Surah Yusuf

Alif, Lām, Rā.1 These are the verses of the clear Book.

Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’ān1 that you might understand.

We relate to you, [O Muḥammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur’ān although you were, before it, among the unaware.

[Of these stories mention] when Joseph said to his father,1 "O my father, indeed I have seen [in a dream] eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me."

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

And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of narratives [i.e., events or dreams] 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."

Certainly were there in Joseph and his brothers signs for those who ask, [such as]

When they said, "Joseph and his brother1 are more beloved to our father than we, while we are a clan. Indeed, our father is in clear error.

Kill Joseph or cast him out to [another] land; the countenance [i.e., attention] of your father will [then] be only for you, and you will be after that a righteous people."1

Said a speaker among them, "Do not kill Joseph but throw him into the bottom of the well; some travelers will pick him up - if you would do [something]."

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

Send him with us tomorrow that he may eat well and play. And indeed, we will be his guardians."

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

They said, "If a wolf should eat him while we are a [strong] clan, indeed, we would then be losers."

So when they took him [out] and agreed to put him into the bottom of the well...1 But We inspired to him, "You will surely inform them [someday] about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity]."

And they came to their father at night, weeping.

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."

And they brought upon his shirt false blood.1 [Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allāh is the one sought for help against that which you describe."

And there came a company of travelers; then they sent their water drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said, "Good news! Here is a boy." And they concealed him, [taking him] as merchandise;1 and Allāh was Knowing of what they did.

And they sold him for a reduced price - a few dirhams - and they were, concerning him, of those content with little.