Tanwir al-Miqbas min Tafsir Ibn ‘Abbas
Attributed to Abu Tahir Muhammad Ibn
Ya‘qub al-Firuzabadi
Surah 12: Joseph (Yusuf)
And of the surah in which Joseph is mentioned, which is
all Meccan and consists of 111 verses, 1,776 words and 7,196 letters:
[12:1]
And from his own narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said in
the explanation of the saying of Allah, Exalted is He, (Alif. Lam. Ra.):
'(Alif. Lam. Ra.) Allah says: I am Allah, I see what you do and what you say.
That which Muhammad (pbuh) recites unto you is My speech; it is also said that
(Alif. Lam. Ra.) is an oath that Allah swore by. (These are verses of the
Scripture that maketh plain) this surah, or verses of the Qur'an, expounds the
lawful and unlawful, the commands and prohibitions.
[12:2]
(Lo! We have revealed it, a Lecture in Arabic) He says: We have sent down
Gabriel with the Qur'an to Muhammad in accordance with the usage of the Arabic
language, (that ye may understand) that which you were commanded to do and that
in which you were prohibited from engaging.
[12:3]
(We narrate unto thee (Muhammad)) We clarify to you (the best of narratives)
the best story of the news of Joseph and his brothers (in that We have inspired
in you) with which We inspired through Gabriel (this Qur'an) in this Qur'an,
(though aforetime) before Gabriel brought down the Qur'an to you (thou wast of
the heedless) in relation to the event of Joseph and his brothers.
[12:4]
(When Joseph said unto his father: O my father! Lo! I saw in a dream) that
I dreamt during the day (eleven planets) they came down from their orbits and
prostrated themselves before me, a prostration of greeting-these are his
brothers who were eleven in number-(and the sun and the moon, I saw them
prostrating themselves unto me) he says: and I saw the sun and the moon coming
down from their orbits and prostrated themselves before me, a prostration of
greeting-these are his parents: Rachel and Jacob.
[12:5]
(He said) Jacob confided to Joseph, saying: (O my dear son!) if you see any
other dream in the future (Tell not) do not inform (thy brethren of your
vision, lest they plot a plot against thee) that may lead to your peril. (Lo!
Satan is for man) for the children of Adam (an open foe) with manifest enmity,
and he drives them to resentful envy.
[12:6]
(Thus thy Lord will prefer thee) select you to be a prophet (and will teach
thee the interpretation of events) the interpretation of dreams, (and will
perfect his grace upon thee) by means of prophethood and Islam and will make
you die as a prophet and one completely surrendered to Allah (and upon the
family of Jacob) through you, i.e. He will perfect His grace on the children of
Jacob through you (as he perfected it) as He perfected His grace by means of
prophethood and Islam (upon thy forefathers) before you, (Abraham and Isaac.
Lo! thy Lord is Knower) of His grace, (Wise) in that He perfects it; it is also
said that this means: your Lord is Knower of your dream vision, Wise regarding
that which will befall you.
[12:7]
(Verily in Joseph) in the narrative of Joseph (and his brethren are signs
(of Allah's Sovereignty)) lessons (for the inquiring) about his story. This
verse was revealed about a Jewish rabbi.
[12:8]
(When they said) i.e. when the brothers of Joseph said to one another:
(Verily Joseph and his brother) Benjamin (are dearer to our father) are more
preferred by our father (than we are, many though we be) though we are ten in
number. (Lo! our father is in plain aberration) our father is in manifest error
regarding the love of Joseph and his preference over us.
[12:9]
Then they said to one another: (Kill Joseph or cast him to some (other) land)
in a pit, (so that your father's favour may be all for you) so that your father
may turn entirely to you, (and (that) ye may afterward) after killing him (be
righteous folk) repentant for killing him; it is also said that this means:
your relationship with your father will improve.
[12:10]
(One among them) one of the brothers who is Yehuda (said: Kill not Joseph
but, if ye must be doing) something to him, (fling him into the depth of the
pit) in the bottom of the pit or in the darkness of the pit; (some caravan)
travellers passing by (will find him) will get him out.
[12:11]
Then they went to their father, (They said) to their father: (O our father!
Why wilt thou not trust us with Joseph, when lo! we are good friends to him) we
will protect him?
[12:12]
(Send him with us tomorrow that he may enjoy himself) come, go and move
about (and play) and have fun. (And lo! we shall take good care of him) we will
be kind to him.
[12:13]
(He said) their father said: (Lo! in truth it saddens me
that ye should take him with you) such that I do not see him, (and I fear lest
the wolf devour him) because he saw in his dream a wolf attacking Joseph (while
ye are heedless of him) while you are busy with playing; it is also said that
this means: while you are busy with your chores.
[12:14]
(They said) to their father: (If the wolf should devour him when we are (so
strong) a band) ten of us, (then surely we should have already perished) we
should be very weak; it is also said that this means: we should be really losers
by neglecting the inviolability of our father and brother.
[12:15]
(Then, when they led him off) after Jacob gave them permission to take him,
(and were of one mind that they should place him in the depth of the pit) and
they were unanimous about throwing him into the depth of the pit, (We inspired
in him) We sent to him Gabriel to inform him; it is also said this means: We
directly inspired him: (Thou wilt tell them) you will inform them, O Joseph,
(of this deed of theirs) of this act of theirs (when they know (thee) not) when
they do not realise that it is you, Joseph, until you inform them of your
identity; it is also said that this means: they know not our inspiration to
you.
[12:16]
(And they came weeping to their father in the evening) after midday.
[12:17]
(Saying: O our father! We went racing one with another) and hunting, (and
left Joseph by our things) to guard them, (and the wolf devoured him) as you
said, (and thou believest not our sayings even when we speak the Truth).
[12:18]
(And they came with false blood on his shirt) they stained his shirt with
the blood of a goat. (He said: Nay, but your minds have beguiled you into) they
embellished to you to do (something) regarding the peril of Joseph and you did
it. ((My course is) comely patience) I have only to be patient without showing
any alarm. (And Allah it is whose help is to be sought) I seek the help of
Allah (in that (predicament) which ye describe) to be patient for his death, as
you say. But he did not believe them because in another occasion they said that
Joseph was killed by thieves.
[12:19]
(And there came a caravan) of travellers from Midian who were going to
Egypt. They lost their way and went round and round until they passed by the
land where the pit was. This land is called Dawthan, midway between Midian and
Egypt, and there the caravan decided to have a break, (and they sent their
water-drawer) each group of people sent their water-drawer. The pit in which
Joseph was thrown was the lot of an Arab man from Midian called Malik Ibn Du'ar
who was the nephew of the Prophet Shu'ayb, Allah give him peace. (He let down
his pail (into the pit)) and Joseph got hold of it such that the water-drawer
could not pull it back. When he looked down he saw a boy grabbing the pail of
water and so he called his companions. (He said: Good luck!) “This is my good
luck, O my companions!” His companions asked him: “what is it, O Malik?” He
said: (Here is a youth) the most handsome of youths. They gathered and got
Joseph out of the pit. (And they hid him as a treasure) they concealed from
their people the fact that they found him in the pit, and instead informed them
that the owners of the pit entrusted them to sell him in Egypt for them (and
Allah was Aware of what they did) to Joseph, i.e. what the brothers of Joseph
did to him; it is also said that this refers to the people of the caravan.
[12:20]
(And they sold him) the brothers of Malik Ibn Du'ar bought him (for a low
price) by cheating in weight; it is also said that he was bought with false
money; and it was also said that he was bought with unlawful money, (a number
of silver coins) 20 silver coins; it is also said: 32 silver coins; (and they
attached no value to him) they were reluctant to buy him because they did not
need him; it is also said that the brothers of Joseph attached no importance to
Joseph because they did not know his standing and stature with Allah, Exalted
is He. It is also said that the people of the caravan attached no value to
Joseph.
[12:21]
(And he of Egypt) the Chief Official, who was the treasurer of the king and
the chief of his soldiers. His name was Potiphar (Qitfir) (who purchased him
said unto his wife) Zelicha (Zulaykha): Receive him honourably. Perchance he
may prove useful to us) in our farm (or we may adopt him as a son). This man
bought Joseph for the price of 20 silver coins, a garment and a pair of
sandals. (Thus We established Joseph) We gave him authority (in the land) of
Egypt (that We might teach him the interpretation of events) the interpretation
of dreams. (And Allah was predominant in his career) Allah is dominant in
things destined; no one can repel His destined things, (but most of mankind)
the people of Egypt (know not) nor believe; it is also said that this means:
most do not know that Allah is dominant in the things that He destined.
[12:22]
(And when he reached his prime) between 18 and 30 years old (We gave him
wisdom and knowledge) understanding and prophethood. (Thus We reward the good)
in speech and works, in knowledge and wisdom.
[12:23]
(And she, in whose house he was, asked of him an evil act. She bolted the
doors) on her and Joseph (and said) to Joseph: (Come!) I am yours. (He said)
Joseph said: (I seek refuge in Allah!) from such a thing. (Lo! he is my lord)
The Chief Official, (who hath treated me honourably) in contrast to his own
brothers. (Wrongdoers never prosper) adulterers will never be safe from or
escape Allah's chastisement.
[12:24]
(She) the woman (verily desired him, and he) Joseph (would have desired her
if it had not been that he saw the argument of his Lord) if he had not seen
that the chastisement of his Lord would befall him; it is also said that this
means: if he had not seen the figure of his father; and it is also said that
this means: if he had not seen the proof of his Lord. (Thus it was, that We
might ward off from him evil and lewdness) adultery. (Lo! he was of Our chosen
slaves) who are protected from adultery.
[12:25]
(And they raced with one another to the door) Joseph wanting to leave and
her wanting to lock the door. The woman got there first (and she tore his
shirt) in two (from behind) from the waist to his feet, (and they met her lord
and master) the husband of the woman; and it is said: her cousin (at the door.
She said) the woman said to her husband: (What shall be his reward, who wisheth
evil) adultery (to your folk, save prison or a painful doom) be severely
beaten?
[12:26]
((Joseph) said: She it was who asked of me an evil act) it is her who
called me and offered herself to me. (And in witness of her own folk testified)
a man taken as judge from her own people, her brother and it is said her
cousin, pronounced: (If his shirt) the shirt of Joseph (is torn from before)
from the front, (then she speaketh truth) then the woman has spoken the Truth
(and he is of the liars).
[12:27]
(And if his shirt is torn from behind) from the back, (then she hath lied)
then the woman has lied (and he is of the Truthful) that she invited him to
her.
[12:28] (So when he saw his shirt torn from behind,
he said) her brother said: (Lo! this is of the guile) the scheming and devising
(of you women. Lo! the guile of you is very great) it touches the innocent and
the sick.
[12:29]
Her brother then said to Joseph: (O Joseph! Turn away from this) and do not
inform anyone. And then he turned to the woman and said: (and thou, (O woman),
ask forgiveness for thy sin) seek your husband's forgiveness for your act. (Lo!
thou art of the sinful) you cheated your husband.
[12:30]
However, the news of this incident spread in the city, (And women in the
city) they were four women: the wife of the king's cupbearer, the wife of the
king's head of prisons, the wife of the king's cook and the wife of the man in
charge of the king's stable (said: The ruler's wife) Zelicha (is asking of her
slave boy an ill deed) wants her slave boy to sleep with her. (Indeed he has
smitten her to the heart with love. We behold her in plain aberration) she is
plainly wrong in her love of her slave boy.
[12:31]
(And when she heard of their sly talk, she sent to them) an invitation (and
prepared for them a cushioned couch) to lie on and then she had meat and bread
brought to them (and gave to every one of them a knife) for they did not eat of
meat except that which they could cut with their knives (and said) Zelicha said
to Joseph: (Come out unto them!) O Joseph! (And when they saw him they exalted
him and cut their hands, exclaiming: Allah Blameless!) Allah forbid! (This is
not a human being. This is no other than some gracious angel) gracious in the
sight of his Lord.
[12:32]
(She said) Zelicha said to them: (This is he on whose account you blamed
me) and vilified me. (I asked of him an evil act) I wanted him to sleep with
me, (but he proved continent) but he refused out of continence, (but if he do
not my behest he verily shall be imprisoned, and verily shall him of those
brought low) he will be humiliated in prison.
[12:33]
These women said to Joseph. “Obey your mistress!” (He said) Joseph said: (O
my Lord! Prison is more dear than that unto which they urge me) of adultery,
(and if Thou fend not off their wiles) their scheming (from me I shall incline
unto them and become of the foolish) who ignore Your blessing; it is also said
that the foolish here refer to adulterers.
[12:34]
(So his Lord heard his prayer and fended off their wiles from him. Lo! He
is Hearer) of prayers, (Knower) of His answer; it is also said Hearer of the
ladies' talk and Knower of their scheming.
[12:35]
(And it seemed good to them) to the Chief Official (after they had seen the
signs (of his innocence)) the torn shirt and the judgement of her brother (to
imprison him for a time) a few years; it is also said that (for a time) means:
until people stopped talking about it.
[12:36]
(And two young men) two slaves of the king: his cupbearer and his cook-he
got angry with them and put them in prison-(went to prison with him) they
stayed together five years. (One of them), the cupbearer, (said: I dreamed that
I was pressing wine) pressing grapes to make wine and giving it to the king.
This cupbearer saw in a dream that he entered a vineyard and there he saw a
pleasant bough with three offshoots and on the offshoots bunches of grapes. He
picked the grapes, pressed them and gave it to the King. Joseph said: “As for
the vineyard, it is the job you had; the bough represents the expertise you
have in your job; its pleasantness represents your position and merit in that
job. The three offshoots mean that you will be released in three days and shall
return to your job. The pressed grapes you gave to the king means that he will
give you your job back, honour you and treat you well”. (The other) the cook,
who prepared the king's bread (said I dreamed that I was carrying upon my head
bread whereof the birds were eating) he saw in his dream that he was coming out
of the king's kitchen carrying on his head three baskets of bread when birds
came and ate from the bread on the baskets. Joseph said: “You have seen an evil
thing. As for your going out of the King's kitchen, this means that you will lose
your job; the three baskets means that you will stay in prison for three days.
The birds eating from the baskets means that the king will get you out of
prison in three days to crucify you and the birds will eat of your head”.
Before Joseph interpreted their dreams for them, the two men said to him:
(Announce unto us the interpretation) interpret for us our dreams, (for we see
thee of those good) towards the prisoners; it is also said that this means: you
are of those who are truthful in their speech.
[12:37]
(He said) Joseph said to them, because he wanted to
inform them about his knowledge of interpreting dreams: (The food which ye are
given (daily) shall not come unto you but I shall tell you the interpretation)
i.e. of its colour and type (ere it cometh unto you) so can I fail to
interpret your dreams? (This) the interpretation of dreams (is of that which my
Lord hath taught me. Lo! I have forsaken the religion of folk) I did not follow
the religion of a people (who believe not in Allah and are disbelievers in)
they are deniers of (the Hereafter) resurrection after death.
[12:38]
(And I have followed the religion of my fathers) I held firm to the
religion of my forefathers, (Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. It never was for us)
it was not permissible for us (to attribute aught) any idols (as partner to
Allah. This) pure Religion, prophethood and Islam with which Allah has honoured
us (is of the bounty of Allah unto us) a blessing that Allah blessed us with
(and unto mankind) by sending us to them; it is also said that this means: this
is a bounty unto the believers through the blessing of faith; (but most men)
the people of Egypt (give not thanks) do not believe in this.
[12:39]
(O my two fellow prisoners!) He said this to the prison master as well as to
the prisoners (Are diverse lords better) is the worship of numerous gods
better, (or Allah the One, the Almighty?) or the worship of Allah, the One Who
has no son or partner, the All-Conquering over His created beings.
[12:40]
(Those whom ye worship beside Him) besides Allah (are but names) lifeless
idols (which ye have named, ye and your fathers) you and your fathers called
them gods. (Allah hath revealed no sanction) no Scripture or proof (for them)
for your worship of them. (The decision) the judgement of commands and
prohibitions; it is also said that this means: judgement in the life of this
world and in the Hereafter (rests with Allah only, Who hath commanded you) in
all revealed Scriptures (that ye worship) that you profess the divine Oneness of
(none save Him) save Allah. (This) profession of divine Oneness (is the right
religion) the established Religion that He is pleased with: i.e. Islam, (but
most men) the people of Egypt (know not) this nor believe in it.
[12:41]
Joseph them proceeded to interpret the dreams of the two prisoners, saying:
(O my two fellow prisoners! As for one of you) the cupbearer, he will return to
his former position and glory, (he will pour out wine for his lord) his master
the king (to drink; and as for the other) the baker, he will leave prison, and
(he will be crucified so that the birds will eat from his head) the two
prisoner were alarmed upon hearing the interpretation of the baker's dream.
Both of them hastened to say: “We have not seen any dreams!” But Joseph said to
them: (Thus is the case judged concerning which ye did inquire) it will be just
as I have informed you, whether you saw those dreams or not.
[12:42]
(And he said unto him of the twain who he knew would be released) from
prison, i.e. the cupbearer: (Mention me in the presence of thy lord) your
master the king; tell him that I have been wronged: my brothers sold me when I
being a free man and I was put into prison while being innocent. (But Satan
caused him to forget to mention it to his lord) Satan made him so preoccupied
that he forgot to mention Joseph to his master, the king. It is also said that
this means: Satan whispered to him: if you mention prison to the king, he will
put you back in it. This is why he did not mention Joseph to the king; it is also
said that the meaning of this is: Satan made Joseph forget the remembrance of
his Lord and instead remembered a created being like him, (so he (Joseph)
stayed in prison for some years) seven years, as a punishment for not
mentioning Allah, when he had already spent five years in jail.
[12:43]
(And the king said: Lo! I saw in a dream seven fat kine) coming out of a
river (which seven lean were eating) the seven lean kine, that were dying of
lack of nourishment swallowed up the fat kine, but even then it was as if they
did not eat anything, (and seven green ears of corn and other (seven) dry) the
dry ones coiling around the green ones such that they overshadowed their
greenery and became unnoticeable. (O notables!) Meaning: the soothsayers,
sorcerers and fortune-tellers, (Expound for me my vision) interpret for me my
dream, (if ye can interpret dreams) if you know how to interpret dreams.
[12:44]
(They) i.e. the soothsayers, sorcerers and fortune-tellers (answered:
Jumbled dreams!) these are false and unreal dreams. (And we are not knowing in
the interpretation of dreams) we do not know how to interpret dreams.
[12:45]
(And he of the two who was released) from prison, i.e. the cupbearer, (and
(now) at length) after seven years (remembered) remembered Joseph, (said: I am
going to announce unto you the interpretation) he said to the king: I will
inform you of the interpretation of your dream, (therefore send me forth) to
prison for there is a man there who knows the interpretation of dreams. And he
described Joseph's knowledge, clemency and goodness towards the prisoners and
his expertise in interpreting dreams. And so he was sent.
[12:46]
When he went to him, he said: (Joseph! O thou truthful one!) O you who were
truthful in interpreting the first dream, (Expound for us the seven fat kine)
that came out of the river and (which seven lean) that were dying of lack of
nourishment (were eating and the seven green ears of corn and other (seven)
dry) coiling around the seven green ears, overshadowing their greenery, (that I
may return unto the people) to the king, (so that they may know) the
interpretation of the king's dream. Joseph said: “Yes! I will interpret his
dream. The seven fat kine are seven years of soil fertility, and the seven
green ears represent abundance and low prices during these seven years. The
seven dying, lean kine represent years of drought while the seven dry ears
represent lack of foodstuff and high prices during these years”.
[12:47]
Joseph then instructed them what to do. (He said: Ye shall sow seven years
as usual) each year continuously, (but that which ye reap) of crops, (leave it
in the ear) and do not thresh it, this is better for its preservation, (all
save a little which ye eat) all save the quantity which you need for your sustenance.
[12:48]
(Then after that) after the seven years of soil fertility (will come seven
hard years) seven years of drought (which will devour all that ye have prepared
for them) all that you have saved during the seven years of soil fertility, (save
a little of that which ye have stored) kept aside.
[12:49]
(Then, after that) after the years of drought, (will come a year when the
people) of Egypt (will have plenteous crops) foodstuffs and rain (and when they
will press) wine and oils.
[12:50]
The Messenger went back and informed the king of it. (And the King said:
Bring him unto me) bring Joseph to me. (And when the messenger) the cupbearer
(came unto him) to Joseph and informed him that the king wanted to see him, (he
said) Joseph said to him: (Return unto thy lord) your master, the king (and ask
him what was the case of the women) he said: go and ask the king to enquire
about what really happened with those women (who cut their hands) who slashed
and grazed their hands. (Lo! my lord) my master (knoweth their guile) their
scheming and doing.
[12:51]
The messenger went back and informed the king who summoned the four women:
the wife of his cupbearer, the wife of his chief cook, the wife of the master
of his stable and the wife of the Chief Official. These four women were the
most powerful personalities after the king. (He (the king) (then sent for those
women and) said: What happened when ye asked an evil act of Joseph? They
answered: Allah Blameless!) God forbid! (We know) we saw (no evil of him. Said
the wife of the ruler: Now the Truth is out) in favour of Joseph; it is also
said that this means: now is the time to tell the truth. (I asked of him an
evil act) I offered myself to him, (and he is surely of the Truthful) that he
did not ask an evil act of me.
[12:52]
Joseph said: (This, that he) the Chief Official (may know that I betrayed
him not) regarding his wife (in secret) when he was away, (and that surely
Allah guideth not) neither is He pleased with nor make right (the snare of the
betrayers) the work of adulterers.
[12:53]
At this point Gabriel said to him: “Not even when you nearly went to her, O
Joseph?” Joseph said: (I do not exculpate myself) I do not exonerate my heart
from nearly going towards her. (Lo! the (human) soul) the heart (enjoineth) the
body (unto evil) evil works, (save that whereon my Lord hath mercy) save those
whom Allah protects. (My Lord is Forgiving) He pardons, (Merciful) regarding
the fact that I nearly went towards her.
[12:54]
(And the king said: Bring him unto me that I may attach him to my person)
bring him so that I give him a privileged position instead of the Chief
Official. (And when he had talked with him) and interpreted his dreams (he
said) the king said to him: (Lo! thou art today in our presence) with us
(established) you have prestige and position (and trusted) with what is
entrusted to you; it is also said: you are trusted with the position that we
give you.
[12:55] (He said: Set me over the storehouses of the
land) appoint me in charge of the treasury of Egypt (I am a skilled custodian)
I am skilled in its estimation and know the time when people go hungry; it is
also said that this means: I am trustworthy regarding that with which you have
entrusted me, and also know the languages of the strangers who come to you.
[12:56]
(Thus gave We power to Joseph in the land) the land of Egypt. (He was the
owner of it) who could go in this land (where be pleased. We reach with our
mercy) with prophethood and Islam (whom We will) whoever deserves it. (We lose
not) We thwart not (the reward of the good) the reward of the believers who do
good in their deeds and speech.
[12:57]
(And the reward of the Hereafter is better) than the reward of the life of
this world, (for those who believe) in Allah and all the Scriptures and
messengers (and ward off (evil)) ward off disbelief, idolatry and indecencies.
[12:58]
(And Joseph's brethren came) to Egypt: there were ten of them (and
presented themselves before him) before Joseph, (and he knew them) Joseph knew
that they were his brothers (but they knew him not) they did not know he was
their brother.
[12:59]
(And when he provided them with their provision) when he measured for them
the measure they were entitled to have (he said: Bring unto me a brother of
yours from your father) for you said that you had a half brother, from your
father's side, who stayed behind with your father. (See you not that I fill up
the measure) it is said that he means: I fill up the measure with my own hands
(and I am the best of hosts?)
[12:60]
(And if ye bring him not unto me) your half brother from your father's
side, (then there shall be no measure for you with me) in the future, (nor
shall ye draw near) again.
[12:61]
(They said: We will try to win him from his father) we will ask his father
and try to entice his father to let him come with us: (that we will surely do)
we surely guarantee that we will bring him with us.
[12:62]
(He) Joseph (said unto his young men) his servants: (Place their
merchandise) hide their money (in their saddlebags so that they may know it)
such that they know the favour I am bestowing upon them; it is also said that
this means: such that they realise it is their money and bring it back to me,
(when they go back to their folk) when they go back to their father, (and so
will come again) a second time.
[12:63]
(So when they went back to their father) in the land of Canaan (they said:
O our father! The measure is denied us) in the future if you do not send
Benjamin with us, (so send with us our brother) Benjamin (that we may obtain
the measure) so that he can buy a measure for himself; or: that we may buy a
measure for him, according to a different reading, (surely we will guard him
well) we guarantee to bring him back to you.
[12:64] (He said) Jacob said to them: (Can I entrust
him) Benjamin (to you save as I entrusted his brother) Joseph (to you
aforetime?) He said: can I really make you pledge and promise more than I did
in the case of his brother Joseph (Allah is better at guarding) than you are,
(and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy) and He is more Merciful
towards him than his parents or brothers.
[12:65]
(And when they opened their belongings) their saddlebags (they discovered
that their merchandise) the money which was to pay for the merchandise they
bought (had been returned to them) along with the foodstuffs. (They said: O our
father!) We are not lying about the kindness and generosity of the man towards
us; it is also said that this means: we have not requested this from him (What (more)
can we ask? Here is our merchandise) the money we gave for the price of the
merchandise (returned to us) with the merchandise. This only shows his kindness
towards us. Their father said to them: the man is only testing you, you must
return the money to him. (We shall get provision for our folk and guard our
brother) Benjamin when we go and return, (and we shall have the extra measure
of a camel (load)) if he comes with us. (This is a light measure) because of
which we shall be given more; it is also said that this means: this is a small
thing that we are requesting from you.
[12:66]
(He said) their father said to them: (I will not send him with you) simply
because of your mere talk (till ye give me an undertaking) a pledge (in the
name of Allah that you will bring him back to me, unless you are surrounded)
unless an accident from heaven befalls you; it is also said that this means:
unless an accident from heaven or from the earth descends upon you. (And when
they gave him their undertaking) when they gave him their pledge in the name of
Allah that they will bring him back (he said) Jacob said: (Allah is the Warden
over what we say) Allah is a Witness over what we say; it is also said that
this means: Allah is Custodian over what we say.
[12:67]
(And he said) to them: (O my sons! Go not in by one gate) do not go in
through the same road; (go in by different gates) go in by different roads. (I
can naught avail you as against Allah) against Allah's decree concerning you.
(Lo! the decision) the judgement regarding what is decreed for you (rests with
Allah only. In Him do I put my trust) I delegate my matter and yours to Him,
(and in Him let all the trusting put their trust) those who rely should rely on
Him; it is also said that this means: the believers should put their trust in
Allah. Here, Jacob feared the evil eye against his sons, because they were all
seemly and handsome.
[12:68]
(And when they entered) Egypt (in the manner which their father had
enjoined) as their father commanded them, (it would have naught availed them as
against Allah) against what Allah had decreed for them; (it was but a need of
Jacob's soul) in Jacob's heart (which he thus satisfied) which he expressed;
(and lo! He) i.e. Jacob (was a lord of knowledge) of remembrance (because We
had taught him) of that which We taught him of legal rulings, punishments,
decree and destiny; he knew that nothing happens except what Allah decrees;
(but most of mankind) the people of Egypt (know not) this nor believe in it.
[12:69]
(And when they went in before Joseph, he took his brother) from both his
father and mother (unto himself) he gave audience to his brother Benjamin and
made his other brothers wait, (saying: Lo! I, even I, am your brother) in the
position of your deceased brother, (therefore sorrow not) do not be saddened
(for what they did) for the alienation, insults and vilification you face from
your brothers.
[12:70] (And when he provided them with their
provision) when he measured for them their provision, (he put the drinking cup
in his brother's saddlebag) he hid his drinking cup which he also used for
measurement in the saddlebag of his brother Benjamin. He then ordered them to
leave and when they left he sent a youth after them, (and then a crier cried)
the youth that Joseph sent cried: (O camel riders!) O people of the caravan
(You are surely thieves!)
[12:71]
(They cried, coming towards them: What is it ye have lost?) what is it that
you are looking for?
[12:72]
(They said: We have lost) we are looking for (the king's cup) in which he
drinks and also uses for measurement. This cup is made of gold and I am being
accused of stealing it, (and he who bringeth it shall have a camel load, and I
(said Joseph) am answerable for it) I guarantee a camel load for him. All this
was said by the youth whom Joseph had sent after his brothers.
[12:73]
(They said: By Allah, well ye know) O people of Egypt (we came not to do
evil in the land) the land of Egypt by stealing or harming people, (and are no
thieves) we have not taken what you are looking for.
[12:74]
(They said) Joseph's servant said: (And what shall be the penalty for it)
what would be the penalty of the thief (if ye prove liars?)
[12:75]
(They said: The penalty for it!) the penalty against (He in whose bag (the
cup) is found, he is the penalty for it) is that he is to be taken as a slave.
(Thus we requite wrong-doers) thus we punish the thieves in our land.
[12:76]
(Then he) Joseph's servant (began the search with their bags before)
searching (his brother's bag) where he obviously did not find it, (then he
produced it from his brother's bag) from his brother Benjamin's bag. The
servant said to him: “May Allah lift your trouble as you have lifted mine”.
(Thus did We contrive) We did (for Joseph) We honoured him with knowledge,
wisdom, prophethood and sovereignty. (He could not have taken his brother
according to the king's law unless Allah willed) and Allah willed that he does
take his brother according to the king's law because, according to the latter,
the penalty for theft was beating and payment of a fine; it was also said that
according to the king's law, the penalty for theft was the amputation of limbs
and payment of a fine; it is also said that (unless Allah willed) means: except
those laws of the king which Joseph knew to be pleasing to Allah, for he
applied those. (We raise by grades (of mercy)) We raise the virtues of (whom We
will) as We do in the life of this world, (and over every lord of knowledge
there is one more knowing) above every one who knows there someone who knows
more, and so on and so forth until one stops at Allah, for there is no one who
has more knowledge than Him.
[12:77]
(They said) the brothers of Joseph said: (If he stealeth)
if Benjamin has stolen the king's cup, (a brother of his stole before) his full
brother (Joseph) has stolen an idol before. (But Joseph kept it secret in his
soul) he did not answer this (and revealed it not unto them) his response. (He
said) within himself: (Ye are in worse case) your action is worse than that of
Joseph (and Allah knoweth best (the Truth of) that which you allege) in
relation to the matter of Joseph.
[12:78]
(They said: O ruler of the land! Lo! he hath an aged father) who will be
very happy to have him back, (so take one of us instead of him. Lo! we behold
thee) if you do so (of those who do kindness) for us.
[12:79]
(He said) Joseph said to them: (Allah forbid that we should seize) for the
crime of theft (save him with whom we found our property; then truly we should
be wrong-doers) by arresting someone with whom we did not find our property.
[12:80]
(So, when they despaired of (moving) him, they conferred together apart.
The eldest of them) the best among them in reasoning: Judah (said: Know ye not)
my brothers (how your father took an undertaking from you in Allah's name) that
you will bring him back (and how you failed) in your pledge and covenant (in
the case of Joseph aforetime) before this boy? (Therefore I shall not go forth
from the land) of Egypt (until my father giveth leave) gives me leave to
return; it is also said that this means: until my father gives me permission to
fight them (or Allah judgeth for me) the return of my brother. (He is the Best
of Judges) in relation to returning him to me.
[12:81]
Judah then said: (Return) O my brothers (unto your father and say: O our
father! Lo! thy son hath stolen) the king's golden cup; it is also said that
this means: your son was taken for stealing. (We testify only to that which we
know) we saw the stolen cup found in his bag; (we are not guardians of the
Unseen) he said: if we knew the unseen, we would not have taken him; it is also
said that this means: we could not look after him at night.
[12:82]
(Ask the township) the people of the township (where we were) it was one of
the villages of Egypt, (and the caravan) and the people of the caravan (with
which we travelled hither) they had travelled with a group of people from
Canaan. (Lo! we speak the Truth) in that which we are saying to you. And so
they told Jacob these words.
[12:83]
((And when they came unto their father and had spoken thus to him) he said)
Jacob said to them: (Nay, but your minds have beguiled you into something) your
minds have enticed you to do something, and so you did it. ((My course is)
comely patience!) what I have to do is to be patient and show no anxiety. (It
may be that Allah will bring them all) Joseph and his full brother as well as
Judah (unto me. Lo! He, only He, is the Knower) of their whereabouts, (the
Wise) in relation to returning them to me.
[12:84]
(And he turned away from them) he left them (and said: Alas, my grief for
Joseph! And his eyes were whitened with the sorrow) with tears (that he was
suppressing) he kept his sorrow and grief within himself.
[12:85]
(They said) i.e. his children and his grandchildren: (By Allah, thou wilt
never cease remembering Joseph till your health is ruined or you art of those
who perish) through death!
[12:86] (He said) Jacob said: (I expose my distress
and anguish only unto Allah, and I know from Allah that which ye know not) I
know that Joseph's vision is true and that we will prostrate to him; it is also
said that this means: I know of Allah's mercy and of His good work that which
you do not; it is also said that this means: I know that Joseph is alive. That
is because the angel of death came to him and he asked him: "did you take
away the soul of Joseph from among those you took their souls away". And
the angel said he did not.
[12:87]
For this reason, he said: (Go, O my sons, and ascertain concerning Joseph
and his brother) go and enquire about Joseph and his brother Benjamin, (and
despair not of the Spirit of Allah) despair not of the mercy of Allah. (Lo!
None despaireth of the Spirit of Allah) of the mercy of Allah (save
disbelieving folk) save the people who disbelieve in Allah and His mercy.
[12:88]
(And when they came (again) before him (Joseph)) a third time (they said: O
ruler! Misfortune) hunger (hath touched us and our folk, and we bring but poor
merchandise) merchandise which is not suitable for buying food, but are
suitable for spending on people; it is also said that this means: merchandise
that one can get in the mountains such as pine nuts and the fruit of the
terebinth-tree; it is also said that this means: Arab merchandise such as dried
lumps of cheese, wool, cheese and ghee, (so fill for us the measure) give us
our measure as you would give if we had good money (and be charitable unto us)
in regards to difference in the two prices; it is also said that this means: in
regards to difference in the two measures. (Lo! Allah will requite the
charitable) in the life of this world and in the Hereafter.
[12:89]
(He said) Joseph said to them: (Know ye what ye did unto Joseph and his
brother in your ignorance) when you were ignorant youth?
[12:90]
(They said: Is it indeed thou who art Joseph? He said: I am Joseph and this
is my brother) my full brother. (Allah hath shown us favour) by bestowing
patience upon us. (Lo! he who wardeth off (evil)) in times of blessing (and
endureth) in times of hardship finds favour; (for verily Allah loseth not)
thwarts not (the wages) the reward (of the kindly) those who ward off evil and
are patient.
[12:91]
(They said) Joseph's brothers said to Joseph: (By Allah, verily Allah hath
preferred you above us, and we were indeed sinful) towards you, and disobedient
of Allah..
[12:92]
(He said) Joseph said to them: (Have no fear this day!) he says: I will not
reproach you today. (May Allah forgive you) for what you did, (and He is the
Most Merciful of those who show mercy) He is more Merciful than one's own
parents.
[12:93]
(Go with this shirt of mine) and his shirt was from Paradise (and lay it on
my father's face, he will become (again) a seer) he will regain his sight; (and
come to me with all your folk) they were about seventy people.
[12:94]
(When the caravan departed) when the caravan left al-'Arish, a township
between Egypt and Canaan, (their father) Jacob (had said: Truly I am conscious
of the breath of Joseph, though ye call me dotard) unless you say I am foolish,
discredit me or disbelieve in what I say.
[12:95]
((Those around him) said) those of his children who stayed with him and his
grandchildren said: (By Allah, Lo! thou art in your old aberration) you are
still in your old error concerning Joseph.
[12:96]
(Then, when the bearer of glad tidings came) i.e. Judah carrying the shirt,
(he laid it on his face and he became a seer once more) he regained his sight.
(He said) to his children and grandchildren: (Said I not unto you that I know
from Allah that which ye know not?) did I not tell you that Joseph is still
alive?
[12:97]
(They said) his children and grandchildren said: (O our father! Ask
forgiveness of our sins for us) ask Allah to forgive our sins, (for lo! we were
sinful) we were wrong-doers and disobedient towards Allah.
[12:98]
(He said) to them: (I shall ask forgiveness for you of my Lord) I will pray
to Allah for you on the night of Friday, at the end of dawn. (He is the
Forgiving, the Merciful) towards those who repent.
[12:99]
(And when they came in before Joseph, he took his parents unto him) he
joined to him his father and stepmother, for his own mother was dead by then,
(and said: Come into) dwell in (Egypt safe) from the enemies and from hunger,
(if Allah will!) if Allah wills, you stay in Egypt safe from your enemies and
hunger.
[12:100]
(And he placed his parents on the dais) on an elevated
platform (and they fell down before him prostrate)
i.e. his parents and brothers fell prostrate before him. This prostration
was a sign of greeting between them: the person of humble standing prostrated
to the person of high standing, the youth to the elderly and the young to the
old; it is a slight bowing as is known among non-Arabs, (and he said: O my
father! This) prostration (is the interpretation of my dream of old. My Lord
hath made it true, and He hath shown me kindness, since He took me out of the
prison) and saved me from slavery (and hath brought you from the desert after
Satan had made strife between me and my brethren) through resentful envy. (Lo!
my Lord is tender unto whom He will) my Lord is tender in that He brought us
together. (He is the Knower) of that which has befallen us, (the Wise) in
separating and then bringing us together.
[12:101]
(O my Lord! Thou hast given me (something) of sovereignty) you gave me the
sovereignty of Egypt which spreads over an area of forty parasangs by forty
parasangs (and hast taught me (something) of the interpretation of events) the
interpretation of dreams, (Creator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art my
Protecting Friend) You are Lord, Creator, Provider, Protector and Helper (in
the world and the Hereafter. Make me to die submissive (unto Thee)) in my
worship and confession of monotheism, (and join me to the righteous) join me in
Paradise with the messengers among my forefathers.
[12:102]
(This) that which I mentioned to you, O Muhammad, of the story of Joseph
and his brothers (is of the tidings of the Unseen) of the events which were
hidden from you (which We inspire in thee (Muhammad)) with which We send
Gabriel to you. (Thou wast not present with them when they bed their plan) when
they agreed to throw Joseph in the well (and they were scheming) they were
intending by this the peril of Joseph.
[12:103]
(And though thou try much) no matter how hard you try, (most men) the
people of Mecca (will not believe) in the scriptures and messengers.
[12:104]
(Thou askest them) O Muhammad (no fee) no payment (for it) for the
profession of monotheism. (It is) i.e. the Qur'an (naught else than a reminder)
an admonition (unto the peoples) unto the jinn and humans.
[12:105]
(How many a portent) a sign (is there in the heavens) such as the sun, the
moon, the stars, etc., (and the earth) and that which is in the earth such as
mountains, oceans, trees, beasts, etc., (which they) i.e. the people of Mecca
(pass by with face averted!) they denied them and never reflected upon
them.
[12:106]
(And most of them) the people of Mecca (believe not in Allah) deep in their
hearts; it is also said that this means: they do not believe in the worship of
Allah (except that they attribute partners (unto Him)) openly.
[12:107]
(Deem they) i.e. the people of Mecca (themselves secure from the coming on
them of a pall of Allah's punishment) such as the punishment they were exposed
to on the Day of Badr, (or the coming of the Hour) or that the punishment of
the Hour seizes them (suddenly while they are unaware) of the descent of
punishment?
[12:108]
(Say) O Muhammad to the people of Mecca: (This) the religion of Abraham (is
my Way) my religion: (I call on Allah with sure knowledge) with a firm religion
and exposition, (I) call on Allah (and whosoever followeth me) they believe in
me and also call on Allah with sure knowledge. (Glory be to Allah!) he
exonerates Allah from having a son or partner (And am not of the idolaters) I
am not with the idolaters in following their religion.
[12:109]
(We sent not before thee) O Muhammad, any messengers (save men whom We
inspired) We send Gabriel to them as We sent him to you (from among the folk of
the townships) they were related to townships like you. (Have they) the people
of Mecca (not travelled in the land and seen) and reflect on (the nature of the
consequence for) how was the end result of (those who were before them) among
the disbelievers? (And verily the abode of the Hereafter) Paradise, (for those
who ward off (evil)) ward off disbelief, idolatry and indecencies and instead
believe in Allah, Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an, (is best. Have ye then no
sense?) do you not have the common sense to realise that the Hereafter is
better than the life of this world; it is also said that this means: have you
then no sense to realise that the life of this world is evanescent while the
Hereafter is everlasting; it is also said that this means: do you not believe
in that which befell the people of old as a result of their disbelief in the
messengers?
[12:110]
(Till, when the messengers despaired) they despaired in the belief of their
people (and thought) and knew and were certain, i.e. the messengers (that they)
their people (were denied) the promise of the messengers; it is also said that
this means: the people denied that which the messengers brought to them from
Allah, (then came unto them Our help) i.e. Our chastisement, destroying their people,
(and whom We would was saved) i.e. the messengers and those who believed in
them. (And our wrath) chastisement (cannot be warded from the guilty) from the
idolaters.
[12:111]
(In their history) in their events, the event of Joseph and his brothers
(verily there is a lesson) a sign (for men of understanding) for people endowed
with intelligence. (It is no invented story) the Qur'an is not an invented
story (but a confirmation of the existing (Scripture)) a confirmation of the
Torah, the Gospel and all the others scriptures; it confirms the profession of
monotheism and other legal rulings as well as the story of Joseph (and a
detailed explanation of everything) a detailed explanation of the lawful and
the unlawful, (and a guidance) from error (and a mercy) preventing from
chastisement (for folk who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an which
was revealed to you from your Lord, and Allah knows the secrets of His Book'.
And of the surah in which the thunder is mentioned, which is all Meccan-save
two verses (As for those who disbelieve, disaster ceases not to strike them
because of what they do, or it dwells near their home until the threat of Allah
come to pass. Lo! Allah faileth not to keep the appointed time) and (they who
disbelieve say: Thou art no messenger (of Allah). Say: Allah, and whoever has
true knowledge of the Scripture, is sufficient witness between me and you)
which are Medinan-and it consists of 45 verses, 855 words and 3,506 letters:
