12:85-86

12:85-86

12:85

They said: “By Allah! (never) wilt thou cease to remember Joseph until thou reach the last extremity of illness, or until thou die!”

12:86

He said: “I only complain of my distraction and anguish to Allah, and I know from Allah that whichye know not…

The narrative emphasizes the principle that ultimate judgment and authority belong solely to God, and that those who place their trust should rely entirely upon Him (cf. Qur’an 12:67). These two interconnected themes—divine sovereignty and complete trust in God—form central concepts throughout this surah. In this context, Prophet Yaʿqūb (Jacob) reminds his sons of these principles, encouraging them to place their confidence in God’s wisdom and decree.

Jacob’s renewed sense of hope is also connected to his recollection of Joseph’s earlier dream (Qur’an 12:4) and his conviction that Joseph had been chosen by God for a special role and favor (Qur’an 12:6). According to classical commentators such as al-Rāzī and Ibn Kathīr, this awareness strengthens Jacob’s belief that Joseph may still be alive. This hope helps explain the instructions he subsequently gives to his sons, which reflect both his continued expectation of Joseph’s survival and his trust in God’s unfolding plan.

References:

Asad, Muhammad     (1980). The      Message            of the   Quran.