Al-Kashshaf on Yusuf 12:55

Surah Yusuf 12:55

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ﱤ ﱥ ﱦ ﱧ ﱨ ﱩ ﱪ ﱫ ﱬ

[Joseph] said, "Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian."

{ اجعلني على خزائن الأرض } "Appoint me over the storehouses of the land." That is: Put me in charge of the treasuries of your land.

{ إني حفيظ عليم } "Indeed, I am a guardian, knowing." * Guardian: I preserve what you entrust to me. * Knowing: I am knowledgeable in the methods of administration.

He described himself with trustworthiness and competence, which are the two qualities kings seek in those they appoint. He only said this to reach the point of executing the rulings of Allah, establishing the truth, spreading justice, and gaining the authority for which prophets are sent to servants. He knew that no one else could take his place in this, so he requested the appointment seeking the Face of Allah, not out of a love for kingship or the world.

It is narrated from the Prophet (ﷺ): "May Allah have mercy on my brother Joseph; had he not said, 'Appoint me over the storehouses of the land,' he would have been employed immediately, but he delayed that for a year."

If you ask: How is it permissible to accept a position from the hand of an infidel, becoming a subordinate under his command and obedience?

I say: Mujahid narrated that the King had already embraced Islam. According to Qatada, this is evidence that it is permissible for a person to accept a position from an unjust ruler. The predecessors used to accept judicial appointments from the hands of rebels and considered it permissible. When a prophet or a scholar knows that there is no way to rule by the command of Allah and repel injustice except by the empowerment of an infidel or corrupt king, he may seek his support. It is also said: The King would act according to Joseph’s opinion and would not oppose him in anything he saw fit, so he was effectively in the position of one who is followed, not one who is a subordinate.

{ وكذلك مكنا ليوسف في الأرض يتبوأ منها حيث يشاء نصيب برحمتنا من نشاء ولا نضيع أجر المحسنين } "And thus We established Joseph in the land, to settle therein wherever he willed. We touch with Our mercy whom We will, and We do not allow the reward of the doers of good to be lost."

Tafsir of Yusuf 12:55

Al-Kashshaf

{ اجعلني على خزائن الأرض } "Appoint me over the storehouses of the land." That is: Put me in charge of the treasuries of your land.

{ إني حفيظ عليم } "Indeed, I am a guardian, knowing." * **Guardian:** I preserve what you entrust to me. * **Knowing:** I am knowledgeable in the methods of administration.

{ إني حفيظ عليم } "Indeed, I am a guardian, knowing." * Guardian: I preserve what you entrust to me. * Knowing: I am knowledgeable in the methods of administration.