وَقَالَ لِفِتْيَـٰنِهِ ٱجْعَلُوا۟ بِضَـٰعَتَهُمْ فِى رِحَالِهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَعْرِفُونَهَآ إِذَا ٱنقَلَبُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ 62
Translations
And [Joseph] said to his servants, "Put their merchandise into their saddlebags so they might recognize it when they have gone back to their people that perhaps they will [again] return."
Transliteration
Wa qāla lifityānihī 'ij'alū bida'atahum fī rihālihim la'allahum ya'rifūnahā idhā 'nqalabū 'ilā 'ahlihim la'allahum yarji'ūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Yusuf (peace be upon him) commanded his servants to place the merchants' merchandise (their payment in goods) back into their saddlebags without their knowledge, intending for them to discover it when they returned home to their families. This act was designed to create a reason for them to return to Egypt, as Yusuf desired to see his brother Benjamin again. Ibn Kathir notes this was a wise stratagem rooted in mercy and family affection, demonstrating Yusuf's intelligence and his subtle method of ensuring his brothers would return.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yusuf's encounter with his brothers when they came to Egypt seeking provisions during the famine. It follows Yusuf's recognition of his brothers and his preparation to unite with Benjamin. The context illustrates Yusuf's mature wisdom and righteous handling of a delicate family situation years after his betrayal by his brothers.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly addresses this specific incident, the principle of righteous stratagem (hikma) in dealing with family matters is reflected in Sahih Bukhari's narrations about prophetic wisdom in handling complex interpersonal situations. The broader theme of family reunion and mercy is central to the Quranic narrative.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that wisdom sometimes involves subtle and indirect methods to achieve righteous goals, and that sincere love for family can motivate intelligent, compassionate action even when direct approaches may fail. It reminds us that Allah guides the affairs of the righteous toward reunion and healing of fractured relationships.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ سَوْفَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ رَبِّىٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
He said, "I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."
قَالُوٓا۟ أَءِنَّكَ لَأَنتَ يُوسُفُ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا۠ يُوسُفُ وَهَـٰذَآ أَخِى ۖ قَدْ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْنَآ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ مَن يَتَّقِ وَيَصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
They said, "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said, "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Allāh has certainly favored us. Indeed, he who fears Allāh and is patient, then indeed, Allāh does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good."
فَلَمَّا ذَهَبُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَأَجْمَعُوٓا۟ أَن يَجْعَلُوهُ فِى غَيَـٰبَتِ ٱلْجُبِّ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْهِ لَتُنَبِّئَنَّهُم بِأَمْرِهِمْ هَـٰذَا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
So when they took him [out] and agreed to put him into the bottom of the well... But We inspired to him, "You will surely inform them [someday] about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity]."
وَقَالَ لِلَّذِى ظَنَّ أَنَّهُۥ نَاجٍ مِّنْهُمَا ٱذْكُرْنِى عِندَ رَبِّكَ فَأَنسَىٰهُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ ذِكْرَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلَبِثَ فِى ٱلسِّجْنِ بِضْعَ سِنِينَ
And he said to the one whom he knew would go free, "Mention me before your master." But Satan made him forget the mention [to] his master, and he [i.e., Joseph] remained in prison several years.