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Part XII
6. There is not a single moving creature on the earth but its sustenance rests with Allâh. He knows its permanent lodging place and its temporary sojourn. Everyone is governed by a clear law. 7. And it is He Who created the heavens and the earth in six aeons and His Throne (of power ever) rests on water (to which the life is due), that He might show whoever of you is best in deeds and conduct. And if you were to say (to them), `You are indeed going to be raised after death,' those who disbelieve will certainly say, `This is naught but an obvious hoax.' 8. Infact, if We defer the punishment from them till a reckoned time they would certainly ask, `What is that which withholds it?' Behold! the day this (punishment) befalls them, it shall not be such as to be averted from them. And that (punishment) which they used to hold in scorn, shall overwhelm them.
SECTION 2 9. And if We bestow upon a human being mercy from Us and then withdraw it from him, he is totally despairing (and) completely ungrateful. 10. And if We confer upon him (Our) blessings after adversity has afflicted him, he will certainly say, `Gone are all my woes (now).' He is, of course, exultant and boastful (over a little favour). 11. Such, however, is not the case with those who steadfastly persevere (in virtues) and do deeds of righteousness. It is these for whom there awaits protection and a great reward. 12. (The disbelievers vainly hope that) you may omit a part of the revelations made to you; and that you will be distressed and worried because of the fact that they say, `Why has not a treasure been sent down to him, or why has no angel come with him?' (This is far from you that you do such things,) for you are only a Warner (against the evil consequences of disbelief and rebellion), and Allâh is Guardian over every thing. 13. Do they say, `He has forged this (Qur'ân)?' Say (to them in reply), `If you are truthful (in your objection then) bring ten forged chapters like it, calling upon whom you can (for your help) apart from Allâh.' 14. But if they do not respond to you, then know that this (Qur'ân) which has been revealed is (replete) with (that which is only within) Allâh's knowledge and that there is no other, cannot be and will never be One worthy of worship save Him. Will you then be the submitting ones (after knowing all this)? 15. Those who desire (the provisions of) this present life and its ornature, We will repay them in full (the reward) for their deeds in this (very life) and they will be made to suffer no loss therein. 16. It is these for whom waits nothing in the Hereafter but the Fire. And all that they do for the sake of this (life) shall come to naught (in the next) and all their activities shall prove vain and futile. 17. How can he, who stands upon a clear proof from his Lord and (to testify to whose truth) a witness from Him follows him and (to witness whom) he is preceded by the Book of Moses, which was a guide and a mercy, (be an impostor)? Those (who keep in view all these clear proofs from their Lord) believe in him (- this Messenger of God). And whoever of these parties disbelieves in him, the Fire is his promised place. So (O reader!) be you not in doubt about this (Qur'ân). It is indeed the Truth. It is from your Lord, but most people do not believe. 18. And who is more unjust than those who forge lies in the name of Allâh. They shall be produced before their Lord and the witnesses will all say, `These are they who lied against their Lord.' Beware! the disapproval of Allâh lies upon the unjust, 19. Those who keep (the people) away from the path of Allâh and seek to paint it as crooked, it is these who are the disbelievers in the Hereafter. 20. Such cannot frustrate (God's designs) in the land nor is there any protecting friend for them apart from Allâh. They shall have their punishment doubled. They could neither bear to hear (the truth) nor did they see (it). 21. It is these who have suffered a loss in respect of their own souls and that (false deities) which they forged have failed them. 22. No doubt, it is these who shall be the worst losers in the Hereafter. 23. Verily, those who believe and do deeds of righteousness and humble themselves before their Lord, it is these who are the owners of Paradise, they shall abide in it. 24. The case of these two groups (of disbelievers and believers) is like (the case of) the blind and the deaf (on the one hand) and the seeing and the hearing (on the other). Can the case of the two be alike? Will you not even then take heed?
SECTION 3 25. And (similar were the circumstances when) We sent Noah to his people (and he said), `Verily, I am a plain | ||
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Warner to you. 26. `(And my Message is) that you worship none but Allâh; otherwise I fear lest there should overtake you the punishment of a woeful day.' 27. Thereupon the chiefs of his people who had disbelieved said, `We find you but a human being like ourselves, and we find none have followed you except those who are the meanest of us, having only superficial views. And we find you (and your followers) possessing no superiority over us. Rather we take you all to be liars.' 28. He said, `O my people, have you considered that if I stand on a clear proof from my Lord and He has conferred upon me a great mercy (- Prophethood) from Himself and it has been obscured to you, shall we thrust it upon you (to accept) while you are averse to it? 29. `And O my people! I ask you in return for this (- my teaching) no wealth. My reward is due only from Allâh. I am not at all one to drive away those who believe, for they are going to meet their Lord (to be blessed) and I see you are a people who are acting through lack of knowledge. 30. `And O my people! who would save me from (the punishment of) Allâh if I were to drive them away? Will you not then consider? 31. `And I do not say to you that I possess the treasures of Allâh, nor that I know the hidden realities, nor do I say that I am an angel, nor do I say concerning those whom your eyes despise that Allâh will not grant them any good. Allâh knows best whatever is in their minds. I shall indeed be of the unjust (if I say anything of the kind).' 32. They said, `Noah! you have disputed with us long and have disputed with us many a time; bring down on us now that (punishment) you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful ones.' 33. He said, `Allâh alone will bring it down on you if He will and you cannot frustrate Him (in His purpose). 34. `And my sincere counsel will do you no good, choose as I may to counsel you in case Allâh intends to destroy you. (All the same,) He is your Lord and to Him you shall be made to return.' 35. Or do they say, `He (- Muhammad) has forged it.' Say (O Muhammad!), `If I have forged it then on me will be the penalty of my crime and I am quit of (all the responsibilities of) the sin you commit (by denying me).'
SECTION 4 36. And it was revealed to Noah, `No one of your people besides those who have so far believed, will henceforth believe, therefore grieve not over what they have been doing. 37. `And build the Ark under Our eyes and in accordance with Our revelation, and address not (to plead with) Me in favour of those who act unjustly. Verily, they are doomed to be drowned.' 38. And he set himself to making the Ark and every time the chiefs of his people passed by him they looked down upon him, (thereupon) he said, `Surely, we (in our turn) will look down on you just as you look down (on us now). 39. `You shall soon know for yourself who it is who will be overtaken by the punishment that will disgrace him, and on whom descends a long lasting penalty.' 40. (Thus it was) till Our command (about the punishment) came and waters of the springs (of the valley) swelled and gushed forth, We said, `Embark in it two of every kind (needed) male and female and (all the members of) your family except those about the destruction of whom (Our) verdict has already been announced and (embark in it) also those who believe.' Yet there had not believed in him excepting a few. 41. And (Noah) said, `Embark in it. With the name of Allâh and His help be its course and its mooring. Surely, my Lord is indeed Great Protector, Ever Merciful.' 42. Now this (Ark) moved carrying them amidst waves as (high as) mountains. And Noah called out to his son who was (standing) aloof, `My dear son, embark with us and do not be with the disbelievers.' 43. He said, `I shall betake myself to a mountain for refuge which will protect me from this water.' (Noah) said, `There is no protection (for anyone) this day, from the decree of Allâh (about this punishment), but he (will be safe) on whom He has mercy.' And (lo!) a wave separated the two so he (- Noah's son) was among the drowned. 44. And it was said, `O earth! swallow back your water, and O cloud! abate and stop (pouring).' So the water was made to subside and the matter was decided. And this (Ark) came to rest on (the mount) Al-Jûdî. And the word went forth, `Away with the unjust people!' 45. And Noah called to his Lord and said , `My Lord! my son belongs to my family and surely Your promise is (also) true; yet You are the Most Just of the judges.' 46. (The Lord) said, `He decidedly does not belong to your family as he is given to unrighteous conduct, so do not ask of Me that of which you have no knowledge. I advise you not to be of those wanting in knowledge.' 47. He said, `My Lord! I beg You to protect me that I should ask You that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have mercy on me I shall be of the losers.' 48. There came the command, `Noah! descend (from the Ark) with peace from Us and (varied) blessings (We shall | ||
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bestow ) on you and upon peoples (to be born) of those with you. There shall be other peoples whom We shall grant provisions (of this world for a time), then they will receive from Us a grievous punishment (as a result of their transgression).' 49. These (announcements full of warnings) are some of the important news of the hidden realities We have revealed them to you. You did not know them, neither you, nor your people before this. Therefore, persevere (in doing good), for those who become secure against evil shall surely have the (good and successful) end.
SECTION 5 50. And (We sent) to (the tribe of) 'Âd, their kinsman Hûd (as a Messenger). He said, `My people! worship Allâh (alone). You have no One worthy of worship other than He. You are but fabricators (of lies by assigning partners with Him in His sovereignty). 51. `My people! I ask of you no reward for this (teaching). My reward is not due but from Him Who created me. Will you not then understand? 52. `And my people! seek protection of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance. (If you do so) He will send clouds over you pouring down abundance of rain, and He will add more strength to your (present) strength. And do not turn away (from Him) as those who sever their ties (with God).' 53. They said, `O Hûd, you have brought us no clear proof (about your truthfulness), and we will not forsake our gods (merely) for your saying, nor are we going to be believers in you at all. 54. `All that we can say is that some of our gods have smitten you with evil (rendering you insane).' (Hûd) said, `Surely I call Allâh to witness; and do you also bear witness that I have nothing to do with the gods you associate (with Allâh) 55. `Apart from Him, so you and all (your gods) together devise concerted plans against me and give me no respite. 56. `I have definitely put my trust in Allâh, (Who is) my Lord and your Lord. There is no living and moving creature but He holds its forelock, (having absolute power over it). Surely, right and just are the ways of my Lord. 57. `If you turn away (from Him, remember that) I have fully conveyed to you that (Message) I have been sent with to you. (If you do not accept it,) my Lord will replace you with another people to be rulers. And you shall be able to do Him no harm at all. Surely, my Lord is Preserver of all things.' 58. And when Our command (about the punishment) came, We saved Hûd and those who believed with him by a special mercy from Us. And We delivered them from a severe torment. 59. And such were `Âd, they deliberately denied the commandments of their Lord and disobeyed His Messengers and followed the bidding of every haughty enemy (of truth). 60. And there was sent following them a curse in this world and on the Day of Resurrection (they will meet the same fate). Behold! (the tribe of) 'Âd behaved ungratefully towards their Lord (by denying His favours). Look! destruction is decreed for 'Âd, the people of Hûd.
SECTION 6 61. And to the tribe of Thamûd (We sent as a Messenger) their kinsman Sâlih. He said, `My people! worship Allâh, you have no One worthy of worship other than He. It is He Who brought you forth from the earth and made you dwell therein. So seek protection of Him and turn to Him in repentance. Verily, my Lord is Nigh, Responsive (to prayers).' 62. They said, `Sâlih! you have hitherto been among us as one in whom we placed our hopes. Do you forbid us to worship what our fore fathers have been worshipping? And as a matter of fact we are in disquieting doubt about that (faith) you call us to.' 63. He said, `My people! have you considered that if (in my claim to Prophethood) I stand on a clear proof from my Lord and He has granted me Mercy (- Prophethood) from Himself, who then will help (to save) me against (the punishment of) Allâh if I disobey Him? For then you will increase me in nothing but in leading me to loss. 64. `My people! this is a she-camel appointed by Allâh as a sign for you; so leave her alone to pasture on Allâh's earth and afflict her not with any harm or an imminent torment shall seize you.' 65. But they hamstrung her, so that he (- Sâlih) said, `You shall enjoy the provision of Allâh in your worldly abodes only for (another) three days. This is a promise which will never prove false.' 66. And when Our command (about punishment) came (to pass), We saved Sâlih and with him the believers by a (special) mercy from Us and (We saved them) from the ignominy of that day. Surely, All-Powerful is your Lord (and) All Mighty. 67. And a thunderbolt (caused by an earthquake) seized those who had acted unjustly. And the next morning found them lying prostrate in their habitations, | ||
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68. As if they had never dwelt in them. Behold! Thamûd behaved ungratefully to their Lord (denying His favours upon them). So away with (the tribe of) Thamûd!
SECTION 7 69. And certainly, Our messengers came to Abraham with good tidings. They said, `(We bid you) peace.' He said, `Peace be (on you too) always.' And he lost no time in bringing them a roasted calf. 70. But when he saw that their hands did not extend to that (meal) he considered it strange on their part and apprehended evil from them. They said, `Have no fear for we have been sent to the people of Lot.' 71. And his wife was standing (nearby) and she too was inspired with awe. So we gave her good tidings of (the birth of) Isaac and after Isaac of (his son) Jacob. 72. She said, `O wonder for me! Shall I bear a child while I am a very old woman and this husband of mine (also) a very old man? This is a wonderful thing indeed!' 73. They (- Our messengers) said, `Do you marvel at the decree of Allâh? Members of this house! the mercy of Allâh and His blessings are upon you. Surely, He is the Lord of all praise, Owner of all glory.' 74. And when awe departed from Abraham and the good tidings came to him, he started pleading with Us for the people of Lot. 75. Surely, Abraham was gentle, tender-hearted and oft-returning (to Us). 76. (Thereupon We said to him,) `Abraham! turn away from this (pleading now), for your Lords command has decidedly come. They are certainly going to receive a punishment that cannot be averted.' 77. And when Our messengers came to Lot he was grieved on their account and felt helpless on their behalf (- of his people, for he had no means to protect them) and he said, `This is a distressful and hard day.' 78. And (on hearing the news of the strangers' arrival) his people came (as if) driven on towards him and before this they were given to evil practices. He said, `My people! these are my daughters. They can be purer (guarantee against any conspiracy on my part) for you and take Allâh as a shield (against His punishment) and do not disgrace me in the matter of my guests. Is there not among you any right-minded man?' 79. They said, `You certainly know we have no claim on your daughters, and you know well what we want (from you about the strangers).' 80. He said, `Would that I had power to deal with you, rather I should betake myself for refuge to a strong support (of God).' 81. (The messengers) said, `Lot! we are messengers of your Lord. They shall not at all reach you, so set forth (from here) with your family in the latter part of the night and let not anyone of you look about, but your wife (will not obey). Surely, she shall be smitten by that calamity which is going to smite the rest of them; the appointed time of theirs is the morning. Is not the morning nigh?' 82. So when Our command (about the punishment) came to pass We turned those (townships) upside down and We rained upon them, layer upon layer, with many stones of petrified clay, 83. Ear-marked (for them) by (the decree of) your Lord. And this (sort of punishment) is not far from the unjust people (of the opponents of the Prophet). SECTION 8 84. And to Midian (We sent) their kinsman Shu`aib (as a Messenger). He said, `My people! worship Allâh, you have no One worthy of worship other than He. And give not short measure and (short) weight. (Today) I see you in (a state of) prosperity. But (for tomorrow) I fear lest there should befall you the punishment of a (dreadful) day that encompasses all (for destruction). 85. `And my people! give true measure and full weight with equity and defraud not people of their possession and commit not inequity in the land as peace-breakers. 86. `The residue left to you by Allâh (after your paying the dues of others) is better for you, if you are true believers. Yet I am not a guardian over you.' 87. They said, `O Shu`aib! does your prayer enjoin you that we should give up what our fathers worshipped or (does it bid you) that we cease to do with our possessions as we like? You (O Shu`aib!) are you (so to say,) the only intelligent and the right-directing one?' 88. He said, `My people! what do you think? While I stand (by His grace) on a clear proof from my Lord (then why should not I guide people to the path of peace?), He has provided me from Himself with a goodly and honest livelihood (I cannot therefore be dishonest to Him). I have no intention to practise contrary to you the very thing which I forbid you to do. All that I desire is to set things right as far as I can. There is no power in me to do something (for setting things right) except through the help of Allâh. In Him do I put my trust and to Him do I always turn. | ||
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89. `And my people! let not your breach with and hostility towards me make you guilty, so that there may befall you the like of that calamity which befell the people of Noah, and the people of Hûd and the people of Sâlih. And the people of Lot are not far off from you. (You should ponder over their destruction and learn a lesson therefrom.) 90. `And seek protection of your Lord and turn to Him (in repentance). Verily, my Lord is Ever Merciful, Most Loving.' 91. They said, `Shu`aib! we do not understand much of what you say and truly we find you a weakling among us. And had it not been (a consideration) for your tribe, we would surely have stoned you to death. And you occupy no strong and respectable position at all as compared with us.' 92. He said, `My people! does my tribe occupy stronger and more respectable position with you than Allâh? And (He has occupied no importance in your eyes that) you have cast Him behind your backs neglected. Surely, my Lord encompasses all your activities (in His knowledge). 93. `And my people! do your worst, I (too) am doing (my best). You will soon know who is overtaken by a punishment that will disgrace him, and who it is that is a liar. And be on watch, I shall be with you watching.' 94. And when Our command (about the punishment) came We saved Shu`aib and with him the believers by Our mercy, and the calamity seized those who had acted unjustly so that the morning found them lying prostrate in their habitations; 95. (They were so destroyed and desolated) as if they had never dwelt there. So away with Midian; even as Thamûd were done away.
SECTION 9 96. And surely We sent Moses with Our signs and manifest strong arguments, 97. To Pharaoh and the nobles of his court, but they carried out Pharaoh's bidding; whereas the bidding of Pharaoh was not at all right directed. 98. He (- Pharaoh) will lead his people on the Day of Resurrection and will land them down into the Fire, and evil is the arriving place to be arrived at (by them). 99. There was sent following after them a curse in this (life) and on the Day of Resurrection (they shall be the victims of it too). Evil is the gift which shall be given (them)! 100. That is a part of the important news of the (ruined) townships (of the past), We relate them to you. Some of these (cities) still exist while others have been mown down (and perished). 101. We did no wrong to them (- their inhabitants) but they wronged themselves. And when their Lord's command (about their punishment) came to pass, their gods, whom they called upon apart from Allâh, were of no avail to them. Infact, they added nothing to them except (leading them to) destruction. 102. Such is the punishing grasp of your Lord when He takes to task the peoples of the townships (after bringing home to them the truth) while they are steeped in wrongdoings. Surely, painful is His punishing grasp (and) severe. 103. Infact, there is in that a sign (to learn a lesson from) for him who fears the punishment of the Hereafter. That is a day on which the whole of humankind is to be gathered together and that is a day to be witnessed (by all, to be sure). 104. And We defer it not but for a computed term. 105. The day it comes, no soul shall speak save by His leave; (on that day) some will turn out wretched and (others) fortunate. 106. As for the wretched, they shall be in the Fire, where they shall moan and cry, 107. And they shall abide therein, unless your Lord otherwise will, so long as the heavens and the earth (thereof) endure. Surely, your Lord does bring about very well what He intends (to do). 108. As for those who turn out fortunate they shall be in Paradise. They will abide therein so long as the heavens and the earth (thereof) endure, unless your Lord otherwise will. This is a gift that shall never be cut off. 109. So (O people!) have no doubt about the (falsehood of) gods of those (polytheistic) people. They worship (these gods) only because their fathers worshipped (them) before (them), and We shall surely pay them their dues in full, undiminished.
SECTION 10 110. And We gave Moses the Book, but differences arose about it and had it not been for a word (- promise of mercy) that had gone forth from your Lord the issue between them (- the believers and the disbelievers) must have been decided (long before) and (now) they (- the disbelievers) are in a disquieting doubt about it (- the Qur'ân). 111. Your Lord will certainly repay them all in full (the reward of) their deeds (when they will be presented before | ||
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Him); for He is Well-Aware of all what they do. 112. So stand you upright, as you have been commanded, and (also) those who (have left their evil ways and) turned to Allâh (in repentance) and joined you. Do not exceed the bounds (set by Allâh, O people!). He indeed is Observer of your deeds. 113. Do not incline towards those who have committed wrong; lest the Fire (of Gehenna) should reach you while you shall find none to protect you, apart from Allâh, nor shall you be helped. 114. And observe Prayer at the two ends of the day and in some early hours of the night. Surely, the good deeds wipe out the evil ones. That is a reminder for those who would remember. 115. And be you patiently persevering, for surely Allâh suffers not the reward of the doers of good to others to go waste. 116. Why, then, were there not among the generations that preceded you persons possessed of excellence who would forbid the perpetration of evil in the land. But there were only a few of those (who acted righteously and) whom We had saved from among them. And (all others) who had committed wrong pursued that (wanton) ease and plenty they were afforded with (and this led to their rebellion and disobedience), and they became those who cut off their ties (with Allâh). 117. And your Lord is not the One Who would destroy the townships unjustly (simply for their disbelief) while the inhabitants thereof (live in peace and) set things right. 118. Had your Lord (enforced) His will He would have certainly made the whole of humankind one community, but (since He did not like to enforce His will upon people) they would not cease to differ. 119. Different, however, is the case of those on whom your Lord has had mercy. Indeed, it is for (the bestowal of mercy) that He has created them; yet (this) word of your Lord, `Verily I will fill Gehenna with the (rebellious) jinn and (ordinary) people all together,' has perfectly come true. 120. And all that We relate to you of the important news of the Messengers is to make your heart firm and strong thereby. And there has come to you, implied in these (news) the truth, an exhortation, and a reminder for the believers. 121. And say to those who do not believe, `Do your worst, we too are doing (Our best). 122. `And you may await (our end), we (too) are awaiting (yours).' 123. To Allâh belongs the hidden realities of the heavens and the earth. To Him all matters stand referred. So worship Him and put your trust in Him; for your Lord is not at all unmindful of what you do.
Chapter 12
Yûsuf (Joseph) (Revealed before Hijrah)
With the name of Allâh, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful (I commence to read Sûrah Yûsuf). 1. Alif Lâm Râ - I am Allâh, the All-Seeing. These are the verses of the perfect Book, containing luminous (truths) that tell the right from the wrong. 2. We have, indeed revealed this Qur'ân which explains its object eloquently well that you may abstain (from evils). 3. We narrate (rightly) to you with the best explanation because We revealed to you this Qur'ân; otherwise you were of those not possessed of the (requisite) knowledge before this. 4. (Remember the time) when Joseph said to his father, `My dear father! I have seen (in a vision) eleven stars and the sun and the moon. I saw them falling down prostrate (before God) because of me.' 5. He said, `My dear son! relate not your vision to your brothers lest they should intrigue against you, for satan is to a human being an enemy disuniting. 6. `And thus (shall it be as He has shown you in this vision). Your Lord will make you His chosen one and impart you knowledge of the true interpretation of (Divine) sayings and will perfect His favours upon you and upon the family of Jacob, just as He perfected it formerly upon two of your forefathers - Abraham and Isaac. Verily, your Lord is All-Knowing, All-Wise.' | ||
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SECTION 2 7. The fact is that there are many signs in (the account of) Joseph and his brothers for the inquirers (about the prophethood of Muhammad and about his opponents). 8. (Recall) when they (- brothers of Joseph) said (to one another), `Surely, Joseph and his brother (Benjamin) are dearer to our father than we are, though we are a formidable party. Surely, our father is cherishing a love that has gone too far. 9. `So you (had better either) kill Joseph or remove him to some distant land. (In this way) your father's favour will be exclusively yours. After that you can (repent and) become a pious people.' 10. (At this) a speaker among them said, `If you are bent upon doing something at all, do not kill Joseph but put him into the dark depths of the dry well; (perhaps) some caravan of travellers may pick him out.' 11. (On making this resolution) they (went to their father and) said, `Our father! why do you not trust us with regard to Joseph, while, as a matter of fact, we are his sincere well-wishers? 12. `Send him forth with us (for an outing) tomorrow, that he may enjoy himself and play. Surely, we will keep guard over him.' 13. He said, `It worries me that you should take him away. Moreover, I fear lest a wolf should devour him while you are heedless of him.' 14. They said, `If the wolf were to devour him inspite of the fact we are a formidable party, in that case we shall be indeed losers.' 15. So when (after forcing their father) they took him away and agreed to put him into the depths of a dry well (and carried their plan out), We revealed to him (- Joseph), `You shall certainly tell them (one day) of this (treacherous) doing of theirs while they perceive not.' 16. And they came weeping to their father at nightfall. 17. They said, `Our father! we went forth racing one with another and left Joseph (behind) with our belongings and the wolf devoured him. But you would never believe us though we be the truthful ones.' 18. And (to assure their father) they came (to him) with (stains of) false blood on his 19. (Now) there came a caravan of travellers and they sent their water-drawer (to fetch water) and he let down his bucket (into the well). And behold! he cried, `Oh, glad tidings, here is a young boy.' So they (- Joseph's brothers) presented him (in this way) as (if) a piece of merchandise, and Allâh was Well-Aware of their doings. 20. And they (- the brothers of Joseph) sold him, (claiming him to be their slave, to the travellers) for a trifling
price - a few dirhams
SECTION 3 21. And (Joseph was taken to Egypt and resold there;) the man from Egypt who bought him (from the travellers) said to his wife, `Make his stay honourable. He may prove useful to us or we may adopt him as a son.' In this way did We grant Joseph an honourable position in the country and (We did it) that We might impart to him knowledge of the interpretation of some (Divine) sayings. And Allâh has full power over His decree, but most people do not know (this). 22. And when he attained his (age of) full strength, We granted him judgment and knowledge, and thus do We reward the doers of good deeds to others. 23. Now the woman in whose house he was (putting up) sought to seduce him against his will and she bolted the doors well and said, `Now come, I am ready to receive you.' He (- Joseph) said, `(How can it be possible,) I seek refuge with Allâh, He alone is my Lord. He has made my stay (with you) honourable. Verily, the wrong doers never flourish.' 24. And she made up her mind with regard to him, and he made up his mind with regard to her (and would have fallen into her snares as the temptations were so strong) if he had not seen the manifest evidence of his Lord. (It happened thus) so that We might turn away from him every evil and indecency. Surely, he was one of Our purified servants. 25. And both of them ran for the door, one trying to outdo the other. And (in the struggle) she tore his shirt from behind. They encountered her husband (all of a sudden) by the door. She said, `There can be no punishment less than imprisonment or some other painful torture for the man who intended evil with your wife.' | ||
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26. He (- Joseph) said, `No, (it is not so as she describes but) she it was who sought to seduce me against my will.' Now a (learned) witness of her own family bore a (circumstantial) evidence (saying), `If his shirt has been torn from the front then she speaks the truth and he is of the liars. 27. `But if his shirt has been torn from behind then she is a liar and he speaks the truth.' 28. So when he (- her husband) saw his shirt torn from behind, he (at once understood the truth of the matter and) said (to his wife), `This is surely a (deceiving) device which you women practise. Your (cunning) device is indeed great.' 29. (Turning to Joseph) he said, `Joseph! leave the matter alone and you (- woman) seek forgiveness for your sin. It is you, of course who are of the sinful.'
SECTION 4 30. And the women talked in the city, `The wife of the 'Azîz (- Potiphar, the captain of king's guard) seeks to seduce her young slave against his will. His love has indeed penetrated deep in her heart. Indeed, we see her in obvious error (in going too far in her love).' 31. And when she heard of their sly whisperings (and taunting remarks), she sent for them and prepared a repast for them, then (on the women's arrival) she gave to each one of them a knife (to eat fruit therewith) and said (to Joseph then), `Come forth in their presence.' So when they saw him they found him a dignified personality and cut their hands (through wonder and) said, `Glory be to Allâh! He is not a human being. He is but a noble angel.' 32. She said, `So (you have seen) this is he about whom you blamed me. I did seek to seduce him against his will, but he preserved himself (from sin), yet (I tell him aloud) if he do not what I bid him, he shall certainly be imprisoned, and he shall indeed be of the humiliated ones.' 33. (Hearing this) he (- Joseph) said, `My Lord, the prison is more to my liking than that to which they call me to, and unless you turn away their guile from me I might yield to their allurement and be of those devoid of knowledge.' 34. So his Lord accepted his prayer and turned away their (- women's) guile from him. Verily, He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. 35. Then it occurred to them (-the companions of the `Azîz) after they had examined all the circumstances and signs (of Joseph's innocence) that they had better imprison him for a time. (So Joseph was consigned to the prison.)
SECTION 5 36. And with him there entered the prison two young men (- the butler and the baker of the king). One of them said to him, `I see myself (in a dream) pressing grapes.' And the other said, `I see myself carrying upon my head bread of which the birds are eating. Inform us of the interpretation of these (dreams) for we surely find you of the doers of good to others.' 37. He said, `(Do not worry,) I shall inform you of the interpretation of these (dreams) before the meal you two are given comes to you. This (my ability to interpret, you should bear in mind) is a part of that knowledge which my Lord has imparted to me. I have indeed renounced the creed of the people who do not believe in Allâh and who, moreover, are disbelievers in the Hereafter. 38. `And I have followed the creed of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is not proper for us to associate anything as a partner with Allâh. That (He taught us unity of God) is entirely due to Allâh's grace upon us and upon (other) people. But most people do not render thanks (for this blessing). 39. `My two fellow-prisoners! what is better? Diverse and numerous gods or Allâh, the One, the Most Supreme? 40. `You worship nothing, apart from Him but some mere (imaginary) names coined by you and by your fathers. Allâh has sent down no authority for (worshipping) that. The judgment rests with Allâh alone. He has commanded that you shall worship none but Him alone. That is the right (and lasting) faith, yet most people know (it) not. 41. `My two fellow-prisoners! as for one of you, he will pour out wine for his lord to drink and as for the other, he shall be crucified so that the birds will eat (flesh) from off his head. The matter about which you inquired stands decreed.' 42. And of the two, he knew to be the one who would be released, he said, `Mention me to your lord.' But satan made him (-the released person) forget to mention (Joseph) to his lord so that he (- Joseph) remained confined in the prison for a few years.
SECTION 6 43. Now (it so happened that one day) the king said, `I saw (in a dream) seven fat kine which seven lean ones were eating, and seven green ears of corn and (as many) others withered. You nobles of the court! explain to me the real significance of my dream if you can interpret dreams.' | ||
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44. They said, `(These are) confused dreams and we do not know the interpretation of such confused dreams.' 45 And of the two (prisoners) the one who had got his release and who (now) recalled (Joseph) to his mind after a long time, said, `I will inform you of its (true) interpretation, therefore send me (for the purpose to Joseph in prison).' 46 (So he went to Joseph in the prison and exclaimed,) `Joseph, you, the man of truth, explain to us the (real) significance of (a dream in which) seven fat kine which seven lean ones devour; and (of) seven green ears of corn and as many others withered, so that I may return to the people and they may know (the interpretation and thereby your exalted position).' 47. He (- Joseph) replied, `You shall sow for seven years working hard and continuously and let what you have harvested remain in its ear excepting a little whereof you may eat. 48. `Then there shall follow seven (years of famine) of great severity (and) these (years) shall consume all the stores you have laid by in advance for them except a little which you may have preserved. 49. `Then, thereafter shall come a year of rains in which people shall be relieved and in which (season) they will press (fruit and seeds).'
SECTION 7 50. And the King (after hearing the interpretation by Joseph) said, `Bring him to me!' But when the messengers came to him he said, `Go back to your lord and ask him (on my behalf), `How does the matter (deserving of your attention) stands with regard to the women who cut their hands; for my Lord has full knowledge of their crafty designs.' 51. (The king then sent for the ladies and to them) he said, `What was that important matter (in reality) that you had in view when you sought to seduce Joseph against his will?' They said, `He kept away (from committing sin) for the sake of Allâh. We did not perceive the least evil (intention) on his part.' The wife of the `Azîz said, `Now the truth has come to light (at last). It was I who sought to seduce him against his will and most surely he is of the truthful.' 52. (When the news was brought to Joseph he said,) `This (course of action I adopted) so that he (- the `Azîz) might know that I had not betrayed him in (his) absence and that Allâh suffers not the device of the unfaithful to succeed.' | ||