Tafsir of Yusuf 12:46

"Yusuf, O truthful one."

There is an omission in the discourse, meaning: "So they sent him, and he came to him and said: 'O Yusuf.'"

He described him with exaggeration in truthfulness, according to what he had learned and experienced of his character during the duration of his stay with him in prison, for he was intent on seizing his influence and acquiring his lights; this is a form of bara'at al-istihlal (skilful opening). It contains an indication that it is appropriate for the seeker of a religious verdict to honor the one giving the verdict. From this, it is deduced that the two did not lie to Yusuf regarding their dreams, and that they only lied when they said, "We lied," if that is indeed established.

"Explain to us concerning seven fat cows which seven lean ones eat, and seven green ears of corn and others that are dry."

Meaning: concerning the dream of that. He did not explicitly state it because his intention was clear, given the context of their previous interaction, and because the content of the incident indicates it, as the like of it does not occur in the visible world. The meaning is: "Clarify for us the outcome of that and its ruling." He expressed this as a request for a formal legal opinion (ifta'), and did not say, as he and his companion had said previously, "Inform us of its interpretation," in order to magnify his status—peace be upon him—once he had witnessed his rank of merit.

He did not say "Explain to me" as the sole seeker of the verdict, to signify that the dream was not his own, but that of another who had involvement in public affairs, and that he [the messenger] was merely an interpreter and a messenger in this matter. For this reason, he did not alter the phrasing of the King. This is signaled by his saying: "That I may return to the people." Meaning: to the King and those with him, or to the people of the city, "that I may inform them," with what you have clarified for me, "that they may know" that, and know the requirement thereof, or know of your virtue and your status despite the condition you are in, so that you may be delivered from it. According to Abu Hayyan, the sentence in the first instance is like a justification for the return, and in the second, a justification for the informing.

He did not make a definitive statement, but instead said "that I may" and "that they may," in accordance with the standard of etiquette in the presence of him—peace be upon him—and as a precaution against recklessness, for he was not certain of his return—for a man may be in the land of the living, fortunate, when suddenly he is in the grave, erased by the winds—nor was he certain of their knowing it; for perhaps they might not know it, either due to their lack of understanding or their lack of reliance [on the information].