The Quran

سورة یُوسُف

Surah Yûsuf 12:80

Joseph · Verse 80 of 111

فَلَمَّا اسْتَيْأَسُوا مِنْهُ خَلَصُوا نَجِيًّا ۖ قَالَ كَبِيرُهُمْ أَلَمْ تَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ أَبَاكُمْ قَدْ أَخَذَ عَلَيْكُمْ مَوْثِقًا مِنَ اللَّهِ وَمِنْ قَبْلُ مَا فَرَّطْتُمْ فِي يُوسُفَ ۖ فَلَنْ أَبْرَحَ الْأَرْضَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْذَنَ لِي أَبِي أَوْ يَحْكُمَ اللَّهُ لِي ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْحَاكِمِينَ

Abdul Mannan Omar

When they were despaired of (moving) him, they retired to confer together in private. One of their leaders said, `Are you not aware that your father has bound you to a solemn pledge in the name of Allâh? And how before this, you fell short of your duty in respect of Joseph? Never will I, therefore, leave this land until my father gives me permission or Allâh, Who is the best of Judges, decides (the matter) for me.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Now when they saw no hope of his (yielding), they held a conference in private. The leader among them said: "Know ye not that your father did take an oath from you in Allah's name, and how, before this, ye did fail in your duty with Joseph? Therefore will I not leave this land until my father permits me, or Allah commands me; and He is the best to command.

Ahmed Ali

When they despaired of (persuading) him, they went aside to confer. The oldest of them said: "You know that your father has pledged you in the name of God, and you have been guilty of iniquity in the case of Joseph before. I will not leave this place unless my father permits or God decides for me, for He is the best of all judges.

12 more translations

Ali Unal

So, when they lost hope of moving him, they withdrew to take counsel among themselves. The eldest of them said: "Do you not know how your father took a solemn pledge from you in God’s Name, and how, before that, you failed with regard to Joseph? Never will I depart from this land, until my father gives me leave, or God judges for me (by ending my life or enabling me to win back my brother). And He is the Best of judges.

Daryabadi

Then when they despaired of him they counselled together privately. The eldest of them said: know ye not that your father hath taken an assurance from you before Allah? and aforetime ye have been remiss in your duty in respect of Yusuf; I so will by no means go forth from the land until my father giveth me leave or Allah judgeth for me, and He is the Best of judges.

Faridul Haque

So when they did not anticipate anything from him, they went away and started consulting each other; their eldest brother said, "Do you not know that your father has taken from you an oath upon Allah, and before this, how you had failed in respect of Yusuf? Therefore I will not move from here until my father permits or Allah commands me; and His is the best command."

Maulana Muhammad Ali

So when they despaired of him, they conferred together privately. The eldest of them said: Know you not that your father took from you a covenant in Allah

Maulvi Sher Ali

And when they despaired of him, they retired, conferring together in private. Then their leader said, `Know ye not that your father has taken from you a solemn pledge in the name of ALLAH and how, before this, you failed in your duty with respect to Joseph? I will not therefore, leave the land until my father permits me or ALLAH decides for me. And HE is the Best of judges;

Muhammad Asad

And so, when they lost all hope of [moving] him, they withdrew to take counsel [among themselves].

Muhammad Musin Khan

So, when they despaired of him, they held a conference in private. The eldest among them said: "Know you not that your father did take an oath from you in Allah's Name, and before this you did fail in your duty with Yusuf (Joseph)? Therefore I will not leave this land until my father permits me, or Allah decides my case (by releasing Benjamin) and He is the Best of the judges.

Muhammad Pickthall

So, When they despaired of (moving) him, they conferred together apart. The eldest of them said: Know ye not how your father took an undertaking from you in Allah's name and how ye failed in the case of Joseph aforetime? Therefore I shall not go forth from the land until my father giveth leave or Allah judgeth for me. He is the Best of Judges.

Muhammad Sarwar

When they lost all hope (of convincing the Prince), they moved into a corner whispering to each other. The eldest among them said, "Do you not remember that you had solemnly promised our father to return Benjamin to him and that before this you had broken your promise concerning Joseph? I shall never leave this land until my father gives me permission or God decides for me; He is the best Judge.

Muhammed ali Shakir

Then when they despaired of him, they retired, conferring privately together. The eldest of them said: Do you not know that your father took from you a covenant in Allah's name, and how you fell short of your duty with respect to Yusuf before? Therefore I will by no means depart from this land until my father permits me or Allah decides for me, and He is the best of the judges:

Rashad Khalifa

When they despaired of changing his mind, they conferred together. Their eldest said, "Do you realize that your father has taken a solemn pledge from you before GOD? In the past you lost Joseph. I am not leaving this place until my father gives me permission, or until GOD judges for me; He is the best Judge.

Shabbir Ahmed

So, when they lost hope, they conferred in private. The eldest among them said, “Do you not know that your father took a solemn pledge from you in God’s name, and how you failed in the case of Joseph before? I shall not go from this place until my father gives leave or God judges for me. He is the Best of deciders.”

Commentary 12:80 The word Kabîrكَبِيرُ is used here to describe Jacob, Josephs father. Kabîr does not only mean big or elder, but also indicates a leader, someone great…

فَلَمَّا اسْتَيْأَسُوا مِنْهُ خَلَصُوا نَجِيًّا ۖ قَالَ كَبِيرُهُمْ أَلَمْ تَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ أَبَاكُمْ قَدْ أَخَذَ عَلَيْكُم مَّوْثِقًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَمِن قَبْلُ مَا فَرَّطتُمْ فِي يُوسُفَ

12:80 The word Kabîrكَبِيرُ is used here to describe Jacob, Josephs father. Kabîr does not only mean big or elder, but also indicates a leader, someone great in estimation, rank, and dignity (Tâj). It is in this sense that the word has been used here. This was a sign of respect that the Josephs brothers had for their father, while at the same time being jealous of their half-brothers. A parallel is the relationship of the Jews with Abraham and his children. The Jews respect Abraham, the common father of Isaac and Ismâ‘îl (cf. 12:8), but are jealous of Ismâ‘îl.