Tafsir of Yusuf 12:5

"He said, 'O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers, lest they plot against you a plot...'"

Ya‘qub (peace be upon him) recognized that the vision indicated that Allah would raise Yusuf to a station of wisdom, choose him for prophethood, and bestow upon him the honor of both worlds, just as He had done with his forefathers. He feared for him the envy and aggression of his brothers.

• "The vision" (al-ru’ya): This is synonymous with "seeing" (al-ru’ya), but it is specifically restricted to what occurs in sleep, not while awake. They are distinguished by the two feminine markers (the ta and the alif), similar to the distinction between al-qurba (nearness) and al-qurba (kinship).
• Variants: It is read as ru’yak (with the hamza changed to a waw). Al-Kisa’i heard riyak and riyak (with assimilation, and the ra both damma and kasra), though these are weak because the waw is in the position of a hamza and does not support assimilation, just as assimilation is not supported in ittazara (from izar) or ittajara (from ajr).
• "Lest they plot" (fayakidu): This is in the subjunctive mood due to an implied an. The meaning is: "If you relate it to them, they will plot against you." If you ask: "Why was it not said fayakiduka (so they plot against you), as it was said fakiduni (so plot against me)?" I would say: It implies the meaning of a verb that takes the preposition lam (for), to convey the meaning of the act of plotting along with the meaning of the implied verb. This is more emphatic and expressive in conveying fear, similar to saying fayahtalu laka (so they devise a trick for you). Note the emphasis with the verbal noun.
• "A clear enemy" (‘aduwwun mubin): Manifest in his enmity, due to what he did to Adam and Eve, and because of his saying, "I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path" (Al-A‘raf: 16). He incites plotting, deception, and all evil to entrap those he influences, and one cannot be secure that he will not incite them to do the same.

"And thus will your Lord choose you..."

• "And thus" (wa kadhalika): Meaning, just as He chose you for this great vision—which indicates honor, glory, and high status—so too will your Lord choose you for great matters.
• "And teach you" (wa yu‘allimuka): This is a new sentence, not included in the comparison. It is as if it were said: "And He will teach you and complete His favor upon you."
• "Choosing" (al-ijtiba’): This is istifa’ (selection). It is the ifti‘al form of jabaytu (I gathered/collected something for myself). Jabaytu the water in a basin means I collected it.
• "Interpretation of events" (ta’wil al-ahadith): This refers to visions, because a vision is either a discourse of the soul, an angel, or a devil. Its ta’wil is its expression and explanation. Yusuf (peace be upon him) was the most skilled of people in interpreting visions and the most accurate in expressing them. It is also possible that "interpretation of events" refers to the meanings of the Books of Allah, the traditions of the prophets, and the purposes and intentions within them that are obscure or ambiguous to people; he explains them, clarifies them, and guides them to their hidden wisdom. They are called ahadith (events/discourses) because one speaks of them regarding Allah and His messengers, saying: "Allah said" or "The Messenger said." Note the Almighty’s saying: "In what discourse (hadith) after Him will they believe?" (Al-A‘raf: 185) and "Allah has sent down the best discourse (al-hadith)" (Al-Zumar: 23). It is a collective noun, not the plural of uhdutha (a tale).

"And complete His favor upon you and upon the family of Ya‘qub..."

• Completing the favor: This means He connected the blessings of this world with the blessings of the Hereafter by making them prophets and kings in this world, and then transferring them to the highest degrees in Paradise.
• The Family of Ya‘qub: His kin, meaning his offspring and others. The root of al is ahl (family), evidenced by its diminutive uhayl, though it is only used for those of high status. One says Al al-Nabi (the Prophet’s family) or Al al-Malik (the King’s family), but one does not say Al al-Ha’ik (the weaver’s family) or Al al-Hajjam (the cupper’s family); rather, one says ahluhuma.
• "Your two fathers" (abawayka): He meant the grandfather and the great-grandfather, as they hold the status of a father in terms of lineage. Hence, they say "son of so-and-so" even if there are several generations between them.
• "Ibrahim and Ishaq": This is an explanatory apposition (‘atf bayan) for "your two fathers."
• "Indeed, your Lord is Knowing": He knows who is worthy of being chosen.
• "Wise": He does not complete His favor except upon those who deserve it.