What does Quran 12:91 mean?

Quran 12:91 (Surah Yusuf, Ayah 91) translates to: "They said, "By Allah, certainly has Allah preferred you over us, and indeed, we have been sinners.""

Which Surah and Juz is Quran 12:91 from?

This ayah is from Surah Yusuf (Joseph), the 12th surah of the Quran. It appears in Juz 13.

Are there hadiths related to Quran 12:91?

Yes — there are 5 hadiths related to this ayah from Sunan Abu Dawud, Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Sahih Muslim.

What tafsir is available for Quran 12:91?

Commentary on this ayah is available from Ibn Kathir, Ibn Kathir, Ibn Abbas, Al-Jalalayn — classical scholars of Quranic exegesis.

What topics does Quran 12:91 relate to?

This ayah connects to these Quranic topics: Sin, Allah, Prophet Yusuf's Story, Humility, Repentance.

Ayah 90

قَالُوٓا۟ أَءِنَّكَ لَأَنتَ يُوسُفُ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا۠...

12:91Yusuf

Ayah 92

قَالَ لَا تَثْرِيبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۖ يَغْفِر...

قَالُوا۟ تَٱللَّهِ لَقَدْ ءَاثَرَكَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا وَإِن كُنَّا لَخَٰطِـِٔينَ

Qaaloo tallaahi laqad aasarakal laahu 'alainaa wa in kunnaa lakhaati'een

They said, "By Allah, certainly has Allah preferred you over us, and indeed, we have been sinners."

Themes in this ayah

Explore in Habl →

Lessons from past peoples81 Repentance74

Scores run 0–100: how strongly this ayah speaks to a theme. 70+ is central, 50+ is clear, under 50 is weak.

9 other themes with weak connections

Labeled by AI and people · How this works

Follow this theme through YusufFollow this theme

12:91Ayah 1111

72 ayahs in Yusuf are strongly about lessons from past peoples. This is one of them.

← Previous on Lessons from past peoples12:90They said, "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Allah has certainly favored us. Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient,Next on Lessons from past peoples →12:92He said, "No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful."

Tafsir

Scholars offer complementary perspectives

View Full Tafsir: Al-Jalalayn on 12:91→

They said ‘By God truly God has preferred you over us with kingship and in other ways and indeed we wa-in in is softened in other words it is understood as innā ‘indeed we’ have been erring’ sinful towards you and treated you disgracefully.

I went with a deputation of Banu Amir to the apostle of Allah (ﷺ), and we said: You are our lord (sayyid). To this he replied: The lord is Allah, the Blessed and Exalted. Then we said: And the one of us most endowed with excellence and superiority. To this he replied: Say what you have to say, or part of what you have to say, and do not let the devil make you his agents.

Jami` at-Tirmidhi #2258'Abdullah narrated that the Prophet(s.a.w) said:Sahih

"Indeed, after me you will see preferential treatment, and matters that you dislike." They said: "Then what do you command us" He said: "Give them their rights, and ask Allah for yours."

Sahih Muslim #1440Anas b. Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) invoked curse in the morning (prayer) for thirty days upon those who killed the Companions (of the Holy Prophet) at Bi'r Ma'una. He cursed (the tribes) of Ri'l, Dhakwan, Lihyan, and Usayya, who had disobeyed Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ). Anas said:Sahih

Allah the Exalted and Great revealed (a verse) regarding those who were killed at Bi'r Ma'una, and we recited it, till it was abrogated later on (and the verse was like this):, convey to it our people the tidings that we have met our Lord, and He was pleased with us and we were pleased with Him".

Sunan Abu Dawud #524Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As:Hasan Sahih

A man said: Messenger of Allah, the mu'adhdhins excel us. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Say (the same words) as they say, and when you come to the end, make a petition and that will be granted to you.

Sahih al-Bukhari #4490Narrated `Urwa:Sahih

"I told her (`Aisha): (Regarding the above narration), they (Apostles) were betrayed (by Allah)." She said: Allah forbid or said similarly.