Surah Yusuf 12:33
سُورَةُ يُوسُفَ · Meccan · Verse 33 of 111
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱلسِّجْنُ أَحَبُّ إِلَىَّ مِمَّا يَدْعُونَنِىٓ إِلَيْهِ ۖ وَإِلَّا تَصْرِفْ عَنِّى كَيْدَهُنَّ أَصْبُ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَأَكُن مِّنَ ٱلْجَٰهِلِينَ
Translation
Joseph said, ‘My Lord! I would prefer prison to what these women are calling me to do. If You do not protect me from their treachery, I shall yield to them and do wrong,’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) finds himself in a truly difficult position, surrounded by women urging him towards sin. In this moment of intense pressure, his words are a powerful demonstration of faith and surrender.
A Choice of Love
Yusuf begins with a profound declaration: "ربِّ السجن أحب إليّ مما يدعونني إليه" (My Lord, prison is dearer to me than what they invite me to). On the surface, prison is a hardship and sin might seem like a pleasure. However, scholars like al-Razi and al-Zamakhshari explain that Yusuf's "love" for prison isn't about immediate gratification. It's a deep understanding of consequences. The fleeting pleasure of sin would lead to immense pain, both worldly disgrace and eternal punishment, while the hardship of prison for Allah's sake would bring immense reward and praise. Ibn Ashur describes this as a love born from intellectual conviction and a profound desire to please Allah, like a brave warrior embracing battle. The choice of "أحب" (dearer/more beloved) emphasizes his unwavering resolve to choose the path of righteousness, even if it entails suffering. The verse also mentions a slight difference in pronunciation for "السجن" (al-Sijn, meaning prison itself, or al-Sajnan, meaning the act of imprisoning) highlighting the severity of the choice.
The Power of Plurality
When Yusuf says "يدعونني إليه" (they invite me to it) and later refers to "كيدهنّ" (their plot), the Arabic uses the plural form for women. Ibn Ashur points out that while the primary instigator was the wife of al-Aziz, this plural could refer to the general "type" of women or specifically to the group of women who had gathered and actively participated in urging Yusuf and warning him of prison. This choice of plural underscores the collective pressure Yusuf faced, amplifying the intensity of his struggle.
An Admission of Reliance
Yusuf then makes a humble plea: "وإلا تصرف عني كيدهنّ أصب إليهنّ" (And unless You turn their plot away from me, I will incline towards them). This isn't a statement of weakness in his resolve, but a profound recognition of human frailty. Al-Razi emphasizes that human strength alone cannot guarantee protection from such overwhelming temptation. Yusuf, despite his righteousness, acknowledges that only Allah's divine intervention, His subtle grace (lutf) and protection (ismah), can truly safeguard him. "أصب إليهنّ" (asbu ilayhin) means to physically and emotionally lean or incline towards something. This phrasing beautifully illustrates his deep reliance on Allah to strengthen his heart against temptation.
The True Ignorance
He concludes his prayer by saying, "وأكن من الجاهلين" (and be among the ignorant). Al-Zamakhshari clarifies that "الجاهلين" (al-jahilin) here refers not to a lack of knowledge, but to foolishness or those who do not act upon what they know. Ibn Ashur explains they are the "sufaha' al-ahlam" (the foolish in their minds or dreams). By fearing to be "among the ignorant," Yusuf implies that to fall into such a sin, despite knowing its consequences, would be the ultimate foolishness, a betrayal of wisdom and understanding. The construction "أكن من الجاهلين" (be *among* the ignorant) is more emphatic than simply "أكن جاهلاً" (be ignorant), highlighting his intense aversion to such a state.
Sources: al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Yusuf 12:33 is discussed in 14 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
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