Surah Yusuf (Joseph) 12

Revealed 53rd in the Qur'an

Read the Full Text with References to the Torah and the Gospel

12:1
Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book.

12:2
Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an so that you might understand.

12:3
We relate the best of stories to you in what We have revealed to you of this Qur'an, although you were among the unaware before it.

12:4
[Of these stories remember] when Joseph said to his father, "O my father, indeed I have seen eleven stars and the sun and the moon [in a dream]; I saw them prostrating to me." *Genesis 37:9

12:5
He said, "O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers or they will contrive a plan against you. Indeed Satan is a clear enemy to man.

12:6
And thus your Lord will choose you and teach you the interpretation of narratives and complete His favor upon you and upon the family of Jacob, as He completed it upon your fathers before, Abraham and Isaac. Indeed, your Lord is Knowing and Wise."

12:7
There were certainly signs in Joseph and his brothers for those who ask,

12:8
When they said, "Surely Joseph and his brother are more beloved to our father than we [are], while we are a clan. Indeed, our father is in clear error.

12:9
Kill Joseph or cast him out to [another] land; the countenance of your father will [then] only be for you, and you will be a righteous people after that."

12:10
A speaker among them said, "Do not kill Joseph but throw him into the bottom of the well if you would do [something]; *Genesis 37:21 - 22 some travelers will pick him up."

12:11
They said, "O our father, why do you not entrust us with Joseph while we are indeed sincere counselors to him?

12:12
Send him with us tomorrow so that he may enjoy himself and play. And indeed, we will be his guardians."

12:13
[Jacob] said, "Indeed, it saddens me that you should take him, and I fear that a wolf would eat him while you are unaware of him."

12:14
They said, "If a wolf should eat him while we are a [strong] clan, indeed, we would then be in loss."

12:15
So when they took him [out] and agreed to put him into the bottom of the well... But We inspired to him, "You will surely inform them about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity]."

12:16
And they came weeping to their father at night.

12:17
They said, "O our father, indeed we went racing each other and left Joseph with our possessions, and a wolf ate him. But you would not believe us, even if we were truthful."

12:18
And they brought false blood upon his shirt. *Genesis 37:31, *Book of Jubilees 34:15 [Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And God is the One sought for help against that which you describe."

12:19
And a company of travelers came; then they sent their water drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said, "Good news! Here is a boy." *Genesis 37:28 And they concealed him as merchandise; and God was knowing of what they did.

12:20
And they sold him for a reduced price - a few dirhams - and they were among those content with little concerning him.

12:21
And the one from Egypt who bought him said to his wife, "Make his residence comfortable. Perhaps he will benefit us, or we will adopt him as a son." And thus, We established Joseph in the land so that We might teach him the interpretation of events. And God is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know.

12:22
And when [Joseph] reached maturity, We gave him judgment and knowledge. And thus, We reward the doers of good.

12:23
And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, "Come, you." *Genesis 39:12, *Book of Jubilees 39:8 He said, "[I seek] the refuge of God. Indeed, He is my Lord, who has made my residence good. Indeed, wrongdoers will not succeed."

12:24
And she certainly determined [to seduce] him, and he would have inclined to her had he not seen the proof of his Lord. And thus [it was] so that We should avert him from evil and immorality. Indeed, he was among Our chosen servants.

12:25
And they both raced to the door, and she tore his shirt *Genesis 39:12, *Book of Jubilees 39:9 from the back, and they found her husband at the door. She said, "What is the recompense of one who intended evil for your wife except that he is imprisoned or [given] a painful punishment?"

12:26
[Joseph] said, "It was she who sought to seduce me." And a witness from her family testified, "If his shirt is torn from the front, then she has told the truth, and he is among the liars.

12:27
But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied, and he is among the truthful."

12:28
So when her husband saw his shirt torn from the back, he said, "Indeed, it is your plan. Indeed, your plan is great.

12:29
Joseph, ignore this. And, [my wife], ask forgiveness for your sin. Indeed, you were among the sinful."

12:30
And women in the city said, "The wife of al-'Azeez is seeking to seduce her slave boy; he has impassioned her with love. Indeed, we see her [to be] in clear error."

12:31
So when she heard of their scheming, she sent for them and prepared a banquet for them and gave each one of them a knife and said [to Joseph], "Come out before them." And when they saw him, they greatly admired him and cut their hands *Book of Jasher 44:29 and said, "God forbid! This is not a man; this is nothing but a noble angel."

12:32
She said, "That is the one whom you blamed me for. And I certainly sought to seduce him, but he remained chaste; *4 Maccabees 2:2 - 3 and if he will not do what I order him, he will surely be imprisoned and will be among the debased."

12:33
He said, "My Lord, prison is more to my liking than that which they invite me to. And if You do not avert me from their plan, I might incline toward them and [thus] be among the ignorant."

12:34
So his Lord responded to him and averted him from their plan. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

12:35
Then it appeared to them that they should surely imprison him for a time after they had seen the signs.

12:36
And two young men entered the prison with him. One of them said, "Indeed, I have seen myself [in a dream] pressing wine." *Genesis 40:9 - 11  The other said, "Indeed, I have seen myself carrying [some] bread upon my head, from which the birds were eating. *Genesis 40:16 - 17 Inform us of its interpretation; indeed, we see you to be among those who do good."

12:37
He said, "You will not receive food that is provided to you except that I will inform you of its interpretation before it comes to you. That is from what my Lord has taught me. Indeed, I have left the religion of a people who do not believe in God and those who are disbelievers in the Hereafter.

12:38
And I have followed the religion of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And it was not for us to associate anything with God. That is from the favor of God upon us and upon the people, but most of the people are not grateful.

12:39
O [my] two companions of prison, are many different lords better or the One God, the Prevailing?

12:40
You do not serve [anything] besides Him except [mere] names you have named them, you and your fathers, for which God has sent down no authority. Judgement is not for [anyone] except God. He has commanded that you do not serve [anything] except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.

12:41
O two companions of prison, as for one of you, he will give a drink of wine to his lord; *Genesis 40:12 - 13 but as for the other, he will be crucified, and the birds will eat from his head. *Genesis 40:18 - 19 The matter has been decreed about that which you both inquire."

12:42
And he said to the one whom he thought would go free, "Mention me before your lord." *Genesis 40:14 But Satan made him forget the reminder [to] his lord, *Genesis 40:23, *Book of Jubilees 39:20 and Joseph remained in prison several years.

12:43
And [subsequently] the king said, "Indeed, I have seen seven fat cows [in a dream] being eaten by seven lean, *Genesis 41:1 - 4 and seven green ears [of grain] and others dry. *Genesis 41:5 - 7 O eminent [people], explain my vision to me, if you should interpret visions."

12:44
They said, "[It is only] a mixture of dreams, and we are not learned in the interpretation of dreams." *Genesis 41:8

12:45
But the one who was freed and remembered *Genesis 41:9, *Book of Jubilees 40:3 after a time said, "I will inform you of its interpretation, so send me forth."

12:46
[He said], "Joseph, O man of truth, explain to us about seven fat cows eaten by seven lean, *Genesis 41:15 - 20 and seven green ears [of grain] and others dry *Genesis 41:22 - 24 - so that I may return to the people; perhaps they will know [about you]."

12:47
[Joseph] said, "You will plant for seven years consecutively; and what you harvest, leave in its ear, except a little from which you will eat.

12:48
Then seven difficult [years] will come after that which will consume what you saved for them, *Genesis 41:34 - 36 except a little from which you will store.

12:49
Then a year will come after that in which the people will be given rain and in which they will press [olives and grapes]."

12:50
And the king said, "Bring him to me." But when the messenger came to him, [Joseph] said, "Return to your lord and ask him what is the case of the women who cut their hands. Indeed, my Lord is Knowing of their plan."

12:51
[The king] said [to the women], "What was your condition when you sought to seduce Joseph?" They said, "God forbid! We know of no evil about him." The wife of al-'Azeez said, "Now the truth has become evident. It was I who sought to seduce him, and indeed, he is among the truthful."

12:52
[Joseph said,] "That is so he will know that I did not betray him in secret and that God does not guide the plan of betrayers.

12:53
And I do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful."

12:54
And the king said, "Bring him to me; I will appoint him exclusively for myself." And when he spoke to him, he said, "Indeed, you are established today [in position] and trusted."

12:55
[Joseph] said, "Appoint me over the treasuries of the land. *Genesis 41:41 Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian."

12:56
And thus We established Joseph in the land to settle therein wherever he willed. We touch whom We will with Our mercy, and We do not allow the reward of those who do good to be lost.

12:57
And the reward of the Hereafter is better for those who believed and were fearing [God].

12:58
And the brothers of Joseph came [seeking food], *Genesis 42:3, *Acts 7:12 and they entered upon him; and he recognized them, but he was unknown to them. *Genesis 42:8, *Book of Jubilees 42:6

12:59
And when he had furnished them with their supplies, he said, "Bring me a brother of yours from your father. *Genesis 42:15, *Book of Jubilees 42:10 Do you not see that I give full measure and that I am the best of accommodators?

12:60
But if you do not bring him to me, there will be no measure for you [hereafter] from me, nor will you approach me."

12:61
They said, "We will attempt to dissuade his father from [keeping] him, and indeed, we will do [it]."

12:62
And [Joseph] said to his servants, "Put their merchandise into their saddlebags *Genesis 42:25 so that they might recognize it when they have gone back to their people so that perhaps they will return [again]."

12:63
So when they returned to their father, they said, "O our father, [further] measure has been denied to us, so send our brother with us [so that] we will be given measure. And indeed, we will be his guardians."

12:64
He said, "Should I entrust you with him except [under coercion] as I entrusted you with his brother before? But God is the best Guardian, and He is the most Merciful of the merciful."

12:65
And when they opened their baggage, they found their merchandise returned to them. *Genesis 42:27 - 28 They said, "O our father, what [more] could we desire? This is our merchandise returned to us. And we will obtain supplies for our family and protect our brother and obtain an increase of a camel's load; that is an easy measurement."

12:66
[Jacob] said, "I will never send him with you until you give me a promise by God that you will bring him [back] to me, unless you should be surrounded." And when they had given their promise, he said, "God is Guardian over what we say."

12:67
And he said, "O my sons, do not enter from one gate, *Book of Jasher 51:4 but enter from different gates; and I cannot avail you against God at all. The decision is only for God; I trust in Him, and let those who would trust [indeed] trust in Him."

12:68
And when they entered from where their father had ordered them, it did not avail them against God at all except [it was] a need within the soul of Jacob, which he satisfied. And indeed, he was a possessor of knowledge because of what We had taught him, but most of the people do not know.

12:69
And when they entered upon Joseph, he took his brother to himself; he said, "Indeed, I am your brother, so do not despair over what they have done."

12:70
So when he had furnished them with their supplies, he put the drinking cup into the bag of his brother. *Genesis 44:2, *Book of Jubilees 42:33 Then an announcer called out, "O caravan, indeed you are thieves." *Book of Jubilees 43:4

12:71
They said while approaching them, "What is it you are missing?"

12:72
They said, "We are missing the cup of the king. And for he who produces it is [the reward of] a camel's load, and I am responsible for it."

12:73
They said, "By God, you have certainly known that we did not come to cause corruption in the land, and we have not been thieves."

12:74
They said, "Then what would be its recompense if you should be liars?"

12:75
[The brothers] said, "Its recompense is that he in whose bag it is found - he [himself] will be its recompense. *Genesis 44:10 Thus, we recompense the wrongdoers."

12:76
So he began [the search] with their bags before the bag of his brother; then he extracted it from the bag of his brother. *Genesis 44:11 - 12, *Book of Jubilees 43:10 Thus, We planned for Joseph. He could not have taken his brother within the religion of the king except that God willed. We raise whom We will in degrees, but [there is] One [more] Knowing over every possessor of knowledge.

12:77
They said, "If he steals - a brother of his has stolen before." But Joseph kept it within himself and did not disclose it to them. He said, "You are worse in position, and God is most knowing of what you describe."

12:78
They said, "O 'Azeez, indeed he has a very old father, so take one of us in place of him. *Genesis 44:31 - 33, *Book of Jubilees 43:20 - 21 Indeed, we see you as a doer of good."

12:79
[Joseph] said, "[I seek] the refuge of God, that we only take him whom we found our possession with. Indeed, we would then be wrongdoers."

12:80
So when they had despaired of him, they secluded themselves in private consultation. The eldest of them said, "Do you not know that your father has taken an oath by God upon you and [that] you failed before in [your duty to] Joseph? So I will never leave [this] land until my father permits me or God decides for me, and He is the best of judges.

12:81
Return to your father and say, "O our father, indeed your son has stolen, and we did not testify except to what we knew. And we could not guard against the unseen,

12:82
And ask the city in which we were and the caravan in which we came - and indeed, we are truthful."

12:83
[Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. Perhaps God will bring them to me all together. Indeed it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise."

12:84
And he turned away from them and said, "Oh, my sorrow over Joseph," and his eyes became white from grief, for he was a suppressor [of that].

12:85
They said, "By God, you will not cease remembering Joseph until you become fatally ill or become of those who perish."

12:86
He said, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to God, and I know [things] from God which you do not know.

12:87
O my sons, go and find out about Joseph and his brother and do not despair of comfort from God. Indeed, no one despairs of comfort from God except the disbelieving people."

12:88
So when they entered upon [Joseph], they said, "O 'Azeez, adversity has touched us and our family, and we have come with goods poor in quality, but give us full measure and be charitable to us. Indeed, God rewards the charitable."

12:89
He said, "Do you know what you did with Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?"

12:90
They said, "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said "I am Joseph, *Genesis 45:4 and this is my brother. God has certainly favored us. Indeed, he who fears [God] and is patient, then indeed, God does not allow the reward of those who do good to be lost."

12:91
They said, "By God, God has certainly preferred you over us, and indeed, we have been sinners."

12:92
He said, "There will be no blame upon you today. *Genesis 45:5 God will forgive you; and He is the most Merciful of the merciful."

12:93
Take this, my shirt, and cast it over the face of my father; he will become seeing. And bring me your family, all together."

12:94
And when the caravan separated, their father said, "Indeed, I find the smell of Joseph [and would say that he was alive] if you did not think of me as weakened in mind."

12:95
They said, "By God, indeed you are in your [same] old error."

12:96
And when the bearer of good news arrived, he cast it over his face, and he returned seeing [once again]. He said, "Did I not tell you that I know [things] from God which you do not know?"

12:97
They said, "O our father, ask forgiveness for our sins for us; indeed, we have been sinners."

12:98
He said, "Soon I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. ~*Genesis 50:16 - 17 Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."

12:99
And when they entered upon Joseph, he took his parents to himself and said, "Enter Egypt, God willing, safe [and secure]."

12:100
And he raised his parents upon the throne, and they bowed to him in prostration. And he said, "O my father, this is the explanation of my vision of before. My Lord has made it true. And He was certainly good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you [here] from bedouin life after Satan had induced [estrangement] between me and my brothers. Indeed, my Lord is Subtle in what He wills. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise.

12:101
My Lord, You have given me [something] of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of events. Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Let me die in submission [to You] and join me with the righteous."

12:102
That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you. And you were not with them when they put their plan together while they conspired.

12:103
And most of the people are not believers, although you desire [it].

12:104
And you do not ask them for any payment for it. *Shepherd of Hermas 43:12 It is nothing except a reminder to the worlds.

12:105
And how many signs within the heavens and earth do they pass over while they are turning away therefrom?

12:106
And most of them do not believe in God except while they associate others [with Him].

12:107
Then do they feel secure that an overwhelming [aspect] of the punishment of God will not come to them, or that the Hour will not come upon them suddenly while they do not perceive?

12:108
Say, "This is my way; I invite to God with insight, I and those who follow me. And God is Exalted; and I am not among those who associate others [with Him]."

12:109
And We did not send [any messengers] before you except men whom We revealed to from among the people of cities. So have they not traveled through the earth and observed how the end was for those before them? And the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear [God]; then will you not reason?

12:110
[They continued] until the messengers despaired and were certain that they had been denied, Our help came to them, and whoever We willed was saved. And Our punishment cannot be repelled from the people who are criminals.

12:111
There was certainly a lesson in their stories for those of understanding. [The Qur'an] is not an invented narration, but a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of all things and guidance and mercy for a people who believe.