12. Yusuf (Joseph) A recitation by Shaykh Masharī Al-Afāsī of verses 1-6 of Surah Yusuf [Prophet Joseph] [Surah 12 of The Qur'an]. This is recorded in the first night of Ramadhān 1428H/2007 in Ziad Mosque in Ajman (UAE). Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four Part Five Part Six Part Seven Part Eight Part Nine When and Why Revealed? The subject matter of this Chapter 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 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 enquire about it from some Jew, and thus he would be totally exposed. But, contrary to their expectations, the tables were turned on them, for God 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 Chapter was sent down for two objects: The first object was to give the proof of the Prophethood of Muhammad (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 Prophet would end in his victory over them. As they were then persecuting their brother, the 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 Qur’an 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 God 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 God 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 Qur’an 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 Qur’an has made it clear that the Faith of Prophets Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph (peace be upon them all) was the same as that of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and they invited the people to the same Message to which Muhammad (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 moulded by Islam on the bedrock of the worship of God and accountability in the Hereafter with the latter moulded by disbelief, ignorance and the worship of the world and disregard of God and the Hereafter, and decide for yourselves which of these two patterns you would choose." The Qur’an has used this story to bring forth another truth: whatever God wills, He fulfils it anyhow, and man can never defeat His plan with his counter plans nor prevent it from happening nor change it in any way whatever. Nay, it often so happens that man adopts some measure to fulfil his own design and believes that he has done that very thing which would fulfil 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 God 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 God for the success of Joseph and for the humiliation and disgrace of his brothers. On the other hand, if God 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 God. 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 God. 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 God 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 God. 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 marvellous 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 (peace be upon them all). The Bible says (and the allusions in the Qur’an 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 Qur’an 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 Qur’an 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 Qur’an 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 Qur’an 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. Chapter: 12 Verse: 001 Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book. Chapter: 12 Verse: 002 Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand. Chapter: 12 Verse: 003 We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur'an although you were, before it, among the unaware. Chapter: 12 Verse: 004 [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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 005 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. Chapter: 12 Verse: 006 And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of narratives and complete His favour 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 007 Certainly were there in Joseph and his brothers signs for those who ask, Chapter: 12 Verse: 008 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. Chapter: 12 Verse: 009 Kill Joseph or cast him out to [another] land; the countenance of your father will [then] be only for you, and you will be after that a righteous people." Chapter: 12 Verse: 010 Said a speaker among them, "Do not kill Joseph but throw him into the bottom of the well; some travellers will pick him up - if you would do [something]." Chapter: 12 Verse: 011 They said, "O our father, why do you not entrust us with Joseph while indeed, we are to him sincere counsellors? Chapter: 12 Verse: 012 Send him with us tomorrow that he may eat well and play. And indeed, we will be his guardians. Chapter: 12 Verse: 013 [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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 014 They said, "If a wolf should eat him while we are a [strong] clan, indeed, we would then be losers." Chapter: 12 Verse: 015 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]." Chapter: 12 Verse: 016 And they came to their father at night, weeping. Chapter: 12 Verse: 017 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 018 And they brought upon his shirt false blood. [Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And God is the one sought for help against that which you describe." Chapter: 12 Verse: 019 And there came a company of travellers; 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 God was knowing of what they did. Chapter: 12 Verse: 020 And they sold him for a reduced price - a few dirhams - and they were, concerning him, of those content with little. Chapter: 12 Verse: 021 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. And God is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know. Chapter: 12 Verse: 022 And when Joseph reached maturity, We gave him judgment and knowledge. And thus We reward the doers of good. Chapter: 12 Verse: 023 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 God . Indeed, he is my master, who has made good my residence. Indeed, wrongdoers will not succeed." Chapter: 12 Verse: 024 And she certainly determined [to seduce] him, and he would have inclined to her had he not seen the proof of his Lord. And thus [it was] that We should avert from him evil and immorality. Indeed, he was of Our chosen servants. Chapter: 12 Verse: 025 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?" Chapter: 12 Verse: 026 [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. Chapter: 12 Verse: 027 But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied, and he is of the truthful." Chapter: 12 Verse: 028 So when her husband saw his shirt torn from the back, he said, "Indeed, it is of the women's plan. Indeed, your plan is great. Chapter: 12 Verse: 029 Joseph, ignore this. And, [my wife], ask forgiveness for your sin. Indeed, you were of the sinful." Chapter: 12 Verse: 030 And women in the city said, "The wife of al-'Aziz is seeking to seduce her slave boy; he has impassioned her with love. Indeed, we see her [to be] in clear error." Chapter: 12 Verse: 031 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 God! This is not a man; this is none but a noble angel." Chapter: 12 Verse: 032 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 033 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 034 So his Lord responded to him and averted from him their plan. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing. Chapter: 12 Verse: 035 Then it appeared to them after they had seen the signs that al-'Azeez should surely imprison him for a time. Chapter: 12 Verse: 036 And there entered the prison with him two young men. One of them said, "Indeed, I have seen myself [in a dream] pressing 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 037 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 God, and they, in the Hereafter, are disbelievers. Chapter: 12 Verse: 038 And I have followed the religion of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And it was not for us to associate anything with God . That is from the favor of God upon us and upon the people, but most of the people are not grateful. Chapter: 12 Verse: 039 O [my] two companions of prison, are separate lords better or God , the One, the Prevailing? Chapter: 12 Verse: 040 You worship not besides Him except [mere] names you have named them, you and your fathers, for which God has sent down no authority. Legislation is not but for God. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know. Chapter: 12 Verse: 041 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 042 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 Joseph remained in prison several years. Chapter: 12 Verse: 043 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 044 They said, "[It is but] a mixture of false dreams, and we are not learned in the interpretation of dreams." Chapter: 12 Verse: 045 But the one who was freed and remembered after a time said, "I will inform you of its interpretation, so send me forth." Chapter: 12 Verse: 046 [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; perhaps they will know [about you]." Chapter: 12 Verse: 047 [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. Chapter: 12 Verse: 048 Then will come after that seven difficult [years] which will consume what you saved for them, except a little from which you will store. Chapter: 12 Verse: 049 Then will come after that a year in which the people will be given rain and in which they will press [olives and grapes]." Chapter: 12 Verse: 050 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 051 Said [the king to the women], "What was your condition when you sought to seduce Joseph?" They said, "Perfect is God ! We know about him no evil." The wife of al-'Aziz said, "Now the truth has become evident. It was I who sought to seduce him, and indeed, he is of the truthful. Chapter: 12 Verse: 052 That is so al-'Aziz will know that I did not betray him in [his] absence and that God does not guide the plan of betrayers. Chapter: 12 Verse: 053 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 054 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 055 [Joseph] said, "Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian." Chapter: 12 Verse: 056 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. Chapter: 12 Verse: 057 And the reward of the Hereafter is better for those who believed and were fearing God. Chapter: 12 Verse: 058 And the brothers of Joseph came [seeking food], and they entered upon him; and he recognized them, but he was to them unknown. Chapter: 12 Verse: 059 And when he had furnished them with their supplies, he said, "Bring me a brother of yours from your father. Do not you see that I give full measure and that I am the best of accommodators? Chapter: 12 Verse: 060 But if you do not bring him to me, no measure will there be [hereafter] for you from me, nor will you approach me." Chapter: 12 Verse: 061 They said, "We will attempt to dissuade his father from [keeping] him, and indeed, we will do [it]." Chapter: 12 Verse: 062 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 063 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 064 He said, "Should I entrust you with him except [under coercion] as I entrusted you with his brother before? But God is the best guardian, and He is the most merciful of the merciful." Chapter: 12 Verse: 065 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 for our family and protect our brother and obtain an increase of a camel's load; that is an easy measurement." Chapter: 12 Verse: 066 [Jacob] said, "Never will I send him with you until you give me a promise by God that you will bring him [back] to me, unless you should be surrounded by enemies." And when they had given their promise, he said, " God , over what we say, is Witness." Chapter: 12 Verse: 067 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] God at all. The decision is only for God; upon Him I have relied, and upon Him let those who would rely [indeed] rely." Chapter: 12 Verse: 068 And when they entered from where their father had ordered them, it did not avail them against God at all except [it was] a need 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. Chapter: 12 Verse: 069 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]." Chapter: 12 Verse: 070 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 071 They said while approaching them, "What is it you are missing?" Chapter: 12 Verse: 072 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 073 They said, "By God, you have certainly known that we did not come to cause corruption in the land, and we have not been thieves." Chapter: 12 Verse: 074 The accusers said, "Then what would be its recompense if you should be liars?" Chapter: 12 Verse: 075 [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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 076 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 of the king except that God willed. We raise in degrees whom We will, but over every possessor of knowledge is one [more] knowing. Chapter: 12 Verse: 077 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 God is most knowing of what you describe." Chapter: 12 Verse: 078 They said, "O 'Aziz, 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 079 He said, "[I seek] the refuge of God [to prevent] that we take except him with whom we found our possession. Indeed, we would then be unjust." Chapter: 12 Verse: 080 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 God and [that] before you failed in [your duty to] Joseph? So I will never leave [this] land until my father permits me or God decides for me, and He is the best of judges. Chapter: 12 Verse: 081 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, Chapter: 12 Verse: 082 And ask the city in which we were and the caravan in which we came - and indeed, we are truthful," Chapter: 12 Verse: 083 [Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. Perhaps God will bring them to me all together. Indeed it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise." Chapter: 12 Verse: 084 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. Chapter: 12 Verse: 085 They said, "By God, you will not cease remembering Joseph until you become fatally ill or become of those who perish." Chapter: 12 Verse: 086 He said, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to God , and I know from God that which you do not know. Chapter: 12 Verse: 087 O my sons, go and find out about Joseph and his brother and despair not of relief from God. Indeed, no one despairs of relief from God except the disbelieving people." Chapter: 12 Verse: 088 So when they entered upon Joseph, they said, "O 'Aziz, 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, God rewards the charitable." Chapter: 12 Verse: 089 He said, "Do you know what you did with Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?" Chapter: 12 Verse: 090 They said, "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. God has certainly favoured us. Indeed, he who fears God and is patient, then indeed, God does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good." Chapter: 12 Verse: 091 They said, "By God, certainly has God preferred you over us, and indeed, we have been sinners." Chapter: 12 Verse: 092 He said, "No blame will there be upon you today. God will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful." Chapter: 12 Verse: 093 Take this, my shirt, and cast it over the face of my father; he will become seeing. And bring me your family, all together." Chapter: 12 Verse: 094 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." Chapter: 12 Verse: 095 They said, "By God, indeed you are in your [same] old error." Chapter: 12 Verse: 096 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 God that which you do not know?" Chapter: 12 Verse: 097 They said, "O our father, ask for us forgiveness of our sins; indeed, we have been sinners." Chapter: 12 Verse: 098 He said, "I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." Chapter: 12 Verse: 099 And when they entered upon Joseph, he took his parents to himself and said, "Enter Egypt, God willing, safe [and secure]." Chapter: 12 Verse: 100 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. Chapter: 12 Verse: 101 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 in the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous." Chapter: 12 Verse: 102 That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal, [O Muhammad], to you. And you were not with them when they put together their plan while they conspired. Chapter: 12 Verse: 103 And most of the people, although you strive [for it], are not believers. Chapter: 12 Verse: 104 And you do not ask of them for it any payment. It is not except a reminder to the worlds. Chapter: 12 Verse: 105 And how many a sign within the heavens and earth do they pass over while they, there from, are turning away. Chapter: 12 Verse: 106 And most of them believe not in God except while they associate others with Him. Chapter: 12 Verse: 107 Then do they feel secure that there will not come to them an overwhelming [aspect] of the punishment of God or that the Hour will not come upon them suddenly while they do not perceive? Chapter: 12 Verse: 108 Say, "This is my way; I invite to God with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is God; and I am not of those who associate others with Him." Chapter: 12 Verse: 109 And We sent not before you [as messengers] except men to whom We revealed from among the people of cities. So have they not travelled 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 God; then will you not reason? Chapter: 12 Verse: 110 [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. Chapter: 12 Verse: 111 There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding. Never was the Qur'an 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.
12. Yusuf (Joseph)
A recitation by Shaykh Masharī Al-Afāsī of verses 1-6 of Surah Yusuf [Prophet Joseph] [Surah 12 of The Qur'an]. This is recorded in the first night of Ramadhān 1428H/2007 in Ziad Mosque in Ajman (UAE).
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
Part Eight
Part Nine
When and Why Revealed?
The subject matter of this Chapter 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 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 enquire about it from some Jew, and thus he would be totally exposed. But, contrary to their expectations, the tables were turned on them, for God 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 Chapter was sent down for two objects:
The first object was to give the proof of the Prophethood of Muhammad (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 Prophet would end in his victory over them. As they were then persecuting their brother, the 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 Qur’an 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 God 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 God 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 Qur’an 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 Qur’an has made it clear that the Faith of Prophets Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph (peace be upon them all) was the same as that of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and they invited the people to the same Message to which Muhammad (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 moulded by Islam on the bedrock of the worship of God and accountability in the Hereafter with the latter moulded by disbelief, ignorance and the worship of the world and disregard of God and the Hereafter, and decide for yourselves which of these two patterns you would choose."
The Qur’an has used this story to bring forth another truth: whatever God wills, He fulfils it anyhow, and man can never defeat His plan with his counter plans nor prevent it from happening nor change it in any way whatever. Nay, it often so happens that man adopts some measure to fulfil his own design and believes that he has done that very thing which would fulfil 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 God 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 God for the success of Joseph and for the humiliation and disgrace of his brothers. On the other hand, if God 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 God. 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 God. 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 God 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 God.
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 marvellous 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 (peace be upon them all). The Bible says (and the allusions in the Qur’an 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 Qur’an 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 Qur’an 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 Qur’an 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 Qur’an 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.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 001
Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 002
Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 003
We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur'an although you were, before it, among the unaware.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 004
[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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 005
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.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 006
And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of narratives and complete His favour 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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 007
Certainly were there in Joseph and his brothers signs for those who ask,
Chapter: 12 Verse: 008
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.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 009
Kill Joseph or cast him out to [another] land; the countenance of your father will [then] be only for you, and you will be after that a righteous people."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 010
Said a speaker among them, "Do not kill Joseph but throw him into the bottom of the well; some travellers will pick him up - if you would do [something]."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 011
They said, "O our father, why do you not entrust us with Joseph while indeed, we are to him sincere counsellors?
Chapter: 12 Verse: 012
Send him with us tomorrow that he may eat well and play. And indeed, we will be his guardians.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 013
[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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 014
They said, "If a wolf should eat him while we are a [strong] clan, indeed, we would then be losers."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 015
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]."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 016
And they came to their father at night, weeping.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 017
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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 018
And they brought upon his shirt false blood. [Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And God is the one sought for help against that which you describe."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 019
And there came a company of travellers; 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 God was knowing of what they did.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 020
And they sold him for a reduced price - a few dirhams - and they were, concerning him, of those content with little.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 021
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. And God is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 022
And when Joseph reached maturity, We gave him judgment and knowledge. And thus We reward the doers of good.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 023
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 God . Indeed, he is my master, who has made good my residence. Indeed, wrongdoers will not succeed."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 024
And she certainly determined [to seduce] him, and he would have inclined to her had he not seen the proof of his Lord. And thus [it was] that We should avert from him evil and immorality. Indeed, he was of Our chosen servants.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 025
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?"
Chapter: 12 Verse: 026
[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.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 027
But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied, and he is of the truthful."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 028
So when her husband saw his shirt torn from the back, he said, "Indeed, it is of the women's plan. Indeed, your plan is great.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 029
Joseph, ignore this. And, [my wife], ask forgiveness for your sin. Indeed, you were of the sinful."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 030
And women in the city said, "The wife of al-'Aziz is seeking to seduce her slave boy; he has impassioned her with love. Indeed, we see her [to be] in clear error."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 031
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 God! This is not a man; this is none but a noble angel."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 032
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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 033
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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 034
So his Lord responded to him and averted from him their plan. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 035
Then it appeared to them after they had seen the signs that al-'Azeez should surely imprison him for a time.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 036
And there entered the prison with him two young men. One of them said, "Indeed, I have seen myself [in a dream] pressing 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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 037
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 God, and they, in the Hereafter, are disbelievers.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 038
And I have followed the religion of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And it was not for us to associate anything with God . That is from the favor of God upon us and upon the people, but most of the people are not grateful.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 039
O [my] two companions of prison, are separate lords better or God , the One, the Prevailing?
Chapter: 12 Verse: 040
You worship not besides Him except [mere] names you have named them, you and your fathers, for which God has sent down no authority. Legislation is not but for God. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 041
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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 042
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 Joseph remained in prison several years.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 043
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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 044
They said, "[It is but] a mixture of false dreams, and we are not learned in the interpretation of dreams."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 045
But the one who was freed and remembered after a time said, "I will inform you of its interpretation, so send me forth."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 046
[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; perhaps they will know [about you]."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 047
[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.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 048
Then will come after that seven difficult [years] which will consume what you saved for them, except a little from which you will store.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 049
Then will come after that a year in which the people will be given rain and in which they will press [olives and grapes]."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 050
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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 051
Said [the king to the women], "What was your condition when you sought to seduce Joseph?" They said, "Perfect is God ! We know about him no evil." The wife of al-'Aziz said, "Now the truth has become evident. It was I who sought to seduce him, and indeed, he is of the truthful.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 052
That is so al-'Aziz will know that I did not betray him in [his] absence and that God does not guide the plan of betrayers.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 053
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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 054
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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 055
[Joseph] said, "Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 056
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.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 057
And the reward of the Hereafter is better for those who believed and were fearing God.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 058
And the brothers of Joseph came [seeking food], and they entered upon him; and he recognized them, but he was to them unknown.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 059
And when he had furnished them with their supplies, he said, "Bring me a brother of yours from your father. Do not you see that I give full measure and that I am the best of accommodators?
Chapter: 12 Verse: 060
But if you do not bring him to me, no measure will there be [hereafter] for you from me, nor will you approach me."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 061
They said, "We will attempt to dissuade his father from [keeping] him, and indeed, we will do [it]."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 062
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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 063
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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 064
He said, "Should I entrust you with him except [under coercion] as I entrusted you with his brother before? But God is the best guardian, and He is the most merciful of the merciful."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 065
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 for our family and protect our brother and obtain an increase of a camel's load; that is an easy measurement."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 066
[Jacob] said, "Never will I send him with you until you give me a promise by God that you will bring him [back] to me, unless you should be surrounded by enemies." And when they had given their promise, he said, " God , over what we say, is Witness."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 067
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] God at all. The decision is only for God; upon Him I have relied, and upon Him let those who would rely [indeed] rely."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 068
And when they entered from where their father had ordered them, it did not avail them against God at all except [it was] a need 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.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 069
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]."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 070
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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 071
They said while approaching them, "What is it you are missing?"
Chapter: 12 Verse: 072
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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 073
They said, "By God, you have certainly known that we did not come to cause corruption in the land, and we have not been thieves."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 074
The accusers said, "Then what would be its recompense if you should be liars?"
Chapter: 12 Verse: 075
[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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 076
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 of the king except that God willed. We raise in degrees whom We will, but over every possessor of knowledge is one [more] knowing.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 077
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 God is most knowing of what you describe."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 078
They said, "O 'Aziz, 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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 079
He said, "[I seek] the refuge of God [to prevent] that we take except him with whom we found our possession. Indeed, we would then be unjust."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 080
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 God and [that] before you failed in [your duty to] Joseph? So I will never leave [this] land until my father permits me or God decides for me, and He is the best of judges.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 081
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,
Chapter: 12 Verse: 082
And ask the city in which we were and the caravan in which we came - and indeed, we are truthful,"
Chapter: 12 Verse: 083
[Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. Perhaps God will bring them to me all together. Indeed it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 084
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.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 085
They said, "By God, you will not cease remembering Joseph until you become fatally ill or become of those who perish."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 086
He said, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to God , and I know from God that which you do not know.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 087
O my sons, go and find out about Joseph and his brother and despair not of relief from God. Indeed, no one despairs of relief from God except the disbelieving people."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 088
So when they entered upon Joseph, they said, "O 'Aziz, 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, God rewards the charitable."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 089
He said, "Do you know what you did with Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?"
Chapter: 12 Verse: 090
They said, "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. God has certainly favoured us. Indeed, he who fears God and is patient, then indeed, God does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 091
They said, "By God, certainly has God preferred you over us, and indeed, we have been sinners."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 092
He said, "No blame will there be upon you today. God will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 093
Take this, my shirt, and cast it over the face of my father; he will become seeing. And bring me your family, all together."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 094
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."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 095
They said, "By God, indeed you are in your [same] old error."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 096
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 God that which you do not know?"
Chapter: 12 Verse: 097
They said, "O our father, ask for us forgiveness of our sins; indeed, we have been sinners."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 098
He said, "I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 099
And when they entered upon Joseph, he took his parents to himself and said, "Enter Egypt, God willing, safe [and secure]."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 100
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.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 101
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 in the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 102
That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal, [O Muhammad], to you. And you were not with them when they put together their plan while they conspired.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 103
And most of the people, although you strive [for it], are not believers.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 104
And you do not ask of them for it any payment. It is not except a reminder to the worlds.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 105
And how many a sign within the heavens and earth do they pass over while they, there from, are turning away.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 106
And most of them believe not in God except while they associate others with Him.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 107
Then do they feel secure that there will not come to them an overwhelming [aspect] of the punishment of God or that the Hour will not come upon them suddenly while they do not perceive?
Chapter: 12 Verse: 108
Say, "This is my way; I invite to God with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is God; and I am not of those who associate others with Him."
Chapter: 12 Verse: 109
And We sent not before you [as messengers] except men to whom We revealed from among the people of cities. So have they not travelled 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 God; then will you not reason?
Chapter: 12 Verse: 110
[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.
Chapter: 12 Verse: 111
There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding. Never was the Qur'an 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.