وَجَآءَ إِخْوَةُ يُوسُفَ فَدَخَلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِ فَعَرَفَهُمْ وَهُمْ لَهُۥ مُنكِرُونَ 58
Translations
And the brothers of Joseph came [seeking food], and they entered upon him; and he recognized them, but he was to them unknown.
Transliteration
Wa jaa'a ikhwatu Yusuf fa dakhalu alayhi fa arafahum wa hum lahu munkirun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the pivotal moment when Yusuf's brothers arrive in Egypt during the famine, not knowing that the powerful Egyptian minister before them is their own brother whom they had betrayed years earlier. Yusuf recognizes them immediately, while they fail to recognize him due to the passage of time, his elevated status, and divine wisdom concealing his identity from them. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this recognition demonstrates Yusuf's memory and patience, while their ignorance sets the stage for his ultimate test of character and the fulfillment of his earlier dreams.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative arc of Surah Yusuf during the famine years in Egypt. It marks the convergence of Yusuf's patience and prophetic vision with the consequences of his brothers' past sin, as they are now forced to seek help from the very brother they had wronged. The surah itself was revealed in Mecca to console Prophet Muhammad during his trials.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly addresses this specific ayah, Sahih Bukhari contains hadiths about patience (sabr) and divine justice, such as those narrating the Prophet's statement that 'the greatest reward comes with the greatest trial' (Al-Bukhari 5645), thematically relevant to Yusuf's entire narrative of patient endurance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Allah's plans often unfold in ways we cannot immediately perceive, rewarding those who maintain patience and righteousness even in apparent abandonment. It reminds us that true victory comes not through revenge, but through maintaining our dignity and character, which ultimately allows us to demonstrate forgiveness and mercy to those who have wronged us.