THE KING’S MISSING BOWL

 FAJR REMINDER: THE KING’S MISSING BOWL 

By: Umm ‘Affān

Rajab 29, 1447 (19-January-2026)

Prophet Yūsuf’s brothers entered through different gates, as advised by their father, and found themselves once again in the presence of Al-‘Azīz. One can imagine the joy that comes with reuniting with a beloved person after years of separation. Allāh mentions that when Yūsuf’s brothers entered with their full brother, Binyamin, he welcomed them as honored guests. He showered them with gifts, offered them generous hospitality, and displayed deep compassion. 

Upon meeting his brother, Yūsuf revealed the events that had transpired and that he was indeed his brother. He urged Binyamin not to be saddened by their past actions. He instructed him to keep the relationship a secret from the others, plotting together to ensure that Binyamin would remain in Egypt, and he would enjoy respect and hospitality.

After Prophet Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām) provided them with necessary provisions, he instructed some of his servants to secretly place the king’s bowl, which he used for drinking or measuring food grains, in Binyamin’s bag. Allāh states:

ثُمَّ أَذَّنَ مُؤَذِّنٌ أَيَّتُهَا الْعِيرُ إِنَّكُمْ لَسَارِقُونَ

“…Then a crier cried: ‘O you (in) the caravan! Surely, you are thieves!’”

[Sūrah Yūsuf (12) Verse 70]

The brothers looked at the herald and inquired about what had been lost. The officials summoned Prophet Yūsuf’s brothers, informing them that the king’s bowl was missing and that anyone who found it would receive a camel load as a reward.

The brothers were bewildered and insisted they were not thieves and had no knowledge of the missing bowl. Allāh informs:

قَالُوا فَمَا جَزَاؤُهُ إِن كُنتُمْ كَاذِبِينَ | قَالُوا جَزَاؤُهُ مَن وُجِدَ فِي رَحْلِهِ فَهُوَ جَزَاؤُهُ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الظَّالِمِينَ

“Then [Yūsuf’s (Joseph) men] said: ‘What then shall be the penalty of him, if you are (proved to be) liars?’ They [Yūsuf’s (Joseph) brothers] said: ‘The penalty should be that he, in whose bag is found, should be held for the punishment (of the crime). Thus we punish the Ẓālimūn (wrong-doer, etc.)!’”

[Sūrah Yūsuf (12) Verses 74-75]

The one whose bag held the missing bowl would be made a slave to Al-‘Azīz. This was the legal ruling of Prophet Ibrāhīm (‘Alayhi Salām), though it was not common knowledge in the land, as it wasn’t the law of the king of Egypt. Prophet Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām) was aware of this ruling from before and thus devised a plan to have Binyamin detained.

When the bags were searched, the bowl was discovered in Binyamin’s bag. The brothers were shocked and confused to see the evidence against them. Allāh informs:

قَالُوا إِن يَسْرِقْ فَقَدْ سَرَقَ أَخٌ لَّهُ مِن قَبْلُ

They [(Yūsuf's (Joseph) brothers)] said: “If he steals, there was a brother of his [Yūsuf (Joseph)] who did steal before (him)…”

[Sūrah Yūsuf (12) Verse 77]

The brothers joined in the false accusations against Binyamin, attempting to distance themselves from similar behavior. However, Prophet Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām) was aware of the truth and intended to keep it hidden upon witnessing their selfishness and greed.

As it was determined that Binyamin would be taken and kept with Prophet Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām) according to the legal framework they accepted, the brothers began pleading for mercy and expressing their empathy. Allāh records:

قَالُوا يَا أَيُّهَا الْعَزِيزُ إِنَّ لَهُ أَبًا شَيْخًا كَبِيرًا فَخُذْ أَحَدَنَا مَكَانَهُ إِنَّا نَرَاكَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

They said: “O ruler of the land! Verily, he has an old father (who will grieve for him); so take one of us in his place. Indeed we think you are one of the Muḥsinūn (good-doers).”

[Sūrah Yūsuf (12) Verse 78]

Allāh narrates that Prophet Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām)’s brothers were desperate to secure Binyamin’s release, having promised their father to return him home. Consequently, the eldest brother declared he would not leave Egypt until they ensured his brother's freedom. He instructed the other brothers to explain the situation regarding Binyamin to their father. Allāh tells us:

ارْجِعُوا إِلَىٰ أَبِيكُمْ فَقُولُوا يَا أَبَانَا إِنَّ ابْنَكَ سَرَقَ وَمَا شَهِدْنَا إِلَّا بِمَا عَلِمْنَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِلْغَيْبِ حَافِظِينَ

“Return to your father and say: ‘O our father! Verily, your son has stolen, and we testify not except according to what we know, and we could not know the unseen!’”

[Sūrah Yūsuf (12) Verse 81]

Upon relaying the events to their father regarding Binyamin, he did not believe them, suspecting it was merely a repetition of their past actions against Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām).

I beseech Allāh to alleviate our grief. Aameen