77 [His brothers] said, ‘If he is a thief then his brother was a thief before him,’ but Joseph kept his secrets and did not reveal anything to them. He said, ‘You are in a far worse situation. God knows best the truth of what you claim.’ 78 They said, ‘Mighty governor, he has an elderly father. Take one of us in his place. We can see that you are a very good man.’ 79 He replied, ‘God forbid that we should take anyone other than the person on whom we found our property: that would be unjust of us.’ 80 When they lost hope of [persuading] him, they withdrew to confer with each other: the eldest of them said, ‘Do you not remember that your father took a solemn pledge from you in the name of God and before that you failed in your duty with regard to Joseph? I will not leave this land until my father gives me leave or God decides for me– He is the best decider– 81 so go back to your father and say, “Your son stole. We can only tell you what we saw. How could we guard against the unforeseen? 82 Ask in the town where we have been; ask the people of the caravan we travelled with: we are telling the truth.”’
83 Their father said, ‘No! Your souls have prompted you to do wrong! But it is best to be patient: may God bring all of them [a] back to me– He alone is the All Knowing, the All Wise,’ 84 and he turned away from them, saying, ‘Alas for Joseph!’ His eyes went white with grief and he was filled with sorrow. 85 They said, ‘By God! You will ruin your health if you do not stop thinking of Joseph, or even die.’ 86 He said, ‘I plead my grief and sorrow before God. I have knowledge from God that you do not have. 87 My sons, go and seek news of Joseph and his brother and do not despair of God’s mercy– only disbelievers despair of God’s mercy.’
88 Then, when they presented themselves before Joseph, they said, ‘Mighty governor, misfortune has afflicted us and our family. We have brought only a little merchandise, but give us full measure. Be charitable to us: God rewards the charitable.’ 89 He said, ‘Do you now realize what you did to Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?’ 90 and they cried, ‘Could it be that you are Joseph?’ He said, ‘I am Joseph. This is my brother. God has been gracious to us: God does not deny anyone who is mindful of God and steadfast in adversity the rewards of those who do good.’ 91 They said, ‘By God! God really did favor you over all of us and we were in the wrong!’ 92 but he said, ‘You will hear no reproaches today. May God forgive you: He is the Most Merciful of the merciful. 93 Take my shirt and lay it over my father’s face: he will recover his sight. Then bring your whole family back to me.’
94 Later, when the caravan departed, their father said, ‘You may think I am senile but I can smell Joseph,’ 95 but [people] said, ‘By God! You are still lost in that old illusion of yours!’ 96 Then, when the bearer of good news came and placed the shirt on to Jacob’s face, his eyesight returned and he said, ‘Did I not tell you that I have knowledge from God that you do not have?’ 97 The [brothers] said, ‘Father, ask God to forgive our sins– we were truly in the wrong.’ 98 He replied, ‘I shall ask my Lord to forgive you: He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.’
Fulfillment of the Dream
99 Later, when they presented themselves before Joseph, he drew his parents to him– he said, ‘Welcome to Egypt: you will all be safe here, God willing’– 100 and took them up to [his] throne. They all bowed down before him and he said, ‘Father, this is the fulfilment of that dream I had long ago. My Lord has made it come true and has been gracious to me– He released me from prison and He brought you here from the desert– after Satan sowed discord between me and my brothers. My Lord is most subtle in achieving what He will; He is the All Knowing, the Truly Wise. 101 My Lord! You have given me authority; You have taught me something about the interpretation of dreams; Creator of the heavens and the earth, You are my protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Let me die in true devotion to You. Join me with the righteous.’
102 This account is part of what was beyond your knowledge [Muhammad]. We revealed it to you: you were not present with Joseph’s brothers when they made their treacherous plans. 103 However eagerly you may want them to, most men will not believe. 104 You ask no reward from them for this: it is a reminder for all people 105 and there are many signs in the heavens and the earth that they pass by and give no heed to– 106 most of them will only believe in God while also joining others with Him. 107 Are they so sure that an overwhelming punishment from God will not fall on them, or that the Last Hour will not come upon them suddenly when they least expect it? 108 Say, ‘This is my way: based on clear evidence, I, and all who follow me, call [people] to God– glory be to God!– I do not join others with Him.’
109 All the messengers We sent before you [Muhammad] were men to whom We made revelations, men chosen from the people of their towns. Have the [disbelievers] not travelled through the land and seen the end of those who went before them? For those who are mindful of God, the Home in the Hereafter is better. Do you [people] not use your reason 110 When the messengers lost all hope and realized that they had been dismissed as liars, Our help came to them: We saved whoever We pleased, but Our punishment will not be turned away from guilty people. 111 There is a lesson in the stories of such people for those who understand. This revelation is no fabrication: it is a confirmation of the truth of what was sent before it; an explanation of everything; [b] a guide and a blessing for those who believe.
Footnotes
a. Razi suggests Joseph, Benjamin, and the eldest son who remained in Egypt.
b. There are two interpretations of this phrase: (i) ‘everything to do with the story of Joseph’; and (ii) ‘everything to do with religion’.
The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)
The Qur'an / a new translation by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem, copyright © 2004 Oxford World's Classics (Oxford University Press). Used by permission. All rights reserved.