قَالَ سَوْفَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ رَبِّىٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ 98
Translations
He said, "I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."
Transliteration
Qala sawfa astaghfiru lakum rabbi, innahu huwa al-ghafuru al-raheem
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Yusuf responds to his brothers' request for forgiveness by saying he will seek forgiveness for them from his Lord, affirming that Allah is indeed the Most Forgiving and the Most Merciful. This demonstrates Yusuf's noble character, his reliance upon Allah's attributes, and his refusal to hold grudges despite the grave injustices his brothers committed against him. The scholars, including Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, note that this response reflects the highest standard of Islamic morality—responding to past wrongs with mercy, compassion, and intercession rather than retribution.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs near the conclusion of Surah Yusuf, after Yusuf's brothers come before him seeking forgiveness for their sin of selling him into slavery decades earlier. The verse is part of the climactic reconciliation scene where Yusuf's character of forbearance and noble conduct reaches its pinnacle, demonstrating the fruits of his patience and steadfastness throughout his trials.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi). This echoes Yusuf's treatment of his brothers with kindness despite their betrayal, exemplifying familial compassion.
Themes
Key Lesson
True greatness lies not in the ability to take revenge, but in the capacity to forgive and intercede for those who have wronged us. By entrusting our grievances to Allah's infinite mercy and forgiveness, we free ourselves from bitterness and align our hearts with divine compassion.
Related Ayahs
وَقَالَ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱئْتُونِى بِهِۦٓ أَسْتَخْلِصْهُ لِنَفْسِى ۖ فَلَمَّا كَلَّمَهُۥ قَالَ إِنَّكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ لَدَيْنَا مَكِينٌ أَمِينٌ
And the king said, "Bring him to me; I will appoint him exclusively for myself." And when he spoke to him, he said, "Indeed, you are today established [in position] and trusted."
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]."
وَٱتَّبَعْتُ مِلَّةَ ءَابَآءِىٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ ۚ مَا كَانَ لَنَآ أَن نُّشْرِكَ بِٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِن فَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ
And I have followed the religion of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And it was not for us to associate anything with Allāh. That is from the favor of Allāh upon us and upon the people, but most of the people are not grateful.
وَمَآ أَكْثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ
And most of the people, although you strive [for it], are not believers.