ﲋ ﲌ ﲍ ﲎ ﲏ ﲐ ﲑ ﲒ ﲓ ﲔ ﲕ ﲖ ﲗ ﲘ ﲙ ﲚ ﲛ ﲜ ﲝ ﲞ ﲟ
O two companions of prison, as for one of you, he will give drink to his master of wine; but as for the other, he will be crucified, and the birds will eat from his head. The matter has been decreed about which you both inquire."
Tafsir
Verse range: 12:41
Ikrimah recited it as fayusqā rabbuhu (he shall be given drink by his lord), meaning he shall be given that with which he quenches his thirst, in the passive voice.
It is narrated that he said to the first: "What you saw of the vine and its beauty is the King and your good standing with him. As for the three branches, they are three days that will pass in prison, then you will be released and return to what you were."
He said to the second: "What you saw of the baskets are three days, then you will be released and executed."
{The matter is decided} It is cut off and finalized regarding {that which you inquire about} concerning your affair and your situation.
If you ask: They did not inquire about one matter, but about two different matters, so what is the reason for the singular form? I say: The "matter" refers to what they were accused of regarding the King's poison and why they were imprisoned. They thought that what they saw was related to the calamity that had befallen them. It is as if they were asking him about the matter that had befallen them: would its outcome be salvation or destruction? So he said to them: "The matter about which you inquire is decided," meaning the outcome to which it leads—the destruction of one and the salvation of the other.
It is also said: They denied it and said, "We saw nothing," as it is narrated that they conspired to lie to him. So he informed them that it would happen regardless of whether they spoke the truth or lied.
{And he said to the one whom he knew would be saved: "Mention me to your lord." But Satan made him forget to mention him to his lord, so he remained in prison for several years.}
