۞ لَّقَدْ كَانَ فِى يُوسُفَ وَإِخْوَتِهِۦٓ ءَايَـٰتٌ لِّلسَّآئِلِينَ 7
Translations
Certainly were there in Joseph and his brothers signs for those who ask, [such as]
Transliteration
Laqad kana fee Yusuf wa ikhwatih ayatun lilssa'ileen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah introduces the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) and his brothers as containing clear signs and lessons for those who ask and seek knowledge. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that the word 'ayat' (signs) refers to the miraculous and instructive events in Yusuf's life that demonstrate divine wisdom, justice, and providence. The phrase 'for those who ask' emphasizes that these lessons are particularly beneficial for the thoughtful, the seekers of truth, and those who reflect upon the divine message.
Revelation Context
This ayah opens the detailed narrative of Surah Yusuf, which was revealed in Mecca during a period when the Prophet Muhammad faced significant opposition. The surah was revealed as a comfort to the Prophet during his trials, drawing parallels between his suffering and that of Prophet Yusuf, showing that divine wisdom and eventual triumph accompany patience and faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad said: 'Yusuf was given half of all beauty' (Sahih Bukhari 3241). Additionally, the Prophet encouraged reflection on Quranic stories, saying the Quran contains signs for those with understanding (Q. 29:49), which relates to the concept of 'ayat' in this verse.
Themes
Key Lesson
The story of Yusuf serves as a timeless reminder that trials and hardships contain divine wisdom and lessons for the believer who reflects upon them with an open heart. Modern readers should recognize that personal struggles, when approached with faith and patience, become sources of spiritual growth and signs of Allah's guidance.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَـٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَمُبَشِّرًۢا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِى مِنۢ بَعْدِى ٱسْمُهُۥٓ أَحْمَدُ ۖ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالُوا۟ هَـٰذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ
And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "O Children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allāh to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Aḥmad." But when he came to them with clear evidences, they said, "This is obvious magic."
رَبِّ مُوسَىٰ وَهَـٰرُونَ
The Lord of Moses and Aaron."
۞ تِلْكَ ٱلرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۘ مِّنْهُم مَّن كَلَّمَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَهُمْ دَرَجَـٰتٍ ۚ وَءَاتَيْنَا عِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَأَيَّدْنَـٰهُ بِرُوحِ ٱلْقُدُسِ ۗ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا ٱقْتَتَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَتْهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتُ وَلَـٰكِنِ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ ءَامَنَ وَمِنْهُم مَّن كَفَرَ ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا ٱقْتَتَلُوا۟ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ
Those messengers - some of them We caused to exceed others. Among them were those to whom Allāh spoke, and He raised some of them in degree. And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs, and We supported him with the Pure Spirit [i.e., Gabriel]. If Allāh had willed, those [generations] succeeding them would not have fought each other after the clear proofs had come to them. But they differed, and some of them believed and some of them disbelieved. And if Allāh had willed, they would not have fought each other, but Allāh does what He intends.
عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰٓ
Near it is the Garden of Refuge [i.e., Paradise] -