سُوْرَةُ يُوسُفَ

Surah Yusuf (12) — Ayah 10

Joseph · Meccan · Juz 12 · Page 236

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قَالَ قَآئِلٌ مِّنْهُمْ لَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ يُوسُفَ وَأَلْقُوهُ فِى غَيَـٰبَتِ ٱلْجُبِّ يَلْتَقِطْهُ بَعْضُ ٱلسَّيَّارَةِ إِن كُنتُمْ فَـٰعِلِينَ ﴿10﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

One from among them said: "Kill not Yûsuf (Joseph), but if you must do something, throw him down to the bottom of a well; he will be picked up by some caravan of travellers."

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

قَالَ qāla Said
قَآئِلٌۭ qāilun a speaker
مِّنْهُمْ min'hum among them
لَا lā (Do) not
تَقْتُلُوا۟ taqtulū kill
يُوسُفَ yūsufa Yusuf
وَأَلْقُوهُ wa-alqūhu but throw him
فِى fī in
غَيَـٰبَتِ ghayābati the bottom
ٱلْجُبِّ l-jubi (of) the well
يَلْتَقِطْهُ yaltaqiṭ'hu will pick him
بَعْضُ baʿḍu some
ٱلسَّيَّارَةِ l-sayārati [the] caravan
إِن in if
كُنتُمْ kuntum you are
فَـٰعِلِينَ fāʿilīna doing

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The meaning of {قَالَ قَآىِٕلٌ مِّنْهُمْ لَا تَقْتُلُوْا يُوْسُفَ …:’’ غَيٰبَتِ ‘‘} in the lexicon is: {’’غَيَابَةُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مَا سَتَرَكَ مِنْهُ ‘‘ } that is, the concealment of anything is that which veils it from you, meaning it hides it from you. That is why the grave is also called {’’غَيَابَةٌ‘‘}. The meaning of {’’ الْجُبِّ ‘‘ } is a well, a well with much water and depth, or a well dug in the earth in which no wall of stones or bricks has been built, {’’السَّيَّارَةِ ‘‘} caravan. (Qamus) One of these brothers, who was naturally better and more compassionate than the others, when he saw them exceeding the limits, realizing that they would not be deterred in any way, gave them such advice that they could also accept and he would not be considered a supporter of Yusuf. That was: do not kill Yusuf, for murder is a very great crime. (The commentators say that he mentioned Yusuf’s name to evoke softness, compassion, and mercy in their hearts, so that they might reflect on whom they were about to kill—Yusuf, who is our brother.) If you must do something, then throw him into the depth of a blind well. In this way, your purpose will also be fulfilled, as some caravan will pick him up and take him away; you will succeed in your aim of removing him from your father’s sight, and you will also be saved from the murder of an innocent soul. {’’ قَالَ قَآىِٕلٌ مِّنْهُمْ ‘‘} This means that if those who suggested murder were brothers, then this was also a brother. Which brother said this, there is no mention of it in the Qur’an and Hadith, because for the purpose of guidance there was no need for it, and there is no knowing the truth or falsehood of the earlier books to rely on them and mention a name.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

10. 1 When it comes to a well, غَیَابَۃ refers to its bottom and depth. A well is already deep, and anything that falls into it is not visible to anyone. When the depth of the well is also mentioned along with it, it expresses exaggeration.

10. 2 That is, the new travelers passing by, when they come to the well in search of water, it is possible that someone may come to know that a human has fallen into the well, and they may take him out and take him with them. This suggestion was presented by one brother out of compassion. Compared to murder, this suggestion truly carries feelings of sympathy. The fire of jealousy among the brothers was so inflamed that even this suggestion was presented by him with fear, that if you must do something, then do it this way.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

10. One of them said: "Do not kill Yusuf, but if you must do something, then throw him into the depths of a well, so that some passing caravan may pick him up [9]."

[9] Then one of them (most likely the eldest brother, Judah) perhaps felt pity for Yusuf’s life and gave the opinion that they should not kill him, for that would be a great sin, and abandoning him in some far-off place would not be an easy task either. Therefore, the better and easier way is to throw him into a distant well that is located on a trade caravan route. When a caravan passes by, they will see him and take him away. In this way, Yusuf himself will reach a far-off place, and we will also be spared the trouble of going there ourselves.
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