Surah Yusuf (12) — Ayah 22

(Ayah 22) ➊ {وَ لَمَّا بَلَغَ اَشُدَّهٗۤ اٰتَيْنٰهُ حُكْمًا وَّ عِلْمًا:’’ اَشُدَّ ‘‘} According to some scholars, it is singular which has come on the pattern of plural. Some have said it is plural, but its singular form does not exist in its wording. Some have said it is the plural of {’’ شِدَّةٌ ‘‘}, just as {’’نِعْمَةٌ ‘‘} is the plural of {’’ أَنْعُمٌ ‘‘}, meaning they reached the fullness of their strength and youth. The term of puberty has also been derived from the very word {’’ بَلَغَ ‘‘}. This is the time when, upon its arrival, the pen that records good and evil is appointed for a person, which was not appointed for him in childhood. Now he becomes capable of being the means for the birth of another human like himself. It is not known what evidence those people have who determine the age of Yusuf (peace be upon him) at this time as twenty-five, thirty, or forty years. In any case, the kind of prosperity and luxury in which Yusuf (peace be upon him) was brought up, this age comes like a storm, but upon him was the grace of Allah, due to which, instead of the calamities of arrogance, lust, and the afflictions of beauty and love, Allah Almighty granted him judgment and knowledge. {’’حُكْمٌ‘‘ } and {’’حِكْمَةٌ ‘‘} are almost synonymous, meaning the ability to decide in favor of truth between two opposing and clashing matters, truth and falsehood. After this ability is granted, a person becomes capable of deciding between right and wrong, and Allah Almighty granted him knowledge, that is, the recognition of good and evil and the ability to know and act upon those things which common people do not know, which includes the interpretation of dreams and also that knowledge which he demonstrated when, upon the offer of ministry, he requested the department of treasury: «{اِنِّيْ حَفِيْظٌ عَلِيْمٌ }» [ یوسف : ۵۵ ] "Indeed, I am a good keeper, knowledgeable."

➋ { وَ كَذٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِيْنَ :} Whether a person is prosperous or destitute, if he remains steadfast on goodness and righteousness, Allah Almighty rewards him in the same way. For example, any poor person who, instead of complaining to Allah and being displeased with his condition, remains patient and grateful for his destiny, is content with it, and does not take a wrong step, then Allah Almighty rewards him in the same way. The meaning is that this favor was not only for Yusuf (peace be upon him), but every person who adheres to ihsan (excellence) receives such a reward.