Surah Yusuf.
In the name of God, the merciful and compassionate.
Quran’s Clarity and Purpose.
Alif-Lam-Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book. We have revealed it as an Arabic Quran so that you may understand. We narrate to you, O Prophet, the best of stories through this Quran’s revelation, though you were unaware of them before. This Quran is a reminder to all people, a guidance and mercy for those who believe, and you seek no reward for it. How many signs in the heavens and earth do they pass by indifferently? Most do not believe in Allah without associating partners with Him, yet they feel secure from an overwhelming torment or the sudden arrival of the Hour. Say, “This is my way: I invite to Allah with insight, as do those who follow me. Glory be to Allah; I am not of the polytheists.”
Joseph’s Vision and Divine Selection.
When Joseph said to his father, “O my father, I saw eleven stars, the sun, and the moon prostrating to me,” Jacob replied, “O my dear son, do not tell your brothers of your vision, lest they plot against you. Satan is indeed a clear enemy to humankind. Your Lord will choose you, teach you the interpretation of dreams, and perfect His favor upon you and the descendants of Jacob, as He did for your forefathers, Abraham and Isaac. Truly, your Lord is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” In Joseph and his brothers’ story, there are lessons for those who seek understanding.
Envy and the Brothers’ Plot.
Joseph’s brothers, resentful that their father loved Joseph and Benjamin more despite their own numbers, said, “Our father is clearly mistaken.” They plotted, “Kill Joseph or banish him to a distant land so our father’s affection is ours alone. Afterward, we can become righteous.” One suggested, “Do not kill him; throw him into a well’s depths, where travelers might find him.” They approached Jacob, saying, “Why don’t you trust us with Joseph? We wish him well. Let him come with us tomorrow to enjoy and play; we will protect him.” Jacob replied, “It saddens me to let him go. I fear a wolf may devour him while you’re careless.” They insisted, “If a wolf took him with our strong group, we’d be utter failures.” Taking him away, they agreed to cast him into the well. We inspired Joseph, “You will one day remind them of this deed when they do not realize who you are.”
Deception and Jacob’s Patience.
Returning to Jacob at night, weeping, the brothers cried, “Father, we went racing and left Joseph with our belongings. A wolf devoured him. You won’t believe us, though we speak the truth.” They presented Joseph’s shirt stained with false blood. Jacob said, “No, your souls have tempted you to evil. I will endure with beautiful patience. Allah’s help is sought against your claims.” Meanwhile, travelers found Joseph in the well. Their water-drawer exclaimed, “Good news! Here’s a boy!” They hid him as merchandise, but Allah knew their actions. They sold him for a few silver coins, eager to be rid of him.
Joseph’s Establishment in Egypt.
The Egyptian who bought Joseph told his wife, “Care for him well; he may benefit us, or we may adopt him.” Thus, We established Joseph in the land to teach him dream interpretation. Allah’s will prevails, though most do not know. When Joseph reached maturity, We granted him wisdom and knowledge, rewarding the righteous. Allah is subtle in fulfilling His plans, and We never withhold the reward of those who do good.
Temptation and Joseph’s Righteousness.
The woman in whose house Joseph lived sought to seduce him, locking the doors and saying, “Come to me.” He replied, “I seek refuge in Allah! My master has treated me well. Wrongdoers never prosper.” She advanced toward him, and he might have yielded, but he saw a sign from his Lord. Thus, We kept evil and indecency from him, for he was among Our chosen servants. They raced to the door; she tore his shirt from behind. Finding her husband at the door, she cried, “What punishment fits one who intended harm to your wife, except prison or painful torment?” Joseph said, “She tried to seduce me.” A family witness testified, “If his shirt is torn from the front, she speaks truth, and he lies. If torn from the back, she lies, and he is truthful.” Seeing the shirt torn from behind, the husband said, “This is your cunning, O women! Your schemes are shrewd. Joseph, let this pass. And you, wife, seek forgiveness for your sin.”
Gossip and Joseph’s Imprisonment.
City women gossiped, “The minister’s wife seeks her slave-boy; love for him consumes her. She is clearly astray.” Hearing their talk, she invited them to a banquet, gave each a knife, and called Joseph out. Stunned by his beauty, they cut their hands, exclaiming, “God forbid! This is no mortal; he’s a noble angel!” She said, “This is he whom you blamed me for. I tried to seduce him, but he resisted. If he defies my order, he’ll be imprisoned and disgraced.” Joseph prayed, “My Lord, prison is preferable to what they invite. If You don’t avert their schemes, I may yield and become ignorant.” His Lord answered, turning their plots away, for He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. Yet, despite clear proofs of his innocence, the authorities decided to imprison him for a time.
Joseph’s Wisdom in Prison.
Two young men entered prison with Joseph. One said, “I dreamt I was pressing wine.” The other said, “I saw myself carrying bread on my head, eaten by birds. Interpret these for us; we see you as righteous.” Joseph replied, “Before your meal arrives, I’ll interpret, by what my Lord has taught me. I reject the faith of those who deny Allah and the Hereafter, following instead the way of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We do not associate partners with Allah—a grace upon us and humanity, though most are ungrateful. O prison companions, are many lords better, or Allah, the One, the Supreme? Your idols are mere names you and your ancestors invented, without Allah’s authority. Judgment belongs to Allah alone; He commands you worship none but Him. That is the true faith, but most do not know.” He interpreted, “One of you will serve wine to his master; the other will be crucified, and birds will eat from his head. The matter is decided.” To the one he thought would live, he said, “Mention me to your master.” But Satan made him forget, so Joseph remained in prison for years.
The King’s Dream and Joseph’s Release.
The king said, “I saw seven fat cows eaten by seven lean ones, and seven green ears of grain with seven dry ones. O chiefs, interpret my dream if you can.” They replied, “These are confused dreams; we cannot interpret them.” The surviving prisoner, now recalling Joseph, said, “I’ll bring its meaning; send me to him.” He asked, “Joseph, O truthful one, interpret seven fat cows devoured by seven lean ones, and seven green ears with seven dry, so I may inform the people.” Joseph answered, “Plant for seven plentiful years, storing all but what you eat. Then come seven harsh years, consuming your stores except what you preserve. Afterward, a year of abundant rain will follow, and people will press oil and wine.” The king ordered, “Bring him to me.” When the messenger came, Joseph said, “Ask your master about the women who cut their hands. My Lord knows their cunning.”
Joseph’s Vindication and Rise to Power.
The king asked the women, “What happened when you sought Joseph?” They said, “God forbid! We know no evil of him.” The minister’s wife confessed, “The truth is clear: I sought to seduce him; he is truthful. Let him know I did not betray him in secret, for Allah does not guide the dishonest.” She added, “I don’t absolve myself; the soul inclines to evil, except when my Lord shows mercy. My Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.” The king said, “Bring him; I’ll appoint him to my service.” After speaking with Joseph, he declared, “You are now esteemed and trusted.” Joseph requested, “Place me over the land’s storehouses; I am reliable and skilled.” Thus, We established Joseph in the land, to settle as he wished. We bestow mercy on whom We will, never withholding the reward of the righteous. The Hereafter’s reward is better for those who believe and are mindful of Allah.
Reunion with Brothers and Strategic Maneuver.
Joseph’s brothers arrived, entering his presence. He recognized them, but they did not know him. Supplying their provisions, he said, “Bring your brother from your father’s side. Don’t you see I give full measure and am a gracious host? If you don’t bring him, you’ll get no grain, nor approach me again.” They promised, “We’ll persuade our father; we’ll do our best.” Joseph told his servants to return their payment in their bags, hoping they’d return. Back home, they told Jacob, “We’re denied more supplies. Send our brother so we may receive grain; we’ll guard him.” Jacob said, “Shall I trust you with him as I did with Joseph? Allah is the best Protector, the Most Merciful.” Finding their money returned, they said, “Father, what more can we ask? Our money is back; we’ll buy food, guard our brother, and gain an extra load.” Jacob insisted, “I won’t send him until you swear by Allah to bring him back, unless you’re overwhelmed.” After their oath, he said, “Allah witnesses our agreement. Enter the city through separate gates, not one. I cannot avert Allah’s decree; judgment is His. In Him I trust, and let the faithful trust Him.” Their precaution availed nothing against Allah’s will, fulfilling Jacob’s wish. He had knowledge We taught him, but most lack such insight.
Benjamin’s Detention and Family Distress.
Entering Joseph’s presence, he took Benjamin aside, saying, “I am your brother; don’t grieve over their deeds.” Supplying them, he placed the king’s cup in Benjamin’s bag. A herald cried, “Caravan, you are thieves!” They asked, “What’s missing?” The guards said, “The king’s cup. Its finder gets a camel-load of grain; I guarantee it.” The brothers swore, “By Allah, we came not to cause trouble; we’re no thieves.” Joseph’s men asked, “What’s the penalty if you lie?” They replied, “The one whose bag holds it becomes the penalty. We punish wrongdoers thus.” Joseph searched their bags, finding the cup in Benjamin’s. Thus, We planned for Joseph, as he couldn’t detain his brother under the king’s law unless Allah willed. We raise in rank whom We will; above all knowledge is the All-Knowing. The brothers distanced themselves, saying, “If he stole, his brother did before.” Joseph hid his anger, thinking, “You’re in a worse state; Allah knows your claims’ truth.” They pleaded, “O minister, his aged father needs him; take one of us instead. You’re righteous.” Joseph said, “God forbid we take another; that would be unjust.” Despairing, they conferred. The eldest vowed, “I won’t leave until my father permits or Allah judges, for He is the Best Judge. Tell our father, ‘Your son stole; we testify only what we know, unable to prevent the unseen. Ask the town or caravan; we speak truth.’” Jacob cried, “No, your souls led you to evil. I’ll bear with beautiful patience. Allah may return them all. He is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” Turning away, he lamented, “O Joseph!” His eyes whitened with suppressed grief. They said, “By Allah, you’ll waste away remembering Joseph.” He replied, “I complain only to Allah; I know from Him what you don’t. Go, my sons, seek Joseph and his brother. Don’t despair of Allah’s mercy; only the faithless do.”
Revelation, Forgiveness, and Family Reunion.
Returning to Joseph, they pleaded, “O minister, hardship afflicts us and our family. We bring little money, but grant us full measure and be charitable. Allah rewards the generous.” Joseph asked, “Do you recall what you did to Joseph and his brother in ignorance?” Stunned, they said, “Are you Joseph?” He replied, “I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Allah has favored us. Whoever is mindful and patient, Allah never forsakes the righteous.” They confessed, “By Allah, He preferred you; we were sinful.” Joseph said, “No blame today. May Allah forgive you; He is the Most Merciful. Take my shirt, place it on my father’s face to restore his sight, then bring your whole family.” As the caravan left Egypt, Jacob said, “I sense Joseph’s presence, though you think me senile.” They scoffed, “You’re in your old delusion.” When the bearer of good news placed the shirt on Jacob’s face, his sight returned. Jacob said, “Didn’t I say I know from Allah what you don’t?” They begged, “Father, seek forgiveness for our sins; we were wrong.” He promised, “I’ll pray for your forgiveness; my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.” Entering Joseph’s presence, he welcomed his parents, saying, “Enter Egypt, Allah willing, in safety.” He raised his parents to the throne; they all prostrated to him. Joseph said, “Father, this fulfills my dream. My Lord made it true, kind to me in freeing me from prison and reuniting us after Satan sowed discord. My Lord is subtle in His will; He is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”
Joseph’s Gratitude and Submission.
Joseph prayed, “My Lord, You granted me authority and taught me dream interpretation. Creator of heavens and earth, You are my Guardian here and hereafter. Let me die in submission and join the righteous.” This is among the unseen stories We reveal to you, O Prophet. You were not with them when they plotted. Most will not believe, no matter your zeal, though you ask no reward. This Quran is a reminder to the world.
Theme 15: Lessons from Past Messengers and Divine Justice
We sent before you men from their communities, inspired by Us. Have the deniers not seen the fate of those before them? The Hereafter’s home is better for the mindful; will you not understand? When messengers despaired, thinking their people deemed them liars, Our help arrived. We saved whom We willed; Our punishment never spares the wicked. In their stories is a lesson for those with reason. This is no fabricated tale but a confirmation of prior revelations, a detailed explanation, a guide, and a mercy for the faithful.
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