سُوْرَةُ يُوسُفَ

Surah Yusuf (12) — Ayah 11

Joseph · Meccan · Juz 12 · Page 236

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قَالُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَبَانَا مَا لَكَ لَا تَأْمَ۫نَّا عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَنَـٰصِحُونَ ﴿11﴾

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

They said: "O our father! Why do you not trust us with Yûsuf (Joseph) though we are indeed his well-wishers?"

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

قَالُوا۟ qālū They said
يَـٰٓأَبَانَا yāabānā O our father
مَا mā Why
لَكَ laka (do) you
لَا lā not
تَأْمَ۫نَّا tamannā trust us
عَلَىٰ ʿalā with
يُوسُفَ yūsufa Yusuf
وَإِنَّا wa-innā while indeed, we
لَهُۥ lahu (are) for him
لَنَـٰصِحُونَ lanāṣiḥūna surely well-wishers

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.

(Ayah 12,11){ قَالُوْا يٰۤاَبَانَا مَا لَكَ لَا تَاْمَنَّا …:} Now the stage was at hand as to how to take Yusuf (peace be upon him) along with them. From this verse, it is evident that before this, they had tried several times to take Yusuf (peace be upon him) along, but the father had not given permission, and that the father did not trust them regarding Yusuf even before, whether they were well-wishers for him or would not harm him in any way. This time, all ten brothers used every tactic of pleading, flattery, and pressure to seek permission to take Yusuf (peace be upon him) along. First of all, they spoke with utmost respect and pleading; see the beginning {’’ يٰۤاَبَانَا ‘‘} “O our father!” What closer relationship could there be to bring forward in a request and not soften the heart? Then see the pressure: “What is the matter with you that you do not trust us regarding Yusuf?” (As if the entire fault is with the father) “Even though we are surely his well-wishers.” {’’ اِنَّا ‘‘} with {’’ اِنَّ ‘‘} and {’’ لَنٰصِحُوْنَ ‘‘} with the lam, observe how they assure their well-wishing; among the Arabs, this carries the meaning of an oath. Then they mention further well-wishing for Yusuf, that he never had the opportunity to go out into the wilderness for recreation. Tomorrow, send him with us; he will eat and drink the fruits of the wilderness, play and frolic, and be happy at heart. As for the danger of wild animals, etc., in the wilderness and desert, do not worry about that. “Surely” we are “certainly” his protectors. These are the same oath-like words they used while assuring their well-wishing, that {’’ وَ اِنَّا لَهٗ لَنٰصِحُوْنَ ‘‘} From this, it is also evident that their occupation was herding goats, etc., in the wilderness.

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.

11. 1. This shows that perhaps before this as well, the brothers of Yusuf (علیہ السلام) had tried to take Yusuf (علیہ السلام) with them and the father had refused.

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.

11. (After this suggestion) they said to their father: "What is the matter with you that you do not trust us with Yusuf [10], even though we are his well-wishers?"

[10]
The Brothers’ Demand to Take Yusuf Along from Their Father:

Now the question was how they could take Yusuf with them so they could carry out their plan. Sayyiduna Yaqub already knew that his sons did not have pure hearts towards Yusuf. For this purpose, they had to resort to lies and deceit. They said to their father that after all, they were his brothers. Why did he hesitate to let Yusuf go out with them? He should trust them. They were not his enemies, and it would be better if, when they took their flock to graze in the wilderness the next day, he would send Yusuf with them. There, his heart would be entertained, he would eat the fruits of the wilderness, he would become familiar with them, and they would become familiar with him, and they would also fully protect him.
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