Surah Yusuf — Verse 88

Key Words and Phrases:

• Al-ʿAzīz (العزيز): The title given to Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) by the ruler of Egypt, meaning "The Honorable One" or "The Mighty Minister."
• Al-Ḍurr (الضر): Hardship, distress, or severe harm—here referring to famine, drought, and poverty.
• Bidāʿah muzjāh (بضاعة مزجاة): A meager, inferior, or almost worthless commodity—specifically, poor-quality goods or defective currency that was barely accepted in trade.
• Awfi lana al-kayl (أوف لنا الكيل): Give us full measure—i.e., grant us the complete amount of grain we are entitled to.
• Taṣaddaq ʿalaynā (وتصدق علينا): Be charitable to us—meaning to overlook the deficiency of their goods, show leniency, and treat them with generosity beyond what is required.

Explanation of the Verse:

When the brothers of Yusuf returned to Egypt for the third time, following their father’s instruction to seek news of their missing brother, they entered upon Yusuf without recognizing him. Their situation had become desperate—the famine had intensified, their families were suffering, and their resources were nearly exhausted. In this state of humility and need, they addressed him with the respectful title "Al-ʿAzīz," saying: "O Honorable One, hardship has afflicted us and our families. We have come to you with a meager, inferior commodity—goods of little value that would normally not be accepted. Yet we ask you to give us full measure as you did before, and to be charitable to us by accepting this poor offering and forgiving its deficiency. Indeed, Allah rewards those who give charity."

Their words reveal a profound transformation in these men. Earlier, they had acted with arrogance, jealousy, and deceit toward their brother Yusuf. Now, stripped of pride and driven by necessity, they spoke with humility and acknowledged their dependence on the mercy of others. They did not demand their rights but appealed to the generosity of the one they addressed. Their plea, "And be charitable to us," was not merely a request for material assistance—it was an acknowledgment that true relief comes through the compassion of others, and that Allah Himself honors and rewards those who extend kindness to the needy.

This verse teaches us a beautiful lesson: even in our most difficult moments, we should turn to others with humility and sincerity, and we should never underestimate the power of a kind word or a charitable act. The brothers, despite their past sins, found that their sincere plea was met with mercy—for Yusuf, moved by their words, would soon reveal himself to them. It reminds us that no matter how far we have fallen, sincere repentance and humility can open doors of mercy that we never imagined possible.

Moreover, the verse highlights the virtue of charity (ṣadaqah). When we give to others—whether by forgiving a debt, overlooking a flaw, or providing for a need—we are not merely helping them; we are planting seeds for our own reward with Allah. The promise "Indeed, Allah rewards those who give charity" is a divine guarantee that no act of kindness, however small, goes unnoticed. So let us be people who give freely, forgive readily, and treat others with the same compassion we hope to receive from our Lord. For in the end, it is Allah who repays generosity with generosity, and mercy with mercy.