Tafseer Ibn Kathir of YUSUF [102]

102. That is of the news of the Ghayb (Unseen) which We reveal to you. You were not (present) with them when they arranged their plan together, and (while) they were plotting. 103. And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly. 104. And no reward you ask of them for it; it (the Qur'an) is no less than a Reminder unto the `Alamin (men and Jinn). Allah narrated to Muhammad, peace be upon him, the story of Yusuf and his brothers and how Allah raised him over them, giving him the better end, triumph, the sovereignty and wisdom (i.e., prophethood), even though they tried to harm and kill him. Allah said, `This and similar stories are part of the unseen incidents of the past, O Muhammad,

(which We reveal to you.) and inform you of, O Muhammad, because it carries a lesson, for you to draw from and a reminder to those who defy you.' Allah said next,

`(You were not (present) with them), you did not witness their conference nor saw them,

(when they arranged their plan together,) to throw Yusuf into the well,

(and (while) they were plotting) against him. We taught you all this through Our Revelation which We sent down to you.' Allah said in other Ayat,

(You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens..) and,

(And you were not on the western side, when We made clear to Musa the commandment...) ï´¿28:44ï´¾ until,

(And you were not at the side of the Tur when We did call.)ï´¿28:46ï´¾ Allah also said,

(And you were not a dweller among the people of Madyan, reciting Our verses to them.) ï´¿28:45ï´¾ Allah states that Muhammad is His Messenger and that He has taught him the news of what occurred in the past, which carry lessons for people to draw from, so that they acquire their safety in their religious affairs as well as their worldly affairs. Yet, most people did not and will not believe, so Allah said,

(And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly.) Allah said in similar Ayat,

(And if you obey most of those on the earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah's path) ï´¿6:116ï´¾, and,

(Verily, in this is an Ayah, yet most of them are not believers.) ï´¿26:8ï´¾ Allah said next,

(And no reward you ask of them for it;) Allah says, `You, O Muhammad, do not ask them in return for this advice and your call to all that is good and righteous, for any price or compensation for delivering it. Rather, you do so seeking Allah's Face and to deliver good and sincere advice to His creatures,

(it (the Qur'an) is no less than a Reminder unto the `Alamin (men and Jinn)) with which they remember, receive guidance and save themselves in this life and the Hereafter.'