فَلَمَّا ٱسْتَيْـَٔسُوا۟ مِنْهُ خَلَصُوا۟ نَجِيًّا ۖ قَالَ كَبِيرُهُمْ أَلَمْ تَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ أَبَاكُمْ قَدْ أَخَذَ عَلَيْكُم مَّوْثِقًا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمِن قَبْلُ مَا فَرَّطتُمْ فِى يُوسُفَ ۖ فَلَنْ أَبْرَحَ ٱلْأَرْضَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْذَنَ لِىٓ أَبِىٓ أَوْ يَحْكُمَ ٱللَّهُ لِى ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلْحَـٰكِمِينَ 80
Translations
So when they had despaired of him, they secluded themselves in private consultation. The eldest of them said, "Do you not know that your father has taken upon you an oath by Allāh and [that] before you failed in [your duty to] Joseph? So I will never leave [this] land until my father permits me or Allāh decides for me, and He is the best of judges.
Transliteration
Falamma istay'asu minhu khalasu najiyya. Qala kabiruhum alam ta'lamu anna abakum qad akhadha alaikum mawthiqan minallah wa min qablu ma farattum fi Yusuf. Falan abraha al-ard hatta ya'dhana li abiy aw yahkum Allahu li wa huwa khayru al-hakimin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
After losing hope of convincing the Egyptian ruler to release Benjamin, the brothers withdrew to confer privately amongst themselves. The eldest brother reminded them of their covenant with their father (made in the name of Allah) to protect Benjamin, and reminded them of their previous failure regarding Yusuf. He then declared his firm resolve to remain in Egypt until either his father permits his return or Allah judges in his favor, placing complete trust in Allah's wisdom and justice. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize the eldest brother's noble character and unwavering commitment to both filial duty and divine trust.
Revelation Context
This verse occurs within the climactic narrative of Surah Yusuf, after the ruler's minister has framed Benjamin with theft. The ayah reflects the emotional and moral crisis of the brothers as they confront the consequences of their past sin against Yusuf. The surah is Meccan, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad as consolation during persecution, with its themes of patience, divine providence, and ultimate vindication.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly quotes this verse, the principle of keeping covenants is emphasized in Surah At-Tawbah 9:111 and throughout hadith collections. The theme of patience in trials and trust in Allah's judgment is reflected in numerous ahadith, such as those in Sahih Bukhari regarding sabr (patience) and tawakkul (reliance on Allah).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that genuine remorse for past wrongs should motivate righteous action in the present, and that steadfast commitment to duty combined with trust in Allah's wisdom is the path through seemingly impossible circumstances. For believers today, it demonstrates the importance of honoring oaths and covenants, especially those made in Allah's name, and relying on divine justice when human systems fail.