As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is from Surah 12, Yüsuf or Joseph, verses 21-35. These verses continue the story of Prophet Joseph when he was sold into slavery in Egypt. The wife of his master attempted to seduce him but he resisted her advances. Prophet Joseph was falsely accused of trying to seduce her. At first, he was exonerated but, later, even after further evidence was presented, he was still thrown into jail.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.The Egyptian who bought Joseph (Yüsuf) said to his wife: “Be kind to him. He may prove useful to us, or we may adopt him as a son.” Thus We established Joseph in the land and arranged to teach him the understanding of affairs. Allah has full power over His affairs, though most people do not know.[21] When he reached maturity, We bestowed on him wisdom and knowledge. Thus do We reward the righteous.[22] 12:[21-22]
Now, the lady of the house (his master’s wife) attempted to seduce him. She bolted the doors and said: “Come!” He replied: “May Allah protect me from this! My lord has provided me with good residence. Should I betray his trust? Such wrongdoers shall not prosper.”[23] She advanced toward him, and he would have advanced towards her had he not seen a sign from his Lord. Thus did We shield him from indecency and immodesty, for he was one of Our chosen, a sincere devotee.[24] They both rushed to the door. In order to stop him she caught his shirt, and as a result she ripped his shirt from behind. At the door they met her husband. Seeing him she cried: “What punishment does someone who intended evil against your wife deserve except imprisonment or a painful chastisement?”[25]Joseph said: “It was she who attempted to seduce me.” At this – one accusing the other – one member of her own family bore witness saying: “If his shirt is ripped from the front, then she is speaking the truth and he is lying.[26] But if it is ripped from behind, then he is speaking the truth and she is lying.”[27] So when he (her husband) saw that Joseph’s shirt was ripped from behind, he said to her: “It is one of the tricks of you women! Your trick was mighty indeed! [28] O Joseph, say no more about this, and you (O my wife) seek forgiveness for your sins, for you were indeed the wrongdoer.”[29] 12:[23-29]
The women of the city began to talk about this incident, saying: “The wife of Al-Aziz has seduced her young slave, for she has fallen madly in love with him. In fact, we see her in manifest error.”[30] When she heard about these remarks, she invited them and prepared for them a banquet, and gave each of them a knife. When they were engaged in cutting fruit, she asked Joseph to come out before them. When they saw him, they were so amazed that they cut their hands and exclaimed spontaneously: “Good Lord! He is no human being; he is but a noble angel.”[31] She said: “Well, this is he about whom you blamed me. No doubt I seduced him, but he escaped. If he doesn’t do what I say, he will certainly be thrown into prison and be disgraced.”[32]Joseph said: “O my Lord! I would rather go to prison than that to which they invite me; and unless You ward off their cunning snare from me, I may, in my youthful folly, feel inclined towards them and become one of the ignorant.”[33] Thereupon his Lord granted his prayer and warded off their cunning snare from him; surely He hears all and knows all.[34] Still, even after all the evidence they had seen (of his innocence and the guilt of their women), they thought it proper to send him to prison for a while.[35] 12:[30-35]
Ameen.
This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.
Thank you and be well.