. It reminds us that worldly success and knowledge are blessings from Allah meant to purify the soul and strengthen faith.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰصَـٰحِبَىِ ٱلسِّجْنِ ءَأَرْبَابٌ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيْرٌ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْوَٰحِدُ ٱلْقَهَّارُ
O [my] two companions of prison, are separate lords better or Allāh, the One, the Prevailing?
قَالَ مَعَاذَ ٱللَّهِ أَن نَّأْخُذَ إِلَّا مَن وَجَدْنَا مَتَـٰعَنَا عِندَهُۥٓ إِنَّآ إِذًا لَّظَـٰلِمُونَ
He said, "[I seek] the refuge of Allāh [to prevent] that we take except him with whom we found our possession. Indeed, we would then be unjust."
۞ قَالُوٓا۟ إِن يَسْرِقْ فَقَدْ سَرَقَ أَخٌ لَّهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ فَأَسَرَّهَا يُوسُفُ فِى نَفْسِهِۦ وَلَمْ يُبْدِهَا لَهُمْ ۚ قَالَ أَنتُمْ شَرٌّ مَّكَانًا ۖ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا تَصِفُونَ
They said, "If he steals - a brother of his has stolen before." But Joseph kept it within himself and did not reveal it to them. He said, "You are worse in position, and Allāh is most knowing of what you describe."
قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَشْكُوا۟ بَثِّى وَحُزْنِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
He said, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allāh, and I know from Allāh that which you do not know.