Message #19832

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Walaikum As-Salam.  Right-on totally, sister.  The references in those two Verses is to Allah Almighty and none else, and all mainstream commentators and translators agree with that.   The confusion arose because of a few inexperienced and poor translators who couldn't understand these Verses correctly, even though the Verses are crystal clear.  Subhan'Allah.  On account of the misunderstanding of few of these ignorant translators who have written the letter "L" for 'Lord' with lower case 'l' .. some people who read their translations got the impression that the allusion was to the master of the house.  The fault lies squarely on the translators for their incorrect work.

In V.12:23 the original word mentioned for "My Lord" is ربى (Rabbi).  This word is always used for Allah, addressed to Him only and no one else.  It is impossible that Prophet Yusuf would use the term "Rabbi" for a human being. 

In V.12:24 the original word stated for "his Lord" is رَبِّهِ (Rabbihi) as Allah Almighty speaks.  Without a doubt, for sure, Allah is referring to Himself and none else. 


Reading ahead .. In V.12:25 the reference is to the master of the house.   Quoting that Verse:

"And they raced with one another to the door, and she tore his shirt from behind, and they met her lord and master at the door."  12:25.

The Quranic term stated in Verse 12:25 is سيدها  which literally means 'master' but here it refers to the woman's husband.  Again, some translators, even the recognized ones like Pickthall and Yusuf Ali, have translated the word سيدها (sayyidahā) as "lord and master" or "lord."  The use to the word "lord" in the translation is completely wrong and unnecessary.  It is actually this mistranslation in V.12:25 that apparently prompted the inexperienced translators to misunderstand and mistranslate the preceding two Verses.

In V.12:24 "the argument of his Lord." means the guidance of Allah Almighty to help Prophet Yusuf reject the temptation caused by the woman.  For that reason Prophet Yusuf said in V.12:23 that he sought refuge in Allah, Who had bestowed on him a lot of kindness by providing him with a good place to live in.  In other words, Prophet Yusuf said he would never betray The Almighty by yielding to such lewd temptations and indulging in an immoral act. 

It was because of Prophet Yusuf's firm Faith in Allah and his decision and awareness of the significance to hold firmly to the guidance of Allah that he was able to fend off this temptation and save himself from a tremendous transgression.  Maybe it was also a test for Prophet Yusuf in which he was hugely successful by the help and mercy of Allah.  It also reflects that The Almighty takes special care for guiding and protecting His prophets from misguidance and temptations because they are His chosen slaves.  Subhan'Allah.