Surah Yusuf 12:20
سُورَةُ يُوسُفَ · Meccan · Verse 20 of 111
وَشَرَوْهُ بِثَمَنٍۭ بَخْسٍۢ دَرَٰهِمَ مَعْدُودَةٍۢ وَكَانُوا۟ فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلزَّٰهِدِينَ
Translation
and then sold him for a small price, for a few pieces of silver: so little did they value him.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse continues the dramatic story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), describing what happened after he was thrown into the well.
The Transaction: A Sale
The verse begins with `وَشَرَوْهُ` (and they sold him). The Arabic verb `شَرى` can mean both "to buy" and "to sell." Here, as Ibn Ashur clarifies, it definitively means "they sold him." This refers to Yusuf's brothers, who had initially cast him into the well and later presented him as a runaway slave to the travelers who discovered him. This specific word choice immediately tells us that Yusuf was treated as mere merchandise, not a human being.
The Meager Price
The sale was made `بِثَمَنٍ بَخْسٍ` (for a meager price). The word `بَخْسٍ` is powerful. As al-Razi explains, it signifies a price that is "shortchanged," "unjustly low," or "lacking its true value." It's not just a low price, but one that is beneath what is fair or right, or even unlawful for what was being sold. This implies a deliberate devaluation, stripping Yusuf of any perceived worth.
Further detailing this low price, the Quran describes it as `دَرَٰهِمَ مَعْدُودَةٍ` (counted dirhams). Both al-Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur explain that "counted" is a common way in Arabic to metaphorically express a very small quantity. In those times, substantial amounts of currency were weighed, while only small, insignificant amounts were simply counted. The fact that these dirhams were merely counted, not weighed, highlights just how paltry the sum was, emphasizing the brothers' eagerness to get rid of Yusuf for almost nothing.
Utter Indifference
The verse concludes with `وَكَانُوا۟ فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلزَّٰهِدِينَ` (and they were among those who were indifferent to him). `الزَّاهِدِينَ` (the indifferent ones) refers to those who have little or no desire or interest in something, even something valuable. The phrasing `مِنَ الزَّاهِدِينَ` (from among the indifferent ones), as Ibn Ashur points out, is more emphatic than simply saying "they were indifferent." It suggests they belonged to a category of people who failed to recognize and appreciate true value, treating Yusuf as utterly worthless.
The placement of `فِيهِ` (in him) before `الزاهدين` further emphasizes that their indifference was specifically directed *towards Yusuf*. Their actions were not just about securing a quick sale, but driven by a profound lack of regard for the precious young life they were trading away. This precise wording underscores the depths of their callousness and their tragic misjudgment of Yusuf's true stature, which Allah knew so well.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Worldly Mirror
In Surah Yusuf, we journey through a remarkable story, and in this verse, Surah 12:20, we witness a pivotal moment in Prophet Yusuf's early trials. Allah recounts, "And they sold him for a meager price, a few counted dirhams, and they were indifferent to him." This ayah invites us to reflect on how human beings, in their shortsightedness or malice, can utterly misjudge true value and treat others, and even themselves, with profound indifference.
The Undervalued Soul
The verse describes how Prophet Yusuf, after being cast into the well by his brothers, was found by a passing caravan. The phrase وَشَرَوْهُ بِثَمَنٍۢ بَخْسٍۢ دَرَاهِمَ مَعْدُودَةٍ (and they sold him for a meager price, a few counted dirhams) reveals a stark reality. The word شَرَوْهُ (sharawhu) here means "they sold him," and بَخْسٍ (bakhs) describes this price as "meager," "deficient," or even "unlawful," especially since it involved selling a free person (al-Munir). The "few counted dirhams" emphasizes just how little they received, often cited as twenty or so (Ibn al-Jawzi, al-Munir).
From the perspective of Yusuf's brothers, as Israr Ahmad points out, he was "free money" they wanted to quickly dispose of due to the fear of being caught. This reflects a dark aspect of human nature: the willingness to betray and discard others for immediate, petty gain or to alleviate anxiety, seeing them as mere obstacles or commodities. For the travelers, Sayyid Qutb suggests they treated him as secret merchandise, something easily acquired and sold quickly at a low price because he wasn't a genuine slave. Both scenarios highlight a shared pattern: a human life was reduced to a disposable item, its immense worth completely overlooked.
The Indifferent Heart
The verse concludes, وَكَانُوا۟ فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلزَّٰهِدِينَ (and they were indifferent to him). The term الزَّاهِدِينَ (zaahideen) means those who are uninterested, unconcerned, or have little desire for something. Whether referring to the brothers or the caravan, this "indifference" is profoundly telling. They saw Yusuf not as a boy, a human being, or a son of a prophet, but as an object devoid of intrinsic value, something to be rid of or profited from minimal effort.
This holds a powerful mirror to our own lives and societies. How often do we, too, exhibit this indifference? Perhaps we dismiss the potential of someone struggling, undervalue a skill or talent because it doesn't fit our immediate needs, or ignore the plight of others because it doesn't directly affect our comfort. This indifference can manifest in treating people as means to an end, whether in business, relationships, or social interactions.
A Profound Self-Reflection
Beyond the specific narrative, this verse offers a deep personal diagnosis. As Ibn al-Jawzi relays, some pious people reflected, "By Allah, what Yusuf, even though his enemies sold him, is not as amazing as you selling yourself for a moment's pleasure in your sins." This powerful thought prompts us to look inward: are we, through our choices, selling our own eternal worth for fleeting worldly desires? Do we, in effect, become "indifferent" to our true spiritual value for temporary gratification?
Ultimately, as Tazkirul Quran and al-Munir emphasize, despite these human acts of betrayal, exploitation, and indifference, Allah's plan was unfolding. He was aware of all their actions (وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ – and Allah is All-Knowing of what they do). What appeared to be the lowest point for Yusuf was, in divine wisdom, a necessary step towards his eventual honor and elevation. This reminds us to trust in Allah's overarching plan, even when the world around us, or even our own hearts, seem to undervalue what is truly precious.
Sources: Israr Ahmad (Bayan ul Quran), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Tazkirul Quran, Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli)
Wisdom
The story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), peace be upon him, unfolds with profound lessons. In this verse, Allah recounts a pivotal moment: "And they sold him for a paltry price, for a few silver-coins, and they were disinterested in him" (Quran 12:20). Here, Allah is narrating to us, describing the actions of Yusuf's brothers as they dispose of him, revealing their motivations.
A Sale of Disinterest
The verse begins with "وَشَرَوْهُ" (wa sharawhu), which in Arabic can mean both "they bought" or "they sold". In this context, the overwhelming scholarly view, as explained by scholars like Mufti Shafi and al-Saadi, is that it refers to Yusuf's brothers selling him to the passing caravan.
The sale itself was for "بِثَمَنٍ بَخْسٍ دَرَاهِمَ مَعْدُودَةٍ" (bi thamanin bakhsin darāhima ma'dūdah), meaning a deficient, unjustly low price, comprising just a few counted silver coins. The word "بخس" (bakhs) implies something meager or diminished in value, not reflecting its true worth. The description "معدودة" (ma'dūdah), or "counted," is significant; scholars like al-Qurtubi mention that for small amounts, coins were counted rather than weighed, indicating a very small sum, often less than forty dirhams.
Crucially, the verse concludes, "وَكَانُوا فِيهِ مِنَ الزَّاهِدِينَ" (wa kanu fihi min az-zāhidīn) – "and they were disinterested in him." The term "زاهدين" (zāhidīn) comes from "zuhd," meaning indifference or a lack of interest. The brothers' aim was not financial gain; their true purpose was simply to separate Yusuf from their father, as Mufti Shafi and al-Saadi explain. They wanted to be rid of him, and any price, however small, was sufficient to achieve that.
Lessons on Value and Disregard
This verse offers a powerful lesson on how true value can be overlooked or deliberately discarded. Yusuf, a noble prophet-to-be, was sold for almost nothing by his own family. They were blind to his inherent worth and the high status Allah had destined for him. This shows us a profound truth: what is genuinely precious in the eyes of Allah and for one's ultimate destiny may be deemed worthless or even an impediment by those with shortsightedness, envy, or distorted priorities.
The story compels us to reflect on our own lives. Are we sometimes "zahidin," or disinterested, in things that hold immense, lasting value? We might dismiss opportunities for good, neglect relationships, or even disregard our own spiritual well-being for fleeting comforts or temporary gains, effectively "selling" our blessings or potential for a paltry price.
Ibn al-Jawzi shares a striking reflection from some righteous predecessors on this verse: "By Allah, Yusuf, even though his enemies sold him, is not more astonishing than you selling yourself for a moment's desire from your sins." This powerful thought challenges us to examine our choices: Do we trade away our inner peace, our connection to our Creator, or our eternal reward for a momentary pleasure or a passing desire? The verse invites us to awaken to the true, immeasurable value of what we possess and to guard it from being "sold" for a price that ultimately leaves us with regret.
Sources: Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Qurtubi (al-Jami li-Ahkam), al-Saadi (Taysir al-Karim), Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Yusuf 12:20 is discussed in 3 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Yusuf 12:20 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.