ﰡ
Yusuf
the truth.
may fully understand2.
the best manner the stories of the past although before this narration you were
utterly unaware of them3.
a dream) eleven stars and the sun and the moon: I saw them prostrating themselves
before me."
lest they hatch a plot to harm you4. Indeed Satan is man's open enemy.
(for His task) and will impart to you the comprehension of the deeper meaning
of things6 and will bestow the full measure of His favour upon you
and upon the house of Jacob even as He earlier bestowed it in full measure upon
your forefathers, Abraham and Isaac. Surely your Lord is All- Knowing, All-Wise."7
for those who inquire (about the truth).
said: "Surely Joseph and his brother8 are dearer to our father than
we are, although we are a group of so many. Our father is clearly mistaken.9
father's attention may become exclusively yours. And after so doing become righteous."0
upon doing something, cast him down to the bottom of some dark pit, perhaps
some caravan passing by will take him out of it."
do not trust us regarding Joseph although we are his true well-wishers?"
while we will be there, standing guard over him."1
him with you for I fear that some wolf might eat him up while you are negligent
of him."
group, we would indeed be a worthless lot!"
bottom of the dark pit, We revealed to Joseph: "Surely a time will come when
you will remind them of their deed. They know nothing about the consequence
of what they are doing."2
behind with our things, and then a wolf came and ate him up. We know that you
will not believe us howsoever truthful we might be."
this their father exclaimed: "Nay (this is not true); rather your evil souls
have made it easy for you to commit a heinous act. So I will bear this patiently,
and in good grace.3 It is Allah's help alone that I seek against
your fabrication."4
As he let down his bucket in the well he (observed Joseph) and cried out: "This
is good news. There is a boy." They concealed him, considering him as part of
their merchandise, while Allah was well aware of what they did.
they did not care to obtain a higher price.
"Take good care of him, possibly he might be of benefit to us or we might adopt
him as a son."8 Thus We found a way for Joseph to become established
in that land and in order that We might teach him to comprehend the deeper meaning
of things.9 Allah has full power to implement His design although
most people do not know that.
and knowledge.0 Thus do We reward those who do good.
sought to tempt him to herself, and one day bolting the doors she said: "Come
on now!" Joseph answered: "May Allah grant me refuge! My Lord has provided an
honourable abode for me (so how can I do something so evil)? Such wrong-doers
never prosper."1
from his Lord he too would have advanced towards her. Thus was Joseph shown
a sign from his Lord that We might avert from him all evil and indecency,3
for indeed he was one of Our chosen servants.
the other, and she tore Joseph's shirt from behind. Then both of them found
the husband of the lady at the door. Seeing him she said: "What should be the
punishment of him who has foul designs on your wife except that he should be
imprisoned or subjected to painful chastisement?"
a witness belonging to her own household testified4 (on grounds
of circumstantial evidence): "If his shirt is torn from the front, then she
is telling the truth and he is a liar.
truthful."5
"Surely, this is one of the tricks of you women; your tricks are indeed great.
sin, for indeed it is you who has been at fault."
in love with her houseboy, is out to tempt him. We think she is clearly mistaken."
and arranged for them a banquet, and got ready couches,6 and gave
each guest a knife. Then, while they were cutting and eating the fruit, she
signalled Joseph: "Come out to them." When the ladies saw him they were so struck
with admiration that they cut their hands, exclaiming: "Allah preserve us. This
is no mortal human. This is nothing but a noble angel!"
me. Indeed I tried to tempt him to myself but he held back, although if he were
not to follow my order, he would certainly be imprisoned and humiliated."7
to do. And if You do not avert from me the guile of these women, I will succumb
to their attraction and lapse into ignorance."8
him.9 Surely He alone is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
though they had seen clear signs0 (of Joseph's innocence and of
the evil ways of their ladies).
One of them said: "I saw myself pressing wine in a dream"; and the other said:
"I saw myself carrying bread on my head of which the birds were eating." Both
said: "Tell us what is its interpretation; for we consider you to be one of
those who do good."3
before the arrival of the food that is sent to you. This knowledge is part of
what I have been taught by my Lord. I have renounced the way of those who do
not believe in Allah, and who deny the Hereafter,
and Jacob. It is not for us to associate any with Allah in His Divinity. It
is out of Allah's grace upon us and upon mankind (that He did not require of
us to serve any other than Allah), and yet most people do not give thanks.
Allah, the One, the Irresistible?
your fathers have fabricated, without Allah sending down any sanction for them.
All authority to govern rests only with Allah. He has commanded that you serve
none but Him. This is the Right Way of life, though most people are altogether
unaware.
of you will serve wine to his lord (the king of Egypt).As for the other, he
will be crucified and birds will eat of his head. The question concerning what
you asked has thus been decided."4
be set free: "Mention me in your lord's presence." But Satan caused him to forget
mentioning this to his lord (the ruler of Egypt) and so Joseph languished in
prison for several years.5
seven fat cows and seven lean cows are devouring them, and there are seven fresh
green ears of corn and seven others dry and withered. My nobles! Tell me what
is the interpretation of this dream, if you are well-versed in interpretation
of dreams."7
of such dreams."
after the lapse of a long period, what Joseph had said. He said: "I will tell
you the interpretation of this dream; just send me (to Joseph in prison)."8
tell the true meaning of the dream in which seven fat cows are devoured by seven
lean ones; and there are seven green ears of corn and seven others dry and withered
so that I may return to the people and they may learn."0
in the ears all that you have harvested except the little out of which you may
eat.
will eat up all you have stored earlier, except the little that you may set
aside.
of rain and they will press (grapes)."1
came to Joseph he said:2 "Go back to your master and ask him about
the case of the women who had cut their hands. Surely my Lord has full knowledge
of their guile."3
you sought to tempt Joseph?" They said: "Allah forbid! We found no evil in him."
The chief's wife said: "Now the truth has come to light. It was I who sought
to tempt him. He is indeed truthful."5
may know that I did not betray him in his absence, and that Allah does not allow
the design of the treacherous to succeed.
to evil except him to whom my Lord may show mercy. Verily my Lord is Ever Forgiving,
Most Merciful."
my own service." So when Joseph spoke to him the king said: "You are now one
of established position, fully-trusted by us."7
am a good keeper and know my task well."
wherever he pleased.8 We bestow favour, out of Our Mercy, on whomsoever
We please, and We do not cause the reward of those who do good to go to waste.
and act in a God-fearing way.9
him.0 He recognized them, but they did not know him.1
"Bring to me your other brother from your father. Do you not see that I give
full measure and am most hospitable?
do not even attempt to come close to me."2
him. Be sure we shall do so."
the goods they had given in exchange for corn." Joseph did so expecting that
they would find it when they returned home. Feeling grateful for this generosity,
they might be inclined to return to him.
denied further supply of corn. So send with us our brother that we may bring
the supplies. We shall be responsible for his protection."
you earlier with regard to his brother? Allah is the Best Protector and is the
Most Merciful."
been given back to them. Thereupon they cried: "Father! What else would we desire?
Look, even our goods have been given back to us, so we shall go now and bring
supplies for our family, we shall protect our brother, and bring another camel-load
of corn. That additional supply will be easily secured."
me a solemn promise in the name of Allah that you will bring him back to me,
unless you yourselves are surrounded." Then after they had given him their solemn
promise, he said. "Allah watches over what we have said."
rather enter it by different gates. I can be of no help to you against Allah.
Allah's command alone prevails. In Him have I put my trust and in Him should
all those who have faith put their trust."3
as their father had directed them, this precautionary measure proved ineffective
against Allah's will. There was an uneasiness in Jacob's soul which he so tried
to remove. Surely he was possessed of knowledge owing to the knowledge that
We bestowed upon him. But most people do not know the truth of the matter.4
aside to himself and said: "Verily I am your own brother Joseph; so do not grieve
over the manner they have treated you."5
drinking-cup in his brother's saddlebag.6 And then a herald cried:
"Travellers, you are thieves."7
added): "He who brings it shall have a camel-load of provisions, I guarantee
that."
act corruptly in this land, nor are we those who steal."
him who has stolen?"
shall be its recompense." Thus do we punish the wrong-doers.8
bag. Then he brought forth the drinking-cup from his brother's bag. Thus did
We contrive to support Joseph.9 He had no right, according to the
religion of the king (i.e. the law of Egypt), to take his brother, unless Allah
so willed.0 We exalt whomsoever We will over others by several degrees.
And above all those who know is the One Who truly knows.
But Joseph kept his reaction to himself without disclosing the truth to them.
He merely said to himself: "You are an evil lot. Allah knows well the truth
of the accusation that you are making against me (to my face)."
an age-stricken man, (and in order that he may not suffer) seize one of us in
his stead. We indeed consider you an excellent person."
whom we found our good.3 Were we to do so, we would surely be one
of the wrong-doers."
counselled together. The eldest of them said: "Do you not know that your father
has taken a solemn promise from you in the name of Allah, and you failed in
your duty towards Joseph? So I will not depart from this land until my father
permits me, or Allah pronounces His judgement in my favour. He is the best of
those who judge."
been guilty of stealing. We did not see him stealing but testify according to
what we know, and obviously we had no power to keep watch over that what is
altogether hidden from us.
the people of the caravan with whom we travelled. We are altogether truthful
in what we say."
your souls have made it easy for you to engage in a heinous act.4
So, I will be graciously patient even at this. Allah may well bring them all
back to me. He is All-Knowing, All-Wise."
His eyes whitened with grief and he was choked up with sorrow trying to suppress
his grief.
you will either consume yourself with grief, or will die."
know from Allah what you do not know.
do not despair of Allah's mercy. Verily only the unbelievers despair of Allah's
mercy."
him: "O chief! We and our family are struck with distress and have brought only
a paltry sum. So give us corn in full measure, and give it to us in charity.5
Allah rewards those who are charitable."
you remember what you did to Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?"
and this is my brother. Allah has surely been gracious to us. Indeed whoever
fears Allah and remains patient, Allah does not allow the reward of such people
to go to waste."
to us and we were truly guilty."
He is the Most Merciful of all those that are merciful.
regain his sight. And bring to me all your family."
"Indeed I smell the fragrance of Joseph.6 I say so although you
may think that I am doting."
Jacob's face, whereupon he regained his sight, and said: "Did I not tell you
that I know from Allah what you do not know?"
truly guilty."
indeed He alone, is Ever Forgiving, Most Merciful."
and said (to the members of his family): "Enter the city now, and if Allah wills,
you shall be secure."
the throne9 beside himself, and they (involuntarily) bowed in prostration
before him.0 Joseph said: "Father! This is the fulfilment of the
vision I had before - one that My Lord has caused to come true. He was kind
to me when He rescued me from the prison, and brought you from the desert after
Satan had stirred discord between me and my brothers. Certainly my Lord is Subtle
in the fulfilment of His will; He is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
comprehend the depths of things. O Creator of heavens and earth! You are my
Guardian in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die in submission to
You, and join me, in the end, with the righteous."1
to you for you were not present with them when Joseph's brothers jointly resolved
on a plot.
to believe.
This is merely an admonition to all mankind.3
which people pass by without giving any heed!5
with Him in His Divinity.6
not visit them, and the Hour shall not suddenly come upon them without their
even perceiving it?7
basis of clear perception - both I and those who follow me. Allah - Glory be
to Him - is free of every imperfection.8 I have nothing to do with
those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity."
We sent down revelations, were only human beings, and were from among those
living in earthly habitations. Have these people not travelled in the earth
that they may observe the end of their predecessors? Certainly the abode of
the Hereafter is much better for those (who accepted the call of the Messengers
and) acted in a God-fearing manner. Will you still not act with good sense?9
preached and people paid no heed) until the Messengers despaired of their people,
and the people also fancied that they had been told lies (by the Messengers),
then suddenly Our help came to the Messengers. And when such an occasion comes
We rescue whom We will; as for the guilty, Our chastisement cannot be averted
from them.
for people of understanding. What is being narrated in the Qur'an is no fabrication;
it is rather confirmation of the Books that preceded it, and a detailed0
exposition of everything, and a guidance and mercy for people of faith.