Tafsir Ibn Abbas: Yusuf, Ayah 15
Common Words
Other Scholars on This Ayah
Tafsir
So when they went off with him and agreed resolved to put him into the bottom of the well the response of lammā ‘when’ has been omitted in other words understand it as being fa‘alū dhālika ‘they did just that’ by taking off his shirt — after having beaten him humiliated him and desiring to kill him — and lowering him in a bucket into the well. When he reached half-way down the well they flung him from the bucket so that he would fall and die but he fell into the water and took refuge near a rock. They then called to him and he responded thinking that they had decided to have mercy on him. They then wanted to smash his head with a rock but Judah prevented them. And We revealed to him in the well through true revelation wahy haqīqa — he was 17 years of age or just under — in order to reassure his heart ‘Truly you shall inform them after this day of this affair this deed of theirs when they are unaware’ of who you are wa-hum lā yash‘urūna is a circumstantial qualifier referring to the action of ‘informing’.
Ibn Abbas Commentary
(Then, when they led him off) after Jacob gave them permission to take him, (and were of one mind that they should place him in the depth of the pit) and they were unanimous about throwing him into the depth of the pit, (We inspired in him) We sent to him Gabriel to inform him; it is also said this means: We directly inspired him: (Thou wilt tell them) you will inform them, O Joseph, (of this deed of theirs) of this act of theirs (when they know (thee) not) when they do not realise that it is you, Joseph, until you inform them of your identity; it is also said that this means: they know not our inspiration to you.