قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا ۖ فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ ۖ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَأْتِيَنِى بِهِمْ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ 83
Translations
[Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. Perhaps Allāh will bring them to me all together. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise."
Transliteration
Qāla bal sawwalat lakum anfusukum amrā, fa-sabrun jamīl, 'asā -llāhu an ya'tiyani bihim jamī'ā, innahu huwa al-'alīmu al-hakīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Ya'qub (Jacob) responds to his sons' claim that Yusuf was eaten by a wolf by rejecting their account, declaring that their own souls have enticed them to concoct this false story. He chooses beautiful patience (sabr jamīl)—patience without complaint or despair—and places his trust in Allah's ability to reunite him with all his sons, affirming Allah's complete knowledge and wisdom. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Ya'qub's response demonstrates the characteristics of a true believer: discernment of truth, unwavering faith despite overwhelming grief, and reliance upon Allah's divine plan.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Yusuf's sale into slavery by his jealous brothers. Ya'qub, despite losing his most beloved son and receiving a false account of his death, maintains his faith and intuitive knowledge of his son's innocence. The context reveals the broader Quranic theme of trials (balahs) as a means of spiritual purification and divine testing for the righteous.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever is patient, Allah rewards with Paradise; and whoever is impatient, Allah hastens his punishment' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized that sabr jamīl (beautiful patience) is superior to all other virtues (Sahih Bukhari).
Themes
Key Lesson
Beautiful patience—maintaining composure and faith without complaint during hardship—is a mark of true servitude to Allah and yields the greatest spiritual rewards. Even in the face of seemingly unbearable loss, believers should trust in Allah's omniscience and wisdom, knowing that He orchestrates events for purposes beyond our immediate understanding.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ لَا يَأْتِيكُمَا طَعَامٌ تُرْزَقَانِهِۦٓ إِلَّا نَبَّأْتُكُمَا بِتَأْوِيلِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمَا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمَا مِمَّا عَلَّمَنِى رَبِّىٓ ۚ إِنِّى تَرَكْتُ مِلَّةَ قَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَهُم بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ كَـٰفِرُونَ
He said, "You will not receive food that is provided to you except that I will inform you of its interpretation before it comes to you. That is from what my Lord has taught me. Indeed, I have left the religion of a people who do not believe in Allāh, and they, in the Hereafter, are disbelievers.
فَإِن لَّمْ تَأْتُونِى بِهِۦ فَلَا كَيْلَ لَكُمْ عِندِى وَلَا تَقْرَبُونِ
But if you do not bring him to me, no measure will there be [hereafter] for you from me, nor will you approach me."
قَالَ يَـٰبُنَىَّ لَا تَقْصُصْ رُءْيَاكَ عَلَىٰٓ إِخْوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُوا۟ لَكَ كَيْدًا ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
He said, "O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers or they will contrive against you a plan. Indeed Satan, to man, is a manifest enemy.
وَلَمَّا جَهَّزَهُم بِجَهَازِهِمْ قَالَ ٱئْتُونِى بِأَخٍ لَّكُم مِّنْ أَبِيكُمْ ۚ أَلَا تَرَوْنَ أَنِّىٓ أُوفِى ٱلْكَيْلَ وَأَنَا۠ خَيْرُ ٱلْمُنزِلِينَ
And when he had furnished them with their supplies, he said, "Bring me a brother of yours from your father. Do you not see that I give full measure and that I am the best of accommodators?