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
وَقَالَ لِفِتْيَـٰنِهِ ٱجْعَلُوا۟ بِضَـٰعَتَهُمْ فِى رِحَالِهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَعْرِفُونَهَآ إِذَا ٱنقَلَبُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
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."
قَالَ ٱجْعَلْنِى عَلَىٰ خَزَآئِنِ ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنِّى حَفِيظٌ عَلِيمٌ
[Joseph] said, "Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian."
فَلَمَّا ذَهَبُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَأَجْمَعُوٓا۟ أَن يَجْعَلُوهُ فِى غَيَـٰبَتِ ٱلْجُبِّ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْهِ لَتُنَبِّئَنَّهُم بِأَمْرِهِمْ هَـٰذَا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
So when they took him [out] and agreed to put him into the bottom of the well... But We inspired to him, "You will surely inform them [someday] about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity]."
فَلَمَّا رَءَا قَمِيصَهُۥ قُدَّ مِن دُبُرٍ قَالَ إِنَّهُۥ مِن كَيْدِكُنَّ ۖ إِنَّ كَيْدَكُنَّ عَظِيمٌ
So when he [i.e., her husband] saw his shirt torn from the back, he said, "Indeed, it is of your [i.e., women's] plan. Indeed, your plan is great [i.e., vehement].