12:1 Alif-Laam-Ra. These are the Verses of the Illumining Book (the Quran).

12:2 Verily, We have revealed the Quran in Arabic so that you comprehend (it fully).

12:3 We will recount to you the best of narratives in what We have revealed to you of this Quran, and indeed prior to it you were among those who are unaware (about them).

12:4 When Yusuf (عليه السلام) said to his father, O' Father! I saw eleven stars, and the sun and the moon prostrating in front of me.

12:5 He said : 'O son, do not narrate your dream to your brothers, or they will plot against you.  Surely Satan is man's open enemy.

12:6 That is how your Lord will choose you and teach you the interpretation of dreams, and complete His blessing upon you and upon the house of Yaqoob (عليه السلام), just as He completed it earlier for your fathers, Ibrahim and Ishaq (عليهم السلام). Your Lord is indeed All Knowing, All Wise.'

12:7 In (the story of) Yusuf (عليه السلام) and his brothers,  there are certainly signs for the seekers.

12:8 When they said surely Yusuf and his brother (عليهم السلام) are dearer to our father than we, even though we are a well-knit together. No doubt. Our father is manifestly absorbed in their love.

12:9 Let us kill Yusuf (عليه السلام) or cast him in some distant land so that we may get our father's exclusive affection; then play innocent.

12:10 One of them said : 'If you must do so, then do not kill Yusuf (عليه السلام), but throw him into an unused (dry) well.  Some passing caravan may rescue him.'

12:11 They said, ‘Father! Why is it that you do not trust us with Yusuf (عليه السلام)? We are indeed his well-wishers.

12:12 'Let him go with us tomorrow so that he may eat lots of fruits and play, and we will indeed take care of him.’

12:13 (Yaqoob  عليه السلام ) said, 'Indeed, it saddens me that you should take him, and I fear that a wolf would eat him while you are unaware of him.'

12:14 They said, 'If a wolf should eat him while we are a (well knit strong together),  then indeed we would be useless.

12:15 So when they took him away and planned to put him into a dark well, We revealed to Yusuf (عليه السلام), (a day will come when) you will surely inform them about this affair of theirs while they are not aware (who you are).

12:16 In the evening, they came weeping to their father.

12:17 They said, 'O Father, we had gone racing and left Yusuf (عليه السلام) with our things, and a wolf ate him. But you will not believe us even if we spoke truly.’

12:18 And they showed false blood on his shirt. He said, 'No, your nufoos have enticed you into something. Yet patience is graceful, and Allah is my resort against what you have claimed.

12:19 And there came a caravan, and they sent their water-drawer, who let down his bucket (in the well). ‘Good news!’ he said. ‘This is a young boy!’ So they concealed him as merchandise, and Allah knew best what they were doing.

12:20 And they sold him for a cheap price, a few dirhams, for they attached no value to him.

12:21  The man from Egypt who had bought him (Yusuf  عليه السلام) said to his wife, ‘Keep him in a  respectable way.  Maybe he will be useful to us, or we may adopt him as a son. Thus We established Yusuf (عليه السلام) in the land and that We might teach him the interpretation of dreams. Allah has  command of His affairs, but most people do not know.

12:22 When he reached maturity, We gave him judgement and knowledge, and thus We reward the virtuous.

12:23 And she, in whose house he was (living), sought to solicit him.  She closed the doors and said, 'Come, you.' He said, (I seek) the refuge of Allah. Indeed, he (your husband) is my master who has treated me honorably.  Indeed, wrongdoers will not succeed.

12:24 She certainly made for him; and he would have made for her (as well) had he not beheld the proof of his Lord.  So it was, that We might turn away from him all evil and indecency. He was indeed one of Our sincere servants.

12:25 They raced to the door, and she tore his shirt from behind, and they ran into her husband at the door.  She (blamed him and) said, ‘What is to be the retaliation of him who has evil intentions for your wife except imprisonment or a painful punishment?’

12:26 He (Prophet Yusuf عليه السلام) said, 'It was she who solicited me.' A witness of her own household testified : ‘If his shirt is torn from the front, she tells the truth and he lies.'

12:27 'But if his shirt is torn from behind, then she lies and he tells the truth.'

12:28 So when he (her husband) saw that his (Yusuf عليه السلام) shirt was torn from behind, he said, ‘This is  of you women’s plan! Certainly your plan is mighty.

12:29 (He said), Yusuf (عليه السلام) ignore this matter, and you,  my wife, plead for forgiveness for your sin, for you have indeed been wrong.'

12:30 (The news spread and) some of the towns' women (started) saying, ‘The chieftain’s wife has solicited her slave boy! He has captivated her love.  Indeed we see her to be in manifest error.'

12:31 When she heard about their accusations, she sent for them and arranged a meal, and gave each of them a knife, and asked (Yusuf - عليه السلام to) : 'Come out in front of them.' So when they saw him, they were wonder struck and (in their amazement) cut their hands (fingers), and said, Allah preserve us.  This is not a human being. This is but a noble angel!’

12:32 She said, 'That is the one about whom you blamed me.  And I certainly solicited him, but he firmly refused; and if he will not do what I order him, he will surely be imprisoned and will be  among the debased.'

12:33 He said, ‘My Lord! The prison is dearer to me than what they (the women) invite me.  If You do not turn away their plots from me, I may incline towards them (under pressure) and become one of the insensible persons.'

12:34 So his Lord answered  him and averted from him their plans. Indeed, He is the All Hearing, the All Knowing.

12:35 Then it appeared to their men after they had seen all the signs (of his innocence and women getting attracted to him), that they should confine him (in a prison) for some time.

12:36   There entered the prison two youths along with him (for some crimes). One of them said (to Yusuf عليه السلام), ‘I saw in my dream that I am crushing grapes.' The other said, ‘I saw in my dream that I am carrying bread on my head from which the birds are eating.' 'Inform us of its interpretation, for indeed we see you one among the  virtuous persons.'

12:37 He said, 'come to me before the meals are served to you,  I will inform you of their interpretations. This is among the things my Lord has taught me.   Indeed I renounce the creed of the people who have no faith in Allah and who disbelieve in the Hereafter.

12:38 I follow the religion of my fathers, Ibrahim, Ishaq and Yaqoob (عليهم السلام). It is not for us to ascribe any partner to Allah. That is by virtue of Allah’s grace upon us and upon all mankind, but most people are ungrateful.

12:39 O my prison mates! Are different masters better, or Allah, the One, the All Supreme?

12:40 You do not worship besides Him but (these are imaginary) names that you and your fathers have invented for which Allah has not sent down any authority. Sovereignty belongs only to Allah. He has commanded you to worship none except Him.  That is the upright religion, but most people are not aware.

12:41 O my prison mates! As for one of you, he will serve wine to his master, and as for the other, he will be crucified, and vultures will eat from his head.  The matter about which you inquire has (already) been decided.’

12:42 Then he said to the one whom he knew would be set free from, among the two : 'Mention me to your master.' But Satan caused him to forget mentioning to his master.  So he (Yusuf عليه السلام) remained in the prison for a few years.

12:43 (One day), the King saw a dream in which seven lean cows were eating seven fat cows and that, there were seven green ears (husk) of corn and seven dry ones. The King asked his nobles to interpret the meaning of his dream.

12:44 They said, (These are) confused nightmares, and we do not know the interpretation of nightmares.'

12:45 Said the one of the two who had been set free, remembering (Yusuf  عليه السلام) after a long time,  ‘I will inform you of its interpretation; so let me go (to meet Yusuf - عليه السلام) in the prison). 

12:46 He said, ‘O truthful one Yusuf (عليه السلام), give us your opinion concerning seven fat cows who are eaten by seven lean ones, and seven green ears and (seven) others dry, that I may return to the people so that they may know (the truth of the matter).

12:47 He said, 'You will do cultivation for seven continuous years, then what you reap,  leave it in its ear, but a little which you may eat.

12:48 Then there will come seven years of hardship which will consume the grain you had laid up (preserved) for these years, except a little you may have stored away.

12:49 This will be followed by a year of rain, (there will be abundant crop) and people will press (the grapes to make wine).

12:50 (When the King heard this) he said, bring him to me.  But when the messenger came to him, (Yusuf - عليه السلام) said : 'Return to your lord and ask him, 'What happened to the women who cut their hands? Surely, Allah is well aware of their plot.'

12:51 The king asked the women, what was your affair when you solicited Yusuf (عليه السلام)?' They said, 'Allah preserve us, We know of no evil in him.' The prince’s wife said, ‘Now the truth has come to light! It was I who solicited him, and he is indeed telling the truth.'

12:52 (Then Yusuf - عليه السلام said, I asked for this inquiry) So that the Prince will know that I did not betray him in (his) absence and that Allah does not guide the plan of betrayers.

12:53 (Prophet Yusuf عليه السلام also said) Yet I do not absolve my (own Nafs), for the Nafs indeed prompts to evil, except those upon whom my Lord has Mercy.  Indeed my Lord is All Forgiving, All Merciful.'

12:54 And the king said, "Bring him to me; I will appoint him exclusively for myself.' And when he spoke to him, the King said from now on you will be an honored and trusted person (in the Court) among us.

12:55 Yusuf (عليه السلام) said, 'Appoint me  In-Charge of  the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I am a skilled custodian.'

12:56 And thus We gave control to Yusuf (عليه السلام) over this land wherein he might live wherever he wished. We confer Our mercy on whomever We wish, and We do not waste the reward of the virtuous.

12:57 And the reward of the Hereafter is the best, for those who believe and are consistent in righteousness.

12:58 (A few years later ) The brothers of Yusuf (عليه السلام) came and presented themselves (for food grains) before him.  He recognized them, but they did not recognize him.

12:59 When he had furnished them with their provision, he said, ‘Bring me a brother that you have through your father. Do you not see that I give full measure and that I am the best in hospitality?

12:60 'But if you do not bring him to me, then there will be no rations for you from me, and don’t come near me (again).'

12:61 They said : 'We will strive to make his father yield in respect of him, and we are sure to (bring him)'.

12:62 He said to his servants, ‘Put their money (back) in their saddlebags. Maybe they will recognize it when they return to their folks, and maybe they will come back.

12:63 Now when they returned to their father, they said : 'O our father! No more measure of grain we will get (unless we take our brother).  So send our brother with us, that we may get our measure; And indeed, we will be his guardians.

12:64 He said, ‘Should I trust you with him just as I trusted you with his brother before? Yet Allah is the best of protectors, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!

12:65 And when they opened their baggage, they found their money returned to them (along with the provisions). They said, ‘Father, what (more) do we want?  This is our money, given back to us.  We will get provisions for our family and take care of our brother, and add another camel-load of rations. These are meager rations.'

12:66 He said, ‘I will not let him go with you until you  pledge by Allah that you will surely bring him back to me, unless you are made to perish.' When they had given him their (solemn) pledge, he said : 'Over all that we say, be Allah the witness and guardian!'

12:67 Then he told his sons, O' my sons, do not enter the town by a single gate, but  enter from different gates. I cannot help you against Allah's decree.  Sovereignty belongs only to Allah. In Him I have put my trust. Whoever needs a trustee must put his trust in Allah.'

12:68 When they entered as their father had advised them, nothing could avail them against (the will of) Allah, yet it confirmed a premonition Yaqoob (عليه السلام) had, for verily he had knowledge as We had taught him, though most men do not know.

12:69 And when they entered into the presence of Yusuf (عليه السلام), he set his brother close to himself, and said, ‘Indeed I am your brother, so do not sorrow for what they used to do.'

12:70 When he had furnished them with their provision, he put his drinking-cup into his brother’s saddlebag. Then a herald shouted: ‘O (people of the) caravan! You are indeed thieves.

12:71 They said, as they turned towards them, ‘What are you missing?’

12:72 They said, ‘We miss the king’s goblet.’ ‘Whoever brings it shall have a camel-load (of grain as reward), ‘I will guarantee that.' (said the caller).

12:73 They said, ‘By Allah! You certainly know that we did not come to make trouble in this country, and we are not thieves.’

12:74 They (King's men) said, ‘What shall be its requital if you (prove to) be lying?’

12:75 (The brothers) said, 'Its requital is that he, in whose bag it is found, he (himself) will be its requital. Thus do we requite the wrongdoers.'

12:76 So he searched their saddle-bags before his brother's, then produced the cup from his brother's bag. That is how We planned an excuse for Yusuf (عليه السلام) for under the law of the king he could not detain his brother unless Allah so willed. We raise the status of whom We please. Over every man of knowledge there is one more knowing.

12:77 They said, ‘If he has stolen (there is no wonder); a brother of his had stolen before.' Thereupon Yusuf (عليه السلام) kept the matter to himself and he did not disclose it to them. He said, 'You are in a worse state! And Allah knows best what you allege.'

12:78 They said, ‘O Emir! Indeed he has a father, a very old man; so take one of us in his place. Indeed we see that you are a virtuous man.’

12:79 He replied, 'I take the refuge of Allah, how could I take someone in his place? In doing so I would be committing injustice.'

12:80  When they lost hope of (persuading) him (Yusuf  عليه السلام), they went aside to confer. The oldest of them said : 'You know that your father has pledged you in the name of Allah, and you have been guilty of iniquity in the case of Yusuf (عليه السلام) before. I will not leave this place unless my father permits or Allah decides for me, for He is the best of all judges.

12:81  Go to our father and tell him, 'Father, your son committed theft. We say only what we have seen and we have no control over the unseen.

12:82 'Inquire from the people of that city, or ask the men of the caravan with whom we have come. We are indeed speaking the truth.'

12:83 (When they came back and told the whole story) Yaqoob  (عليه السلام) said, 'your Nufoos have tempted you to make up the whole story. Let us be patient, perhaps Allah will bring them all back to me. Allah is certainly All Knowing and All Wise.'

12:84 (And he turned away from them and said, 'Alas for Yusuf (عليه السلام)!' His eyes had turned white with grief, and he choked with suppressed agony.

12:85 They said, 'You always remember Yusuf (عليه السلام). It will either make you sick or you may die (in this grief).'

12:86 He replied, 'I only complain of my anguish and grief to Allah. I know from Allah what you do not know.

12:87 ‘Go, my sons, and look for Yusuf and his brother (عليهم السلام), and do not give up on Allah’s Mercy.  Indeed no one looses hope of Allah’s Mercy except the faithless lot.'

12:88 Then when they reached Yusuf (عليه السلام), they said, 'O Amir, distress has struck us and our family, and we have come with meager capital, but you give us full measure and be charitable to us. No doubt, Allah rewards the charitable.

12:89 He said, ‘Have you realized what you did to Yusuf and his brother (عليهم السلام), when you were senseless?’

12:90 They said, 'Are you really Yusuf (عليه السلام)?!’ He said, ‘I am Yusuf (عليه السلام), and this is my brother. Certainly Allah has shown us His favor. Certainly, he who fears Allah and is patient, Allah does not waste the reward of the virtuous.’

12:91 They said, 'By Allah, Allah has certainly preferred you over us, and we have indeed been erring.'

12:92 He said, ‘There shall be no reproach on you today. Allah will forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.

12:93 Take this shirt of mine, and put it upon my father’s face; he will regain his sight, and bring me all your folks.’

12:94  As their caravan set off (from Egypt ), their father said, ‘I sense the scent of Yusuf (عليه السلام), if you will not consider me a senile.’

12:95 (His people said), 'By Allah, you are still making the same old error.'

12:96 When (they) the bearer of good news arrived, the (shirt) was placed on his (Yaqoob عليه السلام ) face and he regained his sight.  He said, 'Did I not tell you, I know from Allah what you do not know?'

12:97 They (the sons) said,  'O our father, pray for us that our sins be forgiven, for we were really erring.'

12:98 He said, 'soon I shall beg my Lord to forgive you.' He is  Most Forgiving,  Most Merciful.

12:99 When they went back to Yusuf (عليه السلام) he gave his father and mother a place of honor, and said : 'Enter Egypt in peace by the will of God.'

12:100 And he seated his parents high upon the throne, and they fell down prostrate before him. He said, ‘Father! This is the interpretation of my dream (seen) long time ago, which my Lord has made come true. He was certainly gracious to me when He brought me out of the prison and brought you over from the desert, after that Satan had incited ill feeling between me and my brothers. Indeed my Lord is all-attentive in bringing about what He wishes. Indeed He is the All Knowing,  All Wise.’

12:101 My Lord! You have granted me a share in the kingdom, and taught me the interpretation of dreams. O' Originator of the heavens and earth, You are my guardian in this world and in Hereafter! Let my death be (in submission to You) as Muslim, and unite me with the Righteous.’

12:102  These are the news of the Unseen which We reveal to you (O Prophet ﷺ) and you were not with them when they conspired together and schemed.

12:103  But most men will not believe though you desire it eagerly.

12:104  You do not ask them any reward for it.   It (the Quran) is a reminder for all the nations.

12:105  And how many Signs in the heavens and the earth do they pass by? Yet they turn  away from them!

12:106  And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners (with Him).

12:107  Then do they feel secure that there will not come to them an overwhelming punishment from Allah or that the Hour will not come upon them suddenly while they are unaware?

12:108  Say, 'This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight (sure knowledge), I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allah ; and I am not of those who associate partners with Him.'

12:109 All the Apostles We had sent before you were persons (residents) of those regions, to whom We sent Our revelations. Have they not traveled on the earth and seen what befell upon the people before them? Surely the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who fear straying from the right path. Do you not understand?

12:110 When the apostles were discouraged (by their people) and were certain that they had been denied, our help came to them, and We saved whomever We wished.  But the guilty ones can not escape Our wrath.

12:111 There is certainly a moral in their (the Prophets') accounts for those who possess intellect. This (Quran) is not a fabricated discourse; rather it is a confirmation of what was (revealed) before it, and a detailed explanation of all things, and a guidance and mercy for a people who have faith.