What is the interpretation of Allah Almighty's saying: "And unless You avert their cunning from me, I might incline toward them and be among the ignorant"?
Al-Qurtubi explains that the verse (And if You do not avert from me their plot, I might incline toward them and be of the ignorant) refers to the plot of the women against Yusuf (Joseph), peace be upon him. The reason for this is that they were either ordering him to accede to the desires of the wife of Al-Aziz, or each one of them was seeking privacy with him under the pretext of advising him regarding the matter of the wife of Al-Aziz, with the actual intention of inviting him to herself. His statement, "I might incline toward them," means "I might be tempted by them," implying that if Allah does not protect him, he would fall into sin. And "be of the ignorant" means "to be among those who commit sin and deserve blame," or "among those who act ignorantly."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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