As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is from Surah 12, Yüsuf or Joseph, verses 36-57. These verses continue the story of Prophet Joseph after he was falsely accused of trying to seduce his master’s wife and thrown into jail. In jail, he interpreted his fellow inmates’ dreams. One was subsequently released and several years later, he came to Joseph to interpret the King of Egypt’s dreams, which told of a famine to come. With the help of his former inmate, Joseph was exonerated of his crimes and then brought before the King and given a special place by the King’s side.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.Two young men also entered the prison along with him. One day one of them said: “I saw in a dream that I was pressing wine.” The other said: “I saw in a dream that I was carrying bread on my head, of which birds were eating.” Tell us the interpretation of these dreams, for we see that you are a man of virtue.[36] Joseph replied: “I will, with Allah’s permission, tell you the interpretation of these dreams before you are served the food you eat, this is part of the knowledge which my Lord has taught me. In fact, I have forsaken the faith of those people who do not believe in Allah and even deny the hereafter.[37] I follow the faith of my forefathers Ibrãhïm (Abraham), Ishãq (Isaac) and Ya’qoob (Jacob). It is not fitting that we attribute any partners with Allah. It is the grace of Allah on us and on mankind (that He has not made us the servants of anyone else other than Himself), yet most of the people are not grateful. [38] O my fellow inmates! Tell me what is better; many different lords or one Allah, the Irresistible?[39] Those you serve besides Him are nothing but mere names which you and your forefathers have invented, for which Allah has revealed no sanction. The Command belongs to none but Allah, Who has ordained that you worship none but Him. That is the true faith, yet most of the people do not know.”[40] 12:[36-40]
“O my fellow inmates! (Here is the interpretation of your dreams), one of you will be released and serve wine to your lord (the King of Egypt); and the other will be crucified and the birds will eat from his head. That’s how your cases will be decided concerning which you inquired (that is the answer to your question).”[41] Then, to the one who he thought would be released, he said: “Mention me to your lord.” But Shaitãn made him forget to mention (Joseph) to his lord, so he remained in the prison a few more years.[42] 12:[41-42]
One day the King of Egypt said: “I saw seven fat cows in my dream which were eaten up by seven lean cows, likewise I saw seven green ears of corn and seven others that were dried up. O chiefs! Tell me the meaning of my dream if you can interpret the dreams.”[43] They replied: “Confused nightmares! We are not skilled in the interpretation of dreams.”[44] 12:[43-44]
Thereupon one of the two inmates who was released remembered Joseph after all that time, and he said: “I will tell you its interpretation; just send me to Joseph in the prison.”[45] He came to Joseph in the prison and said: “O Joseph the truthful one! Tell us the meaning of the dream of seven fat cows which are eaten up by seven lean ones and of seven green ears of corn and seven others dried up: so that I may return to the people and let them know the meaning of this dream.”[46] He replied: “You will cultivate for seven consecutive years. During this time you should leave the corn you reap in the ear, except what may be sufficient for your food.[47] Then, after that period, there will come upon you seven hard years which will eat away all that you had stored except a little which you may have specifically set aside. [48] After that period will come a year of abundant rain, in which the people will squeeze the juice.”[49] 12:[45-49]
The King said: “Bring this man to me.” When the messenger came to Joseph, he said: “Go back to your lord and ask him about the case of those women who cut their hands. Indeed my Lord has full knowledge of their snare.”[50] The King questioned those women, saying: “What do you say about the incident when you attempted to seduce Joseph?” They replied: “God forbid! We know of no evil on his part.” Al-Aziz’s (Joseph’s former master) wife said: “Now that the truth has come to light, it was I who attempted to seduce him. In fact he is absolutely truthful.”[51] Joseph said, “By this inquiry I meant to let him (Al-Aziz) know that I did not betray him in his absence, and that Allah does not let the snare of the treacherous succeed.”[52] 12:[50-52]
“Not that I am free from sin – man’s soul is prone to evil, except the one to whom my Lord has shown mercy, certainly my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful”.[53] The King said: “Bring him to me; I will take him for my special service.” When Joseph had a talk with the King, he said: “From now on, you have an honorable place with us, and you will enjoy our full confidence.”[54] Joseph said: “Place me over all the resources of the land. Certainly I know how to manage; I have the necessary knowledge.”[55] 12:[53-55]
Thus We established Joseph in the land to live therein in any way he wished. We bestow Our mercy on whom We please and We do not let the reward of good people go to waste.[56] Yet the reward in the hereafter will be even better for those who believe and are righteous.[57 12:[56-57]
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.