۞ قَالُوٓا۟ إِن يَسْرِقْ فَقَدْ سَرَقَ أَخٌ لَّهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ فَأَسَرَّهَا يُوسُفُ فِى نَفْسِهِۦ وَلَمْ يُبْدِهَا لَهُمْ ۚ قَالَ أَنتُمْ شَرٌّ مَّكَانًا ۖ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا تَصِفُونَ 77
Translations
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."
Transliteration
Qālū in yasriq fa-qad sarāqa akhun lahū min qablu fa-asarrrahā Yūsufu fī nafsihī wa-lam yubdihā lahum qāla antum sharrun makānan wa-Allāhu a'lamu bi-mā tasfūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
When Yusuf's brothers accused Benjamin of theft, they justified their suspicion by claiming that a brother of his had stolen before (referring to Yusuf's own past actions, which they misunderstood). Yusuf kept this knowledge secret within himself rather than revealing it to them immediately. He then declared that they were worse in position or character, as Allah knows best what they describe. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this moment showcases Yusuf's forbearance and his understanding that his brothers' accusations were rooted in ignorance of the truth, while his silence demonstrates wisdom in not immediately exposing their guilt or his own identity.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the climactic scene of Surah Yusuf where Yusuf's younger brother Benjamin is falsely accused of theft by Yusuf's servants (by Yusuf's own design as a test). The broader context of the surah is Yusuf's journey from slavery to power in Egypt, and this moment represents a turning point where his identity and innocence will soon be revealed to his brothers.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, the principle of forbearance (hilm) is exemplified in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) demonstrated patience when wronged, stating 'The strong person is not the one who overcomes people in wrestling, but the one who controls himself when angry' (Sahih Muslim 2609).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that possessing knowledge of others' faults or misunderstandings about ourselves does not require immediate disclosure; true strength lies in maintaining composure and entrusting judgment to Allah. It reminds us that accusations often stem from incomplete information, and responding with patience and dignity rather than anger or defensiveness reflects the character of those chosen by Allah.