Interpretation Through Reflection

INTERPRETATION BASED ON PERSONAL INSIGHT This second interpretation comes from a close reading of the Quranic account of Joseph, found in Chapter 12 of the Quran, known as Surah Yusuf (Joseph)Yusuf (Joseph)eph), verses 70–76. These verses explain that when Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) (Joseph) (Joseph) prepared his brothers’ travel supplies, he secretly placed his own drinking cup in his brother Benjamin’s luggage. Then, after the caravan had set off, the royal officials noticed that their measuring cup was missing. They called out to stop the caravan and said they suspected someone had stolen their silver measuring cup. The caravan was stopped, and the brothers’ belongings were searched. Eventually, the cup was found in Benjamin’s luggage. According to the law of Canaan, Benjamin was then detained and handed over to Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) (Joseph). In this way, Yusuf (Joseph) (Joseph) was able to keep the brother he wanted to stay with him. If we look closely at the words used in these verses, we notice a meaningful point. This point is hidden in the shift of pronouns, based on Arabic grammar. The item Yusuf (Joseph) (Joseph) placed in his brother’s luggage is called siqayah (verse 70)—a feminine noun in Arabic. But when the court officials later found the item during the search, the Quran uses the feminine pronoun “ha” (in “thumma istakhrajaha”—“then he took it out”) instead of the masculine “hu.” When we consider this difference of conscience, the