Chapter 12-71
Joseph (Surah Yusuf)
(111 verses in total; Late Makkan - in sequence to previous chapter Alif Lam Ra group)
This large chapter is dedicated entirely to the story of Prophet Joseph, who brought the Jewish ancestors to Egypt, though the designation “Children of Israel” is tied to Prophet Jacob, son of Prophet Isaac and father of Prophet Joseph.
The key themes in this chapter are as follows:
The Qur’an is revealed in Arabic so that people in Arabia can understand and accept the new faith in a region of the world that was untouched by the contemporary world of Byzantine and Sasanid empires in the larger geographical areas around Arabia.
Just as Joseph was put into Egypt by God as a precursor to the Jewish people, the Qur’an now appears in the hand of Prophet Muhammad, heralding the spread of this great faith across the world—an outcome that was hard to imagine at the time but in the 21st century is a reality.
Just like Prophet Joseph was tried by his own brothers and later the trials of the followers of Moses, the Muslims will also be tried at the time of the Prophet and for generations to come.
Only through truth, compassion, good skills, and ceaseless devotion to God can individuals and communities attain success, but after trials and tribulations that make them resilient and allow them to prove their worth to God and to people around them.
In the name of Allah, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
Alif Lam Ra!
These are verses of the Book (The Qur’an) which makes thing clear and transparent. We (God) have indeed sent this Qur’an in Arabic language so that you may understand and comprehend. Through this revelation of the Qur’an, We bring to you the best of stories and narratives, while prior to this you were unaware and unmindful.
(Recall) when Joseph said to his father: “O my father, I saw eleven stars, the sun and the moon – I saw all bowing down before me.” His father said:” O my son, do not tell your brothers you vision (dream), perchance they conceive a plan against you; the Devil (evil people) is an active enemy to any (good) man.” This is how your Sustainer God will select you, teach you capabilities to interpret visions (and events) and fulfil His blessings on you and to the household of Jacob, in the same way that He completed such blessings to your forefathers, Abraham and Isaac. Your Sustainer God is Knowing and Wise! In Joseph and his brothers there are lessons to be learned for those who wish to inquire.
They (other brothers) said (among themselves): “Joseph and his brother are loved more by our father than us, though we are a (better) company. We perceive our father to be erring in judgement. Let’s kill Joseph or banish him to some (faraway) places so that our father’s attention will be exclusively for us and then we will become good people.” One of the brothers said:” Let’s not kill him. If you wish to execute your plan, then let’s put him down to the bottom of a well; perhaps, some travelers will then pick him up.”
They (then went to their father and) said: O our father, how come you do not trust us with regards to Joseph, whereas we (always) wish him well. Let him come with us tomorrow so that he can play and enjoy himself. We will protect him.” Jacob replied: “I am worried that he will go with you and a wolf will attack him while you become careless about him.” They said: “If a wolf were to attack him in our midst, then we are a company that is unworthy.” (v. 1-14)
They then took Joseph with them and agreed (among themselves) to put him into the bottom of a well. We (God) then revealed (aw hainaa) to Joseph: You will inform them (someday) about this matter, though they do not perceive this (at this time).
They returned to their father by nightfall, and they were shedding (make believe) tears. They said: “O our father, we were racing among ourselves while we left Joseph with our goods. A wolf came and devoured him. We realize that you will not believe us, even though we speak the truth.” They also produced Joseph’s shirt with false blood. Jacob replied: “No, your mind is making a matter trivial (while is it serious). Patience is the best course under the circumstances and Allah’s help is what I seek against what you have just conveyed.”
There came by a group of travelers (where Joseph was left) and they sent one of them to draw water who let down his bucket (into the well). He exclaimed: “O good news, here is a boy!”. They hid him as a merchandise while God knew exactly what they did. They sold him for a small price, a few coins as they did not value him much. The man from Egypt (who bought him) brought him home and said to his wife: “Make honorable accommodation for him. Perhaps he will bring us some benefits, or we take him as a son.” This is how We (God) established Joseph in the land (of Egypt) and poised to teach him how to interpret sayings (of vision and events). God is in full control over all affairs but most of mankind is unaware.1
As Joseph) matured, We (God) imparted him knowledge and wisdom; this is how We compensate virtuous and good people. (v. 15-22)
The lady in whose house he was wanted to seduce him. She locked the doors and said to him: “Come (to me).” He said: “I seek refuge in Allah Who had given me a good accommodation (here). No wrongdoer can ever prosper.” She was inclined to him, and he would have inclined to her as well had he not been exposed to evidence from his Sustainer God. Thus it was that We (God) may turn him away from evil and indecency; he was one of Our chosen servants. As he raced for the door and she ran after him, she tore his shirt from behind and they met the husband at the door. She spoke (first): “What is the punishment for someone who intends to do evil to your wife, except imprisonment or serious torment?” Joseph then replied: “She is the one who sought to seduce me.” A member of the household corroborated his statement and said: “If his shirt is torn from the front, then she speaks the truth, and he is a liar. But if his shirt is torn from behind, then she is a liar, and he speaks the truth.” When the husband saw Joseph’s shirt torn from behind, he said to his wife: “This is a scheme of yours; your scheme is well planned. Joseph, overlook this matter, and you (my wife) ask for forgiveness for your sinful conduct, since you are in grave error.” (v. 23-29)
The women in the city said (to one another): “The Chief’s wife sought to seduce their slave boy. She is deeply affected by him. We think she is totally lost in lust!” When she (lady of the house) heard these rumors, she invited the ladies, prepared a feast for them and gave each a knife before she said to Joseph: “Come out to them.” When they saw him, they were in awe of him and managed to cut their hands and said: “O my God, this is not an ordinary man but a noble angel.” She then said (to the ladies): “This is the boy about whom you blame me. I sought to seduce him, but he remained unblemished. If he does not do my bidding, he will be put in prison and he will be humiliated.” Joseph prayed: “O my Sustainer God, prison is better than what they call me to. If You do on foil their plan towards me, I may incline towards them and act like ignorant people.” His Sustainer God accepted his prayer and protected him from their devices and schemes. God is the Hearing, and the Knowing!
They decided, after they had evaluated the situation and explored all the evidence, to imprison Joseph for the time being. (v. 30-35)
Two youths entered the prison with Joseph. One of them said: “I saw myself pressing wine (in dream)”, and the other say: “I saw myself carrying bread on my head and birds were eating from it.” “Interpret for us the meaning, since we find you a man of virtue (and goodness)”. Joseph said: “I shall inform you of the interpretations before the food that you eat comes to you. This is due to what my Sustainer God had taught me, as I had forsaken the ways of the people who do not believe in Allah and deny the Hereafter. I follow the ways of my fathers – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is not appropriate for us to associate any partners with Allah. This (understanding) is a grace from God to us and to mankind, but most people are ungrateful. O my fellow prisoners, do you think multitude of deities are better or Allah, the One, the Supreme? You serve none besides God but names that you had invented – you and your forefathers, whereas Allah had sent down no such confirmations for these (names). Judgment belongs to Allah and He commands not to serve anyone other than Him Alone. This is the proper way, but most people do not know.” (v. 36-40)
“O my fellow prisoners, as for one of you, you will serve wine to your master and as for the other, you will be crucified, and the birds will eat from your head. This matter that you inquired about has been already decided. Joseph then said to the one who will live: “Talk about me to your master.” But the Devil caused him to forget to mention it to his master. So, Joseph ended up staying a few more years in prison.
The King said (to his counsel): “I have seen seven fat cows which were eaten up by seven lean cows; and seven green heads of grain and (seven) dry ones. O my chiefs, give me your understanding of this dream, if you know how to interpret visions.” They said: “Confused dreams; we do not know how to interpret such dreams.” Now of the two, the one who lived finally remembered and said (to the king): “I will inform you of its meaning, if you will send me (to Joseph)”. “Joseph who speak the truth, explain to us seven fat cows which seven lean cows devoured and seven green heads of grain along with dry ones so that I can go back and let people know.” Joseph said: “You will sow for seven years diligently and whatever you harvest, leave in storage except what you need to consume as little as possible. After this will come seven years of drought that will eat away most of what was in storage, except a little that should be preserved. After that a year will come when people have rain, and they will rejoice with wine and oil.”
The King said: “Bring him (Joseph) to me.” When the messenger came to him, he said: Go back to your master and inquire to him about the affairs of the ladies who cut their fingers. Surely my master knows well their schemes.” The king asked: “What was your intent when you wanted to seduce Joseph?” They replied: “By God, we knew of no evil in him.” The wife of his master said: “Now as the truth has come out, I have tried to seduce him and he speaks the truth.” (Joseph said): “I did this so that he (my master) knows that I was not unfaithful to him in his absence and that God does not allow the schemes of treacherous people (to be successful).” (v. 41-52)
I do not call myself above sinfulness, since each person is inclined to sin (nasfal ammaratum bissuyi) except those who has God’s blessings. My Sustainer God is ever Forgiving, Merciful!
The king said: “Bring him to me that I can ascertain for myself.” When he talked to Joseph (and was duly impressed), he said: “Today you are in our presence elevated and trusted.” Joseph said: “Put me in charge of the treasure of the land. I am a good keeper and have the know-how” This is how We (God) did establish Joseph in the land; he was free to settle for himself as he deemed appropriate. We place our mercy whomever We please and We never fail to reward anyone who does good. However, the reward of the afterlife is much better for those who believe and act responsibly. (v. 53-57)
Joseph’s brother came (in search of food) and went to where Joseph was. He knew them (immediately) but they failed to recognize him. After he gave them their provisions, he said: “Bring a brother of yours who is with your father. As you can see, I give proper measure and am a good host. If you do not bring him, you will not get provision from me and will not be allowed to come near me.” They said: “We will attempt to get his father yield him (to us); we will try for sure.” Joseph said to his helpers: “Put their money back into their bags so that they might recognize when they get back to their family; Perhaps they will then come back.” When they got back home to their father, they said: “A portion for us has been withheld; so send with us our brother (Benjamin) so that we can get our portion. We promise to protect him.” Jacob said: “Can I trust him to you except as I trusted his brother to you before this? Allah is the best protector, and He is the most Merciful of those who show mercy!” (v. 53-64)
Then as they opened for their goods, they found their money returned. So they said to their father: “O our father, what more can we ask for? Our money has been returned to us. (If Benjamin comes with us) We can bring our provision, protect our brother and have an additional camel-load. This is an easy argument!”
Jacob said, “No way I will let him go with you until you give me a solemn promise in Allah’s name that you will bring him back, unless you compelled otherwise. Once they gave such a pledge, he said, “It is Allah who guards our promises.” He then advised them, “My sons, enter (the city) not by one gate, but separately through different gates. I cannot help you against Allah’s plan. All outcomes belong to Allah. I rely on God for trust and let all reliant rely on God as well.”
They came as they were instructed by their father, but it did not prevent Allah’s plan, though it fulfilled a desire that Jacob’s soul was yearning for. He was truly a person of knowledge, since We gifted him with such knowledge, but most people are unaware.
When the brothers came to Joseph, he pulled his brother (Benjamin) to himself and said, “I am your (lost) brother. Do not grieve (anymore) for what they do.” Once they were furnished with their provisions, he placed a drinking cup in the saddlebag of his brother (Benjamin) and a caller shouted, “O people of this caravan, you truly are thieves.” They (brothers) turned around and said, “What is it that you miss?” They (Joseph’s attendants) said, “We miss the drinking cup of the king. Anyone who can bring it back will have an additional load of provision, a promise from me.” They (brothers) said,” By God, you know that we have not come here to make trouble in the land, and we are not thieves.” (v. 65-73)
They (Joseph’s attendance) said, “What is the penalty for this, if you turn out to be liars. “They (the brothers) said, “The person, in whose saddlebag this object is found, will himself become the penalty. This is how we judge such wrongdoers.” He (Joseph) then began searching for others’ sacks before going to his brother’s and then he took it out from his brother’s bag. This is how God planned for the sake of Joseph. He could not have taken his brother under the law of the land (king), unless God pleased. We (God) raise people in eminence as We please. For everyone who possesses knowledge, there is the Knower Per Excellence (God Himself)!
His brothers said, “If he did this stealing, then a brother of his also did the same before.” But Joseph kept the truth to himself and did not disclose it to them (at that moment). He replied, “You are in an evil condition. Allah knows better your own condition.” They replied, “O Chief, his father is an old man. Please take one of us in his place. We perceive you to be a good man.” Joseph replied, “Allah forbids that we take anyone other than with whom we found our property. To do otherwise will be unjust.”
They conferred among themselves privately, once they realized they had no way out of this situation. The eldest brother said, “Do you not remember that we took a pledge in Allah’s name with our father, and we also fell short in the case of Joseph before. I am not going back until my father forgives me (of my oath) or Allah decides my case. God is indeed the Best of the judges. Go back to your father and say, “O our father, your son had committed theft. We bear witness to what we saw, and we were not privy to what happened outside of our knowledge. You can inquire from the people in the town who were in the caravan that we were part of. We do speak the truth.”
Jacob said, “No, your soul has contrived this foul play. Patience is a better course. Perhaps, Allah will bring them together to me, as He is the Knowing, the Wise!” Jacob then turned away from them to hide his sorrow and his eyes were filled with tears for his grief and said, “Oh, how I miss Joseph!”
The brothers said, “By Allah, you will not forget of Joseph until you become sick (with grief) or you perish.” Jacob said, “I only complain to Allah for my sorrow and grief. I know from Allah what you do not know. O my sons, go back and inquire about Joseph and his brother. Do not despair about Allah’s grace. Indeed, none should despair of Allah’s grace except those without faith.” (v. 74-87)
So they journey back to Joseph and said, “O honorable chief, we and our people have been afflicted with distress and we have but little money. Give us full measure of our provisions and be generous to us. Indeed, Allah rewards the charitable.”
Joseph said, “Do you know how you treated Joseph and his brother, when you acted as ignorant?” They said, “Are you Joseph? He replied, “I am Joseph, and this is my brother – Allah has indeed been gracious to us. Whoever is mindful of his responsibilities and patient, Allah never neglects to reward the virtuous.”
They said, “By Allah! Indeed, Allah has chosen you over us. We were certainly at fault. Joseph said, “No ill-feeling this day against you. May Allah forgive you. Allah is the Most Merciful to those who show mercy. Take this shirt of mine and place it before my father’s face. He will come to know. Then come back to me all together as a family.”
As the caravan set off to return, their father (Jacob) said, “I feel the presence of Jospeh and I am not senile yet. They (his family) said, “By Allah, your old age is getting the best of you.” When the one bearing the good news reached him and cast the shirt before his face, he became certain, “Did I not say to you that I know from Allah what you do not know?” He (older son) said, “O our father, ask for forgiveness for our sins. We were truly misguided!” Jacob said, “I shall seek forgiveness from my Sustainer God, as He is the Forgiving, the Merciful!” (v. 88-98)
Soon they went to Joseph, and he drew his parents close to him and said, “Enter Egypt in safety, as Allah wills.” Then he positioned his parents on his throne and they fell prostrate towards him. Joseph said, “O my father, this is the significance of my dream from the past, that my Sustainer God made real. Allah had been kind to me when He took me out of the prison and brought me from the desert after the Devil sowed discord between me and my brothers. Allah is Subtle regarding what He wills and He is the Knowing, the Wise!” (Then he prayed), “My Sustainer God, you have gifted me something of sovereignty and taught me interpretations of visions. (You are) the Originator of the heavens and the earth. You are my Protector on this earth and in the Hereafter. Take me as one who submits to You and let me join those who are righteous.”
This is the narrative of the past (unseen and unknown) that We (God) reveal to you (Prophet). You were not there with them when they were devising plans and making resolutions regarding their affairs. Most of mankind do not believe, though you desire such a belief for them with earnest. You ask for no rewards from them for your work. This (revelation) is nothing but a reminder for all of mankind. (v. 99-104)
How many of (God’s) signs they encounter in the heavens and the earth, but they turn away from these! Most of them do no not believe in Allah except as polytheists. Do they feel secure from the overwhelming chastisement from Allah or the sudden coming for the hour (death or Day of Judgment) while they are unmindful? Say, “This is my approach. I call (you) to Allah with clarity of sight (and thought) and those who follow me. Glory is to Allah, the Almighty! I am not a polytheist.”
We did not send before you any but men, to whom We sent revelations, from among the people of the towns. Do they not travel on earth (around them) and see how these people fared in the end? The outcome in the Hereafter is the best for these who act responsibly. Do you then not understand?
Until the messengers could convince no more and (people) thought they were lied to, Allah’s help came. We saved whom We pleased. Our prescribed consequences cannot be averted by people who are guilty.
In their stories (Jacob, Joseph and their establishment in Egypt) are lessons for people who possess intellect. This is not a narrative that is fabricated but a confirmation of what was made known before and a clear elaboration of all things (related) – (such narratives) are a guide, and a source of mercy for people who believe (and wish to do good). (v. 105-111)
1Read Genesis Chapter 39 to see how the Bible relates the story of Joseph and his brother
