Yûsuf (Surah 12)
Yûsuf (Joseph)
Makki SurahIntroduction
Rightfully called ‘the best of stories,’ this uplifting Meccan sûrah was revealed along with the two previous sûrahs at a critical time in the life of the Prophet (ﷺ) following the death of his wife Khadîjah and his uncle Abu Ṭâlib, his two main supporters, shortly after a 3-year boycott by the Meccan pagans to suppress the believers. This is the story of Joseph (ﷺ) whose half-brothers were driven by jealousy, conspiring to distance him from his father Jacob (ﷺ). Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, falsely accused, and imprisoned for several years, only to become Egypt’s Chief Minister. Just like Joseph (ﷺ), the Prophet (ﷺ) had to live away from his hometown, was faced with false allegations and abused by his own people, but ultimately became Arabia’s undisputed leader. When the Prophet (ﷺ) triumphed over Mecca after many years of persecution, he treated the very people who abused him with grace, recalling the words of Joseph when his brothers begged for mercy in verse 92, “There is no blame on you today. May Allah forgive you! He is the Most Merciful of the merciful!” In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
The Best of Stories
1. Alif-Lãm-Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book. 2. Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran so that you may understand. 3. We relate to you (O Prophet) the best of stories through Our revelation of this Quran, though before this you were totally unaware (of them).
Surah 12 - Yûsuf (Joseph) - Verses 1-3
Joseph’s Dream
4. (Remember) when Joseph said to his father, “O my dear father! Indeed I dreamt of eleven stars, and the sun, and the moon—I saw them prostrating to me!” 5. He replied, “O my dear son! Do not relate your vision to your brothers, or they will devise a plot against you. Surely Satan is a sworn enemy to humankind. 6. And so will your Lord choose you (O Joseph), and teach you the interpretation of dreams, and perfect His favour upon you and the descendants of Jacob—(just) as He once perfected it upon your forefathers, Abraham and Isaac. Surely your Lord is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”
Surah 12 - Yûsuf (Joseph) - Verses 4-6
Conspiracy by Joseph’s Brothers
7. Indeed, in the story of Joseph and his brothers there are lessons for all who ask. 8. (Remember) when they said (to one another), “Surely Joseph and his brother (Benjamin) are more beloved to our father than we, even though we are a group of so many. Indeed, our father is clearly mistaken. 9. Kill Joseph or cast him out to some (distant) land so that our father’s attention will be only ours, then after that you may (repent and) become righteous people!” 10. One of them said, “Do not kill Joseph. But if you must do something, throw him into the bottom of a well so perhaps he may be picked up by some travellers.”
Surah 12 - Yûsuf (Joseph) - Verses 7-10
Convincing Jacob
11. They said, “O our father! Why do you not trust us with Joseph, although we truly wish him well? 12. Send him out with us tomorrow so that he may enjoy himself and play. And we will really watch over him.” 13. He responded, “It would truly sadden me if you took him away with you, and I fear that a wolf may devour him while you are negligent of him.” 14. They said, “If a wolf were to devour him, despite our strong group, then we would certainly be losers!” 15. And so, when they took him away and decided to throw him into the bottom of the well, We inspired him: “(One day) you will remind them of this deed of theirs while they are unaware (of who you are).”