Tafsir of Yusuf 12:68

Surah Yusuf (12:68)

The commentators said: When Jacob said, {And what profit would have availed you against Allah from anything} (Yusuf: 67), Allah confirmed him in that, saying:

{And that separation would not have availed against Allah anything.}

There are two discussions regarding this:

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: That separation (of the brothers) would not have averted the decree of Allah or a matter that Allah had ordained.

Al-Zajjaj said: If the evil eye was destined to strike them, it would have struck them whether they were separated or gathered together.

Ibn al-Anbari said: If it had been established in Allah's knowledge that the evil eye would destroy them upon gathering, then their separation would be like their gathering.

These statements are close in meaning. The essence is that caution (hithr) does not repel destiny (qadar).

The phrase {from anything} (min shay’in) allows for two grammatical readings:

1. Accusative (Mansub) as an object: Similar to saying, Mā ra’aytu min aḥadin (I did not see anyone), where the meaning is Mā ra’aytu aḥadan (I did not see anyone). Thus, the meaning here is: Their separation would not have availed them against Allah's decree in any way; meaning, that separation did not remove anything from under the dominion of Allah's decree.

2. Nominative (Marfu') as a subject: Similar to saying, Mā jā’anī min aḥadin (No one came to me), where the meaning is Mā jā’anī aḥadun (No one came to me). Thus, the meaning here is: Nothing would have availed them against Allah along with His decree.

As for His saying: {Except for a need in the soul of Jacob which he fulfilled}

Al-Zajjaj said: This is a disjunctive exception (istithnā’ munqaṭi‘). The meaning is: But there was a need in the soul of Jacob which he fulfilled. That is, entering (the city) in a state of separation fulfilled a need in Jacob's soul.

They mentioned several interpretations for this need:

1. His fear for them from the evil eye.
2. His fear for them from the envy of the people of Egypt.
3. His fear for them that the King of Egypt might intend them harm.
4. His fear that they might not return to him.

All these interpretations are closely related.

As for His saying: {And indeed, he is possessed of knowledge because of what We taught him}

Al-Wahidi said: The mā (in limā ‘allamnāhu) could be a maṣdariyyah (indicating a verbal noun), and the pronoun hā’ (in ‘allamnāhu) refers back to Jacob. The meaning would be: Indeed, he is possessed of knowledge because of Our teaching him.

Alternatively, mā could mean "that which" (alladhī), and the pronoun hā’ refers back to mā. The interpretation would be: Indeed, he is possessed of knowledge of that which We taught him—meaning, when We taught him something, knowledge of that thing resulted for him.

There are two other opinions regarding the verse:

1. The knowledge (‘ilm) intended here means preservation (ḥifẓ); i.e., he is possessed of preservation for what We taught him and vigilance over it.
2. He is possessed of knowledge regarding the benefits and good consequences of what he was taught, which indicates that he acts upon what he knows.

Then He said: {But most people do not know.}

There are two interpretations for this:

1. Most people do not know what Jacob knew.
2. They do not know that Jacob possesses this quality and knowledge.

The intended meaning of "most people" (akthar an-nās) is the polytheists, as they do not know how Allah guides His allies to the knowledge that benefits them in this world and the Hereafter.

Surah Yusuf (12:69-73)

**{And when they entered upon Joseph, he took his brother aside and said, "Indeed, I am your brother, so do not grieve at what they used to do." Then when he had furnished them with their provisions, he placed the drinking cup in his brother's sack. Then a crier cried out, "O you people of the caravan, indeed you are thieves!" They said, turning toward them, "What is it that you miss?" They said, "We miss the king's measure, and for whoever produces it is a camel's load, and I am responsible for it."}