Surah Yusuf, Chapter 12
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful
Verses 1 – 6
الرۚ
تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ {1}
1. Alif Ram Ra. (I am God, All-seeing). These are couplets of the open Text.
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ {2}
2. Verily We have revealed the Qur’an in Arabic so you may understand.
نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ الْقَصَصِ بِمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ {3}
3. We now describe the best of historical facts of the Text, of which you were unaware before this.
إِذْ قَالَ يُوسُفُ لِأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوْكَبًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ رَأَيْتُهُمْ لِي سَاجِدِينَ {4}
4. Recall when Joseph told his father, “Oh my father, I dreamt 11 planets, the sun and the moon kneeling down before me.”
قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تَقْصُصْ رُؤْيَاكَ عَلَىٰ إِخْوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُوا لَكَ كَيْدًاۖ
إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لِلْإِنْسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ {5}
5. Father said, “Oh my son, do not describe it before your brothers lest they plot against you out of jealousy. Verily the devil is an open enemy of man.”
وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَجْتَبِيكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِنْ تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ وَيُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ كَمَا أَتَمَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَبَوَيْكَ مِنْ قَبْلُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَاقَۚ
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ {6}
6. Similarly, your Providence will select you and will train you in diagnosing dreams and will fulfil His bounties as He did on Jacob’s family and his father Abraham and Isaac before this. Verily, your providence is All-knowing.
Moral
Jealousy is aroused in man as a result of the devil’s misgivings, so every advice which is given by the Text has to be listened to with utmost care and regard. Evidently, on the fact of it, there does not appear any wrong in describing what one sees in his dream has seen but there it was, it brought about a trial to the whole family.
Verses 7 – 20
لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي يُوسُفَ وَإِخْوَتِهِ آيَاتٌ لِلسَّائِلِينَ {7}
7. Verily, in the Qur’an in the life of Joseph and his brothers, there are signs for an inquisitive mind.
إِذْ قَالُوا لَيُوسُفُ وَأَخُوهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَىٰ أَبِينَا مِنَّا وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّ أَبَانَا لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ {8}
8. When the brothers said (among themselves), “Our father is more attached to Joseph than us although we are stronger. Verily, Our father is in the wrong.
اقْتُلُوا يُوسُفَ أَوِ اطْرَحُوهُ أَرْضًا يَخْلُ لَكُمْ وَجْهُ أَبِيكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ قَوْمًا صَالِحِينَ {9}
9. “(Better therefore) we kill Joseph or leave him in the desert to make room to the father, for our affection when we shall become a virtuous group.”
قَالَ قَائِلٌ مِنْهُمْ لَا تَقْتُلُوا يُوسُفَ وَأَلْقُوهُ فِي غَيَابَتِ الْجُبِّ يَلْتَقِطْهُ بَعْضُ السَّيَّارَةِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ فَاعِلِينَ {10}
10. One of them said, “Do not kill Joseph, but throw him into a deep well to be picked up by a traveller if you are determined to do away with him.”
قَالُوا يَا أَبَانَا مَا لَكَ لَا تَأْمَنَّا عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَنَاصِحُونَ {11}
11. Upon this they told their father, “What is up with you regarding Joseph? You do not rely on us although we are his well wishers?
أَرْسِلْهُ مَعَنَا غَدًا يَرْتَعْ وَيَلْعَبْ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ {12}
12. “Send him tomorrow morning with us so he may enjoy the fruits of the desert and play about and certainly we shall look after him.”
قَالَ إِنِّي لَيَحْزُنُنِي أَنْ تَذْهَبُوا بِهِ وَأَخَافُ أَنْ يَأْكُلَهُ الذِّئْبُ وَأَنْتُمْ عَنْهُ غَافِلُونَ {13}
13. Jacob said, “I am afraid you get engrossed in your play, leaving him alone, so as to be devoured by a wolf while you are indifferent.”
قَالُوا لَئِنْ أَكَلَهُ الذِّئْبُ وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّا إِذًا لَخَاسِرُونَ {14}
14. They said, “How can that be, Father, when we are so strong? Certainly, in that caswe, we shall be disgraced.”
فَلَمَّا ذَهَبُوا بِهِ وَأَجْمَعُوا أَنْ يَجْعَلُوهُ فِي غَيَابَتِ الْجُبِّۚ
وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْهِ لَتُنَبِّئَنَّهُمْ بِأَمْرِهِمْ هَٰذَا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ {15}
15. So, when they took him, they resolved (upon the plot they had matured) and threw him into a deep well. When We informed Joseph, under inspiration about their plot while they were unaware.
وَجَاءُوا أَبَاهُمْ عِشَاءً يَبْكُونَ {16}
16. And they came to their father, towards night, weeping (shedding crocodile tears).
قَالُوا يَا أَبَانَا إِنَّا ذَهَبْنَا نَسْتَبِقُ وَتَرَكْنَا يُوسُفَ عِنْدَ مَتَاعِنَا فَأَكَلَهُ الذِّئْبُۖ
وَمَا أَنْتَ بِمُؤْمِنٍ لَنَا وَلَوْ كُنَّا صَادِقِينَ {17}
17. They said, “Oh Father, we let off Joseph to look after our goods and set out on our play. In the meanwhile, the wolf devoured him, and your not going to believe us, even if we are true.”
وَجَاءُوا عَلَىٰ قَمِيصِهِ بِدَمٍ كَذِبٍۚ
قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنْفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًاۖ
فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌۖ
وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ {18}
18. And they produced his apron, dipped in blood (of a sacrificed goat). Jacob said, “You are playing the game with me. I shall hold my peace and God will assist me in your allegation.”
وَجَاءَتْ سَيَّارَةٌ فَأَرْسَلُوا وَارِدَهُمْ فَأَدْلَىٰ دَلْوَهُۖ
قَالَ يَا بُشْرَىٰ هَٰذَا غُلَامٌۚ
وَأَسَرُّوهُ بِضَاعَةًۚ
وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ {19}
19. And there came a caravan which sent their slave to fetch water with a bucket, and when he raised it up from the well he found a handsome chap (in Joseph) and Good knew what they did.
وَشَرَوْهُ بِثَمَنٍ بَخْسٍ دَرَاهِمَ مَعْدُودَةٍ وَكَانُوا فِيهِ مِنَ الزَّاهِدِينَ {20}
19. They (the brothers of Joseph) came to know and stated he was their slave and sold him for a trifling price as they were already fed up with him.
Moral
Let not jealousy overpower you to enter into a plot against your brother without rhyme and reason, neglecting presence of All-seeing, Who sides with the innocent. This creates dissatisfaction between you your brother, later causing repentance, when the cat is out of the bag, and leads you to tell lies, giving false hopes of success.
Further, Father should not ever avert the occasion; speak anything unlikely, as it leads to an occasion against self as “a wolf devouring a child.” Man, in adversity, too, should not forget God Whose secret Hands are ever ready to assist him who calls upon Him as Joseph was saved by God in a well.
Verses 21 – 29
وَقَالَ الَّذِي اشْتَرَاهُ مِنْ مِصْرَ لِامْرَأَتِهِ أَكْرِمِي مَثْوَاهُ عَسَىٰ أَنْ يَنْفَعَنَا أَوْ نَتَّخِذَهُ وَلَدًاۚ
وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلِنُعَلِّمَهُ مِنْ تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِۚ
وَاللَّهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَىٰ أَمْرِهِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ {21}
21. and told his queen Zulaikha to look after him carefully
, as he may benefit them or they may ultimately adopt him, a prince (they having no issue). Thus, We gave him an exalted place of residence in a foreign country and taught him the science of diagnosing dreams, and God is Almighty in His affairs, although most do not know.
وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ آتَيْنَاهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًاۚ
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ {22}
22. And when he attained maturity, We endowed upon him, Lawa and Divine Knowledge, and thus He rewards the virtuous.
وَرَاوَدَتْهُ الَّتِي هُوَ فِي بَيْتِهَا عَنْ نَفْسِهِ وَغَلَّقَتِ الْأَبْوَابَ وَقَالَتْ هَيْتَ لَكَۚ
قَالَ مَعَاذَ اللَّهِۖ
إِنَّهُ رَبِّي أَحْسَنَ مَثْوَايَۖ
إِنَّهُ لَا يُفْلِحُ الظَّالِمُونَ {23}
23. And Zulaikha desired Joseph, of her own accord, and closed the doors, and asked for an intercourse with her, in default of punishment. He (Joseph) said, “I seek Divine refuge, the king has only title, thereto.” Verily, the disobedient shall never attain salvation.
وَلَقَدْ هَمَّتْ بِهِۖ
وَهَمَّ بِهَا لَوْلَا أَنْ رَأَىٰ بُرْهَانَ رَبِّهِۚ
كَذَٰلِكَ لِنَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ السُّوءَ وَالْفَحْشَاءَۚ
إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُخْلَصِينَ {24}
24. And she tried her best (to achieve her object) and he tried his best (to escape the plot) and had not his Providence shown His signs, he would have been entrapped. Thus We saved him from fornication and murder. Verily he was among the sincere devotees of God.
وَاسْتَبَقَا الْبَابَ وَقَدَّتْ قَمِيصَهُ مِنْ دُبُرٍ وَأَلْفَيَا سَيِّدَهَا لَدَى الْبَابِۚ
قَالَتْ مَا جَزَاءُ مَنْ أَرَادَ بِأَهْلِكَ سُوءًا إِلَّا أَنْ يُسْجَنَ أَوْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ {25}
25. And he ran towards the door, to get away and she pursued him catching hold of his shirt from behind, which was torn to pieces, and doors opened and the King was seen standing. When she addressed him “What should be the punishment except imprisoning or intensely hammering one who attacks his wife (with evil intention).”
قَالَ هِيَ رَاوَدَتْنِي عَنْ نَفْسِيۚ
وَشَهِدَ شَاهِدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا إِنْ كَانَ قَمِيصُهُ قُدَّ مِنْ قُبُلٍ فَصَدَقَتْ وَهُوَ مِنَ الْكَاذِبِينَ {26}
26. Joseph, in defence said, “Rather, she invited me to gain her aim.” The baby in her relation, in testimony, automatically spoke out (in affording judgment), “Joseph is to blame if the front part of the shirt is torn, and Zulaikha innocent
وَإِنْ كَانَ قَمِيصُهُ قُدَّ مِنْ دُبُرٍ فَكَذَبَتْ وَهُوَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ {27}
27. and if otherwise, Joseph is true and she is false.”
فَلَمَّا رَأَىٰ قَمِيصَهُ قُدَّ مِنْ دُبُرٍ قَالَ إِنَّهُ مِنْ كَيْدِكُنَّۖ
إِنَّ كَيْدَكُنَّ عَظِيمٌ {28}
28. And when they found the shirt was torn from behind, the King remarked, “This is a female plot and verily they are mighty at plotting.
يُوسُفُ أَعْرِضْ عَنْ هَٰذَاۚ
وَاسْتَغْفِرِي لِذَنْبِكِۖ
إِنَّكِ كُنْتِ مِنَ الْخَاطِئِينَ {29}
29. “Oh Joseph, overlook this (libel),” and asked Zulaikha to apologize, as she was to blame.
Moral
Divine designs are to be appreciated; the way Joseph gets a high place and proof of his being immaculate is given in his having successfully stood evil temptation and how God granted relief, when there was not apparently any chance of escape. Thus, man should hope patiently against hope in him, in trials, praying sincerely for His protection and keeping strictly adhering to His commands and attempting to face the trial, with mean available at hand, leaving the final issue in His Hand and thus, how the real trial is to be faced. In this, is also given how the devil played his part, through women, who are especially adept, therein, as his special instrument.
Verses 30 – 42
وَقَالَ نِسْوَةٌ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ امْرَأَتُ الْعَزِيزِ تُرَاوِدُ فَتَاهَا عَنْ نَفْسِهِۖ
قَدْ شَغَفَهَا حُبًّاۖ
إِنَّا لَنَرَاهَا فِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ {30}
30. And the ladies of the metropolis said, “The King’s queen desired to allure the slave, deputed as a guard over the palace, out of her infatuation with him. Verily we find her misguided clearly.
فَلَمَّا سَمِعَتْ بِمَكْرِهِنَّ أَرْسَلَتْ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَأَعْتَدَتْ لَهُنَّ مُتَّكَأً وَآتَتْ كُلَّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُنَّ سِكِّينًا وَقَالَتِ اخْرُجْ عَلَيْهِنَّۖ
فَلَمَّا رَأَيْنَهُ أَكْبَرْنَهُ وَقَطَّعْنَ أَيْدِيَهُنَّ وَقُلْنَ حَاشَ لِلَّهِ مَا هَٰذَا بَشَرًا إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا مَلَكٌ كَرِيمٌ {31}
31. When she heard their misgivings, she invited them, give limes with a knife to each lady invited, and sent for Joseph to present before them. On seeing him, they were all infatuated with him, and instead of cutting the limes given to them, they cut off their fingers, and said, “By God, he is super human! He is nothing but a lovely angel.”
قَالَتْ فَذَٰلِكُنَّ الَّذِي لُمْتُنَّنِي فِيهِۖ
وَلَقَدْ رَاوَدْتُهُ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ فَاسْتَعْصَمَۖ
وَلَئِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ مَا آمُرُهُ لَيُسْجَنَنَّ وَلَيَكُونًا مِنَ الصَّاغِرِينَ {32}
32. When Zulaikha said to them, “Was it for this (affair in which you also are implicated) which you are blaming me? Verily I was infatuated, but he was innocent and if he would not comply with my request, he will undergo punishment in jail, where he will be disgraced.”
قَالَ رَبِّ السِّجْنُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا يَدْعُونَنِي إِلَيْهِۖ
وَإِلَّا تَصْرِفْ عَنِّي كَيْدَهُنَّ أَصْبُ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَأَكُنْ مِنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ {33}
33. Upon this, Joseph prayed to God, imprisonment is preferable to her (evil) call, and if Thou didst not protect me, I shall be involved in a calamity and be one of the disobedient.
فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ فَصَرَفَ عَنْهُ كَيْدَهُنَّۚ
إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ {34}
34. His Providence accepted his prayers
and averted her intrigue. Verily, He is Hearing and Knowing.
ثُمَّ بَدَا لَهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا رَأَوُا الْآيَاتِ لَيَسْجُنُنَّهُ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍ {35}
35. Thereafter, seeing all these signs, she started intriguing, and finally got him imprisoned for a long time (20 years).
وَدَخَلَ مَعَهُ السِّجْنَ فَتَيَانِۖ
قَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا إِنِّي أَرَانِي أَعْصِرُ خَمْرًاۖ
وَقَالَ الْآخَرُ إِنِّي أَرَانِي أَحْمِلُ فَوْقَ رَأْسِي خُبْزًا تَأْكُلُ الطَّيْرُ مِنْهُۖ
نَبِّئْنَا بِتَأْوِيلِهِۖ
إِنَّا نَرَاكَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ {36}
36. And entered with Joseph in the jail two more people – King (Pharaoh’s) (Butler and Baker) one of them said, “I have dreamt I draw win,” and the other said, “I dreamt I carry bread over my head which is being eaten away by birds, interpret these dreams, as we see you obliging.”
قَالَ لَا يَأْتِيكُمَا طَعَامٌ تُرْزَقَانِهِ إِلَّا نَبَّأْتُكُمَا بِتَأْوِيلِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَأْتِيَكُمَاۚ
ذَٰلِكُمَا مِمَّا عَلَّمَنِي رَبِّيۚ
إِنِّي تَرَكْتُ مِلَّةَ قَوْمٍ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَهُمْ بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ كَافِرُونَ {37}
37. Joseph said, “I shall interpret them to you. This is because my Lord has taught me; verily I have given up belief in those who do not believe in God and Eternity.”
وَاتَّبَعْتُ مِلَّةَ آبَائِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَۚ
مَا كَانَ لَنَا أَنْ نُشْرِكَ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍۚ
ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ فَضْلِ اللَّهِ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى النَّاسِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ {38}
38. I follow the faith of my forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is not fit for us to associate any with God and this is Divine Grace on us and most men are ungrateful.
يَا صَاحِبَيِ السِّجْنِ أَأَرْبَابٌ مُتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيْرٌ أَمِ اللَّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ {39}
39. Oh my jail brethren, tell e which is better of the tow, “God alone is Almighty or
a collection of gods
”
مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِهِ إِلَّا أَسْمَاءً سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنْتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُمْ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِنْ سُلْطَانٍۚ
إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِۚ
أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُۚ
ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ {40}
40. whom you pray, barring Him, but are names given by you and by your forefathers, as regards whom God has not revealed any proof as all real power lies God alone, Who has commanded us not to worship any but Him, and this the right faith, although most do not know.
يَا صَاحِبَيِ السِّجْنِ أَمَّا أَحَدُكُمَا فَيَسْقِي رَبَّهُ خَمْرًاۖ
وَأَمَّا الْآخَرُ فَيُصْلَبُ فَتَأْكُلُ الطَّيْرُ مِنْ رَأْسِهِۚ
قُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ الَّذِي فِيهِ تَسْتَفْتِيَانِ {41}
41. Oh my companions of the jail, one of you will draw wine for his king, (and will be restored to his post) and the other will be beheaded, who has seen breads being eaten away by birds. It so decided by God the Almighty about which you have asked me.
وَقَالَ لِلَّذِي ظَنَّ أَنَّهُ نَاجٍ مِنْهُمَا اذْكُرْنِي عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ فَأَنْسَاهُ الشَّيْطَانُ ذِكْرَ رَبِّهِ فَلَبِثَ فِي السِّجْنِ بِضْعَ سِنِينَ {42}
42. And so Joseph told him whose life was to spared to recommend him before his King. The devil made him forget and so Joseph lay in jail for 20 years.
Moral
Joseph accused idol worshippers to have nominated or their forefathers’ idols as their Gods, for they are neither aware of this fact nor have they taken any part in nomination. They will deny this charge on doomsday. Thus the devil led them astray.
Similarly, Joseph having overlook the trust in God, suffered 20 years imprisonment for asking recommendation from a worldly king, whereas belief in one Universal God is the right faith. This is a way of prophecy, first by tending them to Divinity and pointing out to Divine mercy of which most are ignorant. They (prophets) perform miracles under Divine Commands and fulfil their requisites.
Verses 43 – 57
وَقَالَ الْمَلِكُ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ سَبْعَ بَقَرَاتٍ سِمَانٍ يَأْكُلُهُنَّ سَبْعٌ عِجَافٌ وَسَبْعَ سُنْبُلَاتٍ خُضْرٍ وَأُخَرَ يَابِسَاتٍۖ
يَا أَيُّهَا الْمَلَأُ أَفْتُونِي فِي رُؤْيَايَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لِلرُّؤْيَا تَعْبُرُونَ {43}
43. And the king said, “Verily I have dreamt a dream of seven fat cows being devoured by seven weak cows, and seven green ears of corn and seven dry ones. Oh my courtiers, diagnose this dream if you can.”
قَالُوا أَضْغَاثُ أَحْلَامٍۖ
وَمَا نَحْنُ بِتَأْوِيلِ الْأَحْلَامِ بِعَالِمِينَ {44}
44. They said, “These are confusing dreams and we do not know how to interpret them correctly.”
وَقَالَ الَّذِي نَجَا مِنْهُمَا وَادَّكَرَ بَعْدَ أُمَّةٍ أَنَا أُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِتَأْوِيلِهِ فَأَرْسِلُونِ {45}
45. In the meanwhile, the butler (who was once in the jail with Joseph) recollected, after some time, said, “I can get you the correct interpretation if you let me go to the jail (to Joseph).”
يُوسُفُ أَيُّهَا الصِّدِّيقُ أَفْتِنَا فِي سَبْعِ بَقَرَاتٍ سِمَانٍ يَأْكُلُهُنَّ سَبْعٌ عِجَافٌ وَسَبْعِ سُنْبُلَاتٍ خُضْرٍ وَأُخَرَ يَابِسَاتٍ لَعَلِّي أَرْجِعُ إِلَى النَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ {46}
46. So, he came over to Joseph and said, “Oh you truthful fellow, diagnose the dream
wherein seven fat cows are being devoured by seven weeks, and seven green ears of corn have been would by seven dry ears, so I can go and inform them.
قَالَ تَزْرَعُونَ سَبْعَ سِنِينَ دَأَبًا فَمَا حَصَدْتُمْ فَذَرُوهُ فِي سُنْبُلِهِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِمَّا تَأْكُلُونَ {47}
47. He said, “For seven years you will have a blooming crop and out of which you will cut only requisite quantity, leaving the rest of them in the husk and rationing it.
ثُمَّ يَأْتِي مِنْ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ سَبْعٌ شِدَادٌ يَأْكُلْنَ مَا قَدَّمْتُمْ لَهُنَّ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِمَّا تُحْصِنُونَ {48}
48. “Then will follow seven years of famine in which you will utilize residue of the previous blooming years in which you have cut.
ثُمَّ يَأْتِي مِنْ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ عَامٌ فِيهِ يُغَاثُ النَّاسُ وَفِيهِ يَعْصِرُونَ {49}
49. “Thereafter will follow a prosperous year wherein people will drink and eat.
وَقَالَ الْمَلِكُ ائْتُونِي بِهِۖ
فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُ الرَّسُولُ قَالَ ارْجِعْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَاسْأَلْهُ مَا بَالُ النِّسْوَةِ اللَّاتِي قَطَّعْنَ أَيْدِيَهُنَّۚ
إِنَّ رَبِّي بِكَيْدِهِنَّ عَلِيمٌ {50}
50. And the king said, “Bring him to me.” When the royal messenger came to Joseph, Joseph said, “Go to your Majesty and pray to him to investigate the ease of those ladies who had cut down their fingers. Verily, my God, the Lord knows the tactics of women.”
قَالَ مَا خَطْبُكُنَّ إِذْ رَاوَدْتُنَّ يُوسُفَ عَنْ نَفْسِهِۚ
قُلْنَ حَاشَ لِلَّهِ مَا عَلِمْنَا عَلَيْهِ مِنْ سُوءٍۚ
قَالَتِ امْرَأَتُ الْعَزِيزِ الْآنَ حَصْحَصَ الْحَقُّ أَنَا رَاوَدْتُهُ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ وَإِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ {51}
51. And the king sent for them and asked them what they had to say in the mater. They said, “By God, we found Joseph innocent.” The king’s wife, Zulaikha, testified to them, the truth being out, “I (Zulaikha)) persuaded him and he was true in his statement.”
ذَٰلِكَ لِيَعْلَمَ أَنِّي لَمْ أَخُنْهُ بِالْغَيْبِ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي كَيْدَ الْخَائِنِينَ {52}
52. “That this is so, the people may understand I (Joseph) am not dishonest and verily God does not support the dishonest
وَمَا أُبَرِّئُ نَفْسِيۚ
إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّيۚ
إِنَّ رَبِّي غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ {53}
53. “and I am not free from influence of evil passion. Verily evil passion drags men to evil things except whom my Providence mercified. Verily, my Providence is Forgiving and Merciful.”
وَقَالَ الْمَلِكُ ائْتُونِي بِهِ أَسْتَخْلِصْهُ لِنَفْسِيۖ
فَلَمَّا كَلَّمَهُ قَالَ إِنَّكَ الْيَوْمَ لَدَيْنَا مَكِينٌ أَمِينٌ {54}
54. And the king exonerated him and asked him to be set free from jail and said, “I shall reserve him for state services.” And when Joseph came to the king, the king said, “From today you are my trustworthy secretary.”
قَالَ اجْعَلْنِي عَلَىٰ خَزَائِنِ الْأَرْضِۖ
إِنِّي حَفِيظٌ عَلِيمٌ {55}
55. Then Joseph asked to be raised to the grade of Financial and Revenue Minster.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَتَبَوَّأُ مِنْهَا حَيْثُ يَشَاءُۚ
نُصِيبُ بِرَحْمَتِنَا مَنْ نَشَاءُۖ
وَلَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ {56}
56. This is the way We made Joseph powerful in the land.
We make whomever We like, We shower grace on whoever We choose. We do not waste the reward of the obliging.
وَلَأَجْرُ الْآخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُونَ {57}
57. And the reward of eternity is far superior for the faithful who are virtuous.
Moral
Honesty pays in the end for which patience, piety, and trust in God are needed, and one has to constantly struggle against the inner foe, over which the devil has thorough control and this has been the cause of test in this world. (1) It acts like a beast in conjugation, (2) it is ferocious during anger, (3) childish during calamity, (4) ungrateful during plenty, (5) mean in misbehaving, (6) mad during hunger, (7) discontented under control, (8) ready to commit suicide under despair.
Weaken this ass by fasting and load it with prayers, and prostrate before God to bet bestowal of His mercy by supplicating Him and eradicating the love of this world, by forsaking transitory gains of pleasure and power, at cost of depriving rights of others, from thy heart, leading to destruction of soul. These habits are to be inculcated from childhood by invisible Divine awe. This is why it is state, “The hand which rocks the cradle rules the world.”
Verses 58 – 68
وَجَاءَ إِخْوَةُ يُوسُفَ فَدَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ فَعَرَفَهُمْ وَهُمْ لَهُ مُنْكِرُونَ {58}
58. And the brothers came to Joseph and entered his palace, when Joseph recognized them and they did not.
وَلَمَّا جَهَّزَهُمْ بِجَهَازِهِمْ قَالَ ائْتُونِي بِأَخٍ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَبِيكُمْۚ
أَلَا تَرَوْنَ أَنِّي أُوفِي الْكَيْلَ وَأَنَا خَيْرُ الْمُنْزِلِينَ {59}
59. And when everybody was paid his ration, Joseph told them “Bring your brother Benjamin from your father. Do you not see I have paid you full and I am your best patron?
فَإِنْ لَمْ تَأْتُونِي بِهِ فَلَا كَيْلَ لَكُمْ عِنْدِي وَلَا تَقْرَبُونِ {60}
60. “And if you will not bring him you will not have his share from me nor shall see you in my presence.”
قَالُوا سَنُرَاوِدُ عَنْهُ أَبَاهُ وَإِنَّا لَفَاعِلُونَ {61}
61. They said, “We shall persuade our father and we shall make our best attempt at it.”
وَقَالَ لِفِتْيَانِهِ اجْعَلُوا بِضَاعَتَهُمْ فِي رِحَالِهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَعْرِفُونَهَا إِذَا انْقَلَبُوا إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ {62}
62. And said Joseph to his servant to return their money in their respective sacks to enable them to realize his obligation and induce them again to come to him after returning home.
فَلَمَّا رَجَعُوا إِلَىٰ أَبِيهِمْ قَالُوا يَا أَبَانَا مُنِعَ مِنَّا الْكَيْلُ فَأَرْسِلْ مَعَنَا أَخَانَا نَكْتَلْ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ {63}
63. And when they returned home, they told their father they would be prevented from getting Benjamin’s share until he sent him with them and they would surely look after him.
قَالَ هَلْ آمَنُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا كَمَا أَمِنْتُكُمْ عَلَىٰ أَخِيهِ مِنْ قَبْلُۖ
فَاللَّهُ خَيْرٌ حَافِظًاۖ
وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ {64}
64. The father said, “Am I to trust you as I did regarding his elder brother (Joseph) as before although God is a better protector and most merciful of all?”
وَلَمَّا فَتَحُوا مَتَاعَهُمْ وَجَدُوا بِضَاعَتَهُمْ رُدَّتْ إِلَيْهِمْۖ
قَالُوا يَا أَبَانَا مَا نَبْغِيۖ
هَٰذِهِ بِضَاعَتُنَا رُدَّتْ إِلَيْنَاۖ
وَنَمِيرُ أَهْلَنَا وَنَحْفَظُ أَخَانَا وَنَزْدَادُ كَيْلَ بَعِيرٍۖ
ذَٰلِكَ كَيْلٌ يَسِيرٌ {65}
65. When they opened their sacks the found their money returned back to them. They said, “Oh Father, look what is up with us! This money is also returned to us and we shall bring food for our family, guarding our brother (Benjamin) getting an extra camel load of ration towards his share and the present ration will not last long.
قَالَ لَنْ أُرْسِلَهُ مَعَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ تُؤْتُونِ مَوْثِقًا مِنَ اللَّهِ لَتَأْتُنَّنِي بِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ يُحَاطَ بِكُمْۖ
فَلَمَّا آتَوْهُ مَوْثِقَهُمْ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَا نَقُولُ وَكِيلٌ {66}
66. Father said, “I am not going to send him until you pledge Divine security, except when you are all captured.” And when they gave Divine security, Jacob said, “I hold God witness to your pledge.”
وَقَالَ يَا بَنِيَّ لَا تَدْخُلُوا مِنْ بَابٍ وَاحِدٍ وَادْخُلُوا مِنْ أَبْوَابٍ مُتَفَرِّقَةٍۖ
وَمَا أُغْنِي عَنْكُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍۖ
إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِۖ
عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُۖ
وَعَلَيْهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ {67}
67. And father advised them not to enter the city from one gate but from separate gates and said, “Although I cannot save you against the Divine decree, the final decision is with God in Whom I trust and all those who believe in Him should trust him.”
وَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَهُمْ أَبُوهُمْ مَا كَانَ يُغْنِي عَنْهُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ إِلَّا حَاجَةً فِي نَفْسِ يَعْقُوبَ قَضَاهَاۚ
وَإِنَّهُ لَذُو عِلْمٍ لِمَا عَلَّمْنَاهُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ {68}
68. And so when they entered the city, as per orders of their father, nothing could saved them from Divine decree except to fulfil Jacob’s desire
who had limited knowledge granted by Us, but most of them do not know.
Moral
The brothers failed to recognize Joseph while he was acquainted and their further trial is a part of human trial. Joseph’s obligations to his brothers and the tact with which he gets his younger brother, Benjamin, with which they are further tried is worth noting, and forms a part of Divine wisdom, displayed in human affairs, at the hands of the immaculates.
Verses 69 – 79
وَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ آوَىٰ إِلَيْهِ أَخَاهُۖ
قَالَ إِنِّي أَنَا أَخُوكَ فَلَا تَبْتَئِسْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ {69}
69. When they saw Joseph he called to (Benjamin) privately and told him, “Do not be sorry for their actions.”
فَلَمَّا جَهَّزَهُمْ بِجَهَازِهِمْ جَعَلَ السِّقَايَةَ فِي رَحْلِ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ أَذَّنَ مُؤَذِّنٌ أَيَّتُهَا الْعِيرُ إِنَّكُمْ لَسَارِقُونَ {70}
70. And when he paid them their shares (they left the palace). The Estate servants came to the caravan and cried, “Come on you thieves.”
قَالُوا وَأَقْبَلُوا عَلَيْهِمْ مَاذَا تَفْقِدُونَ {71}
71. They said, “What have you lost?”
قَالُوا نَفْقِدُ صُوَاعَ الْمَلِكِ وَلِمَنْ جَاءَ بِهِ حِمْلُ بَعِيرٍ وَأَنَا بِهِ زَعِيمٌ {72}
72. The servants said they had lost the Estate measure, and “He who traces it will get a camel load as a present and I am responsible to get it for him.”
قَالُوا تَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمْ مَا جِئْنَا لِنُفْسِدَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا كُنَّا سَارِقِينَ {73}
73. They said, “By God, you know we have not come here to be seditious and we are not thieves.”
قَالُوا فَمَا جَزَاؤُهُ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ كَاذِبِينَ {74}
74. He Said, “What would be the punishment if you proved liars.”
قَالُوا جَزَاؤُهُ مَنْ وُجِدَ فِي رَحْلِهِ فَهُوَ جَزَاؤُهُۚ
كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الظَّالِمِينَ {75}
75. They said, “Jail for him in whose sack is found the measure, for such is the punishment of the offender.”
فَبَدَأَ بِأَوْعِيَتِهِمْ قَبْلَ وِعَاءِ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ اسْتَخْرَجَهَا مِنْ وِعَاءِ أَخِيهِۚ
كَذَٰلِكَ كِدْنَا لِيُوسُفَۖ
مَا كَانَ لِيَأْخُذَ أَخَاهُ فِي دِينِ الْمَلِكِ إِلَّا أَنْ يَشَاءَ اللَّهُۚ
نَرْفَعُ دَرَجَاتٍ مَنْ نَشَاءُۗ
وَفَوْقَ كُلِّ ذِي عِلْمٍ عَلِيمٌ {76}
76. They started searching the sacks of the brothers and finally traced it out from Benjamin’s sack. Thus played Joseph the tact, to test further their fidelity, as he could not hold back his brother otherwise, according to the government rules in force, except by means designed by God. We raise the grades of those whom We like and in respect of knowledge, one is superior to the other (until it ends in Him).
قَالُوا إِنْ يَسْرِقْ فَقَدْ سَرَقَ أَخٌ لَهُ مِنْ قَبْلُۚ
فَأَسَرَّهَا يُوسُفُ فِي نَفْسِهِ وَلَمْ يُبْدِهَا لَهُمْۚ
قَالَ أَنْتُمْ شَرٌّ مَكَانًاۖ
وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا تَصِفُونَ {77}
77. They said, “If he has stolen, so had his elder brother Joseph behaved likewise in the past.” On hearing this, Joseph kept the secret within him, and did not expose it to them, but said, “You are rascals. God knows what you mean.”
قَالُوا يَا أَيُّهَا الْعَزِيزُ إِنَّ لَهُ أَبًا شَيْخًا كَبِيرًا فَخُذْ أَحَدَنَا مَكَانَهُۖ
إِنَّا نَرَاكَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ {78}
78. They said, “Oh Lord, our father is very aged. Hold anybody else instead of Benjamin. Verily you are obliging.”
قَالَ مَعَاذَ اللَّهِ أَنْ نَأْخُذَ إِلَّا مَنْ وَجَدْنَا مَتَاعَنَا عِنْدَهُ إِنَّا إِذًا لَظَالِمُونَ {79}
70. Joseph said, “God protect me, if I held anybody else than the thief with whom the lost article has been traced, and in that case I should be to blame.”
Moral
The clever tact displayed by Joseph is a part of Divine wisdom with which he was inspired. They were addressed as thieves, as having stolen Joseph from his father and thrown him into a well. In their second test they have been liable for two crimes: (1) alleging Joseph as a thief and (2) concurring in view of the Estate servant which Benjamin was a thief, although they had not seen him stealing the measure.
Verses 80 – 93
فَلَمَّا اسْتَيْأَسُوا مِنْهُ خَلَصُوا نَجِيًّاۖ
قَالَ كَبِيرُهُمْ أَلَمْ تَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ أَبَاكُمْ قَدْ أَخَذَ عَلَيْكُمْ مَوْثِقًا مِنَ اللَّهِ وَمِنْ قَبْلُ مَا فَرَّطْتُمْ فِي يُوسُفَۖ
فَلَنْ أَبْرَحَ الْأَرْضَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْذَنَ لِي أَبِي أَوْ يَحْكُمَ اللَّهُ لِيۖ
وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْحَاكِمِينَ {80}
80. So, when they became disappointed in relief of Benjamin, the eldest brother, Judas, said, “Do you not remember we have given a pledge of God to our father, and before this you have already done injustice to his elder brother Justice. So I shall not leave this land until I get Father’s permission or God decides otherwise and He is best at decision.
ارْجِعُوا إِلَىٰ أَبِيكُمْ فَقُولُوا يَا أَبَانَا إِنَّ ابْنَكَ سَرَقَ وَمَا شَهِدْنَا إِلَّا بِمَا عَلِمْنَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِلْغَيْبِ حَافِظِينَ {81}
81. “Therefore, go to your father and tell him, “Verily your son has stolen and we are testifying to what we are testifying to what we have been witness, personally and we are not responsible for his private behaviour.
وَاسْأَلِ الْقَرْيَةَ الَّتِي كُنَّا فِيهَا وَالْعِيرَ الَّتِي أَقْبَلْنَا فِيهَاۖ
وَإِنَّا لَصَادِقُونَ {82}
82. Ask the coming caravan which was with us and we are true in our statement.”
قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنْفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًاۖ
فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌۖ
عَسَى اللَّهُ أَنْ يَأْتِيَنِي بِهِمْ جَمِيعًاۚ
إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ {83}
83. Father said, “You are following passion. I shall hold my piece, probably God will assemble us all very son. Verily, He is knowing and wise.”
وَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَا أَسَفَىٰ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَابْيَضَّتْ عَيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْحُزْنِ فَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ {84}
84. So Jacob turned his face from them and sighed, recollecting the separation of his son, Joseph, and kept on weeping until he lost his eye sight through grief and anger.
قَالُوا تَاللَّهِ تَفْتَأُ تَذْكُرُ يُوسُفَ حَتَّىٰ تَكُونَ حَرَضًا أَوْ تَكُونَ مِنَ الْهَالِكِينَ {85}
85. His sons said, “Are you going to destroy your life for Joseph’s sae until you become ill or die.”
قَالَ إِنَّمَا أَشْكُو بَثِّي وَحُزْنِي إِلَى اللَّهِ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ {86}
86. Father said, “I bewail my own misfortune before God and I know from God what you do not know.
يَا بَنِيَّ اذْهَبُوا فَتَحَسَّسُوا مِنْ يُوسُفَ وَأَخِيهِ وَلَا تَيْأَسُوا مِنْ رَوْحِ اللَّهِۖ
إِنَّهُ لَا يَيْأَسُ مِنْ رَوْحِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْكَافِرُونَ {87}
87. “Oh my sons, go in search of Joseph and his brother, Benjamin and do not be disappointed in Divine mercy, for evidently none but the infidels lose hope in God.”
فَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ قَالُوا يَا أَيُّهَا الْعَزِيزُ مَسَّنَا وَأَهْلَنَا الضُّرُّ وَجِئْنَا بِبِضَاعَةٍ مُزْجَاةٍ فَأَوْفِ لَنَا الْكَيْلَ وَتَصَدَّقْ عَلَيْنَاۖ
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَجْزِي الْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ {88}
88. So when they again came to Egypt and paid a visit to Joseph, they said, “You respected sir, grief has gained round us and we have brought little money on which you can give us our ration as charity, God may bless you.”
قَالَ هَلْ عَلِمْتُمْ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ بِيُوسُفَ وَأَخِيهِ إِذْ أَنْتُمْ جَاهِلُونَ {89}
89. Joseph said, “Will you recollect how you have behaved with Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?”
قَالُوا أَإِنَّكَ لَأَنْتَ يُوسُفُۖ
قَالَ أَنَا يُوسُفُ وَهَٰذَا أَخِيۖ
قَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَاۖ
إِنَّهُ مَنْ يَتَّقِ وَيَصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ {90}
When Joseph removed his mask, they cried out in surprise, “Is it you Joseph?” He said, “Yes, I am Joseph and here is my brother Benjamin. Verily God has obliged us and verily He does not waste the reward of those who are pious and patient.”
قَالُوا تَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ آثَرَكَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا وَإِنْ كُنَّا لَخَاطِئِينَ {91}
91. They said, “Verily God has endowed on you superiority over us and we have been in the wrong.”
قَالَ لَا تَثْرِيبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَۖ
يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْۖ
وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ {92}
92. Joseph said, “I forgive and may God forgive you, too, as He is most merciful.”
اذْهَبُوا بِقَمِيصِي هَٰذَا فَأَلْقُوهُ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِ أَبِي يَأْتِ بَصِيرًا وَأْتُونِي بِأَهْلِكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ {93}
93. “God and take this shirt of mine and put it on the face of our father which will restore his eye sight and come back all of you to me.”
Moral
Judas’ behaviour won Divine Will and ultimately Prophetship was transferred in his lineage. Jacob, as a Prophet, was informed about the living condition of Joseph. His parting with Joseph made him sad, and wept until he lost his eye sight. Compare patience of the Ahl al-Bayt in whose presences young and old were mercilessly slain. Man should never be disappointed in Divine mercy as the door of penance is open to sincere sinners. Joseph was overcome with deplorable conditions of his father’s family with a result, he forgot ill done to him and behaved as a gentleman. From the Apron of Joseph had curative effect on Jacob’s eyes, we have, similarly, earth in Hussain’s blood has healing effect.
Verses 94 – 104
وَلَمَّا فَصَلَتِ الْعِيرُ قَالَ أَبُوهُمْ إِنِّي لَأَجِدُ رِيحَ يُوسُفَۖ
لَوْلَا أَنْ تُفَنِّدُونِ {94}
94. When the caravan approached the city their father said, “If you do not falsify me, I breathe Joseph’s scent.”
قَالُوا تَاللَّهِ إِنَّكَ لَفِي ضَلَالِكَ الْقَدِيمِ {95}
95. They said, “By God you are raving in misguidance of old.”
فَلَمَّا أَنْ جَاءَ الْبَشِيرُ أَلْقَاهُ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِ فَارْتَدَّ بَصِيرًاۖ
قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُلْ لَكُمْ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ {96}
96. And when Basheer came and put over Jacob’s face the shirt of Joseph, Lo, the eye sight was restored immediately, when Jacob said, “Did I not tell you I know what you do not.”
قَالُوا يَا أَبَانَا اسْتَغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا خَاطِئِينَ {97}
97. They said, “Oh father, we pray unto you to forgive our sins, verily we were in the wrong.”
قَالَ سَوْفَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ رَبِّيۖ
إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ {98}
98. Jacob said, “My providence may forgive you too. Verily, He is Forgiving and Merciful.
فَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ آوَىٰ إِلَيْهِ أَبَوَيْهِ وَقَالَ ادْخُلُوا مِصْرَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ آمِنِينَ {99}
99. And when the parent visited Joseph, he seated them by his side and said, “Be in Egypt now, God willing, you will be saved.”
وَرَفَعَ أَبَوَيْهِ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ وَخَرُّوا لَهُ سُجَّدًاۖ
وَقَالَ يَا أَبَتِ هَٰذَا تَأْوِيلُ رُؤْيَايَ مِنْ قَبْلُ قَدْ جَعَلَهَا رَبِّي حَقًّاۖ
وَقَدْ أَحْسَنَ بِي إِذْ أَخْرَجَنِي مِنَ السِّجْنِ وَجَاءَ بِكُمْ مِنَ الْبَدْوِ مِنْ بَعْدِ أَنْ نَزَغَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَتِيۚ
إِنَّ رَبِّي لَطِيفٌ لِمَا يَشَاءُۚ
إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ {100}
100. And Joseph made his parents sit on the throne and his brothers knelt down before him when Joseph said, “Oh Father, this is the diagnosis of my dream I dreamt before this, veracity of which my God has now demonstrated and verily He obliged me when He took me out of prison ad brought all of you to me from across the forest, under reconciliation, when the devil had made a split amongst us. Verily my Providence is merciful on him whom He likes. He is Omniscient and Wise.
رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِي مِنَ الْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِي مِنْ تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِۚ
فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَنْتَ وَلِيِّي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِۖ
تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ {101}
101. “Oh my Providence. You did bestow on me the Empire and taught me diagnosing of dreams. Oh Creator of Heavens and earth, You are my Lord in the World and Eternity, le me die in supplication to You and raise me with the virtuous.”
ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ أَنْبَاءِ الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَۖ
وَمَا كُنْتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ أَجْمَعُوا أَمْرَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَمْكُرُونَ {102}
102. This is the history of the past which We have revealed unto you, you were not present then when they had gathered to intrigue against Joseph.
وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ {103}
103. And most would not believe if you desire them.
وَمَا تَسْأَلُهُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍۚ
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِلْعَالَمِينَ {104}
104. And you are not asking any reward from them, it is nothing but an advice to the world at large.
Moral
In this is given a case of prophets who are intimated of things which are not known to the public and Jacob’s prediction of Joseph being alive is realized. God forgives man when they tyrannized forgets the tyrant and intercedes on his behalf as both Jacob and Joseph did for their sons and brothers respectively. How can God forgive the tyrants of the Ahl al-Bayt unless the latter intercedes and this is a daydream.
Verses 105 – 111
وَكَأَيِّنْ مِنْ آيَةٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضُونَ {105}
105. And how many heavenly and earthly signs they come across and are indifferent to them.
وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُمْ مُشْرِكُونَ {106}
106. And most do not believe in God sincerely but association (partly).
أَفَأَمِنُوا أَنْ تَأْتِيَهُمْ غَاشِيَةٌ مِنْ عَذَابِ اللَّهِ أَوْ تَأْتِيَهُمُ السَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ {107}
107. Are they safe against punishment coming suddenly or the Day of Judgment taking them unawares?
قُلْ هَٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِۚ
عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِيۖ
وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ {108}
108. Say, this is my way to God on which I tread and along with those who follow me.
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُوحِي إِلَيْهِمْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْقُرَىٰۗ
أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنْظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْۗ
وَلَدَارُ الْآخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ لِلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْاۗ
أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ {109}
109. And before that We did not send any but a man of their town and revealed unto him, “Do they not walk on Earth and see what has happened to those who preceded them?” And the home of the (final) destination is better for the virtuous. Do you not understand so much?
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا اسْتَيْأَسَ الرُّسُلُ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ كُذِبُوا جَاءَهُمْ نَصْرُنَا فَنُجِّيَ مَنْ نَشَاءُۖ
وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُنَا عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْمُجْرِمِينَ {110}
110. Until they (prophets) became despondent and felt sure of being falsified when We helped them and saved them, whom We liked and none can divert Our punishment from the culprit (infidels).
لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِۗ
مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَٰكِنْ تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ {111}
111. Verily, in their history is a warning to the wise. It is not a story which can be falsified, but a fact of the past, which will clearly state and offer guidance and mercy to the faithful.
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Author: Ali Muhammad Fazil Chinoy
