According to Taberî, the words 'lâ tesrîbe aleykümü'l-yevm' (there is no reproach upon you today) that Yusuf spoke to his brothers mean that he will not rebuke them, censure them, or violate the rights of brotherhood between them for their past sins. It expresses that there will be forgiveness and forbearance between him and them, and that he will not remind them of their sins. Furthermore, it is also reported that these words are in the nature of a supplication for Yusuf's brothers to seek forgiveness from Allah for their sins.

لا تغيير عليكم ولا إفساد لما بيني وبينكم من الحرمة وحق الأخوة، ولكن لكم عندي الصفح والعفو

According to Râzî, the word 'tasrîb' in the expression 'la tesribe aleykum' means reproach/censure, and Yusuf's saying to his brothers that there is no censure today expresses that this negation applies not only to that day but to all times and situations. Furthermore, after Yusuf conveyed that he lifted the worldly censure upon his brothers once they repented and showed remorse, he also wished that Allah would forgive their punishment in the hereafter. The text also points out that the fact that the well incident is never mentioned is an example of generosity and courtesy.

وهو أني حكمت في هذا اليوم بأن لا تثريب مطلقا لأن قوله : نفي للماهية ونفي الماهية يقتضي انتفاء جميع أفراد الماهية ، فكان ذلك مفيدا للنفي المتناول لكل الأوقات والأحوال

According to Kurtubî, Yusuf's words 'lâ tesrîbe aleykum' express that he eliminated all types of censure, reproach, and blame directed at his brothers; 'el-yevm' here means 'time' and 'tesrîb' means censure/reproach. Furthermore, this expression is related to similar words that the Prophet spoke to Quraysh at the conquest of Mecca, and it is reported that he also, like Yusuf did to his brothers, forgave the past.

ومعنى اليوم : الوقت والتثريب التعيير والتوبيخ أي لا تعيير ولا توبيخ ولا لوم عليكم اليوم قاله سفيان الثوري وغيره

According to this exegete, the words that Hz. Yusuf spoke to his brothers in the verse convey that he will not reproach them for their past sins and that from this day on he will not throw their mistakes in their faces. Furthermore, Yusuf also made a supplication for their forgiveness, thus completing his pardon, whereas he had the power to take revenge on them. This behavior is compared with examples of forbearance shown by the Prophet toward those who did evil to him.

يقول أي لا تأنيب عليكم ولا عتب عليكم اليوم ولا أعيد عليكم ذنبكم في حقي بعد اليوم ثم زادهم الدعاء لهم بالمغفرة

According to Beydâvî, the expression 'lâ teşrîb' means there is no reproach directed at his brothers; the word 'el-yevm' is connected either to this expression or to the phrase 'Allah forgives you', because Yusuf forgave them at that moment when they confessed their sins. Furthermore, a report is transmitted regarding Yusuf's miracle: it is said that when he was recognized, his brothers expressed shame for the evil they had done to him, and he related that when the people of Egypt ceased to regard him in their former way and learned that he was from the lineage of Abraham, they valued him all the more. It is explained that when the shirt is wiped upon his father's face he will regain his sight, and the command for the entire family to be brought.

لا تأنيب عليكم تفعيل من الثرب وهو الشحم الذي يغشى الكرش للإزالة كالتجليد، فاستعير للتقريع الذي يمزق العرض ويذهب ماء الوجه.

According to Zemahşerî, the word 'tesrib' originally derives from 'sarb', which means the removal of the inner fat that covers the ribs; this refers to a person's weakest and most desperate state, therefore in the verse it is used as a figurative expression for reproach and censure that shatters a person's honor. Yusuf told his brothers that there is no censure and reproach today, thereby pardoning them, and even transformed this into good news.

وأصل التثريب من الثرب وهو الشحم الذي هو غاشية الكرش