سُوْرَةُ يُوسُفَ

Surah Yusuf (12) — Ayah 44

Joseph · Meccan · Juz 12 · Page 241

قَالُوٓا۟ أَضْغَـٰثُ أَحْلَـٰمٍ ۖ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِتَأْوِيلِ ٱلْأَحْلَـٰمِ بِعَـٰلِمِينَ ﴿44﴾
They said: "Mixed up false dreams and we are not skilled in the interpretation of dreams."
قَالُوٓا۟ qālū They said
أَضْغَـٰثُ aḍghāthu Confused
أَحْلَـٰمٍۢ ۖ aḥlāmin dreams
وَمَا wamā and not
نَحْنُ naḥnu we
بِتَأْوِيلِ bitawīli (are) in the interpretation
ٱلْأَحْلَـٰمِ l-aḥlāmi (of) the dreams
بِعَـٰلِمِينَ biʿālimīna learned

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.

{قَالُوْۤا اَضْغَاثُ اَحْلَامٍ … : ’’ اَضْغَاثُ ‘‘ ’’ضِغْثٌ‘‘} is the plural of {’’ضِغْثٌ‘‘}, you pick a handful of grass, whatever mixed things come into your hand are called {’’ضِغْثٌ‘‘}, meaning these are confused and mixed-up dreams, not any organized or clear dream, and we do not know the interpretation of such dreams. In order to maintain their claims of expertise in the knowledge of interpretation, they declared the dream itself to be a collection of confused thoughts, just as the saying goes, "One who cannot dance calls the courtyard crooked."

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.

44. 1. This dream came to that king, whose minister was the Aziz of Egypt. Allah intended to bring about the release of Yusuf (علیہ السلام) through this dream. Thus, the courtiers, soothsayers, and astrologers of the king expressed their inability to interpret this disturbing dream. Some say that the statement of the astrologers means a complete denial of the science of dream interpretation, while others say that they were not unaware of the science of interpretation nor did they deny it; they only expressed ignorance regarding the interpretation of this particular dream.

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.

44. They said: "These are confused dreams, and we do not know the interpretation of such dreams [44]."

[44]
The Apology of the Interpreters:

This dream greatly astonished and disturbed the king. He gathered together the wise men of his country, astrologers, dream interpreters, and courtiers, and said, "I have seen such and such a dream. Can any of you interpret this dream for me?" But all of them expressed their inability to interpret the dream and said that this is not the kind of dream that can be interpreted. These are just confused and disturbed thoughts, and such thoughts have no interpretation.