سورة يوسف
Surah Yusuf
Joseph
Surah Yusuf (Joseph) is the 12th surah of the Quran. It has 111 verses and is a Meccan surah. Below is the complete Arabic text with an English translation and transliteration, verse by verse.
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
الٓر ۚ تِلۡكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ﴿١﴾
Aliflamra tilka ayatu alkitabi almubeenu
Alif, Lām, Rā. These are the verses of the clear Book.
إِنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ قُرۡءَٰنًا عَرَبِيࣰّا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ﴿٢﴾
Inna anzalnahu quranan ʿarabiyyan laʿallakum taʿqiloona
Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’ān that you might understand.
نَحۡنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيۡكَ أَحۡسَنَ ٱلۡقَصَصِ بِمَآ أَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ هَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ وَ إِن كُنتَ مِن قَبۡلِهِۦ لَمِنَ ٱلۡغَٰفِلِينَ﴿٣﴾
Nahnu naqussu ʿalayka ahsana alqasasi bima awhayna ilayka hatha alqurana wain kunta min qablihi lamina alghafileena
We relate to you, [O Muḥammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur’ān although you were, before it, among the unaware.
إِذۡ قَالَ يُوسُفُ لِأَبِيهِ يَٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّي رَأَيۡتُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوۡكَبࣰا وَ ٱلشَّمۡسَ وَ ٱلۡقَمَرَ رَأَيۡتُهُمۡ لِي سَٰجِدِينَ﴿٤﴾
Ith qala yoosufu liabeehi ya abati innee raaytu ahada ʿashara kawkaban waalshshamsa waalqamara raaytuhum lee sajideena
[Of these stories mention] when Joseph said to his father, "O my father, indeed I have seen [in a dream] eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me."
قَالَ يَٰبُنَيَّ لَا تَقۡصُصۡ رُءۡيَاكَ عَلَىٰٓ إِخۡوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُواْ لَكَ كَيۡدًا ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنَ لِلۡإِنسَٰنِ عَدُوࣱّ مُّبِينࣱ﴿٥﴾
Qala ya bunayya la taqsus ruyaka ʿala ikhwatika fayakeedoo laka kaydan inna alshshaytana lilinsani ʿaduwwun mubeenun
He said, "O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers or they will contrive against you a plan. Indeed Satan, to man, is a manifest enemy.
وَ كَذَٰلِكَ يَجۡتَبِيكَ رَبُّكَ وَ يُعَلِّمُكَ مِن تَأۡوِيلِ ٱلۡأَحَادِيثِ وَ يُتِمُّ نِعۡمَتَهُۥ عَلَيۡكَ وَ عَلَىٰٓ ءَالِ يَعۡقُوبَ كَمَآ أَتَمَّهَا عَلَىٰٓ أَبَوَيۡكَ مِن قَبۡلُ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَ إِسۡحَٰقَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمࣱ﴿٦﴾
Wakathalika yajtabeeka rabbuka wayuʿallimuka min taweeli alahadeethi wayutimmu niʿmatahu ʿalayka waʿala ali yaʿqooba kama atammaha ʿala abawayka min qablu ibraheema waishaqa inna rabbaka ʿaleemun hakeemun
And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of narratives [i.e., events or dreams] and complete His favor upon you and upon the family of Jacob, as He completed it upon your fathers before, Abraham and Isaac. Indeed, your Lord is Knowing and Wise."
لَّقَدۡ كَانَ فِي يُوسُفَ وَ إِخۡوَتِهِۦٓ ءَايَٰتࣱ لِّلسَّآئِلِينَ﴿٧﴾
Laqad kana fee yoosufa waikhwatihi ayatun lilssaileena
Certainly were there in Joseph and his brothers signs for those who ask, [such as]
إِذۡ قَالُواْ لَيُوسُفُ وَ أَخُوهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَبِينَا مِنَّا وَ نَحۡنُ عُصۡبَةٌ إِنَّ أَبَانَا لَفِي ضَلَٰلࣲ مُّبِينٍ﴿٨﴾
Ith qaloo layoosufu waakhoohu ahabbu ila abeena minna wanahnu ʿusbatun inna abana lafee dalalin mubeenin
When they said, "Joseph and his brother are more beloved to our father than we, while we are a clan. Indeed, our father is in clear error.
ٱقۡتُلُواْ يُوسُفَ أَوِ ٱطۡرَحُوهُ أَرۡضࣰا يَخۡلُ لَكُمۡ وَجۡهُ أَبِيكُمۡ وَ تَكُونُواْ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦ قَوۡمࣰا صَٰلِحِينَ﴿٩﴾
Oqtuloo yoosufa awi itrahoohu ardan yakhlu lakum wajhu abeekum watakoonoo min baʿdihi qawman saliheena
Kill Joseph or cast him out to [another] land; the countenance [i.e., attention] of your father will [then] be only for you, and you will be after that a righteous people."
قَالَ قَآئِلࣱ مِّنۡهُمۡ لَا تَقۡتُلُواْ يُوسُفَ وَ أَلۡقُوهُ فِي غَيَٰبَتِ ٱلۡجُبِّ يَلۡتَقِطۡهُ بَعۡضُ ٱلسَّيَّارَةِ إِن كُنتُمۡ فَٰعِلِينَ﴿١٠﴾
Qala qailun minhum la taqtuloo yoosufa waalqoohu fee ghayabati aljubbi yaltaqithu baʿdu alssayyarati in kuntum faʿileena
Said a speaker among them, "Do not kill Joseph but throw him into the bottom of the well; some travelers will pick him up - if you would do [something]."
قَالُواْ يَٰٓأَبَانَا مَا لَكَ لَا تَأۡمَ۬نَّا عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَ إِنَّا لَهُۥ لَنَٰصِحُونَ﴿١١﴾
Qaloo ya abana ma laka la tamanna ʿala yoosufa wainna lahu lanasihoona
They said, "O our father, why do you not entrust us with Joseph while indeed, we are to him sincere counselors?
أَرۡسِلۡهُ مَعَنَا غَدࣰا يَرۡتَعۡ وَ يَلۡعَبۡ وَ إِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَٰفِظُونَ﴿١٢﴾
Arsilhu maʿana ghadan yartaʿ wayalʿab wainna lahu lahafithoona
Send him with us tomorrow that he may eat well and play. And indeed, we will be his guardians."
قَالَ إِنِّي لَيَحۡزُنُنِيٓ أَن تَذۡهَبُواْ بِهِۦ وَ أَخَافُ أَن يَأۡكُلَهُ ٱلذِّئۡبُ وَ أَنتُمۡ عَنۡهُ غَٰفِلُونَ﴿١٣﴾
Qala innee layahzununee an thathhaboo bihi waakhafu an yakulahu alththibu waantum ʿanhu ghafiloona
[Jacob] said, "Indeed, it saddens me that you should take him, and I fear that a wolf would eat him while you are of him unaware."
قَالُواْ لَئِنۡ أَكَلَهُ ٱلذِّئۡبُ وَ نَحۡنُ عُصۡبَةٌ إِنَّآ إِذࣰا لَّخَٰسِرُونَ﴿١٤﴾
Qaloo lain akalahu alththibu wanahnu ʿusbatun inna ithan lakhasiroona
They said, "If a wolf should eat him while we are a [strong] clan, indeed, we would then be losers."
فَلَمَّا ذَهَبُواْ بِهِۦ وَ أَجۡمَعُوٓاْ أَن يَجۡعَلُوهُ فِي غَيَٰبَتِ ٱلۡجُبِّ ۚ وَ أَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِ لَتُنَبِّئَنَّهُم بِأَمۡرِهِمۡ هَٰذَا وَ هُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ﴿١٥﴾
Falamma thahaboo bihi waajmaʿoo an yajʿaloohu fee ghayabati aljubbi waawhayna ilayhi latunabiannahum biamrihim hatha wahum la yashʿuroona
So when they took him [out] and agreed to put him into the bottom of the well... But We inspired to him, "You will surely inform them [someday] about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity]."
وَ جَآءُوٓ أَبَاهُمۡ عِشَآءࣰ يَبۡكُونَ﴿١٦﴾
Wajaoo abahum ʿishaan yabkoona
And they came to their father at night, weeping.
قَالُواْ يَٰٓأَبَانَآ إِنَّا ذَهَبۡنَا نَسۡتَبِقُ وَ تَرَكۡنَا يُوسُفَ عِندَ مَتَٰعِنَا فَأَكَلَهُ ٱلذِّئۡبُ ۖ وَ مَآ أَنتَ بِمُؤۡمِنࣲ لَّنَا وَ لَوۡ كُنَّا صَٰدِقِينَ﴿١٧﴾
Qaloo ya abana inna thahabna nastabiqu watarakna yoosufa ʿinda mataʿina faakalahu alththibu wama anta bimuminin lana walaw kunna sadiqeena
They said, "O our father, indeed we went racing each other and left Joseph with our possessions, and a wolf ate him. But you would not believe us, even if we were truthful."
وَ جَآءُو عَلَىٰ قَمِيصِهِۦ بِدَمࣲ كَذِبࣲ ۚ قَالَ بَلۡ سَوَّلَتۡ لَكُمۡ أَنفُسُكُمۡ أَمۡرࣰا ۖ فَصَبۡرࣱ جَمِيلࣱ ۖ وَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُسۡتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ﴿١٨﴾
Wajaoo ʿala qameesihi bidamin kathibin qala bal sawwalat lakum anfusukum amran fasabrun jameelun waAllahu almustaʿanu ʿala ma tasifoona
And they brought upon his shirt false blood. [Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allāh is the one sought for help against that which you describe."
وَ جَآءَتۡ سَيَّارَةࣱ فَأَرۡسَلُواْ وَارِدَهُمۡ فَأَدۡلَىٰ دَلۡوَهُۥ ۖ قَالَ يَٰبُشۡرَىٰ هَٰذَا غُلَٰمࣱ ۚ وَ أَسَرُّوهُ بِضَٰعَةࣰ ۚ وَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمُۢ بِمَا يَعۡمَلُونَ﴿١٩﴾
Wajaat sayyaratun faarsaloo waridahum faadla dalwahu qala ya bushra hatha ghulamun waasarroohu bidaʿatan waAllahu ʿaleemun bima yaʿmaloona
And there came a company of travelers; then they sent their water drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said, "Good news! Here is a boy." And they concealed him, [taking him] as merchandise; and Allāh was Knowing of what they did.
وَ شَرَوۡهُ بِثَمَنِۭ بَخۡسࣲ دَرَٰهِمَ مَعۡدُودَةࣲ وَ كَانُواْ فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلزَّٰهِدِينَ﴿٢٠﴾
Washarawhu bithamanin bakhsin darahima maʿdoodatin wakanoo feehi mina alzzahideena
And they sold him for a reduced price - a few dirhams - and they were, concerning him, of those content with little.
وَ قَالَ ٱلَّذِي ٱشۡتَرَىٰهُ مِن مِّصۡرَ لِٱمۡرَأَتِهِۦٓ أَكۡرِمِي مَثۡوَىٰهُ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَنفَعَنَآ أَوۡ نَتَّخِذَهُۥ وَلَدࣰا ۚ وَ كَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَ لِنُعَلِّمَهُۥ مِن تَأۡوِيلِ ٱلۡأَحَادِيثِ ۚ وَ ٱللَّهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَىٰٓ أَمۡرِهِۦ وَ لَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ﴿٢١﴾
Waqala allathee ishtarahu min misra liimraatihi akrimee mathwahu ʿasa an yanfaʿana aw nattakhithahu waladan wakathalika makkanna liyoosufa fee alardi walinuʿallimahu min taweeli alahadeethi waAllahu ghalibun ʿala amrihi walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaʿlamoona
And the one from Egypt who bought him said to his wife, "Make his residence comfortable. Perhaps he will benefit us, or we will adopt him as a son." And thus, We established Joseph in the land that We might teach him the interpretation of events [i.e., dreams]. And Allāh is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know.
وَ لَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥٓ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ حُكۡمࣰا وَ عِلۡمࣰا ۚ وَ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ﴿٢٢﴾
Walamma balagha ashuddahu ataynahu hukman waʿilman wakathalika najzee almuhsineena
And when he [i.e., Joseph] reached maturity, We gave him judgement and knowledge. And thus We reward the doers of good.
وَ رَٰوَدَتۡهُ ٱلَّتِي هُوَ فِي بَيۡتِهَا عَن نَّفۡسِهِۦ وَ غَلَّقَتِ ٱلۡأَبۡوَٰبَ وَ قَالَتۡ هَيۡتَ لَكَ ۚ قَالَ مَعَاذَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ رَبِّيٓ أَحۡسَنَ مَثۡوَايَ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفۡلِحُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ﴿٢٣﴾
Warawadathu allatee huwa fee baytiha ʿan nafsihi waghallaqati alabwaba waqalat hayta laka qala maʿatha Allahi innahu rabbee ahsana mathwaya innahu la yuflihu alththalimoona
And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, "Come, you." He said, "[I seek] the refuge of Allāh. Indeed, he is my master, who has made good my residence. Indeed, wrongdoers will not succeed."
وَ لَقَدۡ هَمَّتۡ بِهِۦ ۖ وَ هَمَّ بِهَا لَوۡلَآ أَن رَّءَا بُرۡهَٰنَ رَبِّهِۦ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ لِنَصۡرِفَ عَنۡهُ ٱلسُّوٓءَ وَ ٱلۡفَحۡشَآءَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَ﴿٢٤﴾
Walaqad hammat bihi wahamma biha lawla an raa burhana rabbihi kathalika linasrifa ʿanhu alssooa waalfahshaa innahu min ʿibadina almukhlaseena
And she certainly determined [to seduce] him, and he would have inclined to her had he not seen the proof [i.e., sign] of his Lord. And thus [it was] that We should avert from him evil and immorality. Indeed, he was of Our chosen servants.
وَ ٱسۡتَبَقَا ٱلۡبَابَ وَ قَدَّتۡ قَمِيصَهُۥ مِن دُبُرࣲ وَ أَلۡفَيَا سَيِّدَهَا لَدَا ٱلۡبَابِ ۚ قَالَتۡ مَا جَزَآءُ مَنۡ أَرَادَ بِأَهۡلِكَ سُوٓءًا إِلَّآ أَن يُسۡجَنَ أَوۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمࣱ﴿٢٥﴾
Waistabaqa albaba waqaddat qameesahu min duburin waalfaya sayyidaha lada albabi qalat ma jazao man arada biahlika sooan illa an yusjana aw ʿathabun aleemun
And they both raced to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back, and they found her husband at the door. She said, "What is the recompense of one who intended evil for your wife but that he be imprisoned or a painful punishment?"
قَالَ هِيَ رَٰوَدَتۡنِي عَن نَّفۡسِي ۚ وَ شَهِدَ شَاهِدࣱ مِّنۡ أَهۡلِهَآ إِن كَانَ قَمِيصُهُۥ قُدَّ مِن قُبُلࣲ فَصَدَقَتۡ وَ هُوَ مِنَ ٱلۡكَٰذِبِينَ﴿٢٦﴾
Qala hiya rawadatnee ʿan nafsee washahida shahidun min ahliha in kana qameesuhu qudda min qubulin fasadaqat wahuwa mina alkathibeena
[Joseph] said, "It was she who sought to seduce me." And a witness from her family testified, "If his shirt is torn from the front, then she has told the truth, and he is of the liars.
وَ إِن كَانَ قَمِيصُهُۥ قُدَّ مِن دُبُرࣲ فَكَذَبَتۡ وَ هُوَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ﴿٢٧﴾
Wain kana qameesuhu qudda min duburin fakathabat wahuwa mina alssadiqeena
But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied, and he is of the truthful."
فَلَمَّا رَءَا قَمِيصَهُۥ قُدَّ مِن دُبُرࣲ قَالَ إِنَّهُۥ مِن كَيۡدِكُنَّ ۖ إِنَّ كَيۡدَكُنَّ عَظِيمࣱ﴿٢٨﴾
Falamma raa qameesahu qudda min duburin qala innahu min kaydikunna inna kaydakunna ʿatheemun
So when he [i.e., her husband] saw his shirt torn from the back, he said, "Indeed, it is of your [i.e., women's] plan. Indeed, your plan is great [i.e., vehement].
يُوسُفُ أَعۡرِضۡ عَنۡ هَٰذَا ۚ وَ ٱسۡتَغۡفِرِي لِذَنۢبِكِ ۖ إِنَّكِ كُنتِ مِنَ ٱلۡخَاطِـِٔينَ﴿٢٩﴾
Yoosufu aʿrid ʿan hatha waistaghfiree lithanbiki innaki kunti mina alkhatieena
Joseph, ignore this. And, [my wife], ask forgiveness for your sin. Indeed, you were of the sinful."
وَ قَالَ نِسۡوَةࣱ فِي ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ ٱمۡرَأَتُ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ تُرَٰوِدُ فَتَىٰهَا عَن نَّفۡسِهِۦ ۖ قَدۡ شَغَفَهَا حُبًّا ۖ إِنَّا لَنَرَىٰهَا فِي ضَلَٰلࣲ مُّبِينࣲ﴿٣٠﴾
Waqala niswatun fee almadeenati imraatu alʿazeezi turawidu fataha ʿan nafsihi qad shaghafaha hubban inna lanaraha fee dalalin mubeenin
And women in the city said, "The wife of al-ʿAzeez is seeking to seduce her slave boy; he has impassioned her with love. Indeed, we see her [to be] in clear error."
فَلَمَّا سَمِعَتۡ بِمَكۡرِهِنَّ أَرۡسَلَتۡ إِلَيۡهِنَّ وَ أَعۡتَدَتۡ لَهُنَّ مُتَّكَـࣰٔا وَ ءَاتَتۡ كُلَّ وَٰحِدَةࣲ مِّنۡهُنَّ سِكِّينࣰا وَ قَالَتِ ٱخۡرُجۡ عَلَيۡهِنَّ ۖ فَلَمَّا رَأَيۡنَهُۥٓ أَكۡبَرۡنَهُۥ وَ قَطَّعۡنَ أَيۡدِيَهُنَّ وَ قُلۡنَ حَٰشَ لِلَّهِ مَا هَٰذَا بَشَرًا إِنۡ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا مَلَكࣱ كَرِيمࣱ﴿٣١﴾
Falamma samiʿat bimakrihinna arsalat ilayhinna waaʿtadat lahunna muttakaan waatat kulla wahidatin minhunna sikkeenan waqalati okhruj ʿalayhinna falamma raaynahu akbarnahu waqattaʿna aydiyahunna waqulna hasha lillahi ma hatha basharan in hatha illa malakun kareemun
So when she heard of their scheming, she sent for them and prepared for them a banquet and gave each one of them a knife and said [to Joseph], "Come out before them." And when they saw him, they greatly admired him and cut their hands and said, "Perfect is Allāh! This is not a man; this is none but a noble angel."
قَالَتۡ فَذَٰلِكُنَّ ٱلَّذِي لُمۡتُنَّنِي فِيهِ ۖ وَ لَقَدۡ رَٰوَدتُّهُۥ عَن نَّفۡسِهِۦ فَٱسۡتَعۡصَمَ ۖ وَ لَئِن لَّمۡ يَفۡعَلۡ مَآ ءَامُرُهُۥ لَيُسۡجَنَنَّ وَ لَيَكُونࣰا مِّنَ ٱلصَّٰغِرِينَ﴿٣٢﴾
Qalat fathalikunna allathee lumtunnanee feehi walaqad rawadtuhu ʿan nafsihi faistʿsama walain lam yafʿal ma amuruhu layusjananna walayakoonan mina alssaghireena
She said, "That is the one about whom you blamed me. And I certainly sought to seduce him, but he firmly refused; and if he will not do what I order him, he will surely be imprisoned and will be of those debased."
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱلسِّجۡنُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا يَدۡعُونَنِيٓ إِلَيۡهِ ۖ وَ إِلَّا تَصۡرِفۡ عَنِّي كَيۡدَهُنَّ أَصۡبُ إِلَيۡهِنَّ وَ أَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡجَٰهِلِينَ﴿٣٣﴾
Qala rabbi alssijnu ahabbu ilayya mimma yadʿoonanee ilayhi wailla tasrif ʿannee kaydahunna asbu ilayhinna waakun mina aljahileena
He said, "My Lord, prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me. And if You do not avert from me their plan, I might incline toward them and [thus] be of the ignorant."
فَٱسۡتَجَابَ لَهُۥ رَبُّهُۥ فَصَرَفَ عَنۡهُ كَيۡدَهُنَّ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ﴿٣٤﴾
Faistajaba lahu rabbuhu fasarafa ʿanhu kaydahunna innahu huwa alssameeʿu alʿaleemu
So his Lord responded to him and averted from him their plan. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
ثُمَّ بَدَا لَهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا رَأَوُاْ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لَيَسۡجُنُنَّهُۥ حَتَّىٰ حِينࣲ﴿٣٥﴾
Thumma bada lahum min baʿdi ma raawoo alayati layasjununnahu hatta heenin
Then it appeared to them after they had seen the signs that he [i.e., al-ʿAzeez] should surely imprison him for a time.
وَ دَخَلَ مَعَهُ ٱلسِّجۡنَ فَتَيَانِ ۖ قَالَ أَحَدُهُمَآ إِنِّيٓ أَرَىٰنِيٓ أَعۡصِرُ خَمۡرࣰا ۖ وَ قَالَ ٱلۡأٓخَرُ إِنِّيٓ أَرَىٰنِيٓ أَحۡمِلُ فَوۡقَ رَأۡسِي خُبۡزࣰا تَأۡكُلُ ٱلطَّيۡرُ مِنۡهُ ۖ نَبِّئۡنَا بِتَأۡوِيلِهِۦٓ ۖ إِنَّا نَرَىٰكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ﴿٣٦﴾
Wadakhala maʿahu alssijna fatayani qala ahaduhuma innee aranee aʿsiru khamran waqala alakharu innee aranee ahmilu fawqa rasee khubzan takulu alttayru minhu nabbina bitaweelihi inna naraka mina almuhsineena
And there entered the prison with him two young men. One of them said, "Indeed, I have seen myself [in a dream] pressing [grapes for] wine." The other said, "Indeed, I have seen myself carrying upon my head [some] bread, from which the birds were eating. Inform us of its interpretation; indeed, we see you to be of those who do good."
قَالَ لَا يَأۡتِيكُمَا طَعَامࣱ تُرۡزَقَانِهِۦٓ إِلَّا نَبَّأۡتُكُمَا بِتَأۡوِيلِهِۦ قَبۡلَ أَن يَأۡتِيَكُمَا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمَا مِمَّا عَلَّمَنِي رَبِّيٓ ۚ إِنِّي تَرَكۡتُ مِلَّةَ قَوۡمࣲ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَ هُم بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ هُمۡ كَٰفِرُونَ﴿٣٧﴾
Qala la yateekuma taʿamun turzaqanihi illa nabbatukuma bitaweelihi qabla an yatiyakuma thalikuma mimma ʿallamanee rabbee innee taraktu millata qawmin la yuminoona biAllahi wahum bialakhirati hum kafiroona
He said, "You will not receive food that is provided to you except that I will inform you of its interpretation before it comes to you. That is from what my Lord has taught me. Indeed, I have left the religion of a people who do not believe in Allāh, and they, in the Hereafter, are disbelievers.
وَ ٱتَّبَعۡتُ مِلَّةَ ءَابَآءِيٓ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَ إِسۡحَٰقَ وَ يَعۡقُوبَ ۚ مَا كَانَ لَنَآ أَن نُّشۡرِكَ بِٱللَّهِ مِن شَيۡءࣲ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِن فَضۡلِ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡنَا وَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَ لَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَشۡكُرُونَ﴿٣٨﴾
Waittabaʿtu millata abaee ibraheema waishaqa wayaʿqooba ma kana lana an nushrika biAllahi min shayin thalika min fadli Allahi ʿalayna waʿala alnnasi walakinna akthara alnnasi la yashkuroona
And I have followed the religion of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And it was not for us to associate anything with Allāh. That is from the favor of Allāh upon us and upon the people, but most of the people are not grateful.
يَٰصَٰحِبَيِ ٱلسِّجۡنِ ءَأَرۡبَابࣱ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيۡرٌ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡوَٰحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّارُ﴿٣٩﴾
Ya sahibayi alssijni aarbabun mutafarriqoona khayrun ami Allahu alwahidu alqahharu
O [my] two companions of prison, are separate lords better or Allāh, the One, the Prevailing?
مَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَسۡمَآءࣰ سَمَّيۡتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمۡ وَ ءَابَآؤُكُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلۡطَٰنٍ ۚ إِنِ ٱلۡحُكۡمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُ وَ لَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ﴿٤٠﴾
Ma taʿbudoona min doonihi illa asmaan sammaytumooha antum waabaokum ma anzala Allahu biha min sultanin ini alhukmu illa lillahi amara alla taʿbudoo illa iyyahu thalika alddeenu alqayyimu walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaʿlamoona
You worship not besides Him except [mere] names you have named them, you and your fathers, for which Allāh has sent down no evidence. Legislation is not but for Allāh. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.
يَٰصَٰحِبَيِ ٱلسِّجۡنِ أَمَّآ أَحَدُكُمَا فَيَسۡقِي رَبَّهُۥ خَمۡرࣰا ۖ وَ أَمَّا ٱلۡأٓخَرُ فَيُصۡلَبُ فَتَأۡكُلُ ٱلطَّيۡرُ مِن رَّأۡسِهِۦ ۚ قُضِيَ ٱلۡأَمۡرُ ٱلَّذِي فِيهِ تَسۡتَفۡتِيَانِ﴿٤١﴾
Ya sahibayi alssijni amma ahadukuma fayasqee rabbahu khamran waamma alakharu fayuslabu fatakulu alttayru min rasihi qudiya alamru allathee feehi tastaftiyani
O two companions of prison, as for one of you, he will give drink to his master of wine; but as for the other, he will be crucified, and the birds will eat from his head. The matter has been decreed about which you both inquire."
وَ قَالَ لِلَّذِي ظَنَّ أَنَّهُۥ نَاجࣲ مِّنۡهُمَا ٱذۡكُرۡنِي عِندَ رَبِّكَ فَأَنسَىٰهُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ ذِكۡرَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلَبِثَ فِي ٱلسِّجۡنِ بِضۡعَ سِنِينَ﴿٤٢﴾
Waqala lillathee thanna annahu najin minhuma othkurnee ʿinda rabbika faansahu alshshaytanu thikra rabbihi falabitha fee alssijni bidʿa sineena
And he said to the one whom he knew would go free, "Mention me before your master." But Satan made him forget the mention [to] his master, and he [i.e., Joseph] remained in prison several years.
وَ قَالَ ٱلۡمَلِكُ إِنِّيٓ أَرَىٰ سَبۡعَ بَقَرَٰتࣲ سِمَانࣲ يَأۡكُلُهُنَّ سَبۡعٌ عِجَافࣱ وَ سَبۡعَ سُنۢبُلَٰتٍ خُضۡرࣲ وَ أُخَرَ يَابِسَٰتࣲ ۖ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلۡمَلَأُ أَفۡتُونِي فِي رُءۡيَٰيَ إِن كُنتُمۡ لِلرُّءۡيَا تَعۡبُرُونَ﴿٤٣﴾
Waqala almaliku innee ara sabʿa baqaratin simanin yakuluhunna sabʿun ʿijafun wasabʿa sunbulatin khudrin waokhara yabisatin ya ayyuha almalao aftoonee fee ruyaya in kuntum lilrruya taʿburoona
And [subsequently] the king said, "Indeed, I have seen [in a dream] seven fat cows being eaten by seven [that were] lean, and seven green spikes [of grain] and others [that were] dry. O eminent ones, explain to me my vision, if you should interpret visions."
قَالُوٓاْ أَضۡغَٰثُ أَحۡلَٰمࣲ ۖ وَ مَا نَحۡنُ بِتَأۡوِيلِ ٱلۡأَحۡلَٰمِ بِعَٰلِمِينَ﴿٤٤﴾
Qaloo adghathu ahlamin wama nahnu bitaweeli alahlami biʿalimeena
They said, "[It is but] a mixture of false dreams, and we are not learned in the interpretation of dreams."
وَ قَالَ ٱلَّذِي نَجَا مِنۡهُمَا وَ ٱدَّكَرَ بَعۡدَ أُمَّةٍ أَنَا۠ أُنَبِّئُكُم بِتَأۡوِيلِهِۦ فَأَرۡسِلُونِ﴿٤٥﴾
Waqala allathee naja minhuma waiddakara baʿda ommatin ana onabbiokum bitaweelihi faarsilooni
But the one who was freed and remembered after a time said, "I will inform you of its interpretation, so send me forth."
يُوسُفُ أَيُّهَا ٱلصِّدِّيقُ أَفۡتِنَا فِي سَبۡعِ بَقَرَٰتࣲ سِمَانࣲ يَأۡكُلُهُنَّ سَبۡعٌ عِجَافࣱ وَ سَبۡعِ سُنۢبُلَٰتٍ خُضۡرࣲ وَ أُخَرَ يَابِسَٰتࣲ لَّعَلِّيٓ أَرۡجِعُ إِلَى ٱلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ﴿٤٦﴾
Yoosufu ayyuha alssiddeequ aftina fee sabʿi baqaratin simanin yakuluhunna sabʿun ʿijafun wasabʿi sunbulatin khudrin waokhara yabisatin laʿallee arjiʿu ila alnnasi laʿallahum yaʿlamoona
[He said], "Joseph, O man of truth, explain to us about seven fat cows eaten by seven [that were] lean, and seven green spikes [of grain] and others [that were] dry - that I may return to the people [i.e., the king and his court]; perhaps they will know [about you]."
قَالَ تَزۡرَعُونَ سَبۡعَ سِنِينَ دَأَبࣰا فَمَا حَصَدتُّمۡ فَذَرُوهُ فِي سُنۢبُلِهِۦٓ إِلَّا قَلِيلࣰا مِّمَّا تَأۡكُلُونَ﴿٤٧﴾
Qala tazraʿoona sabʿa sineena daaban fama hasadtum fatharoohu fee sunbulihi illa qaleelan mimma takuloona
[Joseph] said, "You will plant for seven years consecutively; and what you harvest leave in its spikes, except a little from which you will eat.
ثُمَّ يَأۡتِي مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ذَٰلِكَ سَبۡعࣱ شِدَادࣱ يَأۡكُلۡنَ مَا قَدَّمۡتُمۡ لَهُنَّ إِلَّا قَلِيلࣰا مِّمَّا تُحۡصِنُونَ﴿٤٨﴾
Thumma yatee min baʿdi thalika sabʿun shidadun yakulna ma qaddamtum lahunna illa qaleelan mimma tuhsinoona
Then will come after that seven difficult [years] which will consume what you advanced [i.e., saved] for them, except a little from which you will store.
ثُمَّ يَأۡتِي مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ذَٰلِكَ عَامࣱ فِيهِ يُغَاثُ ٱلنَّاسُ وَ فِيهِ يَعۡصِرُونَ﴿٤٩﴾
Thumma yatee min baʿdi thalika ʿamun feehi yughathu alnnasu wafeehi yaʿsiroona
Then will come after that a year in which the people will be given rain and in which they will press [olives and grapes]."
وَ قَالَ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱئۡتُونِي بِهِۦ ۖ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُ ٱلرَّسُولُ قَالَ ٱرۡجِعۡ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَسۡـَٔلۡهُ مَا بَالُ ٱلنِّسۡوَةِ ٱلَّٰتِي قَطَّعۡنَ أَيۡدِيَهُنَّ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي بِكَيۡدِهِنَّ عَلِيمࣱ﴿٥٠﴾
Waqala almaliku itoonee bihi falamma jaahu alrrasoolu qala irjiʿ ila rabbika faisalhu ma balu alnniswati allatee qattaʿna aydiyahunna inna rabbee bikaydihinna ʿaleemun
And the king said, "Bring him to me." But when the messenger came to him, [Joseph] said, "Return to your master and ask him what is the case of the women who cut their hands. Indeed, my Lord is Knowing of their plan."
قَالَ مَا خَطۡبُكُنَّ إِذۡ رَٰوَدتُّنَّ يُوسُفَ عَن نَّفۡسِهِۦ ۚ قُلۡنَ حَٰشَ لِلَّهِ مَا عَلِمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ مِن سُوٓءࣲ ۚ قَالَتِ ٱمۡرَأَتُ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡـَٰٔنَ حَصۡحَصَ ٱلۡحَقُّ أَنَا۠ رَٰوَدتُّهُۥ عَن نَّفۡسِهِۦ وَ إِنَّهُۥ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ﴿٥١﴾
Qala ma khatbukunna ith rawadtunna yoosufa ʿan nafsihi qulna hasha lillahi ma ʿalimna ʿalayhi min sooin qalati imraatu alʿazeezi alana hashasa alhaqqu ana rawadtuhu ʿan nafsihi wainnahu lamina alssadiqeena
Said [the king to the women], "What was your condition when you sought to seduce Joseph?" They said, "Perfect is Allāh! We know about him no evil." The wife of al-ʿAzeez said, "Now the truth has become evident. It was I who sought to seduce him, and indeed, he is of the truthful.
ذَٰلِكَ لِيَعۡلَمَ أَنِّي لَمۡ أَخُنۡهُ بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهۡدِي كَيۡدَ ٱلۡخَآئِنِينَ﴿٥٢﴾
Thalika liyaʿlama annee lam akhunhu bialghaybi waanna Allaha la yahdee kayda alkhaineena
That is so he [i.e., al-ʿAzeez] will know that I did not betray him in [his] absence and that Allāh does not guide the plan of betrayers.
وَ مَآ أُبَرِّئُ نَفۡسِيٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلنَّفۡسَ لَأَمَّارَةُۢ بِٱلسُّوٓءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّيٓ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي غَفُورࣱ رَّحِيمࣱ﴿٥٣﴾
Wama obarrio nafsee inna alnnafsa laammaratun bialssooi illa ma rahima rabbee inna rabbee ghafoorun raheemun
And I do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful."
وَ قَالَ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱئۡتُونِي بِهِۦٓ أَسۡتَخۡلِصۡهُ لِنَفۡسِي ۖ فَلَمَّا كَلَّمَهُۥ قَالَ إِنَّكَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ لَدَيۡنَا مَكِينٌ أَمِينࣱ﴿٥٤﴾
Waqala almaliku itoonee bihi astakhlishu linafsee falamma kallamahu qala innaka alyawma ladayna makeenun ameenun
And the king said, "Bring him to me; I will appoint him exclusively for myself." And when he spoke to him, he said, "Indeed, you are today established [in position] and trusted."
قَالَ ٱجۡعَلۡنِي عَلَىٰ خَزَآئِنِ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ ۖ إِنِّي حَفِيظٌ عَلِيمࣱ﴿٥٥﴾
Qala ijʿalnee ʿala khazaini alardi innee hafeethun ʿaleemun
[Joseph] said, "Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian."
وَ كَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَتَبَوَّأُ مِنۡهَا حَيۡثُ يَشَآءُ ۚ نُصِيبُ بِرَحۡمَتِنَا مَن نَّشَآءُ ۖ وَ لَا نُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ﴿٥٦﴾
Wakathalika makanna liyoosufa fee alardi yatabawwao minha haythu yashao nuseebu birahmatina man nashao wala nudeeʿu ajra almuhsineena
And thus We established Joseph in the land to settle therein wherever he willed. We touch with Our mercy whom We will, and We do not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.
وَ لَأَجۡرُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ خَيۡرࣱ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَ كَانُواْ يَتَّقُونَ﴿٥٧﴾
Walaajru alakhirati khayrun lillatheena amanoo wakanoo yattaqoona
And the reward of the Hereafter is better for those who believed and were fearing Allāh.
وَ جَآءَ إِخۡوَةُ يُوسُفَ فَدَخَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِ فَعَرَفَهُمۡ وَ هُمۡ لَهُۥ مُنكِرُونَ﴿٥٨﴾
Wajaa ikhwatu yoosufa fadakhaloo ʿalayhi faʿarafahum wahum lahu munkiroona
And the brothers of Joseph came [seeking food], and they entered upon him; and he recognized them, but he was to them unknown.
وَ لَمَّا جَهَّزَهُم بِجَهَازِهِمۡ قَالَ ٱئۡتُونِي بِأَخࣲ لَّكُم مِّنۡ أَبِيكُمۡ ۚ أَلَا تَرَوۡنَ أَنِّيٓ أُوفِي ٱلۡكَيۡلَ وَ أَنَا۠ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡمُنزِلِينَ﴿٥٩﴾
Walamma jahhazahum bijahazihim qala itoonee biakhin lakum min abeekum ala tarawna annee oofee alkayla waana khayru almunzileena
And when he had furnished them with their supplies, he said, "Bring me a brother of yours from your father. Do you not see that I give full measure and that I am the best of accommodators?
فَإِن لَّمۡ تَأۡتُونِي بِهِۦ فَلَا كَيۡلَ لَكُمۡ عِندِي وَ لَا تَقۡرَبُونِ﴿٦٠﴾
Fain lam tatoonee bihi fala kayla lakum ʿindee wala taqrabooni
But if you do not bring him to me, no measure will there be [hereafter] for you from me, nor will you approach me."
قَالُواْ سَنُرَٰوِدُ عَنۡهُ أَبَاهُ وَ إِنَّا لَفَٰعِلُونَ﴿٦١﴾
Qaloo sanurawidu ʿanhu abahu wainna lafaʿiloona
They said, "We will attempt to dissuade his father from [keeping] him, and indeed, we will do [it]."
وَ قَالَ لِفِتۡيَٰنِهِ ٱجۡعَلُواْ بِضَٰعَتَهُمۡ فِي رِحَالِهِمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَعۡرِفُونَهَآ إِذَا ٱنقَلَبُوٓاْ إِلَىٰٓ أَهۡلِهِمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ﴿٦٢﴾
Waqala lifityanihi ijʿaloo bidaʿatahum fee rihalihim laʿallahum yaʿrifoonaha itha inqalaboo ila ahlihim laʿallahum yarjiʿoona
And [Joseph] said to his servants, "Put their merchandise into their saddlebags so they might recognize it when they have gone back to their people that perhaps they will [again] return."
فَلَمَّا رَجَعُوٓاْ إِلَىٰٓ أَبِيهِمۡ قَالُواْ يَٰٓأَبَانَا مُنِعَ مِنَّا ٱلۡكَيۡلُ فَأَرۡسِلۡ مَعَنَآ أَخَانَا نَكۡتَلۡ وَ إِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَٰفِظُونَ﴿٦٣﴾
Falamma rajaʿoo ila abeehim qaloo ya abana muniʿa minna alkaylu faarsil maʿana akhana naktal wainna lahu lahafithoona
So when they returned to their father, they said, "O our father, [further] measure has been denied to us, so send with us our brother [that] we will be given measure. And indeed, we will be his guardians."
قَالَ هَلۡ ءَامَنُكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ إِلَّا كَمَآ أَمِنتُكُمۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَخِيهِ مِن قَبۡلُ فَٱللَّهُ خَيۡرٌ حَٰفِظࣰا ۖ وَ هُوَ أَرۡحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ﴿٦٤﴾
Qala hal amanukum ʿalayhi illa kama amintukum ʿala akheehi min qablu faAllahu khayrun hafithan wahuwa arhamu alrrahimeena
He said, "Should I entrust you with him except [under coercion] as I entrusted you with his brother before? But Allāh is the best guardian, and He is the most merciful of the merciful."
وَ لَمَّا فَتَحُواْ مَتَٰعَهُمۡ وَجَدُواْ بِضَٰعَتَهُمۡ رُدَّتۡ إِلَيۡهِمۡ ۖ قَالُواْ يَٰٓأَبَانَا مَا نَبۡغِي ۖ هَٰذِهِۦ بِضَٰعَتُنَا رُدَّتۡ إِلَيۡنَا ۖ وَ نَمِيرُ أَهۡلَنَا وَ نَحۡفَظُ أَخَانَا وَ نَزۡدَادُ كَيۡلَ بَعِيرࣲ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ كَيۡلࣱ يَسِيرࣱ﴿٦٥﴾
Walamma fatahoo mataʿahum wajadoo bidaʿatahum ruddat ilayhim qaloo ya abana ma nabghee hathihi bidaʿatuna ruddat ilayna wanameeru ahlana wanahfathu akhana wanazdadu kayla baʿeerin thalika kaylun yaseerun
And when they opened their baggage, they found their merchandise returned to them. They said, "O our father, what [more] could we desire? This is our merchandise returned to us. And we will obtain supplies [i.e., food] for our family and protect our brother and obtain an increase of a camel's load; that is an easy measurement."
قَالَ لَنۡ أُرۡسِلَهُۥ مَعَكُمۡ حَتَّىٰ تُؤۡتُونِ مَوۡثِقࣰا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لَتَأۡتُنَّنِي بِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن يُحَاطَ بِكُمۡ ۖ فَلَمَّآ ءَاتَوۡهُ مَوۡثِقَهُمۡ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَا نَقُولُ وَكِيلࣱ﴿٦٦﴾
Qala lan orsilahu maʿakum hatta tutooni mawthiqan mina Allahi latatunnanee bihi illa an yuhata bikum falamma atawhu mawthiqahum qala Allahu ʿala ma naqoolu wakeelun
[Jacob] said, "Never will I send him with you until you give me a promise [i.e., oath] by Allāh that you will bring him [back] to me, unless you should be surrounded [i.e., overcome by enemies]." And when they had given their promise, he said, "Allāh, over what we say, is Entrusted."
وَ قَالَ يَٰبَنِيَّ لَا تَدۡخُلُواْ مِنۢ بَابࣲ وَٰحِدࣲ وَ ٱدۡخُلُواْ مِنۡ أَبۡوَٰبࣲ مُّتَفَرِّقَةࣲ ۖ وَ مَآ أُغۡنِي عَنكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَيۡءٍ ۖ إِنِ ٱلۡحُكۡمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۖ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلۡتُ ۖ وَ عَلَيۡهِ فَلۡيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلۡمُتَوَكِّلُونَ﴿٦٧﴾
Waqala ya baniyya la tadkhuloo min babin wahidin waodkhuloo min abwabin mutafarriqatin wama oghnee ʿankum mina Allahi min shayin ini alhukmu illa lillahi ʿalayhi tawakkaltu waʿalayhi falyatawakkali almutawakkiloona
And he said, "O my sons, do not enter from one gate but enter from different gates; and I cannot avail you against [the decree of] Allāh at all. The decision is only for Allāh; upon Him I have relied, and upon Him let those who would rely [indeed] rely."
وَ لَمَّا دَخَلُواْ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ أَمَرَهُمۡ أَبُوهُم مَّا كَانَ يُغۡنِي عَنۡهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَيۡءٍ إِلَّا حَاجَةࣰ فِي نَفۡسِ يَعۡقُوبَ قَضَىٰهَا ۚ وَ إِنَّهُۥ لَذُو عِلۡمࣲ لِّمَا عَلَّمۡنَٰهُ وَ لَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ﴿٦٨﴾
Walamma dakhaloo min haythu amarahum aboohum ma kana yughnee ʿanhum mina Allahi min shayin illa hajatan fee nafsi yaʿqooba qadaha wainnahu lathoo ʿilmin lima ʿallamnahu walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaʿlamoona
And when they entered from where their father had ordered them, it did not avail them against Allāh at all except [it was] a need [i.e., concern] within the soul of Jacob, which he satisfied. And indeed, he was a possessor of knowledge because of what We had taught him, but most of the people do not know.
وَ لَمَّا دَخَلُواْ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ ءَاوَىٰٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَخَاهُ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّيٓ أَنَا۠ أَخُوكَ فَلَا تَبۡتَئِسۡ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ﴿٦٩﴾
Walamma dakhaloo ʿala yoosufa awa ilayhi akhahu qala innee ana akhooka fala tabtais bima kanoo yaʿmaloona
And when they entered upon Joseph, he took his brother to himself; he said, "Indeed, I am your brother, so do not despair over what they used to do [to me]."
فَلَمَّا جَهَّزَهُم بِجَهَازِهِمۡ جَعَلَ ٱلسِّقَايَةَ فِي رَحۡلِ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ أَذَّنَ مُؤَذِّنٌ أَيَّتُهَا ٱلۡعِيرُ إِنَّكُمۡ لَسَٰرِقُونَ﴿٧٠﴾
Falamma jahhazahum bijahazihim jaʿala alssiqayata fee rahli akheehi thumma aththana muaththinun ayyatuha alʿeeru innakum lasariqoona
So when he had furnished them with their supplies, he put the [gold measuring] bowl into the bag of his brother. Then an announcer called out, "O caravan, indeed you are thieves."
قَالُواْ وَ أَقۡبَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِم مَّاذَا تَفۡقِدُونَ﴿٧١﴾
Qaloo waaqbaloo ʿalayhim matha tafqidoona
They said while approaching them, "What is it you are missing?"
قَالُواْ نَفۡقِدُ صُوَاعَ ٱلۡمَلِكِ وَ لِمَن جَآءَ بِهِۦ حِمۡلُ بَعِيرࣲ وَ أَنَا۠ بِهِۦ زَعِيمࣱ﴿٧٢﴾
Qaloo nafqidu suwaʿa almaliki waliman jaa bihi himlu baʿeerin waana bihi zaʿeemun
They said, "We are missing the measure of the king. And for he who produces it is [the reward of] a camel's load, and I am responsible for it."
قَالُواْ تَٱللَّهِ لَقَدۡ عَلِمۡتُم مَّا جِئۡنَا لِنُفۡسِدَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَ مَا كُنَّا سَٰرِقِينَ﴿٧٣﴾
Qaloo taAllahi laqad ʿalimtum ma jina linufsida fee alardi wama kunna sariqeena
They said, "By Allāh, you have certainly known that we did not come to cause corruption in the land, and we have not been thieves."
قَالُواْ فَمَا جَزَٰٓؤُهُۥٓ إِن كُنتُمۡ كَٰذِبِينَ﴿٧٤﴾
Qaloo fama jazaohu in kuntum kathibeena
They [the accusers] said, "Then what would be its recompense if you should be liars?"
قَالُواْ جَزَٰٓؤُهُۥ مَن وُجِدَ فِي رَحۡلِهِۦ فَهُوَ جَزَٰٓؤُهُۥ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ﴿٧٥﴾
Qaloo jazaohu man wujida fee rahlihi fahuwa jazaohu kathalika najzee alththalimeena
[The brothers] said, "Its recompense is that he in whose bag it is found - he [himself] will be its recompense. Thus do we recompense the wrongdoers."
فَبَدَأَ بِأَوۡعِيَتِهِمۡ قَبۡلَ وِعَآءِ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَخۡرَجَهَا مِن وِعَآءِ أَخِيهِ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كِدۡنَا لِيُوسُفَ ۖ مَا كَانَ لِيَأۡخُذَ أَخَاهُ فِي دِينِ ٱلۡمَلِكِ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ نَرۡفَعُ دَرَجَٰتࣲ مَّن نَّشَآءُ ۗ وَ فَوۡقَ كُلِّ ذِي عِلۡمٍ عَلِيمࣱ﴿٧٦﴾
Fabadaa biawʿiyatihim qabla wiʿai akheehi thumma istakhrajaha min wiʿai akheehi kathalika kidna liyoosufa ma kana liyakhutha akhahu fee deeni almaliki illa an yashaa Allahu narfaʿu darajatin man nashao wafawqa kulli thee ʿilmin ʿaleemun
So he began [the search] with their bags before the bag of his brother; then he extracted it from the bag of his brother. Thus did We plan for Joseph. He could not have taken his brother within the religion [i.e., law] of the king except that Allāh willed. We raise in degrees whom We will, but over every possessor of knowledge is one [more] knowing.
قَالُوٓاْ إِن يَسۡرِقۡ فَقَدۡ سَرَقَ أَخࣱ لَّهُۥ مِن قَبۡلُ ۚ فَأَسَرَّهَا يُوسُفُ فِي نَفۡسِهِۦ وَ لَمۡ يُبۡدِهَا لَهُمۡ ۚ قَالَ أَنتُمۡ شَرࣱّ مَّكَانࣰا ۖ وَ ٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا تَصِفُونَ﴿٧٧﴾
Qaloo in yasriq faqad saraqa akhun lahu min qablu faasarraha yoosufu fee nafsihi walam yubdiha lahum qala antum sharrun makanan waAllahu aʿlamu bima tasifoona
They said, "If he steals - a brother of his has stolen before." But Joseph kept it within himself and did not reveal it to them. He said, "You are worse in position, and Allāh is most knowing of what you describe."
قَالُواْ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلۡعَزِيزُ إِنَّ لَهُۥٓ أَبࣰا شَيۡخࣰا كَبِيرࣰا فَخُذۡ أَحَدَنَا مَكَانَهُۥٓ ۖ إِنَّا نَرَىٰكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ﴿٧٨﴾
Qaloo ya ayyuha alʿazeezu inna lahu aban shaykhan kabeeran fakhuth ahadana makanahu inna naraka mina almuhsineena
They said, "O ʿAzeez, indeed he has a father [who is] an old man, so take one of us in place of him. Indeed, we see you as a doer of good."
قَالَ مَعَاذَ ٱللَّهِ أَن نَّأۡخُذَ إِلَّا مَن وَجَدۡنَا مَتَٰعَنَا عِندَهُۥٓ إِنَّآ إِذࣰا لَّظَٰلِمُونَ﴿٧٩﴾
Qala maʿatha Allahi an nakhutha illa man wajadna mataʿana ʿindahu inna ithan lathalimoona
He said, "[I seek] the refuge of Allāh [to prevent] that we take except him with whom we found our possession. Indeed, we would then be unjust."
فَلَمَّا ٱسۡتَيۡـَٔسُواْ مِنۡهُ خَلَصُواْ نَجِيࣰّا ۖ قَالَ كَبِيرُهُمۡ أَلَمۡ تَعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ أَبَاكُمۡ قَدۡ أَخَذَ عَلَيۡكُم مَّوۡثِقࣰا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَ مِن قَبۡلُ مَا فَرَّطتُمۡ فِي يُوسُفَ ۖ فَلَنۡ أَبۡرَحَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ حَتَّىٰ يَأۡذَنَ لِيٓ أَبِيٓ أَوۡ يَحۡكُمَ ٱللَّهُ لِي ۖ وَ هُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡحَٰكِمِينَ﴿٨٠﴾
Falamma istayasoo minhu khalasoo najiyyan qala kabeeruhum alam taʿlamoo anna abakum qad akhatha ʿalaykum mawthiqan mina Allahi wamin qablu ma farrattum fee yoosufa falan abraha alarda hatta yathana lee abee aw yahkuma Allahu lee wahuwa khayru alhakimeena
So when they had despaired of him, they secluded themselves in private consultation. The eldest of them said, "Do you not know that your father has taken upon you an oath by Allāh and [that] before you failed in [your duty to] Joseph? So I will never leave [this] land until my father permits me or Allāh decides for me, and He is the best of judges.
ٱرۡجِعُوٓاْ إِلَىٰٓ أَبِيكُمۡ فَقُولُواْ يَٰٓأَبَانَآ إِنَّ ٱبۡنَكَ سَرَقَ وَ مَا شَهِدۡنَآ إِلَّا بِمَا عَلِمۡنَا وَ مَا كُنَّا لِلۡغَيۡبِ حَٰفِظِينَ﴿٨١﴾
Irjiʿoo ila abeekum faqooloo ya abana inna ibnaka saraqa wama shahidna illa bima ʿalimna wama kunna lilghaybi hafitheena
Return to your father and say, 'O our father, indeed your son has stolen, and we did not testify except to what we knew. And we were not witnesses of the unseen.
وَ سۡـَٔلِ ٱلۡقَرۡيَةَ ٱلَّتِي كُنَّا فِيهَا وَ ٱلۡعِيرَ ٱلَّتِيٓ أَقۡبَلۡنَا فِيهَا ۖ وَ إِنَّا لَصَٰدِقُونَ﴿٨٢﴾
Waisali alqaryata allatee kunna feeha waalʿeera allatee aqbalna feeha wainna lasadiqoona
And ask the city in which we were and the caravan in which we came - and indeed, we are truthful.'"
قَالَ بَلۡ سَوَّلَتۡ لَكُمۡ أَنفُسُكُمۡ أَمۡرࣰا ۖ فَصَبۡرࣱ جَمِيلٌ ۖ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَأۡتِيَنِي بِهِمۡ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ﴿٨٣﴾
Qala bal sawwalat lakum anfusukum amran fasabrun jameelun ʿasa Allahu an yatiyanee bihim jameeʿan innahu huwa alʿaleemu alhakeemu
[Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. Perhaps Allāh will bring them to me all together. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise."
وَ تَوَلَّىٰ عَنۡهُمۡ وَ قَالَ يَٰٓأَسَفَىٰ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَ ٱبۡيَضَّتۡ عَيۡنَاهُ مِنَ ٱلۡحُزۡنِ فَهُوَ كَظِيمࣱ﴿٨٤﴾
Watawalla ʿanhum waqala ya asafa ʿala yoosufa waibyaddat ʿaynahu mina alhuzni fahuwa katheemun
And he turned away from them and said, "Oh, my sorrow over Joseph," and his eyes became white from grief, for he was [of that] a suppressor.
قَالُواْ تَٱللَّهِ تَفۡتَؤُاْ تَذۡكُرُ يُوسُفَ حَتَّىٰ تَكُونَ حَرَضًا أَوۡ تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡهَٰلِكِينَ﴿٨٥﴾
Qaloo taAllahi taftao tathkuru yoosufa hatta takoona haradan aw takoona mina alhalikeena
They said, "By Allāh, you will not cease remembering Joseph until you become fatally ill or become of those who perish."
قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَشۡكُواْ بَثِّي وَ حُزۡنِيٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَ أَعۡلَمُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ﴿٨٦﴾
Qala innama ashkoo baththee wahuznee ila Allahi waaʿlamu mina Allahi ma la taʿlamoona
He said, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allāh, and I know from Allāh that which you do not know.
يَٰبَنِيَّ ٱذۡهَبُواْ فَتَحَسَّسُواْ مِن يُوسُفَ وَ أَخِيهِ وَ لَا تَاْيۡـَٔسُواْ مِن رَّوۡحِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يَاْيۡـَٔسُ مِن رَّوۡحِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلۡكَٰفِرُونَ﴿٨٧﴾
Ya baniyya ithhaboo fatahassasoo min yoosufa waakheehi wala tayasoo min rawhi Allahi innahu la yayasu min rawhi Allahi illa alqawmu alkafiroona
O my sons, go and find out about Joseph and his brother and despair not of relief from Allāh. Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allāh except the disbelieving people."
فَلَمَّا دَخَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِ قَالُواْ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلۡعَزِيزُ مَسَّنَا وَ أَهۡلَنَا ٱلضُّرُّ وَ جِئۡنَا بِبِضَٰعَةࣲ مُّزۡجَىٰةࣲ فَأَوۡفِ لَنَا ٱلۡكَيۡلَ وَ تَصَدَّقۡ عَلَيۡنَآ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡزِي ٱلۡمُتَصَدِّقِينَ﴿٨٨﴾
Falamma dakhaloo ʿalayhi qaloo ya ayyuha alʿazeezu massana waahlana alddurru wajina bibidaʿatin muzjatin faawfi lana alkayla watasaddaq ʿalayna inna Allaha yajzee almutasaddiqeena
So when they entered upon him [i.e., Joseph], they said, "O ʿAzeez, adversity has touched us and our family, and we have come with goods poor in quality, but give us full measure and be charitable to us. Indeed, Allāh rewards the charitable."
قَالَ هَلۡ عَلِمۡتُم مَّا فَعَلۡتُم بِيُوسُفَ وَ أَخِيهِ إِذۡ أَنتُمۡ جَٰهِلُونَ﴿٨٩﴾
Qala hal ʿalimtum ma faʿaltum biyoosufa waakheehi ith antum jahiloona
He said, "Do you know what you did with Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?"
قَالُوٓاْ أَءِنَّكَ لَأَنتَ يُوسُفُ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا۠ يُوسُفُ وَ هَٰذَآ أَخِي ۖ قَدۡ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡنَآ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ مَن يَتَّقِ وَ يَصۡبِرۡ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ﴿٩٠﴾
Qaloo ainnaka laanta yoosufa qala ana yoosufu wahatha akhee qad manna Allahu ʿalayna innahu man yattaqi wayasbir fainna Allaha la yudeeʿu ajra almuhsineena
They said, "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said, "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Allāh has certainly favored us. Indeed, he who fears Allāh and is patient, then indeed, Allāh does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good."
قَالُواْ تَٱللَّهِ لَقَدۡ ءَاثَرَكَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡنَا وَ إِن كُنَّا لَخَٰطِـِٔينَ﴿٩١﴾
Qaloo taAllahi laqad atharaka Allahu ʿalayna wain kunna lakhatieena
They said, "By Allāh, certainly has Allāh preferred you over us, and indeed, we have been sinners."
قَالَ لَا تَثۡرِيبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ ۖ يَغۡفِرُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ ۖ وَ هُوَ أَرۡحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ﴿٩٢﴾
Qala la tathreeba ʿalaykumu alyawma yaghfiru Allahu lakum wahuwa arhamu alrrahimeena
He said, "No blame will there be upon you today. May Allāh forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful.
ٱذۡهَبُواْ بِقَمِيصِي هَٰذَا فَأَلۡقُوهُ عَلَىٰ وَجۡهِ أَبِي يَأۡتِ بَصِيرࣰا وَ أۡتُونِي بِأَهۡلِكُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ﴿٩٣﴾
Ithhaboo biqameesee hatha faalqoohu ʿala wajhi abee yati baseeran watoonee biahlikum ajmaʿeena
Take this, my shirt, and cast it over the face of my father; he will become seeing. And bring me your family, all together."
وَ لَمَّا فَصَلَتِ ٱلۡعِيرُ قَالَ أَبُوهُمۡ إِنِّي لَأَجِدُ رِيحَ يُوسُفَ ۖ لَوۡلَآ أَن تُفَنِّدُونِ﴿٩٤﴾
Walamma fasalati alʿeeru qala aboohum innee laajidu reeha yoosufa lawla an tufannidooni
And when the caravan departed [from Egypt], their father said, "Indeed, I find the smell of Joseph [and would say that he was alive] if you did not think me weakened in mind."
قَالُواْ تَٱللَّهِ إِنَّكَ لَفِي ضَلَٰلِكَ ٱلۡقَدِيمِ﴿٩٥﴾
Qaloo taAllahi innaka lafee dalalika alqadeemi
They said, "By Allāh, indeed you are in your [same] old error."
فَلَمَّآ أَن جَآءَ ٱلۡبَشِيرُ أَلۡقَىٰهُ عَلَىٰ وَجۡهِهِۦ فَٱرۡتَدَّ بَصِيرࣰا ۖ قَالَ أَلَمۡ أَقُل لَّكُمۡ إِنِّيٓ أَعۡلَمُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ﴿٩٦﴾
Falamma an jaa albasheeru alqahu ʿala wajhihi fairtadda baseeran qala alam aqul lakum innee aʿlamu mina Allahi ma la taʿlamoona
And when the bearer of good tidings arrived, he cast it over his face, and he returned [once again] seeing. He said, "Did I not tell you that I know from Allāh that which you do not know?"
قَالُواْ يَٰٓأَبَانَا ٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا خَٰطِـِٔينَ﴿٩٧﴾
Qaloo ya abana istaghfir lana thunoobana inna kunna khatieena
They said, "O our father, ask for us forgiveness of our sins; indeed, we have been sinners."
قَالَ سَوۡفَ أَسۡتَغۡفِرُ لَكُمۡ رَبِّيٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ﴿٩٨﴾
Qala sawfa astaghfiru lakum rabbee innahu huwa alghafooru alrraheemu
He said, "I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."
فَلَمَّا دَخَلُواْ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ ءَاوَىٰٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَبَوَيۡهِ وَ قَالَ ٱدۡخُلُواْ مِصۡرَ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ءَامِنِينَ﴿٩٩﴾
Falamma dakhaloo ʿala yoosufa awa ilayhi abawayhi waqala odkhuloo misra in shaa Allahu amineena
And when they entered upon Joseph, he took his parents to himself [i.e., embraced them] and said, "Enter Egypt, Allāh willing, safe [and secure]."
وَ رَفَعَ أَبَوَيۡهِ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِ وَ خَرُّواْ لَهُۥ سُجَّدࣰا ۖ وَ قَالَ يَٰٓأَبَتِ هَٰذَا تَأۡوِيلُ رُءۡيَٰيَ مِن قَبۡلُ قَدۡ جَعَلَهَا رَبِّي حَقࣰّا ۖ وَ قَدۡ أَحۡسَنَ بِيٓ إِذۡ أَخۡرَجَنِي مِنَ ٱلسِّجۡنِ وَ جَآءَ بِكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡبَدۡوِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ أَن نَّزَغَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ بَيۡنِي وَ بَيۡنَ إِخۡوَتِيٓ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي لَطِيفࣱ لِّمَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ﴿١٠٠﴾
Warafaʿa abawayhi ʿala alʿarshi wakharroo lahu sujjadan waqala ya abati hatha taweelu ruyaya min qablu qad jaʿalaha rabbee haqqan waqad ahsana bee ith akhrajanee mina alssijni wajaa bikum mina albadwi min baʿdi an nazagha alshshaytanu baynee wabayna ikhwatee inna rabbee lateefun lima yashao innahu huwa alʿaleemu alhakeemu
And he raised his parents upon the throne, and they bowed to him in prostration. And he said, "O my father, this is the explanation of my vision of before. My Lord has made it reality. And He was certainly good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you [here] from bedouin life after Satan had induced [estrangement] between me and my brothers. Indeed, my Lord is Subtle in what He wills. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise.
رَبِّ قَدۡ ءَاتَيۡتَنِي مِنَ ٱلۡمُلۡكِ وَ عَلَّمۡتَنِي مِن تَأۡوِيلِ ٱلۡأَحَادِيثِ ۚ فَاطِرَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَنتَ وَلِيِّۦ فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ ۖ تَوَفَّنِي مُسۡلِمࣰا وَ أَلۡحِقۡنِي بِٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ﴿١٠١﴾
Rabbi qad ataytanee mina almulki waʿallamtanee min taweeli alahadeethi fatira alssamawati waalardi anta waliyyee fee alddunya waalakhirati tawaffanee musliman waalhiqnee bialssaliheena
My Lord, You have given me [something] of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous."
ذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيۡكَ ۖ وَ مَا كُنتَ لَدَيۡهِمۡ إِذۡ أَجۡمَعُوٓاْ أَمۡرَهُمۡ وَ هُمۡ يَمۡكُرُونَ﴿١٠٢﴾
Thalika min anbai alghaybi nooheehi ilayka wama kunta ladayhim ith ajmaʿoo amrahum wahum yamkuroona
That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal, [O Muḥammad], to you. And you were not with them when they put together their plan while they conspired.
وَ مَآ أَكۡثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ وَ لَوۡ حَرَصۡتَ بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ﴿١٠٣﴾
Wama aktharu alnnasi walaw harasta bimumineena
And most of the people, although you strive [for it], are not believers.
وَ مَا تَسۡـَٔلُهُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ مِنۡ أَجۡرٍ ۚ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكۡرࣱ لِّلۡعَٰلَمِينَ﴿١٠٤﴾
Wama tasaluhum ʿalayhi min ajrin in huwa illa thikrun lilʿalameena
And you do not ask of them for it any payment. It is not except a reminder to the worlds.
وَ كَأَيِّن مِّنۡ ءَايَةࣲ فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَمُرُّونَ عَلَيۡهَا وَ هُمۡ عَنۡهَا مُعۡرِضُونَ﴿١٠٥﴾
Wakaayyin min ayatin fee alssamawati waalardi yamurroona ʿalayha wahum ʿanha muʿridoona
And how many a sign within the heavens and earth do they pass over while they, therefrom, are turning away.
وَ مَا يُؤۡمِنُ أَكۡثَرُهُم بِٱللَّهِ إِلَّا وَ هُم مُّشۡرِكُونَ﴿١٠٦﴾
Wama yuminu aktharuhum biAllahi illa wahum mushrikoona
And most of them believe not in Allāh except while they associate others with Him.
أَفَأَمِنُوٓاْ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُمۡ غَٰشِيَةࣱ مِّنۡ عَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡ تَأۡتِيَهُمُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ بَغۡتَةࣰ وَ هُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ﴿١٠٧﴾
Afaaminoo an tatiyahum ghashiyatun min ʿathabi Allahi aw tatiyahumu alssaʿatu baghtatan wahum la yashʿuroona
Then do they feel secure that there will not come to them an overwhelming [aspect] of the punishment of Allāh or that the Hour will not come upon them suddenly while they do not perceive?
قُلۡ هَٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِيٓ أَدۡعُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا۠ وَ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِي ۖ وَ سُبۡحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَ مَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ﴿١٠٨﴾
Qul hathihi sabeelee adʿoo ila Allahi ʿala baseeratin ana wamani ittabaʿanee wasubhana Allahi wama ana mina almushrikeena
Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allāh with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allāh; and I am not of those who associate others with Him."
وَ مَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالࣰا نُّوحِيٓ إِلَيۡهِم مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ ۗ أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ ۗ وَ لَدَارُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ خَيۡرࣱ لِّلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوۡاْ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ﴿١٠٩﴾
Wama arsalna min qablika illa rijalan noohee ilayhim min ahli alqura afalam yaseeroo fee alardi fayanthuroo kayfa kana ʿaqibatu allatheena min qablihim waladaru alakhirati khayrun lillatheena ittaqaw afala taʿqiloona
And We sent not before you [as messengers] except men to whom We revealed from among the people of cities. So have they not traveled through the earth and observed how was the end of those before them? And the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allāh; then will you not reason?
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا ٱسۡتَيۡـَٔسَ ٱلرُّسُلُ وَ ظَنُّوٓاْ أَنَّهُمۡ قَدۡ كُذِبُواْ جَآءَهُمۡ نَصۡرُنَا فَنُجِّيَ مَن نَّشَآءُ ۖ وَ لَا يُرَدُّ بَأۡسُنَا عَنِ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ﴿١١٠﴾
Hatta itha istayasa alrrusulu wathannoo annahum qad kuthiboo jaahum nasruna fanujjiya man nashao wala yuraddu basuna ʿani alqawmi almujrimeena
[They continued] until, when the messengers despaired and were certain that they had been denied, there came to them Our victory, and whoever We willed was saved. And Our punishment cannot be repelled from the people who are criminals.
لَقَدۡ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمۡ عِبۡرَةࣱ لِّأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ ۗ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثࣰا يُفۡتَرَىٰ وَ لَٰكِن تَصۡدِيقَ ٱلَّذِي بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِ وَ تَفۡصِيلَ كُلِّ شَيۡءࣲ وَ هُدࣰى وَ رَحۡمَةࣰ لِّقَوۡمࣲ يُؤۡمِنُونَ﴿١١١﴾
Laqad kana fee qasasihim ʿibratun liolee alalbabi ma kana hadeethan yuftara walakin tasdeeqa allathee bayna yadayhi watafseela kulli shayin wahudan warahmatan liqawmin yuminoona
There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding. Never was it [i.e., the Qur’ān] a narration invented, but a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of all things and guidance and mercy for a people who believe.
Translation: Saheeh International · Transliteration
About this surah
When and Why Revealed?
The subject matter of this Surah indicates that it was revealed during the last stage of the Holy Prophet's residence at Makkah, when the Quraish were considering the question of killing or exiling or imprisoning him. At that time some of the unbelievers put this question (probably at the instigation of the Jews) to test him :"Why did the Israelites go to Egypt?" This question was asked because they knew that their story was not known to the Arabs for there was no mention of it whatever in their traditions and the Holy Prophet had never even referred to it before. Therefore they expected that he would not be able to give any satisfactory answer to this question or would first evade it, and afterwards try to inquire about it from some Jew, and thus he would be totally exposed. But, contrary to their expectations, the tables were turned on them, for Allah revealed the whole story of Prophet Joseph then and there, and the Holy Prophet recited it on the spot. This put the Quraish in a very awkward position because it not only foiled their scheme but also administered a warning to them by aptly applying it to their case, as if to say, "As you are behaving towards this Prophet, exactly in the same way the brothers of Prophet Joseph behaved towards him; so you shall meet with the same end."
Objects of Revelation
From the above it is clear that this Surah was sent down for two objects:
The first object was to give the proof of the Prophethood of Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him), and that too, the one demanded by the opponents themselves so as to prove conclusively that his knowledge was not based on mere hearsay, but was gained through Revelation. This aspect has been stated explicitly in its introductory verses and explained plainly in its concluding portion.
The second object was to apply it to the Quraish and warn them that ultimately the conflict between them and the Holy Prophet would end in his victory over them. As they were then persecuting their brother, the Holy Prophet, in the same way the brothers of Prophet Joseph had treated him. The Quraish were told indirectly that they would also fail in their evil designs just as the brothers of Prophet Joseph had failed in his case, even after casting him into the well. This is because none has the power to defeat the Divine will. And just as the brothers of Prophet Joseph had to humble themselves before him, so one day the Quraish shall have to beg forgiveness from their brother whom they were then trying to crush down. This, too, has been made quite plain in v. 7: "Indeed there are signs in this story of Joseph and his brothers for these inquirers from among the Quraish."
The fact is that by applying this story to the conflict, the Quran had made a bold and clear prophecy, which was fulfilled literally by the events that happened in the succeeding ten years. Hardly two years had passed after its revelation, when the Quraish conspired to kill the Holy Prophet like the brothers of Prophet Joseph, and he had to emigrate from Makkah to Al-Madinah, where he gained the same kind of power as Prophet Joseph had gained in Egypt. Again, in the end the Quraish had to humble themselves before him just like the brothers of Prophet Joseph, when they humbly requested, "Show mercy to us for Allah rewards richly those who show mercy" (v. 88), and Prophet Joseph generously forgave them, (though he had complete power to wreak vengeance on them,) saying, " today no penalty shall be inflicted on you. May Allah forgive you:He is the greatest of all those who forgive" (v. 92). The same story of mercy was repeated, when after the conquest of Makkah, the crest fallen Quraish stood meekly before the Holy Prophet, who had full power to wreak his vengeance on them for each and every cruelty committed by them. But instead, he merely asked them, "What treatment do you expect from me now?" They replied, "You are a generous brother and the son of a generous brother." At this, he very generously forgave them, saying, "I will give the same answer to your request that Joseph gave to his brothers: “...today, no penalty shall be inflicted on you: you are forgiven."
Topics of Discussion
Moreover, the Quran does not relate this story as a mere narrative but uses it, as usual, for the propagation of the Message in the following ways:-
Throughout the narrative the Quran has made it clear that the Faith of Prophets Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph (Allah's peace be upon them all) was the same as that of Prophet Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him) and they invited the people to the same Message to which Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him) was inviting them.
Then it places the characters of Prophet Jacob and Prophet Joseph side by side with the characters of the brothers of Joseph, the members of the trade caravan, the court dignitary; Al Aziz of Egypt and his wife, the "ladies" of Egypt and the rulers of Egypt and poses a silent question to the reader, as if to say, "Contrast the former characters molded by Islam on the bedrock of the worship of Allah and accountability in the Hereafter with the latter molded by kufr and "ignorance" on the worship of the world and disregard of Allah and the Hereafter, and decide for yourselves which of these two patterns you would choose."
The Quran has used this story to bring forth another truth: whatever Allah wills, He fulfills it anyhow, and man can never defeat His plan with his counterplans nor prevent it from happening nor change it in any way whatever. Nay, it often so happens that man adopts some measure to fulfill his own design and believes that he has done that very thing which would fulfill his design, but in the end he finds to his dismay that he had done something which was against his own and conducive to the Divine purpose. When the brothers of Prophet Joseph cast him into the well, they believed that they had once for all got rid of the obstacle in their way but in fact, they had paved the way for the Divine purpose of making him the ruler of Egypt, before whom they would have to humble themselves in the end. Likewise, the wife of Aziz had sent Prophet Joseph to the prison, floating over the thought that she had wreaked her vengeance on him, but, in fact, she had provided for him the opportunity for becoming the ruler of Egypt and for putting herself to the shame of confessing her own sin publicly.
And these are not the solitary instances which prove the truth that even if the whole world united to bring about the down fall of the one whom Allah willed to raise high, it could not succeed. Nay, the very "sure and effective" measures that were adopted by the brothers to degrade Joseph were used by Allah for the success of Joseph and for the humiliation and disgrace of his brothers. On the other hand, if Allah willed the fall of one, no measure, howsoever effective, could raise him high : nay, it helped to bring about his fall and the disgrace of those who adopted them.
Moreover, the story contains other lessons for those who intend to follow the way of Allah. The first lesson it teaches is that one should remain within the limits, prescribed by the Divine Law, in one's aims and objects and measures, for success and failure are entirely in the hands of Allah. Therefore if one adopts pure aims and lawful measures but fails, at least one will escape ignominy and disgrace. On the other hand, the one who adopts an impure aim and unlawful measures to achieve it, shall not only inevitably meet with ignominy and disgrace in the Hereafter, but also runs the risk of ignominy and disgrace in this world.
The second lesson it teaches is that those who exert for the cause of truth and righteousness and put their trust in Allah and entrust all their affairs to Him, get consolation and comfort from Him, for this helps them face their opponents with confidence and courage and they do not lose heart, when they encounter the apparently terrifying measures of the powerful enemies. They will persevere in their task without fear and leave the results to Allah.
But the greatest lesson this story teaches is that if the Believer possesses true Islamic character and is endowed with wisdom, he can conquer a whole country with the strength of his character alone. The marvelous example of Prophet Joseph teaches us that a man of high and pure character comes out successful even under the most adverse circumstances. When Prophet Joseph went to Egypt, he was only a lad of seventeen years, a foreigner, all alone and without any provisions; nay, he had been sold there as a slave. And the horrible condition of the slaves during that period is known to every student of history. Then he was charged with a heinous moral Crime and sent to prison for an indefinite term. But throughout this period of affliction, he evinced the highest moral qualities which raised him to the highest rank in the country.
Historical and Geographical Background
The following historical and geographical details will help understand the story:
Prophet Joseph was a son of Prophet Jacob and a grandson of Prophet Isaac and a great grandson of Prophet Abraham (Allah's peace be upon them all). The Bible says (and the allusions in the Quran also confirm this) that Prophet Jacob had twelve sons from four wives. Prophet Joseph and his younger brother Benjamin were from one wife and the other ten from the other wives. Prophet Jacob had settled at Hebron (Palestine) where his father Prophet Isaac and before him Prophet Abraham lived and owned a piece of land at Shechem as well.
According to the research scholars of the Bible, Prophet Joseph was born in or about 906 B. C. and the incident with which this story begins happened in or about 890 B. C. He was seventeen when he saw the dream and was thrown into the well. This well was near Dothan to the north of Shechem according to Biblical and Talmudic traditions, and the caravan, which took him out of the well, was coming from Gilead (Trans-Jordan), and was on its way to Egypt.
At that time Fifteenth Dynasty ruled over Egypt, whose rulers are known in history as the Hyksos kings. They belonged to the Arab race, but had migrated from Palestine and Syria to Egypt in or about 2000 B. C. and taken possession of the country. The Arab historians and the commentators of the Quran have given them the name of Amaliq (the Amalekites), and this has been corroborated by the recent researches made by the Egyptologists. They were foreign invaders who had got the opportunity of establishing their kingdom because of the internal feuds in the country. That is why there was no prejudice in the way of Prophet Joseph's ascendancy to power and in the subsequent settlement of the Children of Israel in the most fertile region of Egypt. They could gain that power and influence which they did, because they belonged to the same race as the foreign rulers of Egypt.
The Hyksos ruled over Egypt up to the end of the fifteenth century B. C., and practically all the powers remained in the hands of the Israelites. The Quran has made a reference to this in v. 20 of Al-Ma'idah: “...He raised Prophets among you and made you rulers.” Then there arose a great nationalist movement which overthrew the power of this dynasty and exiled 250,000 or so of the Amalekites. As a result of this, a very bigoted dynasty of Copts came into power and uprooted everything connected with the Amalekites. Then started that persecution of the Israelites which has been mentioned in connection with the story of Prophet Moses.
We also learn from the history of Egypt that the "Hyksos kings" did not acknowledge the gods of Egypt and, therefore, had imported their own gods from Syria, with a view to spreading their own religion in Egypt. This is the reason why the Quran has not called the king who was the contemporary of Prophet Joseph by the title of "Pharaoh," because this title was associated with the religion of the original people of Egypt and the Hyksos did not believe in it, but the Bible erroneously calls him "Pharaoh." It appears that the editors of the Bible had the misunderstanding that all the kings of Egypt were "Pharaohs."
The modern research scholars who have made a comparative study of the Bible and the Egyptian history are generally of the opinion that Apophis was the Hyksos king, who was the contemporary of Prophet Joseph.
At that time Memphis was the capital of Egypt, whose ruins are still found on the Nile at a distance of 4 miles south of Cairo. When Prophet Joseph was taken there, he was 17 or 18 years old. He remained in the house of Aziz for three years and spent nine years in prison, and then became the ruler of the land at the age of thirty and ruled over Egypt independently for eighty years. In the ninth or tenth year of his rule he sent for his father, Prophet Jacob, to come from Palestine to Egypt with all the members of his family and, according to the Bible, settled them in the land of Goshen, where they lived up to the time of Prophet Moses. The Bible says that before his death, Prophet Joseph bound his kindred by an oath: "when you return from this country to the house of your forefathers you must take my bones out of this country with you. So he died a hundred and ten years old, and they embalmed him..."
Though the story of Prophet Joseph as given in the Quran differs very much in its details from that given in the Bible and the Talmud, the Three generally agree in regard to its component parts. We shall explain the differences, when and where necessary, in our Explanatory Notes.
Source: Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi - Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Quran