In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
1. A.L.R. These (letters) are
proofs
of this profound scripture.*
2. We have revealed it an Arabic
Quran, that you may understand.*
3. We narrate to you the most
accurate history through the
revelation of this Quran. Before this, you were totally unaware.
4. Recall that Joseph said to his father, "O my father, I saw eleven
planets,
and the sun, and the moon; I saw them prostrating before me."
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*12:1 The Quranic initials constitute a
major component of a great miracle (App. 1).
*12:2 Why was the Quran revealed in Arabic?
See 41:44 and Appendix 4.
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5. He said, "My son, do not tell your brothers about your dream,
lest they plot and scheme against you.
Surely, the devil is man's worst enemy.
6. "Your Lord has thus blessed you, and has given you good news
through your dream. He has perfected His blessings upon you
and upon the family of Jacob, as He did for your ancestors
Abraham and Isaac before that.
Your Lord is Omniscient, Most Wise.
7. In Joseph and his brothers there
are lessons for the seekers.
8. They said, "Joseph and his brother
are favored by our father,
and we are in the majority.
Indeed, our father is far astray.
Joseph's
Fate Already
Decided by God*
9. "Let us kill Joseph, or banish him,
that you may get some attention
from your father. Afterwards,
you can be righteous people."*
10. One of them said, "Do not kill
Joseph; let us throw him into the
abyss of the well. Perhaps some
caravan can pick him up, if this is
what you decide to do."
11. They said, "Our father, why do you
not trust us with Joseph? We will
take good care of him.
12. "Send him with us tomorrow to run
and play. We will protect him."
13. He said, "I worry lest you go away with him,
then the wolf may devour him
while you are not watching him."
14. They said, "Indeed, if the wolf devours him,
with so many of us around,
then we are really losers."
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*12:9 We learn from Joseph's dream that
he was destined for a bright future. Thus, while his brothers met to decide
his fate, his fate was already decided by God. Everything is done by God
(8:17), and is already recorded (57:22).
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16. They came back to their father in the evening, weeping.
17. They said, "Our father,
18. They produced his shirt with fake
19. A caravan passed by, and soon sent
20. They sold him for a cheap price--
21. The one who bought him in Egypt
22. When he reached maturity, we endowed him with wisdom and knowledge.
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and unanimously decided to throw him
into the abyss of the well, we inspired him:
"Some day, you will tell them about all this,
while they have no idea."
we went racing with each other,
leaving Joseph with our equipment,
and the wolf devoured him.
You will never believe us,
even if we were telling the truth."
blood on it. He said, "Indeed,
you have conspired with each other
to commit a certain scheme.
All I can do is resort to a quiet
patience. May GOD help me
in the face of your conspiracy."
their waterer. He let down his
bucket, then said, "How lucky!
There is a boy here!" They took him
along as merchandise, and GOD
was fully aware of what they did.
a few Dirhams--for they did not
have any need for him.
said to his wife, "Take good care
of him. Maybe he can help us,
or maybe we can adopt him."
We thus established Joseph on earth,
and we taught him the interpretation of dreams.
GOD's command is always done, but most people do not know.
We thus reward the righteous.
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God
Protects the Believers From Sin
24. She almost succumbed to him,
25. The two of them raced towards the
26. He said, "She is the one who tried
27. "And if his garment is torn from the
28. When her husband saw that his
29. "Joseph, disregard this incident. As for you (my
wife),
30. Some women in the city gossiped: "The governor's wife is trying
to seduce her
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31. When she heard of their gossip, she invited them,
32. She said, "This is the one you blamed me for falling in love
with.
33. He said, "My Lord, the prison is
34. His Lord answered his prayer
35. Later, they saw to it, despite the
36. Two young men were in the prison
37. He said, "If any food is provided
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38. "And I followed instead the religion of my ancestors,
39. "O my prison mates, are several gods better,
40. "You do not worship beside Him
41. "O my prison mates, one of you
42. He then said to the one to be saved
43. The king said, "I saw seven fat cows
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44. They said, "Nonsense dreams.
45. The one who was saved (from the prison)
said, now that he finally remembered,
She closed the doors and said, "I am all yours."
He said, "May GOD protect me.
He is my Lord, who gave me a good home.*
The transgressors never succeed."
and he almost succumbed to her,
if it were not that he saw a proof
from his Lord. We thus diverted
evil and sin away from him, for he
was one of our devoted servants.
door, and, in the process, she tore
his garment from the back.
They found her husband at the
door. She said, "What should be
the punishment for one who wanted
to molest your wife, except imprison-
ment or a painful punishment?"
to seduce me." A witness from her
family suggested: "If his garment is
torn from the front, then she is
telling the truth and he is a liar.
back, then she lied, and he is telling
the truth."
garment was torn from the back,
he said, "This is a woman's scheme.
Indeed, your scheming is formidable.
you should seek forgiveness for your sin.
You have committed an error."
servant. She is deeply in love with him. We see that she has gone
astray."
*12:23 Joseph worded this statement in
such a way that the governor's wife thought that he was talking about her
husband, when in fact he was talking about God.
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prepared for them a comfortable place, and gave each of them a knife.
She then said to him, "Enter their room."
When they saw him, they so admired him,
that they cut their hands.* They said, "Glory be to GOD,
this is not a human being; this is an honorable angel."
I did indeed try to seduce him, and he refused. Unless he does what
I command
him to do, he will surely go to prison,
and will be debased."
better than giving in to them.
Unless You divert their scheming
from me, I may desire them and
behave like the ignorant ones."
and diverted their scheming from him.
He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
clear proofs, that they should
imprison him for awhile.
with him. One of them said, "I saw
(in my dream) that I was making
wine," and the other said, "I saw
myself carrying bread on my head,
from which the birds were eating.
Inform us of the interpretation
of these dreams. We see that you
are righteous."
to you, I can inform you about it
before you receive it.
This is some of the knowledge
bestowed upon me by my Lord.
I have forsaken the religion
of people who do not believe in GOD,
and with regard to the Hereafter, they are really disbelievers.
*12:31 This is the same word used in 5:38
regarding the hand of the thief, and the sum of sura and verse numbers
(12+31 and 5+38) are the same. Therefore, the thief's hand should be marked,
not severed as practiced by the corrupted Islam (see Footnote 5:38).
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Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
We never set up any idols beside GOD.
Such is the blessing from GOD
upon us and upon the people,
but most people are unappreciative.
or GOD alone, the One, the Supreme?
except innovations that you have
made up, you and your parents.
GOD has never authorized such
idols. All ruling belongs to GOD,
and He has ruled that you
shall not worship except Him.
This is the perfect religion,
but most people do not know.
will be the wine butler for his lord,
while the other will be crucified--
the birds will eat from his head.
This settles the matter about which
you have inquired."
"Remember me at your lord."*
Thus, the devil caused him to forget
his Lord, and, consequently,
he remained in prison
a few more years.
being devoured by seven skinny cows,
and seven green spikes (of wheat),
and others shriveled. O my elders,
advise me regarding my dream,
if you know how to interpret the dreams."
*12:42 When Joseph begged his companion
to intercede with the king on his behalf, he exhibited dependence on other
than God to be saved from the prison. This does not befit a true believer,
and such a serious slip cost Joseph a few years in the prison. We
learn from the Quran that only God can
relieve any hardship that might befall us. A true believer trusts in God
and depends totally on Him alone (1:5, 6:17, 8:17, 10:107).
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When it comes to the interpretations of dreams,
we are not knowledgeable."
"I can tell you its interpretation, so send me (to
Joseph)."
Joseph
Interprets the King's Dream
47. He said, "What you cultivate during
48. "After that, seven years of drought
49. "After that, a year will come that
50. The king said, "Bring him to me."
51. (The king) said (to
the women),
52. "I hope that he will realize that I never betrayed him in his
absence,
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53. "I do not claim innocence for my self. The self is an advocate
of vice,
seven skinny cows, and seven green
spikes, and others shriveled.
I wish to go back with some
information for the people."
the next seven years, when the time
of harvest comes, leave the grains in
their spikes, except for what you eat.
will come, which will consume most
of what you stored for them.
brings relief for the people, and
they will, once again, press juice."
When the messenger came to him,
he said, "Go back to your lord
and ask him to investigate the
women who cut their hands.
My Lord is fully aware
of their schemes."
"What do you know about the
incident when you tried to seduce Joseph?"
They said, "GOD forbid; we did not know
of anything evil committed by him."
The wife of the governor said,
"Now the truth has prevailed.
I am the one who tried to seduce him,
and he was the truthful one.
for GOD does not bless the schemes of the betrayers.
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except for those who have attained mercy from my Lord.
My Lord is Forgiver, Most Merciful."
Joseph Attains
Prominence
55. He said, "Make me the treasurer, for I am experienced
56. We thus established Joseph
57. Additionally, the reward in the
58. Joseph's brothers came; when
59. After he provided them with their
60. "If you fail to bring him to me,
61. They said, "We will negotiate with
62. He then instructed his assistants:
63. When they returned to their father, they said,
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64. He said, "Shall I trust you with him,
65. When they opened their bags,
66. He said, "I will not send him
67. And he said, "O my sons, do not
68. When they went (to Joseph),
When he talked with him, he said,
"Today, you have a prominent position with us."
in this area and knowledgeable."
on earth, ruling as he wished.
We shower our mercy upon
whomever we will, and we never
fail to recompense the righteous.
Hereafter is even better for those
who believe and lead a righteous life.
they entered, he recognized them,
while they did not recognize him.
provisions, he said, "Next time, bring
with you your half-brother. Do you
not see that I give full measure,
and treat you generously?
you will get no share from me;
you will not even come close."
his father about him. We will surely
do this."
"Put their goods back in their bags.
When they find them upon their return to their family,
they may come back sooner."
"Our father, we can no longer get any provisions,
unless you send our brother with us. We will take good care of him."
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as I trusted you with his brother before that?
GOD is the best Protector, and,
of all the merciful ones,
He is the Most Merciful.
they found their goods returned to them.
They said, "Our father, what more can we ask for?
Here are our goods returned to us.
We can thus provide for our family,
protect our brother, and receive one
more camel-load. This is certainly
a profitable deal."
with you, unless you give me
a solemn pledge before GOD
that you will bring him back,
unless you are utterly overwhelmed."
When they gave him their solemn
pledge, he said, "GOD is witnessing
everything we say."
enter from one door; enter through
separate doors. However, I cannot
save you from anything that is
predetermined by GOD. To GOD
belongs all judgments. I trust in Him,
and in Him shall all the trusters put
their trust."
they entered in accordance
with their father's instructions.
Although this could not change anything
decreed by GOD, Jacob had a private reason
for asking them to do this. For he possessed certain knowledge
that we taught him, but most people do not know.
Back in Egypt
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and said, "I am your brother; do not be saddened by their actions."
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Joseph Keeps
His Brother
71. They said, as they came towards them, "What did you lose?"
72. They said, "We lost the king's cup.
73. They said, "By GOD, you know
74. They said, "What is the punishment
75. They said, "The punishment, if it is
76. He then started by inspecting their
77. They said, "If he stole, so did a brother of his in the past."
78. They said, "O you noble one, he has a father who is elderly;
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79. He said, "GOD forbid that we should take
80. When they despaired of changing his mind,
81. "Go back to your father
'Our father, your son has committed
82. 'You may ask the community
83. He said, "Indeed, you have conspired
84. He turned away from them, saying,
85. They said, "By GOD, you will keep on grieving
86. He said, "I simply complain to GOD
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87. "O my sons, go fetch Joseph and his brother,
88. When they entered (Joseph's) quarters,
89. He said, "Do you recall what you
90. They said, "You must be Joseph."
91. They said, "By GOD, GOD has
92. He said, "There is no blame upon
93. "Take this shirt of mine; when you
94. Even before the caravan arrived, their father said,
95. They said, "By GOD, you are still in your old confusion."
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96. When the bearer of good news arrived,
97. They said, "Our father, pray for our forgiveness;
98. He said, "I will implore my Lord to forgive you; He is the Forgiver,
99. When they entered Joseph's
100. He raised his parents
101. "My Lord, You have given me
102. This is news from the past that we reveal to you. You were not
present when
he placed the drinking cup in his brother's bag,
then an announcer announced:
"The owners of this caravan are thieves."
Anyone who returns it will receive
an extra camel-load; I personally
guarantee this."
full well that we did not come here
to commit evil, nor are we thieves."
for the thief, if you are liars?"
found in his bag, is that the thief
belongs to you. We thus punish the
guilty."
containers, before getting to
his brother's container, and he
extracted it out of his brother's
container. We thus perfected the
scheme for Joseph; he could not
have kept his brother if he applied
the king's law. But that was the will
of GOD. We exalt whomever we
choose to higher ranks. Above every
knowledgeable one, there is one
who is even more knowledgeable.
Joseph concealed his feelings in himself,
and did not give them any clue.
He said (to himself), "You are really bad.
GOD is fully aware of your accusations."
would you take one of us in his place?
We see that you are a kind man."
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other than the one in whose possession
we found our goods.
Otherwise, we would be unjust."
they conferred together.
Their eldest said, "Do you realize
that your father has taken a solemn
pledge from you before GOD?
In the past you lost Joseph.
I am not leaving this place until
my father gives me permission,
or until GOD judges for me;
He is the best Judge.
and tell him..."
a theft. We know for sure, because
this is what we have witnessed.
This was an unexpected occurrence.
where we were, and the caravan
that came back with us.
We are telling the truth.' "
to carry out a certain scheme.
Quiet patience is my only recourse.
May GOD bring them all back to me.
He is the Omniscient, Most Wise."
"I am grieving over Joseph."
His eyes turned white from grieving so much; he was truly sad.
over Joseph until you become ill,
or until you die."
about my dilemma and grief,
for I know from GOD what you do not know.
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and never despair of GOD's grace.
None despairs of GOD's grace
except the disbelieving people."
they said, "O you noble one, we have suffered
a lot of hardship, along with our family,
and we have brought inferior goods.
But we hope that you will give us
full measure and be charitable to us.
GOD rewards the charitable."
did to Joseph and his brother
when you were ignorant?"
He said, "I am Joseph, and here is
my brother. GOD has blessed us.
That is because if one leads a
righteous life, and steadfastly
perseveres, GOD never fails to
reward the righteous."
truly preferred you over us.
We were definitely wrong."
you today. May GOD forgive you.
Of all the merciful ones, He is
the Most Merciful.
throw it on my father's face,
his vision will be restored.
Bring your whole family and come back to me."*
"I can sense the smell of Joseph.
Will someone enlighten me?"
*12:93 This marks the beginning of the
Children of Israel in Egypt. Moses led them out of Egypt a few centuries
later.
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he threw (the shirt) on his
face,
whereupon his vision was restored.
He said, "Did I not tell you that I knew from GOD
what you did not know?"
we were wrong indeed."
Most Merciful."
quarters, he embraced his parents,
saying, "Welcome to Egypt. GOD
willing, you will be safe here."
upon the throne.
They fell prostrate before him.
He said, "O my father, this is
the fulfillment of my old dream.
My Lord has made it come true.
He has blessed me, delivered me
from the prison, and brought you
from the desert, after the devil
had driven a wedge between me
and my brothers. My Lord is Most
Kind towards whomever He wills.
He is the Knower, the Most Wise."
kingship and taught me
the interpretation of dreams.
Initiator of the heavens and the
earth; You are my Lord and Master
in this life and in the Hereafter.
Let me die as a submitter, and count me with the righteous."
they made their unanimous decision (to
throw Joseph in the well),
as they conspired together.
The Majority of People Do Not Believe
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104. You are not asking them for any money;
105. So many proofs in the heavens and the earth are given to them,
The
Majority of Believers Destined for Hell
106. The majority of those who believe in GOD
107. Have they guaranteed that an overwhelming retribution
108. Say, "This is my path:
109. We did not send before you
Victory,
Ultimately,
110. Just when the messengers despair,
111. In their history, there is a lesson
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you simply deliver this reminder for all the people.
but they pass by them, heedlessly!
do not do so without committing idol worship.
from GOD will not strike them,
or the Hour will not come to them
suddenly, when they least expect it?
I invite to GOD, on the basis
of a clear proof, and so do those
who follow me. GOD be glorified.
I am not an idol worshiper."
except men whom we inspired,
chosen from the people of various
communities. Did they not roam the
earth and see the consequences
for those before them? The abode
of the Hereafter is far better
for those who lead a righteous life.
Would you then understand?
Belongs to the Believers
and think that they had been
rejected, our victory comes to them.
We then save whomever we choose,
while our retribution for the guilty people is unavoidable.
for those who possess intelligence.
This is not fabricated Hadith;
this (Quran) confirms all previous scriptures,
provides the details of everything, and is
a beacon and mercy for those who believe.
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