Surah Yusuf Tafseer

Ya`qub's Answer to Their Request

Allah narrates to us that His Prophet Yaqub said to his children, in response to their request that he send Yusuf with them to the desert to tend their cattle,

قَالَ إِنِّي لَيَحْزُنُنِي أَن تَذْهَبُواْ بِهِ

He (Yaqub) said:"Truly, it saddens me that you should take him away.

He said that it was hard on him that he be separated from Yusuf for the duration of their trip, until they came back.

This demonstrates the deep love that Yaqub had for his son, because he saw in Yusuf great goodness and exalted qualities with regards to conduct and physical attractiveness associated with the rank of Prophethood. May Allah's peace and blessings be on him.

Prophet Yaqub's statement next,

وَأَخَافُ أَن يَأْكُلَهُ الذِّيْبُ وَأَنتُمْ عَنْهُ غَافِلُونَ

I fear lest a wolf should devour him, while you are careless of him.

He said to them, `I fear that you might be careless with him while you are tending the cattle and shooting, then a wolf might come and eat him while you are unaware.'

They heard these words from his mouth and used them in their response for what they did afterwards. They also gave a spontaneous reply for their father's statement, saying,

قَالُواْ لَيِنْ أَكَلَهُ الذِّيْبُ وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّا إِذًا لَّخَاسِرُونَ