top of page
Writer's pictureMohamed Elgayar

☪️ Quran: Chapter 12 Yusuf (Joseph) سورة يوسف

Updated: Feb 9

Revelation place: Mecca

Revelation order: 53

Number of verses: 111


Yusuf's story time frame:

Egypt in the Middle Kingdom period (1650 -1550 BCE), was around the time of the Hyksos,

who were comprised of a group of West Asian invaders, who ruled the North Eastern part of Egypt around current-day Syria and Palestine for a 100 years

After the recent discovery of the "Rosetta Stone", we learned that the rule of the “Pharaoh”

had disappeared for a short while, coinciding with the period when the “King” of the Hyksos colonized Egypt and the Israelites' tribe moved to Egypt.


This Quran chapter was revealed during the last stage of the Prophet's stay at Mecca year 622 CE.

It was a time when the pagans of Mecca were considering killing him.

Same time the Jews suggested to Mecca pagans test the Prophet Mohamed by asking him:

"Why did the Israelites go to Egypt?" knowing that the history of the Israelites was not known to the Arabs, therefore that would expose the prophet.

So The Prophet recited to them this Chapter on the spot.

even completing details unknown to them.


I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the condemned.

With the name of Allah, the gracious the merciful.


1- Alif, Lam, Raa.

(These “standalone names-letters”, are at the start of selected chapters, they are not part of a sentence that can guide us to understand their meaning, or compare them to another similar sentence in other chapters of the Quran so we can deduct their meanings, nor are they are a continuation to another chapter that can give us insight in their meaning.

Despite they are letters in the form of words no one could explain their meaning over the centuries, since Allah did not guide us to their meanings like other new words in the Quran.

My point of view is without Allah’s guidance nothing can be understood, so these letters could be an example of our dependency on Allah's guidance in our life and via his "Straight path" The Quran.

The prophet was not literate and, the Quran was verbally reviled to him and he in turn recited it verbally, so Alif, Lam, Raa, was the same way the prophet verbally said the message and, Allah knows best)

These are the verses of the clear book


2- We have sent it down (Quran) in Arabic recital, so that you may ponder it.


3- We recount to you the best of stories

by which We have revealed to you this Quran,

thought before it,

you were unaware.

(Allah addressing, Mohamed,

We will relate the actual events of the story in the order, they happen,

Thought before We revealed it to you, you did not know, learn, and could not have read or prepared for it)


4- When Yusuf said to his father

“O my father, I saw eleven stars

and the sun and the moon,

then I saw them to me prostrating”


5- Said “O my son do not relate your vision to your brothers,

then they will plot for you a plot,

for Satan to humans is a declared enemy.

(Satan will use this vision to stir your brothers to plot for you)


6- Like this, your God chooses you (Yusuf)

and teaches you about affairs interpretation (dreams interpretation),

and complete His favor upon you (To become a prophet)

and upon the family of Jacob,

as He completed it on your fathers from before, Abraham and Isaac

Indeed your God is knowing wise.


7- Indeed were in Yusuf and his brothers, signs for those who are asking.

(E.g. the Jews asked the pagans of Mecca who were plotting to kill Mohamed, to test Mohamed by asking him: "Why did the Israelites go to Egypt?"


8- As they (Yusuf's eldest brothers)

said “Surely Yusuf and his brother are more beloved to our father than we,

while we are a band,

indeed our father in a clear error.


(Yusuf and his brother are two children, whose mother has died, and their father “Jacob” expressed more care and sympathy for them over his older sons from another mother who was banded together and is able to rely on themselves)


9- Kill Yusuf, or cast him in the land,

that will vacate to you, your father’s face (his attention will be all yours)

and after that, you become righteous folk.


10- Said a speaker among them “Do not kill Yusuf,

just throw him in the hidden part of a well,

to be picked up by some caravan.


11- They said” O our father why do not you entrust us with Yusuf,

and we will be for him, guiding.


12- Send him with us tomorrow to enjoy and play

and we for him shall be guardians.


13- He (His father “Jacob”) said

“It will sadden me that you would take him away

and I fear that the wolf would eat him,

while you from him are heedless.


14- They said “If the wolf eats him while we are a band,

then we are the losers.


15- So when they went off with him,

and collectively agreed to put him in the hidden part of the well,

We (God) revealed to him (Yusuf)

that you would inform them (one day) of this affair of theirs.

and they were not aware.

(Yusuf's brothers were not aware of God's revelation to Yusuf)


16- And they came to their father at nightfall, weeping


17- They said” O our father! we went racing and left Yusuf with our belongings,

so ate him the wolf,

and you would not believe us, even if we were truthful.


18- And they brought on his (Yusuf) shirt false blood.

Said (Jacob) “No, but yourself had facilitated to you a matter.

So pleasant patience (the patience of expecting a good outcome)

And Allah is the helper over what you describe.

(Allah is the only helper to help me to withstand patiently the dilemma of the lie you just described)


19- And there came a caravan,

and they sent their water supplier

He let down his bucket.

He said “Good News this is a young boy”

And they concealed him with the merchandise

And Allah is all-knower of what you do.


20- And they sold him for a reduced price, a few counted coins

And they were in him let go. (Glad to get any price)


21- And said who bought him from Egypt to his wife

set him up generously,

perhaps he will benefit us,

or we take him for a son

like this, We (God) enabled to Yusuf in the land

and to teach him affairs interpretation,

and Allah is predominant over His affair

but most people do not know.


22- And when he reached his strength

We brought him wisdom and knowledge. (Form being raised in an affluent environment)

And like this, We reward the good doers.


23- And seduced him (Yusuf),

she who he is in her house

And she locked the doors and said “I am yours”

He said “I seek refugee from Allah”

He is my lord that best sheltered me

Indeed, prosper not, the wrongdoers.


24- And she went for him, and he inclined to her

had not he seen proof from his God (a sign from his God stopped him)

Like this, We dismissed away from him evil and lewdness

He is among our devout worshipers.


25- And they raced to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back,

and they found her master (husband) at the door

she said “what is the sanction, for who wanted evil with your household,

but to be imprisoned or painful torment.


26- He said she seduced me

And witnessed a witness from her family

“If his shirt was torn from the front, then she is truthful

and he is of the liars.


27- and If his shirt was torn from the back,

then she has lied

and he is truthful.


28- So when he saw his shirt torn from the back,

he said “ it is from your cunning,

indeed, your cunning is great”


29- Yusuf, turn aside from this,

and you (said to his wife) seek forgiveness for your sin

you were among the wrong-doers.


30- And said the women in the city

“The woman of the Aziz (governor) is seducing her young man (slave),

she is impassioned with his love.

Indeed we see her in a clear stray.


31- So when she heard their slyness,

she sent to them, (a banquet invitation)

and prepared for them couches

and gave each one of the a knife

and said (to Yusuf) “come out before them”

so when they saw him

they exalted (Oh my God)

and they cut their hands (in amazement)

and said “ Glory to Allah, this not a human, this is not but a gracious angel”


32- She said “ That is what you blamed me for, and I enticed him, and he sought refugee ( abstained)”

and if he does not do what I order him (to submit to her seduction),

he shall be imprisoned,

and will be among the belittled.


33- He said” My God prion is dearer to me than what they invite me to”,

and unless You dismiss away from me

their cunningness,

I shall yearn to them,

and be among the ignorant.


34- So responded to him his God, and dismissed from him their cunningness,

He is the all-hearing, the knowing


35- Then it appeared to them (Governor and his counsel),

after they saw the signs (Yusuf's innocence)

to imprison him, for a time.


36- And entered the prison with him two young men,

Said one of them “I see myself pressing booze”

And said the other “ I see myself carrying on my head bread that birds are eating off”

Tell us its interpretation, we see you among the good-doers.


37- He said (Yusuf) ” You will receive the food that they provide (daily prison food),

But I will inform you of it before you receive it,

This is from what my God has taught me.

Indeed, I have left a people with a religion who do not believe in Allah,

And they in the hereafter are disbelievers.


38- And followed the religion of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

It was never for us to partner with Allah anything.

That is from Allah’s favor upon us and upon the people.

But most people are not thankful.


39- O my two prison companions. “are scattered, Gods (also divided among themselves)

Better?

Or Allah the one the omnipotent.”


40- What you worship instead of Him, are just names that you have named by yourself and your

Fathers, for which Allah did not send down in it any authority.

This decree is but from Allah,

not to worship except Him, this is the valuable (right) religion

But most people do not know. (its value as they do not apply it )


41- O my two prison companions.

As for one of you,

he will serve wine to his master,

as for the other

he will be crucified and the birds will eat from his head

the matter has been decreed, (By Allah)

that you both in it have asked for interpretation.


42- And he said to the one that he knew would survive among them

“Mention me before your master”

But Satan caused him to forget the mention to this master.

So he (Yusuf) remained in prison for a few years.


43- Said the King” I have seen seven fat cows being eaten by seven meager cows,

and seven green spikes and others dry.

O my counselors assess to me my vision

if you for the visions can cross it. (from fantasy to reality)

“Worth noting: Considering the time frame of Yusuf's story,

the ruler was narrated accurately in the Quran as “King”

not “Pharoah” like in other Quran chapters.


44- They said “a mixture of dreams, and we are not in dream interpretations, knowing.


45- And said the one who freed from them (released from prison)

and remembering after a time “ I will inform you of its interpretation” so send me.

(Permit to go, find that interpreter)


46- Oh Yusuf, the truthful one, explain to us about seven fat cows being eaten by seven meager cows, and seven green spikes and others dry,

that I may return to the people,

perhaps they will know.

(accept your explanation and know the truth)


47- Said “You will plant for seven years relentlessly, and what you harvest leave in its spikes, except a little from which you eat


48- Then comes after that seven harsh (years), that will eat what you set forth for them,

except for a little that you would fortify. (Store and guard)


49- Then comes after that a year, the people in it will get relief,

and in it, they squeeze.

(They will be well relieved that they will press squeeze the excess of the crop)



50- Said the King” bring him (Yusuf) to me”

when the messenger came to him

Said (Yusuf) “go to your master and ask him, what about the women who cut their hands?”

Indeed my God is knowing of their cunning.


51-Said (The King) what is this affair when you sought to seduce Yusuf? (to these women)

They said” Allah forbid, we did not know any evil from him”

Said Aziz’s wife “ Now the truth has parted,

I sought to seduce him”

and he is among the truthful.


52- And that so he knows that I did not betray him in his absence

(Did not slander and sought revenge on him while he is in prison)

And Allah does not guide the cunning of the betrayers.


53- And I do not clear myself, indeed the self constantly demands evil,

except those whom my God had mercy upon,

indeed my God is forgiving merciful.


54- And said the King “bring him to me,

he will be exclusive to me,

and when he spoke with him (King Interviewed Yusuf),

he said “you are today for us, at a trusted place.


55- He said (Yusuf) “Place me over the treasuries of the land,

I am a knowledgeable guardian”.


56- And like this, We (Allah) enabled to Yusuf in the land to take over as he wishes,

We strike with our mercy whom We will,

and We do not lose the rewards of the good-doers


57- But indeed the reward of the hereafter is better,

for those who believed, and were pious.


58- Then came Yusuf's brothers and they entered upon him, he recognized them

but they did not recognize him.


59- And when he provided them with their provision (merchandise for grains),

He said “Bring me a brother from your father,

do not you see that I give a full measure,

and I am a good host ”.


60- And if you do not bring him to me, (next time)

you shall not have measure from me,

and do not come near.

(Apparently, they chatted with Yusuf

that they had a brother whom they left behind with their old father)


61- They said, “ we will dissuade his father from him, indeed we will do”.


62- And he (Yusuf) said to his people,

“Put their merchandise in their saddlebags,

so they may know it

when they go back to their people,

perhaps they will return”

(Yusuf gave them the grains, and also return back in secret to them their bartering merchandise,

to entice them to come back with his brother for an extra load, Allah knows best)


63- So when they returned back to their father, (Jacob)

they said” Oh our father the measure is withheld from us,

(future grain provisions)

so send with us our brother so we will be given measures,

and indeed, we are to him, guardian.


64- He said “ Can I entrust him to you, same as I entrusted you with his brother from before?

Allah is the best guardian, and He is the most merciful of the mercifuls.


65- And when they opened their belongings,

they found that their merchandise was returned to them,

They said “ what more can we need,

our merchandise was returned to us,

and to supply our family,

and guard our brother,

and to increase a camel load (to get one extra for their young brother)

and that is an easy-to-get load.


66- He said “I will not send him with you until you undertake a covenant from Allah,

that you will bring him to me, except if you were surrounded (Something out of your control),

And when they undertook their covenant, he said “ And Allah upon what we say, authorize”


67- And he said “ O my sons, do not enter from one door, (Egypt)

and enter from separate doors

(to be extra cautious, knowing that their merchandise was returned to them,

and seems to be favored for no apparent reason by the person in charge in Egypt)

and I cannot avail you against Allah,

with anything,

(Allah’s wish will prevail regardless)

the decision is only to Allah

upon Him, I have relied

and on Him should rely,

those who seek reliance.


68-And when they entered from where their father ordered them,

and that would not have availed them from Allah from anything,

except for a need within the self of Jacob, which he satisfied

and indeed he is of knowledge of what We taught him,

but most people do not know.

(Jacob knows that planning according to the causes,

does not contradict with the reliance on Allah,

because Allah created and controls the causes and the results)


69- And when they entered upon Yusuf, he took in his brother to himself (cojoined lodging)

said, I am your brother do not grieve over what they used to do. (by mistreating Yusuf's brother)


70- And when he (Yusuf) provided them with their provision,

he put the water bowl into the saddlebag of his brother,

Then an announcer announced “O caravan indeed you are thieves”


71-They (Yusuf brothers) said while approaching them “What do you miss?”


72- They said we miss the king’s cup,

and whoever brings it will get a camel’s load,

that is my allegation



73- They said “By Allah, you know we have not come to cause spoil in the land,

and we were never thieves.


74- They (Yusuf’s men) said “what is his penalty, if you are liars


75- They (Yusuf brothers) said the penalty for whom we find it in his bag is his penalty,

thus we penalize the wrong-doers

(According to Jacob’s Law, the thief would be enslaved or remain in the service of those who robbed them)


76- They started with their bags

before the bag of his brother (Yusuf's brother),

then they brought it out from his brother's bag.

Like this, We planned for Yusuf,

He would not have taken his brother according to the king’s law unless Allah has willed

(Yusuf would not have taken his brother according to the law of Egypt;

had it not been for the penalty recommendation of the brothers)

We (Allah) raise in ranks whomever We will

and above every knowledgeable the All-knowing


77-They said “If he (Yusuf's brother) steals,

there was a brother of his (means Yusuf) who stole before,

so held it, Yusuf, within himself, and did not reveal it to them

(That his aunt had falsely accused young Yusuf of stealing,

by placing a piece of jewelry in his belonging;

To keep him in her custody, from her excessive love for him)

He (Yusuf) said (within himself) you are in an evil spot,

(Because you actually stole a son from his father)

And Allah is All-knowing of what you describe. (say of falsehood)


78- They said” O Aziz (ruler), he has an old fragile father, so take one of us in place of him,

Indeed we see you among the kind ones.


79- Said (Yusuf) Allah forbid, that I take except whom we found our possession with,

then indeed we would be among the wrong-doers.


80- When they despaired of him, they left conferring,

Said their eldest” Do not you know that your father has undertaken upon you,

a covenant from Allah, and before that you squandered Yusuf,

I will not leave the land, till my father permits me,

or Allah judges for me,

and He is the best of judges.


81- Go back to your father, and say: Our father your son has stolen,

and we did not testify (Against their brother),

except when we knew (After we verified)

and we were no guardians of the unknown


82- And ask the village that we were in, and the caravan that we came in,

indeed we are truthful


83- Said (Jacob) “No, but yourself had facilitated to you a matter.

So pleasant patience (the patience of expecting a good outcome)

That may Allah will bring them all together(Yusuf, his brother, and eldest son)

Indeed Allah is the knowing the wise


84- And he turned away from them and said “ Oh, my sorrow over Yusuf”

And his eyes became white from sadness and became opaque.

(bottled his sadness and sight (cataract))


85- They say” By Allah, you do not leave remembering Yusuf,

till you become ruined (health and mental)

or you become among those who perish.


86-He said” But I complain my distress and saddens to Allah”

And I know from Allah what you do not know.


87- Oh my sons go and feel (Sense a trace) from Yusef and his brother,

And do not despair from Allah’s spirit, (help, relief, guidance, mercy)

Indeed none despair of Allah’s spirit

but the disbelieving folks


88- And when they entered upon him (Yusuf),

they said “Oh Aziz, adversity had touched us and our folk

and we came with resold merchandise (Second quality),

give us the full measurement portion, as charity upon us

indeed Allah rewards the charitable.

89- He said “ Did you realize what you did to Yusuf and his brother,

while you were ignorant?

(Young and ignorant)


90- They said” You are indeed is Yusuf

Said: I am Yusuf and this is my brother, Allah has blessed us

Indeed who is pious and patient,

Allah does not cause the loss of the rewards of the good-doers


91- They said, “By Allah, Indeed Allah had preferred you over us

and we were indeed wrong.


92- He said” No blame upon you today

Allah forgive you,

And He is the most merciful of the mercifuls.


93- Go with this shirt of mine,

and cast it on my father's face will become seeing,

and bring me your family, all together.


94-And when the caravan departed

Said their father “ Indeed I find wind of Yusuf”

If you do not refute me.


95- They said “By Allah, you are in your old delusion”


96- And when the bearer arrived,

he cast it (Yusuf's shirt)

over his face

so he returned seeing

and said” did not I tell you I know from Allah

that what you do not know.



97- They said” O our father, forgive for us our sins,

we were indeed wrongdoers.


98- Said” I will ask forgiveness for you from my God,

Indeed He is the forgiving, the merciful.


99- And when they entered upon Yusuf,

he took his parents (Father and aunt) onto him

and said” Enter Egypt, Allah willing, safely”


100- And he raised his parents onto the throne,

And they dropped to him prostrating,

(The eleven brothers, the father, and the aunt prostrated in salutation and thanks)

And said “Oh my father this is the interpretation of my vision from before,

My God had made it a reality

And He did good by me,

as He took me out of prison

and brought you from the Bedouins,

after Stan had oozed between me and my brothers

Indeed, my God is tender to whom he wills

Indeed, He is the knowing the wise


101- My God, you have brought me sovereignty,

and taught me event interpretations.

Creator of the heavens and earth

You are my guardian in this world and the hereafter,

take me as a Muslim (To die submissive to God)

and join me to the righteous ones.


102- This is from the news of the absence,

We reveal it to you (Mohamed)

and you were not with them when they

calculated their affairs while in deceit.

103- And not most people, even if you (Mohamed) are keen, (To guide them)

will believe.


104- And you do not ask them for a fee for it

It is not except a reminder for the world. (Quran is a savior in this world and hereafter)


105- And numerous signs in the heavens and earth they pass over it

and they from it they side away.


106- And most of them do not believe in Allah

unless they associate others (God’s or reasons) with him.


107- Did they feel secure from the coming of a velum of torment from Allah’s

or come to them the Hour (Resurrection time) suddenly

while they do not perceive?


108- Say” That is my way,

I call to Allah with insight,

I and those who follow me

(It is certainty based on Allah’s guidance supported by knowledge and the heart)

Exalted is Allah

And I am not of those who associate others with Him


109-And We did not send before you (Mohamed) except men

whom We revealed to them from among the people of the villages.

Did they (disbelievers) not walk in the earth,

and look how was the consequences,

of those before them?

Indeed the home of the hereafter is best for those who are pious,

Can not you reason?

(That same consequence of good for good and evil for evil, will happen in the hereafter)


110- Until the messengers despaired (reached their human limits),

and thought they were treated as liars (by their people),

there came Our victory, and We save whom We will,

and Our Might cannot be repelled from the guilty people


111- And there was in their stories (Yusuf and other prophets)

a moral for those of deep minds.

Was never a forged narration,

but a confirmation of that before His hands

(To verify the previous holy books)

and detailing everything,

and guidance,

and mercy,

for people who believe.



Disclaimer:

The Holy Quran can only be read and recited in its original revealed Arabic language. No translation or interpretation of the Holy Quran can be used as a replacement for the Arabic Holy Quran. I am not a scholar nor have any Islamic studies diplomas. I have tried to provide a Quran translation and interpretation that is faithful to the Quranic Arabic language, based on my readings of selected scholars’ interpretations and my understanding of The Holy Quran as a layman Muslim native Arabic speaker.


#islam #bobbysperspective #khalidyasin #yusufestes #ahmeddeedat  #givebirth #islam #christianity #ramadan #eid #islamicvideo #mercifulservant #hijab #islamic #islamicstatus  #quran #mercifulservant #nonmuslim #blackprophetinislam #allah #views #viral #shorts #muslimreaction #religion #prayer #surah #prophetmuhammad #quran #reaction #christianity #exmuslim #uk #jesus #atheist #usa #muslim #prophetmuhammad #zakirnaik #yusufestes #khalidyasin #trinity #converttoislam #australia #youtube #worldwide #phophetmuhammad #bible #howislambegan #christainreacts #zakirnaik #quran #givebirth #mary #nonmuslim #quran #bible #islamreaction #christainmuslim #reactionvideo #maryjesus #muslimconvertstories #pbuh #treatmentofparentinislam #christain #muslimreaction #muslimreaction #islamreaction #foryou #hijab #islamicstatus #islamic #islamicvideo #islamreaction  #ProphetMuhammadismentionedinBible #zakirnaikreaction #ahmeddeedatreaction #mercifulservant #rationalbeliever #prophets #church #music #jesus #allah #vlog #differencebetweenquranandbible #Polygamy #Jesus #Crucifixion #Hell #Catholic #Zakir #Naik  #Drzakirnaik #Fariq #Naik #FariqNaik #FariqZakirNaik #Dr #Drzakirchannel #Allah #Allaah #God #Muslim #Islam #Islaam #Comparative #Religion #ComparativeReligion #Atheism #Atheist #Christianity #Christian #Hinduism #Hindu #Buddhism #Buddhist #Judaism #Jew #Sikhism #Sikh #Jainism #Jain #Lecture #Question #Answer #trinity #khalidyasin #QuestionsandAnswer #Logic #Reason #Science #Misconception #yusufestes  #converttoislam #allah #Misunderstanding #PeaceTV #Dawah #Muhammad #Mohammed #Hadeeth #Hadith #Saheeh #Sahih #Man #Woman  #Human #Humanity #Problem #Solution #Rights #Media #War #Peace #Similarities #Debate #Lecture #Quran #alquran  #AlQuraan #Bible #Veda #Gita #Geeta #Baghwat #Upanishad #Purana #Terrorism #Terrorist #Universal #Brotherhood #Word #Purpose #Life #Jihad #Jihaad #Jesus #Christ #Jesuschrist #Church #Mosque #Masjid #Perspective #Ask #AskDrZakir #Seeking #Knowledge #Education #NonMuslim #Fundamentalist #Fundamentalism #Symposium #Dialogue #Salaah #Salah #Shariah #Scripture #Ahmed #Deedat #AhmedDeedat #Daee #Missionary #Concept #West #Family #Global #Ramadhaan #Ramadan #Tauheed #Tawheed #Monotheism #Zakaat #Zakat #Zakah #Hajj #Saum #Fasting #Makkah #Mecca #Madinah #India #Malaysia #Ummah #Unity #Importance #Date #Isamophobia #Understand #Deen #Fardh #Fard #Haraam #Haram #Sunnah #Mustahab #Waajib #Wajib #Compulsory #Prohibited #Encouraged #Permissible #Permitted #Prohibited #Sin #Sinful #Heaven #Hell #Hellfire #Jannah #Jahannum #Paradise #prophetmuhammadinthebible #christianconverttoislam #miracleofallah #prophetmuhammad #jesusisnotgod #sonofgod #islamisthefastestgrowingreligion #Islam #ahmeddeedat #reaction #nonmuslim  #bible #reactionvideo #storyofjesus #zakirnaik #trinity #treatmentofparentinislam #christian #jesus #muslimreaction #islamreaction #foryou #hijab #islamicstatus #islamic #jesusinquran #sonofmary #zakirnaikreaction #converttoislam  #bukunmibkcrown #oneislamproduction #rationalbeliever #mercifulservant #mary #trinityreaction #ahmeddeedatreaction #mercifulservant #rationalbeliever #prophet #church #music #jesus #allah #christmas #vlog #differencebetweenquranandbible #quransage





1 view0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

QuranSage: About The Author

Born into a well-off liberal family in Egypt, my early life was shaped by the rhythms of a cosmopolitan upbringing. Educated in English...

Commentaires


bottom of page