لَقَد كانَ في يوسُفَ وَإِخوَتِهِ آياتٌ لِلسّائِلين

In Joseph and his brothers there are certainly signs for the seekers.

EXEGESIS

The lām at the beginning of this verse is lām al-qasam and the verse is hence an oath sworn by God.

Sāʾilīn (seekers) is the plural of sāʾil, which is the active participle of the verb saʾala, meaning ‘to ask’. Thus sāʾilīn here refers to those who are after knowledge and ask about it. Thus seekers can literally mean ‘those who ask’, however, it is said that this is addressed to those who asked Prophet Muhammad (s) about the story of Prophet Joseph (a).^[1] Alternatively, it is said that seekers should be understood to mean all people, because every person should try to inquire and find out about matters such as these.^[2]

EXPOSITION

This verse acts as a transition between the prelude (Prophet Joseph’s (a) vision) and the first act of the story. The main lesson of the story is the central theme of the surah: the divine plan and how it manifests itself. God’s plan for Prophet Joseph (a) is told to us in the beginning of the surah, and as the story progresses we wonder at the difficulties and obstacles that are thrown in the path of Prophet Joseph (a). By the end of the story we realise how all these events were in fact part of God’s plan and worked in favour of Prophet Joseph (a). When God wills something, even the plots of enemies and those who defy God work in favour of the outcome God has intended.^[3] God does not unfold His plan forcefully by robbing people of their free will or agency, but His infinite wisdom and His all-encompassing knowledge works out a plan that takes all those variables into account and weaves them into His design: This is the fulfilment of my dream of long ago, which my Lord has made come true. He was certainly gracious to me when He brought me out of the prison and brought you over from the desert after that Satan had incited ill feeling between me and my brothers. Indeed, my Lord is all-attentive (laṭīf) in bringing about what He wishes. Indeed, He is the all-knowing, the all-wise (verse 100); note the emphasis on God bringing about His wish through subtle means (laṭīf) and His knowledge and wisdom.

There is also a point to be made here that the lessons of the Quran are most beneficial to those who ask questions and seek to learn.^[4] In this way, the term seekers ties into the main theme of the surah and the question of knowledge. An integral part of learning is to be inquisitive. To become wise starts with asking the right questions. Too many fall into heedlessness and ignorance because of their attitude of indifference, never questioning why things are the way they are and what is the purpose and plan of it all. For these indifferent and ignorant ones, the story of Prophet Joseph (a) is just another story, entertainment that they view as nothing but escapism. For the seekers it is a story full of lessons and deep wisdoms and insights into important realities. These seekers will also ask these important questions in their own life: ‘Why did this happen? What is God’s plan here? What does He want of me?’ By asking these questions they can gain important insight into the wisdom of God and learn to rely on Him.

[1] Zamakhshari, 2/445; Qurtubi, 9/129; Suyuti, 4/4; Mizan, 11/88; related in Tibyan, 6/100. Thaʿlabī mentions that it was the Jews who asked him and they reacted with surprise when he related the story accurately to them (Thalabi, 5/199).
[2] Andulusi, 3/221.
[3] See also Nemuneh, 9/321.
[4] See Qaraati, 4/160.