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
فَبَدَأَ بِأَوْعِيَتِهِمْ قَبْلَ وِعَآءِ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَخْرَجَهَا مِن وِعَآءِ أَخِيهِ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كِدْنَا لِيُوسُفَ ۖ مَا كَانَ لِيَأْخُذَ أَخَاهُ فِى دِينِ ٱلْمَلِكِ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ نَرْفَعُ دَرَجَـٰتٍ مَّن نَّشَآءُ ۗ وَفَوْقَ كُلِّ ذِى عِلْمٍ عَلِيمٌ
So he began [the search] with their bags before the bag of his brother; then he extracted it from the bag of his brother. Thus did We plan for Joseph. He could not have taken his brother within the religion [i.e., law] of the king except that Allāh willed. We raise in degrees whom We will, but over every possessor of knowledge is one [more] knowing.
إِذْ قَالُوا۟ لَيُوسُفُ وَأَخُوهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَبِينَا مِنَّا وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّ أَبَانَا لَفِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
When they said, "Joseph and his brother are more beloved to our father than we, while we are a clan. Indeed, our father is in clear error.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا ٱسْتَيْـَٔسَ ٱلرُّسُلُ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ كُذِبُوا۟ جَآءَهُمْ نَصْرُنَا فَنُجِّىَ مَن نَّشَآءُ ۖ وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُنَا عَنِ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
[They continued] until, when the messengers despaired and were certain that they had been denied, there came to them Our victory, and whoever We willed was saved. And Our punishment cannot be repelled from the people who are criminals.
قَالُوا۟ تَٱللَّهِ إِنَّكَ لَفِى ضَلَـٰلِكَ ٱلْقَدِيمِ
They said, "By Allāh, indeed you are in your [same] old error."