Yusuf

alif-lam-ra til'ka āyātu l-kitābi l-mubīni

Alif Lam Ra These are the verses of the Scripture that makes things clear––

innā anzalnāhu qur'ānan ʿarabiyyan laʿallakum taʿqilūna

We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran so that you [people] may understand.

naḥnu naquṣṣu ʿalayka aḥsana l-qaṣaṣi bimā awḥaynā ilayka hādhā l-qur'āna wa-in kunta min qablihi lamina l-ghāfilīna

We tell you [Prophet] the best of stories in revealing this Quran to you. Before this you were one of those who knew nothing about them.

idh qāla yūsufu li-abīhi yāabati innī ra-aytu aḥada ʿashara kawkaban wal-shamsa wal-qamara ra-aytuhum lī sājidīna

Joseph said to his father, ‘Father, I dreamed of eleven stars and the sun and the moon: I saw them all bow down before me,’

qāla yābunayya lā taqṣuṣ ru'yāka ʿalā ikh'watika fayakīdū laka kaydan inna l-shayṭāna lil'insāni ʿaduwwun mubīnun

and he replied, ‘My son, tell your brothers nothing of this dream, or they may plot to harm you––Satan is man’s sworn enemy.

wakadhālika yajtabīka rabbuka wayuʿallimuka min tawīli l-aḥādīthi wayutimmu niʿ'matahu ʿalayka waʿalā āli yaʿqūba kamā atammahā ʿalā abawayka min qablu ib'rāhīma wa-is'ḥāqa inna rabbaka ʿalīmun ḥakīmun

This is about how your Lord will choose you, teach you to interpret dreams, and perfect His blessing on you and the House of Jacob, just as He perfected it earlier on your forefathers Abraham and Isaac: your Lord is all knowing and wise.’

laqad kāna fī yūsufa wa-ikh'watihi āyātun lilssāilīna

There are lessons in the story of Joseph and his brothers for all who seek them.

idh qālū layūsufu wa-akhūhu aḥabbu ilā abīnā minnā wanaḥnu ʿuṣ'batun inna abānā lafī ḍalālin mubīnin

The brothers said [to each other], ‘Although we are many, Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we are–– our father is clearly in the wrong.’

uq'tulū yūsufa awi iṭ'raḥūhu arḍan yakhlu lakum wajhu abīkum watakūnū min baʿdihi qawman ṣāliḥīna

[One of them said], ‘Kill Joseph or banish him to another land, and your father’s attention will be free to turn to you. After that you can be righteous.’

qāla qāilun min'hum lā taqtulū yūsufa wa-alqūhu fī ghayābati l-jubi yaltaqiṭ'hu baʿḍu l-sayārati in kuntum fāʿilīna

[Another of them] said, ‘Do not kill Joseph, but, if you must, throw him into the hidden depths of a well where some caravan may pick him up.’

qālū yāabānā mā laka lā tamannā ʿalā yūsufa wa-innā lahu lanāṣiḥūna

They said to their father, ‘Why do you not trust us with Joseph? We wish him well.

arsil'hu maʿanā ghadan yartaʿ wayalʿab wa-innā lahu laḥāfiẓūna

Send him with us tomorrow and he will enjoy himself and play- we will take good care of him.’

qāla innī layaḥzununī an tadhhabū bihi wa-akhāfu an yakulahu l-dhi'bu wa-antum ʿanhu ghāfilūna

He replied, ‘The thought of you taking him away with you worries me: I am afraid a wolf may eat him when you are not paying attention.’

qālū la-in akalahu l-dhi'bu wanaḥnu ʿuṣ'batun innā idhan lakhāsirūna

They said, ‘If a wolf were to eat him when there are so many of us, we would truly be losers!’

falammā dhahabū bihi wa-ajmaʿū an yajʿalūhu fī ghayābati l-jubi wa-awḥaynā ilayhi latunabbi-annahum bi-amrihim hādhā wahum lā yashʿurūna

Then they took him away with them, resolved upon throwing him into the hidden depths of a well- We inspired him, saying, ‘You will tell them of all this [at a time] when they do not realize [who you are]!’-

wajāū abāhum ʿishāan yabkūna

and at nightfall they returned to their father weeping.

qālū yāabānā innā dhahabnā nastabiqu wataraknā yūsufa ʿinda matāʿinā fa-akalahu l-dhi'bu wamā anta bimu'minin lanā walaw kunnā ṣādiqīna

They said, ‘We went off racing one another, leaving Joseph behind with our things, and a wolf ate him. You will not believe us, though we are telling the truth!’

wajāū ʿalā qamīṣihi bidamin kadhibin qāla bal sawwalat lakum anfusukum amran faṣabrun jamīlun wal-lahu l-mus'taʿānu ʿalā mā taṣifūna

and they showed him his shirt, deceptively stained with blood. He cried, ‘No! Your souls have prompted you to do wrong! But it is best to be patient: from God alone I seek help to bear what you are saying.’

wajāat sayyāratun fa-arsalū wāridahum fa-adlā dalwahu qāla yābush'rā hādhā ghulāmun wa-asarrūhu biḍāʿatan wal-lahu ʿalīmun bimā yaʿmalūna

Some travellers came by. They sent someone to draw water and he let down his bucket. ‘Good news!’ he exclaimed. ‘Here is a boy!’ They hid him like a piece of merchandise- God was well aware of what they did-

washarawhu bithamanin bakhsin darāhima maʿdūdatin wakānū fīhi mina l-zāhidīna

and then sold him for a small price, for a few pieces of silver: so little did they value him.

waqāla alladhī ish'tarāhu min miṣ'ra li-im'ra-atihi akrimī mathwāhu ʿasā an yanfaʿanā aw nattakhidhahu waladan wakadhālika makkannā liyūsufa fī l-arḍi walinuʿallimahu min tawīli l-aḥādīthi wal-lahu ghālibun ʿalā amrihi walākinna akthara l-nāsi lā yaʿlamūna

The Egyptian who bought him said to his wife, ‘Look after him well! He may be useful to us, or we may adopt him as a son.’ In this way We settled Joseph in that land and later taught him how to interpret dreams: God always prevails in His purpose, though most people do not realize it.

walammā balagha ashuddahu ātaynāhu ḥuk'man waʿil'man wakadhālika najzī l-muḥ'sinīna

When he reached maturity, We gave him judgement and knowledge: this is how We reward those who do good.

warāwadathu allatī huwa fī baytihā ʿan nafsihi waghallaqati l-abwāba waqālat hayta laka qāla maʿādha l-lahi innahu rabbī aḥsana mathwāya innahu lā yuf'liḥu l-ẓālimūna

The woman in whose house he was living tried to seduce him: she bolted the doors and said, ‘Come to me,’ and he replied, ‘God forbid! My master has been good to me; wrongdoers never prosper.’

walaqad hammat bihi wahamma bihā lawlā an raā bur'hāna rabbihi kadhālika linaṣrifa ʿanhu l-sūa wal-faḥshāa innahu min ʿibādinā l-mukh'laṣīna

She made for him, and he would have succumbed to her if he had not seen evidence of his Lord- We did this in order to keep evil and indecency away from him, for he was truly one of Our chosen servants.

wa-is'tabaqā l-bāba waqaddat qamīṣahu min duburin wa-alfayā sayyidahā ladā l-bābi qālat mā jazāu man arāda bi-ahlika sūan illā an yus'jana aw ʿadhābun alīmun

They raced for the door- she tore his shirt from behind- and at the door they met her husband. She said, ‘What, other than prison or painful punishment, should be the reward of someone who tried to dishonour your wife?’

qāla hiya rāwadatnī ʿan nafsī washahida shāhidun min ahlihā in kāna qamīṣuhu qudda min qubulin faṣadaqat wahuwa mina l-kādhibīna

but he said, ‘She tried to seduce me.’ A member of her household suggested, ‘If his shirt is torn at the front, then it is she who is telling the truth and he who is lying,

wa-in kāna qamīṣuhu qudda min duburin fakadhabat wahuwa mina l-ṣādiqīna

but if it is torn at the back, then she is lying and he is telling the truth.’

falammā raā qamīṣahu qudda min duburin qāla innahu min kaydikunna inna kaydakunna ʿaẓīmun

When the husband saw that the shirt was torn at the back, he said, ‘This is another instance of women’s treachery: your treachery is truly great.

yūsufu aʿriḍ ʿan hādhā wa-is'taghfirī lidhanbiki innaki kunti mina l-khāṭiīna

Joseph, overlook this; but you [wife], ask forgiveness for your sin- you have done wrong.’

waqāla nis'watun fī l-madīnati im'ra-atu l-ʿazīzi turāwidu fatāhā ʿan nafsihi qad shaghafahā ḥubban innā lanarāhā fī ḍalālin mubīnin

Some women of the city said, ‘The governor’s wife is trying to seduce her slave! Love for him consumes her heart! It is clear to us that she has gone astray.’

falammā samiʿat bimakrihinna arsalat ilayhinna wa-aʿtadat lahunna muttaka-an waātat kulla wāḥidatin min'hunna sikkīnan waqālati ukh'ruj ʿalayhinna falammā ra-aynahu akbarnahu waqaṭṭaʿna aydiyahunna waqul'na ḥāsha lillahi mā hādhā basharan in hādhā illā malakun karīmun

When she heard their malicious talk, she prepared a banquet and sent for them, giving each of them a knife. She said to Joseph, ‘Come out and show yourself to them!’ and when the women saw him, they were stunned by his beauty, and cut their hands, exclaiming, ‘Great God! He cannot be mortal! He must be a precious angel!’

qālat fadhālikunna alladhī lum'tunnanī fīhi walaqad rāwadttuhu ʿan nafsihi fa-is'taʿṣama wala-in lam yafʿal mā āmuruhu layus'jananna walayakūnan mina l-ṣāghirīna

She said, ‘This is the one you blamed me for. I tried to seduce him and he wanted to remain chaste, but if he does not do what I command now, he will be put in prison and degraded.’

qāla rabbi l-sij'nu aḥabbu ilayya mimmā yadʿūnanī ilayhi wa-illā taṣrif ʿannī kaydahunna aṣbu ilayhinna wa-akun mina l-jāhilīna

Joseph said, ‘My Lord! I would prefer prison to what these women are calling me to do. If You do not protect me from their treachery, I shall yield to them and do wrong,’

fa-is'tajāba lahu rabbuhu faṣarafa ʿanhu kaydahunna innahu huwa l-samīʿu l-ʿalīmu

and his Lord answered his prayer and protected him from their treachery- He is the All Hearing, the All Knowing.

thumma badā lahum min baʿdi mā ra-awū l-āyāti layasjununnahu ḥattā ḥīnin

In the end they thought it best, after seeing all the signs of his innocence, that they should imprison him for a while.

wadakhala maʿahu l-sij'na fatayāni qāla aḥaduhumā innī arānī aʿṣiru khamran waqāla l-ākharu innī arānī aḥmilu fawqa rasī khub'zan takulu l-ṭayru min'hu nabbi'nā bitawīlihi innā narāka mina l-muḥ'sinīna

Two young men went into prison alongside him. One of them said, ‘I dreamed that I was pressing grapes’; the other said, ‘I dreamed that I was carrying bread on my head and that the birds were eating it.’ [They said], ‘Tell us what this means- we can see that you are a knowledgeable man.’

qāla lā yatīkumā ṭaʿāmun tur'zaqānihi illā nabbatukumā bitawīlihi qabla an yatiyakumā dhālikumā mimmā ʿallamanī rabbī innī taraktu millata qawmin lā yu'minūna bil-lahi wahum bil-ākhirati hum kāfirūna

He said, ‘I can tell you what this means before any meal arrives: this is part of what my Lord has taught me. I reject the faith of those who disbelieve in God and deny the life to come,

wa-ittabaʿtu millata ābāī ib'rāhīma wa-is'ḥāqa wayaʿqūba mā kāna lanā an nush'rika bil-lahi min shayin dhālika min faḍli l-lahi ʿalaynā waʿalā l-nāsi walākinna akthara l-nāsi lā yashkurūna

and I follow the faith of my forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Because of God’s grace to us and to all mankind, we would never worship anything beside God, but most people are ungrateful.

yāṣāḥibayi l-sij'ni a-arbābun mutafarriqūna khayrun ami l-lahu l-wāḥidu l-qahāru

Fellow prisoners, would many diverse gods be better than God the One, the All Powerful? [No indeed!]

mā taʿbudūna min dūnihi illā asmāan sammaytumūhā antum waābāukum mā anzala l-lahu bihā min sul'ṭānin ini l-ḥuk'mu illā lillahi amara allā taʿbudū illā iyyāhu dhālika l-dīnu l-qayimu walākinna akthara l-nāsi lā yaʿlamūna

All those you worship instead of Him are mere names you and your forefathers have invented, names for which God has sent down no sanction. Authority belongs to God alone, and He orders you to worship none but Him: this is the true faith, though most people do not realize it.

yāṣāḥibayi l-sij'ni ammā aḥadukumā fayasqī rabbahu khamran wa-ammā l-ākharu fayuṣ'labu fatakulu l-ṭayru min rasihi quḍiya l-amru alladhī fīhi tastaftiyāni

Fellow prisoners, one of you will serve his master with wine; the other will be crucified and the birds will peck at his head. That is the end of the matter on which you asked my opinion.’

waqāla lilladhī ẓanna annahu nājin min'humā udh'kur'nī ʿinda rabbika fa-ansāhu l-shayṭānu dhik'ra rabbihi falabitha fī l-sij'ni biḍ'ʿa sinīna

Joseph said to the one he knew would be saved, ‘Mention me to your master,’ but Satan made him forget to do this, and so Joseph remained in prison for a number of years.

waqāla l-maliku innī arā sabʿa baqarātin simānin yakuluhunna sabʿun ʿijāfun wasabʿa sunbulātin khuḍ'rin wa-ukhara yābisātin yāayyuhā l-mala-u aftūnī fī ru'yāya in kuntum lilrru'yā taʿburūna

The king said, ‘I dreamed about seven fat cows being eaten by seven lean ones; seven green ears of corn and [seven] others withered. Counsellors, if you can interpret dreams, tell me the meaning of my dream.’

qālū aḍghāthu aḥlāmin wamā naḥnu bitawīli l-aḥlāmi biʿālimīna

They said, ‘These are confusing dreams and we are not skilled at dream-interpretation,’

waqāla alladhī najā min'humā wa-iddakara baʿda ummatin anā unabbi-ukum bitawīlihi fa-arsilūni

but the prisoner who had been freed at last remembered [Joseph] and said, ‘I shall tell you what this means. Give me leave to go.’

yūsufu ayyuhā l-ṣidīqu aftinā fī sabʿi baqarātin simānin yakuluhunna sabʿun ʿijāfun wasabʿi sunbulātin khuḍ'rin wa-ukhara yābisātin laʿallī arjiʿu ilā l-nāsi laʿallahum yaʿlamūna

‘Truthful Joseph! Tell us the meaning of seven fat cows being eaten by seven lean ones, seven green ears of corn and [seven] others withered,

qāla tazraʿūna sabʿa sinīna da-aban famā ḥaṣadttum fadharūhu fī sunbulihi illā qalīlan mimmā takulūna

then I can return to the people to inform them.’ Joseph said, ‘You will sow for seven consecutive years as usual. Store all that you reap, left in the ear, apart from the little you eat.

thumma yatī min baʿdi dhālika sabʿun shidādun yakul'na mā qaddamtum lahunna illā qalīlan mimmā tuḥ'ṣinūna

After that will come seven years of hardship which will consume all but a little of what you stored up for them;

thumma yatī min baʿdi dhālika ʿāmun fīhi yughāthu l-nāsu wafīhi yaʿṣirūna

after that will come a year when the people will have abundant rain and will press grapes.’

waqāla l-maliku i'tūnī bihi falammā jāahu l-rasūlu qāla ir'jiʿ ilā rabbika fasalhu mā bālu l-nis'wati allātī qaṭṭaʿna aydiyahunna inna rabbī bikaydihinna ʿalīmun

The king said, ‘Bring him to me,’ but when the messenger came to fetch Joseph, he said, ‘Go back to your master and ask him about what happened to those women who cut their hands- my Lord knows all about their treachery.’

qāla mā khaṭbukunna idh rāwadttunna yūsufa ʿan nafsihi qul'na ḥāsha lillahi mā ʿalim'nā ʿalayhi min sūin qālati im'ra-atu l-ʿazīzi l-āna ḥaṣḥaṣa l-ḥaqu anā rāwadttuhu ʿan nafsihi wa-innahu lamina l-ṣādiqīna

The king asked the women, ‘What happened when you tried to seduce Joseph?’ They said, ‘God forbid! We know nothing bad of him!’ and the governor’s wife said, ‘Now the truth is out: it was I who tried to seduce him- he is an honest man.’

dhālika liyaʿlama annī lam akhun'hu bil-ghaybi wa-anna l-laha lā yahdī kayda l-khāinīna

[Joseph said, ‘This was] for my master to know that I did not betray him behind his back: God does not guide the mischief of the treacherous.

wamā ubarri-u nafsī inna l-nafsa la-ammāratun bil-sūi illā mā raḥima rabbī inna rabbī ghafūrun raḥīmun

I do not pretend to be blameless, for man’s very soul incites him to evil unless my Lord shows mercy: He is most forgiving, most merciful.’

waqāla l-maliku i'tūnī bihi astakhliṣ'hu linafsī falammā kallamahu qāla innaka l-yawma ladaynā makīnun amīnun

The king said, ‘Bring him to me: I will have him serve me personally,’ and then, once he had spoken with him, ‘From now on you will have our trust and favour.’

qāla ij'ʿalnī ʿalā khazāini l-arḍi innī ḥafīẓun ʿalīmun

Joseph said, ‘Put me in charge of the nation’s storehouses: I shall manage them prudently and carefully.’

wakadhālika makkannā liyūsufa fī l-arḍi yatabawwa-u min'hā ḥaythu yashāu nuṣību biraḥmatinā man nashāu walā nuḍīʿu ajra l-muḥ'sinīna

In this way We settled Joseph in that land to live wherever he wished: We grant Our mercy to whoever We will and do not fail to reward those who do good.

wala-ajru l-ākhirati khayrun lilladhīna āmanū wakānū yattaqūna

The reward of the Hereafter is best for those who believe and are mindful of God.

wajāa ikh'watu yūsufa fadakhalū ʿalayhi faʿarafahum wahum lahu munkirūna

Joseph’s brothers came and presented themselves before him. He recognized them- though they did not recognize him-

walammā jahhazahum bijahāzihim qāla i'tūnī bi-akhin lakum min abīkum alā tarawna annī ūfī l-kayla wa-anā khayru l-munzilīna

and once he had given them their provisions, he said, ‘Bring me the brother [you left with] your father! Have you not seen me giving generous measure and being the best of hosts?

fa-in lam tatūnī bihi falā kayla lakum ʿindī walā taqrabūni

You will have no more corn from me if you do not bring him to me, and you will not be permitted to approach me.’

qālū sanurāwidu ʿanhu abāhu wa-innā lafāʿilūna

They said, ‘We shall do all we can to persuade his father to send him with us, indeed we shall.’

waqāla lifit'yānihi ij'ʿalū biḍāʿatahum fī riḥālihim laʿallahum yaʿrifūnahā idhā inqalabū ilā ahlihim laʿallahum yarjiʿūna

Joseph said to his servants, ‘Put their [traded] goods back into their saddlebags, so that they may recognize them when they go back to their family, and [be eager to] return.’

falammā rajaʿū ilā abīhim qālū yāabānā muniʿa minnā l-kaylu fa-arsil maʿanā akhānā naktal wa-innā lahu laḥāfiẓūna

When they returned to their father, they said, ‘Father, we have been denied any more corn, but send our brother back with us and we shall be given another measure. We shall guard him carefully.’

qāla hal āmanukum ʿalayhi illā kamā amintukum ʿalā akhīhi min qablu fal-lahu khayrun ḥāfiẓan wahuwa arḥamu l-rāḥimīna

He said, ‘Am I to entrust him to you as I did his brother before? God is the best guardian and the Most Merciful of the merciful.’

walammā fataḥū matāʿahum wajadū biḍāʿatahum ruddat ilayhim qālū yāabānā mā nabghī hādhihi biḍāʿatunā ruddat ilaynā wanamīru ahlanā wanaḥfaẓu akhānā wanazdādu kayla baʿīrin dhālika kaylun yasīrun

Then, when they opened their packs, they discovered that their goods had been returned to them and they said, ‘Father! We need no more [goods to barter]: look, our goods have been returned to us. We shall get corn for our household; we shall keep our brother safe; we shall be entitled to another camel-load of grain- an extra measure so easily achieved!’

qāla lan ur'silahu maʿakum ḥattā tu'tūni mawthiqan mina l-lahi latatunnanī bihi illā an yuḥāṭa bikum falammā ātawhu mawthiqahum qāla l-lahu ʿalā mā naqūlu wakīlun

He said, ‘I will never send him with you, not unless you swear by God that you will bring him back to me if that is humanly possible.’ Then, when they had given him their pledge, he said, ‘Our words are entrusted to God.’

waqāla yābaniyya lā tadkhulū min bābin wāḥidin wa-ud'khulū min abwābin mutafarriqatin wamā ugh'nī ʿankum mina l-lahi min shayin ini l-ḥuk'mu illā lillahi ʿalayhi tawakkaltu waʿalayhi falyatawakkali l-mutawakilūna

He said, ‘My sons, do not enter all by one gate- use different gates. But I cannot help you against the will of God: all power is in God’s hands. I trust in Him; let everyone put their trust in Him,’

walammā dakhalū min ḥaythu amarahum abūhum mā kāna yugh'nī ʿanhum mina l-lahi min shayin illā ḥājatan fī nafsi yaʿqūba qaḍāhā wa-innahu ladhū ʿil'min limā ʿallamnāhu walākinna akthara l-nāsi lā yaʿlamūna

and, when they entered as their father had told them, it did not help them against the will of God, it merely satisfied a wish of Jacob’s. He knew well what We had taught him, though most people do not.

walammā dakhalū ʿalā yūsufa āwā ilayhi akhāhu qāla innī anā akhūka falā tabta-is bimā kānū yaʿmalūna

Then, when they presented themselves before Joseph, he drew his brother apart and said, ‘I am your brother, so do not be saddened by their past actions,’

falammā jahhazahum bijahāzihim jaʿala l-siqāyata fī raḥli akhīhi thumma adhana mu-adhinun ayyatuhā l-ʿīru innakum lasāriqūna

and, once he had given them their provisions, he placed the drinking-cup in his brother’s pack. A man called out, ‘People of the caravan! You are thieves!’

qālū wa-aqbalū ʿalayhim mādhā tafqidūna

and they turned and said, ‘What have you lost?’

qālū nafqidu ṣuwāʿa l-maliki waliman jāa bihi ḥim'lu baʿīrin wa-anā bihi zaʿīmun

They replied, ‘The king’s drinking-cup is missing,’ and, ‘Whoever returns it will get a camel-load [of grain],’ and, ‘I give you my word.’

qālū tal-lahi laqad ʿalim'tum mā ji'nā linuf'sida fī l-arḍi wamā kunnā sāriqīna

They said, ‘By God! You must know that we did not come to make mischief in your land: we are no thieves.’

qālū famā jazāuhu in kuntum kādhibīna

They asked them, ‘And if we find that you are lying, what penalty shall we apply to you?’

qālū jazāuhu man wujida fī raḥlihi fahuwa jazāuhu kadhālika najzī l-ẓālimīna

and they answered, ‘The penalty will be [the enslavement of] the person in whose bag the cup is found: this is how we punish wrongdoers.’

fabada-a bi-awʿiyatihim qabla wiʿāi akhīhi thumma is'takhrajahā min wiʿāi akhīhi kadhālika kid'nā liyūsufa mā kāna liyakhudha akhāhu fī dīni l-maliki illā an yashāa l-lahu narfaʿu darajātin man nashāu wafawqa kulli dhī ʿil'min ʿalīmun

[Joseph] began by searching their bags, then his brother’s, and he pulled it out from his brother’s bag. In this way We devised a plan for Joseph- if God had not willed it so, he could not have detained his brother as a penalty under the king’s law- We raise the rank of whoever We will. Above everyone who has knowledge there is the One who is all knowing.

qālū in yasriq faqad saraqa akhun lahu min qablu fa-asarrahā yūsufu fī nafsihi walam yub'dihā lahum qāla antum sharrun makānan wal-lahu aʿlamu bimā taṣifūna

[His brothers] said, ‘If he is a thief then his brother was a thief before him,’ but Joseph kept his secrets and did not reveal anything to them. He said, ‘You are in a far worse situation. God knows best the truth of what you claim.’

qālū yāayyuhā l-ʿazīzu inna lahu aban shaykhan kabīran fakhudh aḥadanā makānahu innā narāka mina l-muḥ'sinīna

They said, ‘Mighty governor, he has an elderly father. Take one of us in his place. We can see that you are a very good man.’

qāla maʿādha l-lahi an nakhudha illā man wajadnā matāʿanā ʿindahu innā idhan laẓālimūna

He replied, ‘God forbid that we should take anyone other than the person on whom we found our property: that would be unjust of us.’

falammā is'tayasū min'hu khalaṣū najiyyan qāla kabīruhum alam taʿlamū anna abākum qad akhadha ʿalaykum mawthiqan mina l-lahi wamin qablu mā farraṭtum fī yūsufa falan abraḥa l-arḍa ḥattā yadhana lī abī aw yaḥkuma l-lahu lī wahuwa khayru l-ḥākimīna

When they lost hope of [persuading] him, they withdrew to confer with each other: the eldest of them said, ‘Do you not remember that your father took a solemn pledge from you in the name of God and before that you failed in your duty with regard to Joseph? I will not leave this land until my father gives me leave or God decides for me- He is the best decider-

ir'jiʿū ilā abīkum faqūlū yāabānā inna ib'naka saraqa wamā shahid'nā illā bimā ʿalim'nā wamā kunnā lil'ghaybi ḥāfiẓīna

so go back to your father and say, “Your son stole. We can only tell you what we saw. How could we guard against the unforeseen?

wasali l-qaryata allatī kunnā fīhā wal-ʿīra allatī aqbalnā fīhā wa-innā laṣādiqūna

Ask in the town where we have been; ask the people of the caravan we travelled with: we are telling the truth.”’

qāla bal sawwalat lakum anfusukum amran faṣabrun jamīlun ʿasā l-lahu an yatiyanī bihim jamīʿan innahu huwa l-ʿalīmu l-ḥakīmu

Their father said, ‘No! Your souls have prompted you to do wrong! But it is best to be patient: may God bring all of them back to me- He alone is the All Knowing, the All Wise,’

watawallā ʿanhum waqāla yāasafā ʿalā yūsufa wa-ib'yaḍḍat ʿaynāhu mina l-ḥuz'ni fahuwa kaẓīmun

and he turned away from them, saying, ‘Alas for Joseph!’ His eyes went white with grief and he was filled with sorrow.

qālū tal-lahi tafta-u tadhkuru yūsufa ḥattā takūna ḥaraḍan aw takūna mina l-hālikīna

They said, ‘By God! You will ruin your health if you do not stop thinking of Joseph, or even die.’

qāla innamā ashkū bathī waḥuz'nī ilā l-lahi wa-aʿlamu mina l-lahi mā lā taʿlamūna

He said, ‘I plead my grief and sorrow before God. I have knowledge from God that you do not have.

yābaniyya idh'habū fataḥassasū min yūsufa wa-akhīhi walā tāy'asū min rawḥi l-lahi innahu lā yāy'asu min rawḥi l-lahi illā l-qawmu l-kāfirūna

My sons, go and seek news of Joseph and his brother and do not despair of God’s mercy- only disbelievers despair of God’s mercy.’

falammā dakhalū ʿalayhi qālū yāayyuhā l-ʿazīzu massanā wa-ahlanā l-ḍuru waji'nā bibiḍāʿatin muz'jātin fa-awfi lanā l-kayla wataṣaddaq ʿalaynā inna l-laha yajzī l-mutaṣadiqīna

Then, when they presented themselves before Joseph, they said, ‘Mighty governor, misfortune has afflicted us and our family. We have brought only a little merchandise, but give us full measure. Be charitable to us: God rewards the charitable.’

qāla hal ʿalim'tum mā faʿaltum biyūsufa wa-akhīhi idh antum jāhilūna

He said, ‘Do you now realize what you did to Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?’

qālū a-innaka la-anta yūsufu qāla anā yūsufu wahādhā akhī qad manna l-lahu ʿalaynā innahu man yattaqi wayaṣbir fa-inna l-laha lā yuḍīʿu ajra l-muḥ'sinīna

and they cried, ‘Could it be that you are Joseph?’ He said, ‘I am Joseph. This is my brother. God has been gracious to us: God does not deny anyone who is mindful of God and steadfast in adversity the rewards of those who do good.’

qālū tal-lahi laqad ātharaka l-lahu ʿalaynā wa-in kunnā lakhāṭiīna

They said, ‘By God! God really did favour you over all of us and we were in the wrong!’

qāla lā tathrība ʿalaykumu l-yawma yaghfiru l-lahu lakum wahuwa arḥamu l-rāḥimīna

but he said, ‘You will hear no reproaches today. May God forgive you: He is the Most Merciful of the merciful.

idh'habū biqamīṣī hādhā fa-alqūhu ʿalā wajhi abī yati baṣīran watūnī bi-ahlikum ajmaʿīna

Take my shirt and lay it over my father’s face: he will recover his sight. Then bring your whole family back to me.’

walammā faṣalati l-ʿīru qāla abūhum innī la-ajidu rīḥa yūsufa lawlā an tufannidūni

Later, when the caravan departed, their father said, ‘You may think I am senile but I can smell Joseph,’

qālū tal-lahi innaka lafī ḍalālika l-qadīmi

but [people] said, ‘By God! You are still lost in that old illusion of yours!’

falammā an jāa l-bashīru alqāhu ʿalā wajhihi fa-ir'tadda baṣīran qāla alam aqul lakum innī aʿlamu mina l-lahi mā lā taʿlamūna

Then, when the bearer of good news came and placed the shirt on to Jacob’s face, his eyesight returned and he said, ‘Did I not tell you that I have knowledge from God that you do not have?’

qālū yāabānā is'taghfir lanā dhunūbanā innā kunnā khāṭiīna

The [brothers] said, ‘Father, ask God to forgive our sins- we were truly in the wrong.’

qāla sawfa astaghfiru lakum rabbī innahu huwa l-ghafūru l-raḥīmu

He replied, ‘I shall ask my Lord to forgive you: He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.’

falammā dakhalū ʿalā yūsufa āwā ilayhi abawayhi waqāla ud'khulū miṣ'ra in shāa l-lahu āminīna

Later, when they presented themselves before Joseph, he drew his parents to him- he said, ‘Welcome to Egypt: you will all be safe here, God willing’-

warafaʿa abawayhi ʿalā l-ʿarshi wakharrū lahu sujjadan waqāla yāabati hādhā tawīlu ru'yāya min qablu qad jaʿalahā rabbī ḥaqqan waqad aḥsana bī idh akhrajanī mina l-sij'ni wajāa bikum mina l-badwi min baʿdi an nazagha l-shayṭānu baynī wabayna ikh'watī inna rabbī laṭīfun limā yashāu innahu huwa l-ʿalīmu l-ḥakīmu

and took them up to [his] throne. They all bowed down before him and he said, ‘Father, this is the fulfilment of that dream I had long ago. My Lord has made it come true and has been gracious to me- He released me from prison and He brought you here from the desert- after Satan sowed discord between me and my brothers. My Lord is most subtle in achieving what He will; He is the All Knowing, the Truly Wise.

rabbi qad ātaytanī mina l-mul'ki waʿallamtanī min tawīli l-aḥādīthi fāṭira l-samāwāti wal-arḍi anta waliyyī fī l-dun'yā wal-ākhirati tawaffanī mus'liman wa-alḥiq'nī bil-ṣāliḥīna

My Lord! You have given me authority; You have taught me something about the interpretation of dreams; Creator of the heavens and the earth, You are my protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Let me die in true devotion to You. Join me with the righteous.’

dhālika min anbāi l-ghaybi nūḥīhi ilayka wamā kunta ladayhim idh ajmaʿū amrahum wahum yamkurūna

This account is part of what was beyond your knowledge [Muhammad]. We revealed it to you: you were not present with Joseph’s brothers when they made their treacherous plans.

wamā aktharu l-nāsi walaw ḥaraṣta bimu'minīna

However eagerly you may want them to, most men will not believe.

wamā tasaluhum ʿalayhi min ajrin in huwa illā dhik'run lil'ʿālamīna

You ask no reward from them for this: it is a reminder for all people

waka-ayyin min āyatin fī l-samāwāti wal-arḍi yamurrūna ʿalayhā wahum ʿanhā muʿ'riḍūna

and there are many signs in the heavens and the earth that they pass by and give no heed to-

wamā yu'minu aktharuhum bil-lahi illā wahum mush'rikūna

most of them will only believe in God while also joining others with Him.

afa-aminū an tatiyahum ghāshiyatun min ʿadhābi l-lahi aw tatiyahumu l-sāʿatu baghtatan wahum lā yashʿurūna

Are they so sure that an overwhelming punishment from God will not fall on them, or that the Last Hour will not come upon them suddenly when they least expect it?

qul hādhihi sabīlī adʿū ilā l-lahi ʿalā baṣīratin anā wamani ittabaʿanī wasub'ḥāna l-lahi wamā anā mina l-mush'rikīna

Say, ‘This is my way: based on clear evidence, I, and all who follow me, call [people] to God- glory be to God!- I do not join others with Him.’

wamā arsalnā min qablika illā rijālan nūḥī ilayhim min ahli l-qurā afalam yasīrū fī l-arḍi fayanẓurū kayfa kāna ʿāqibatu alladhīna min qablihim waladāru l-ākhirati khayrun lilladhīna ittaqaw afalā taʿqilūna

All the messengers We sent before you [Muhammad] were men to whom We made revelations, men chosen from the people of their towns. Have the [disbelievers] not travelled through the land and seen the end of those who went before them? For those who are mindful of God, the Home in the Hereafter is better. Do you [people] not use your reason?

ḥattā idhā is'tayasa l-rusulu waẓannū annahum qad kudhibū jāahum naṣrunā fanujjiya man nashāu walā yuraddu basunā ʿani l-qawmi l-muj'rimīna

When the messengers lost all hope and realized that they had been dismissed as liars, Our help came to them: We saved whoever We pleased, but Our punishment will not be turned away from guilty people.

laqad kāna fī qaṣaṣihim ʿib'ratun li-ulī l-albābi mā kāna ḥadīthan yuf'tarā walākin taṣdīqa alladhī bayna yadayhi watafṣīla kulli shayin wahudan waraḥmatan liqawmin yu'minūna

There is a lesson in the stories of such people for those who understand. This revelation is no fabrication: it is a confirmation of the truth of what was sent before it; an explanation of everything; a guide and a blessing for those who believe.