12:66-68
12:66
(Jacob) said: “Never will I send him with you until ye
swear a solemn oath to me, in Allah’s name, that ye will be sure to bring him back to me unless ye are yourselves hemmed in (and made powerless).
And when they had sworn their solemn oath, he said:
“Over all that we say,be Allah the witness and guardian!”
12:67
Further he said: “O my sons! enter not all by one gate: enter ye by different gates. Not that I can profit you aught against Allah (with
my advice): None can command except Allah: On Him do I put
my trust: and let all that trust put their trust on Him.”
Prophet Yaʿqūb (Jacob) expressed deep concern regarding the journey of his sons to Egypt, particularly because his youngest son, Benjamin, would accompany them. His anxiety was understandable given his earlier painful experience involving the disappearance of his son Yūsuf (Joseph). The memory of that loss likely heightened his fear that this journey might also result in the loss of another beloved son. Although Yaʿqūb placed his trust in God and demonstrated patience and acceptance of divine decree, he nevertheless advised his sons to adopt certain precautionary measures.
One such precaution involved instructing them to enter the capital city through different gates rather than arriving together as a group. Understanding the political and social conditions of that time helps clarify the significance of this instruction. The Israelites lived along the eastern frontier of Egypt as separate tribal groups and, like many frontier populations, were often viewed with suspicion by settled authorities. In a period of famine, the arrival of a large group of foreigners might have aroused concern among local officials, who could potentially interpret their presence as suspicious or threatening. By entering the city separately, the brothers could reduce the likelihood of drawing attention or provoking suspicion that they had come with harmful intentions.
This precaution also reflected Yaʿqūb’s broader wisdom and awareness. Islamic exegetical tradition notes that he possessed special knowledge granted by God (cf. Qur’an 12:96). Some interpretations suggest that he had been given insight through divine revelation that Yūsuf was still alive. In this context, instructing his sons to enter the city through different gates may have served multiple purposes: minimizing suspicion among the local population, reducing the risk of conflict during a time of scarcity, and potentially creating circumstances that would allow the brothers to encounter Yūsuf again. This perspective differs from the Biblical narrative, which generally portrays Jacob as unaware that Joseph was still alive.
12:68
And when they entered in the manner their father had enjoined, it did not profit them in the least against (the plan of) Allah: It was but a necessity of Jacob’s soul, which he discharged. For he was, by our instruction, full of knowledge (and experience): but most men know not.
References:
Maududi, Abul Ala (2010). Tafhimul Quran.
NOORUDDÎN ,ALLÂMAH. (2015). Exegesis of The
Holy Qur’ân Commentary and Reflections.