Tafseer of Joseph · Yusuf · 12:74
The accusers said, "Then what would be its recompense if you should be liars?"
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
The explanation of the words of Allah the Exalted: قَالُوا فَمَا جَزَاؤُهُ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ كَاذِبِينَ (74)
Abū Jaʿfar said: Allah the Exalted says: The companions of Yūsuf said to his brothers: What then is the recompense of the theft (al-saraq) if you are lying in your words مَا جِئْنَا لِنُفْسِدَ فِي الأَرْضِ وَمَا كُنَّا سَارِقِينَ ?
Note: "Al-saraq" (with two fatḥas) is the verbal noun (maṣdar) of theft. Later the stolen object itself will also be called "saraq," which is correct in proper Arabic. Thus the early jurists (fuqahāʾ al-qudamāʾ) used to say it as well.
