سُوْرَةُ يُوسُفَ
Surah Yusuf (12) — Ayah 91
قَالُوا۟ تَٱللَّهِ لَقَدْ ءَاثَرَكَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا وَإِن كُنَّا لَخَـٰطِـِٔينَ ﴿91﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
They said: "By Allâh! Indeed Allâh has preferred you above us, and we certainly have been sinners."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قَالُوا۟
qālū
They said
تَٱللَّهِ
tal-lahi
By Allah
لَقَدْ
laqad
certainly
ءَاثَرَكَ
ātharaka
Allah has preferred you
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
Allah has preferred you
عَلَيْنَا
ʿalaynā
over us
وَإِن
wa-in
and indeed
كُنَّا
kunnā
we have been
لَخَـٰطِـِٔينَ
lakhāṭiīna
sinners
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.
(Ayah91) {قَالُوْا تَاللّٰهِ لَقَدْ اٰثَرَكَ اللّٰهُ … :} The entire scene of their oppression and injustice that had taken place at their hands came before the brothers, so they swore and admitted that indeed Allah has granted you superiority and excellence over us due to your patience, piety, and other good qualities. {’’ وَ اِنْ كُنَّا ‘‘} In the original, it was {’’اِنَّا كُنَّا‘‘}, the evidence for which is the "lam" that comes in {’’خَاطِئِيْنَ‘‘}. {’’اِنَّ‘‘} And emphasis with "inna" and "lam" is also a form of oath, that indeed, by wronging you, we knowingly did a wrong and sinful act. For the difference between {’’خَاطِئِيْنَ‘‘} and {’’ مُخْطِئِيْنَ ‘‘}, see the commentary of verse (29). After the brothers' admission of sin, observe the breadth of chest and magnanimity of Yusuf (peace be upon him); they had only admitted the sin and offered a plea, and before the time came for them to ask for forgiveness, he spoke up: «{ لَا تَثْرِيْبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ }» that today there is no reproach upon you.
