12:1  Alif, Lam, Ra. (These are the names of letters of the Arabic alphabet, and only Allah knows their meaning here) Those are the ayat (Verses, signs) of the Evident Book

12:2  Surely We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an, that possibly you would consider

12:3  We, Ever We, narrate to you the fairest of narratives in that We have revealed to you this Qur'an, and decidedly before it you were indeed one of the heedless

12:4  As Yusuf (Joseph) said to his father, "O my father, surely I saw (i.e., in a dream) eleven planets and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me."

12:5  He said, "O my son, do not narrate your vision to your brothers, (for) then they may plot against you (some) plotting. Surely Ash-Shaytan (The all-Vicious (one), i.e., the Devil) is to man an evident enemy

12:6  And thus your Lord will select you and teach you (a portion) of the interpretation of discourses, and perfect His favor upon you, and upon the house of Yaaqu ?b, (Jacob) as He perfected it earlier upon your two fathers, Ibrahim (Abraham) andIshaq. (Isaac) Surely your Lord is Ever-Knowing, Ever-Wise."

12:7  Indeed in Yusuf and his brothers were already signs for the questioners

12:8  As they said, "Indeed Yusuf and his brother are more beloved to our father than we, and we are a band. Surely our father is indeed in evident error

12:9  Kill Yusuf, or banish him to some (other) land, that your father's face may be free (Literally: (void) and empty; i.e., your father will have time for you or pay you more attention (Yusuf ouy of the way) for you, and even after him you will be a righteous people."

12:10  One (Literally: a speaker) of them said, "Do not kill Yusuf, and cast him into the unseen (bottom) of the pit, (and) (some) travellers will pick him out, in case you are performing (that)."

12:11  They said, "O our father, how is it with you, that you do not keep Yusuf (Joseph) in our custody? And surely we are indeed his (honest) advisers

12:12  Send him (forth) with us tomorrow to frolic and play; and surely we will indeed be his preservers."

12:13  He said, "Surely it grieves me indeed that you should go with him, and I fear that the wolf may eat him (while) you are heedless of him."

12:14  They said, "Indeed, in case the wolf eats him, and we are a band, (then) surely we are indeed losers!"

12:15  So, when they went with him, they agreed (Literally: and they agreed) together to set him down in the unseen (bottom) of the pit; and We revealed to him, "Indeed you will definitely (fully) inform them of this, their command, (Or: their affair) and they are not aware."

12:16  And they came weeping to their father at eventide

12:17  They said, "O our father, surely we went racing with one another and left Yusuf by (Literally: at) our belongings; so the wolf ate him. And in no way would you be believing us, even if we are sincere."

12:18  And they came with false (Literally: lying, a lie) blood on his shirt. He said, "No indeed, (but) your selves instigated for you a command. So, patience is becoming. And Allah is (The One) Whose help is to be sought against what you describe."

12:19  And (there) came travelers; so they sent their water-drawer; then he let down his bucket. He said, "What good tidings! Here is this youth." And they secretly kept him (i.e., the travelers hid him) as merchandise; and Allah is Ever-Knowing of whatever they do

12:20  And they bartered him for a paltry price, (some) numbered dirhams; and they esteemed him lightly (Literally: were of the ascetics, i.e., refused to have anything to do him

12:21  And he who traded him, being of Misr, (Egypt) said to his wife, "Give him honorable lodging; it may be that he will profit us, or it may be that we take him to ourselves (as) a son." And thus, We established Yusuf (Joseph) in the land, and that We may teach him some of the interpretation of discourses. And Allah is Overcomer with (Literally: Over) His Command, but most men do not know

12:22  And when he reached full age, We brought him judgment and knowledge; and thus We recompense the fair-doers

12:23  And she in whose home he was solicited him, (Literally: she solicited him about himself) and bolted the doors (on them), and said, "Come! Everything is ready for you." (i.e., take me) He said, " Allah be my refuge! Surely he is my lord (i.e., your husband is my lord) who has given me the fairest of lodging. Surely the unjust (ones) do not prosper."

12:24  And indeed she already designed on him, and he (would have) designed on her, had he not seen the proof of his Lord. Thus it was, that We might turn about from him odious (deeds) and obscenity. Surely he was one of Our most faithful bondmen

12:25  And they raced with one another to the door, and she ripped his shirt from the rear. And they came upon her master close to the door. She said, "What is the recompense of him who was willing to (commit) an odious (deed) to your family except that he should be imprisoned or (receive) a painful torment?"

12:26  He said, "She, (really) she solicited me. "And a witness of her family bore witness, "In case his shirt has been ripped from the forepart, then she has (spoken) sincerely, and he is (one) of the liars

12:27  And in case his shirt has been ripped from the rear, then she has lied, and he is (one) of the sincere."

12:28  So, as soon as he saw his shirt ripped from the rear, he said, "Surely this is of your (The Arabic adjective is feminine plural) (women's) plotting; surely your (The Arabic adjective is feminine plural) plotting is monstrous

12:29  Yusuf, veer away from this; and you (woman) ask forgiveness of your guilty deed surely you were (one) of the sinners."

12:30  And (some) women folk in the city said, "The wife of the governor (Literally: the ever-mighty Al-Aziz) is soliciting her page; (Literally: seeking to win his self ) he has already smitten (her heart) with love; (Literally: affected her pericardium, i.e., infatuated her) surely we indeed see her in evident error."

12:31  So, as soon as she heard their scheming, she sent for them, and she readied for them a reclining (couch). And she brought each one of them a knife, and said, (to Yusuf), "Go out to them." So, as soon as they saw him, they were greatly (amazed) at him and cut their hands severely (The Arabic verb form implies something done repeatedly or to a high degree or great extent) and said, " Allah forbid! (i.e. Allah forbid that Yusuf could have ever solicited her!) In no way is this a mortal; decidedly this is nothing else except an honorable angel."

12:32  She said, "Then that is (the affair) you blamed me for; and indeed I readily solicited him, yet he safeguarded (his chastity); and indeed in case he does not (perform) what I command him, indeed he will definitely be imprisoned, and indeed he will (really) be of the ones belittled."

12:33  He said, "Lord! Prison is more beloved to me than what they call me to; and in case You do not turn about from me their plotting, I would court them, and I would be of the ignorant."

12:34  Then his Lord responded to him, so He turned about from him their plotting; surely He, Ever He, is The Ever-Hearing, The Ever-Knowing

12:35  Thereafter it seemed good to them even after they had seen the signs, that indeed they should definitely imprison him for (Literally: till a while (had passed) a while (of time)

12:36  And two pages entered the prison with him. One of them said, "Surely I (do) see myself (in a dream) that I was pressing wine. "And the other said, "Surely I (do) see myself (in a dream) that I was carrying above my head bread that birds were eating of. Fully inform us of its interpretation; surely we see you (are) (one) of the fair-doers."

12:37  He said, "No food will come up to you (both) to be provided with except that I will (fully) inform you about its interpretation before it comes up to you; (i.e., I will inform you of the interpretation before the food comes to you) that (i.e., these two interpretations) is (part) of what my Lord taught me. Surely I have left the creed of a people who do not believe in Allah, and they are they (who) are disbelievers in the Hereafter. Yusu

12:38  And I have closely followed the creed of my fathers, Ibrahim andIshaq and Yaaqub. (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, respectively) In no way is it for us to associate anything (whatever) with Allah. That is of the Grace of Allah to us and to mankind; but most (of) mankind do not thank (Him

12:39  O (you) two companions of the prison! Are (some) disunited lords more charitable (i.e., better) or Allah, The One, The Superb Vanquisher

12:40  In no way do you worship, apart from Him, except names you have named, you and your fathers; in no way has Allah sent down any all-binding authority concerning them. Decidedy judgment (belongs to none) except to Allah; He has commanded that you should not worship any except Him (only). That is the most upright religion, but most (of) mankind do not know

12:41  O (you) two companions of the prison! As for one of you, he will give his lord wine to drink; and as for the other, then he will be crucified (and) so birds will eat of his head. The Command is decreed of which you (both) ask for pronouncement

12:42  And he said to the one of the two (that) he expected would be delivered, "Mention me in the presence of your lord." (But) then Ash-Shaytan (The all-vicious (one), i.e., the Devil) caused him to forget mentioning (him to) his lord; so he lingered in the prison for several years

12:43  And the king said, "Surely I (do) see (in a dream) seven plump cows which seven lean ones were eating, and seven green ears (of grain) and (seven) others dry. O you chiefs, pronounce about my vision in case you can explicate vision (s)."

12:44  They said, "Jumbled dreams. And in no way are we knowledgeable about the interpretation of dreams."

12:45  And the one who (was) delivered of the two said and recollected after some time, "I will (myself) fully inform you of its interpretation. So send me forth."

12:46  "Yusuf, (Joseph) O you (man) constantly sincere, pronounce to us regarding seven plump cows which seven lean ones were eating, and seven green ears (of grain) and (seven) others dry, that possibly I would return to (all) people that possibly they would know."

12:47  He said, "You will plant seven years after your steadfast manner; so, what you have harvested, then leave out in the ear, excepting a little of which you eat

12:48  Thereafter; even after that, (there) will come up seven strict (years), that will eat whatever you have forwarded to them, excepting a little of what you safely attend to

12:49  Thereafter, even after that, (there) will come up a season wherein all people will be succored, and wherein they press." (i.e., they press olives and grapes (because the harvest is good

12:50  And the king said, "Come up with him (i.e., Bring him) to me!" Then as soon as the messenger came to him, he (Yusuf) said, "Return to your lord and so ask him, What about the women folk who severely cut (The Arabic verb from implies an action that is done repeatedly or to high degree or to a great extent) their hands? Surely my Lord is Ever-Knowing of their scheming."

12:51  He said, (i.e., the king said to the women) "What was your concern as you solicited Yusuf?" They said, " Allah forbid! In no way do we know any odious (deeds) against him." The wife of the governor (Literally: the ever-mighty Al-Aiz) said, "Now the truth has come to light; I did solicit him; and surely he is indeed one of the sincere

12:52  That (is so); so that he may know I did not betray him in (his) absence, and that Allah does not guide the plotting of the treacherous

12:53  And in no way do I acquit my self. Surely the self indeed constantly commands to odious (deeds), except that on which my Lord had mercy. Surely my Lord is Ever-forgiving, Ever-Merciful."

12:54  And the king said, "Come up with him (i.e., Bring him) to me! I would faithfully (attach) him to myself." So, as soon as he spoke to him, he said, "Surely today you are close to us established, and devoted."

12:55  He (Yusuf) said, "Set me over the lands treasuries. Surely I am constantly-persevering, (i.e., guardian) constantly-knowing."

12:56  And thus We established Yusuf in the land to take his location (there) where he decides. We (make) Our mercy alight on whomever We decide, and We do not waste the reward of the fair-doer

12:57  And indeed the reward of the Hereafter is most charitable (i.e., better) for the ones who have believed and have been pious

12:58  And Yusuf's brothers came. Then they entered to him, and so he recognized them, and they were denying him. (Or: not knowing him

12:59  And as soon as he equipped them with their equipment, he said, "Come up with (i.e., Bring him) a brother of yours from your father. Do you not see that I fill up the measure, and I am the most charitable of hosts

12:60  Yet in case you do not come up with him, (i.e., Bring him) then there will be no measure for you in my presence, nor will you draw near me."

12:61  They said, "We will soon solicit him of his father, and surely we will indeed be performing (that)."

12:62  And he said to his pages, "Set their merchandise in their saddlebags that possibly they will recognize it when they turn over (i.e., return) to their family; possibly they will return."

12:63  So, as soon as they returned to their father, they said, "O our father, the measure was denied to us; so send with us our brother, that we may (obtain) the measure; and surely we will indeed be his preservers."

12:64  He said, "should I keep him in custody to you except as I kept his brother in custody even before to you? Yet, Allah is The Most Charitable as Preserver and He is The Most Merciful of the merciful."

12:65  And as soon as they opened their belongings, they found their merchandise turned back to them. They said, "O our father, what (more) should we seek? This is our merchandise turned back to us, and we will cater for our family, and we will take good care of (i.e., preserve) our brother; and we will have an added measure of a camel's (load). That is an easy measure."

12:66  He said, "I will never send him with you until you bring me a binding compact by Allah that indeed you will definitely bring him (back) to me, excepting (if) you are encompassed." So, as soon as they had brought him their binding compact, he said, " Allah is The Ever-Trusted Trustee over what we say."

12:67  And he said, "O my sons, (Or: my seeds) do not enter by one gate, and enter by separate gates; and in no way can I avail you anything (whatever) against Allah. Decidedly judgment belongs to none except Allah. On Him I have put my trust, and in Him let (all) the trusting ones then put their trust."

12:68  And as soon as they entered from where their father commanded them, in no way did it avail them anything whatever with Allah, except (that it was) a need in Yaaqub's (Jacob's) self that he (so) accomplished. And surely he was indeed an owner of a knowledge for what We taught him; but most of mankind do not know

12:69  And soon as they entered to Yusuf, (Joseph) he gave an abode to his brother (saying), "Surely I, even I, am your brother; so do not feel chagrined by whatever were doing."

12:70  Then as soon as he equipped them with their equipment, he placed (Literally: made) the drinking- cup in the saddlebag of his brother. Thereafter a crier announced, (Literally: an announcer announced) "O you (of) the caravan, surely you are indeed thieves!."

12:71  They said (as) they came forward to them, "What is (it) that you are missing?"

12:72  They said, "We are missing the king's tumbler; and whoever comes up with it shall have a camel's burden; and for that I am a (sure) guarantor."

12:73  They said, "By (The Arabic here is at-llahi, which is a stronger oath than the usual we-llahi) Allah, indeed you already know that in no way have we come to corrupt in the land and in no way are we thieves."

12:74  They said, "Then what shall be the recompense of this, in case you are liars."

12:75  They said, "The recompense for this (is that) he in whomever?s saddlebag (the tumbler) is found, then he shall be its recompense. Thus we recompense the unjust."

12:76  So he began with their sacks before his brother's sack; thereafter he drew it forth out of his brother's sack. Thus We plotted for Yusuf; in no way indeed could he take his brother, in the king's religion (OR: law) except that Allah decided. We raise in degree (s) whomever We decide; and above every (man) owning knowledge is One Who is Ever-Knowing

12:77  They said, "In case he steals, then a brother of his already stole even before." Yet Yusuf (Joseph) kept it secret within himself and did not display it to them. He said (to himself), "You are in an eviler place; and Allah knows best what you are describing."

12:78  They said, "O you mighty (Governor), (Literally: the ever-Mighty Al-caziz) surely he has a father, aged and great with years; so take one of us in his place; surely we see that you are one of the fair-doers."

12:79  He said, " Allah be my refuge that we should take anyone except him at whom we found our belongings; (then) surely we would indeed be unjust."

12:80  Then as soon as they finally despaired of (moving) him, they conferred privily apart. The great one (i.e., the leader, the eldest) of them said, "Do you not know that your father has taken a binding compact from you by Allah, and even before you neglected regarding Yusuf? (Joseph) Never will I leave off from (this) land, until my father gives me permission (to do so) or Allah judges for me, and He is The Most Charitable of judges

12:81  Return to your father and so say, 'O our father, surely your son stole; and in no way do we testify except to what we know; and in no way were we preservers of the Unseen

12:82  And ask the town wherein we were and the caravan in which we came forward, and surely we are indeed sincere."

12:83  He (Their father) said, "No indeed, (but) your selves instigated you to do (their) command; yet patience is becoming! It may be that Allah would (make) them altogether come up to me. Surely He, Ever He, is The Ever-Knowing, The Ever-Wise."

12:84  And he turned away from them and said, "O, how sorrowful am I for Yusuf!" (Joseph) And his eyes whitened with grief that he was constantly repressed (with sorrow)

12:85  They said, "By Allah you will keep on remembering Yusuf (Joseph) till you are decrepit, or among the perishing."

12:86  He said, "Surely I complain of my anguish and my grief only to Allah, and I know from Allah what you do not know

12:87  O my sons, go and inquire (Literally: grope, probe) about Yusuf and his brother, and do not despair of relief from Allah; surely none despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people."

12:88  Then, as soon as they entered to him, (i.e., Yusuf) they said, "O you mighty (Governor), (Literally: the ever-mighty Al-Aziz) adversity has touched us and our family and we have come with scant merchandise. So, fill up to us the measure and donate to us; surely ? Allah recompenses the constant donators."

12:89  He said, "Do you know what you committed (Literally: what you perfomed with) with Yusuf (Joseph) and his brother as you were ignorant?"

12:90  They said, "Is it sure that you, indeed you, are Yusuf?" (Joseph) "I am Yusuf, " he said, "and this is my brother. Allah has already been bounteous to us. Surely whoever is pious and (endures) patiently, then surely Allah does not waste the reward of the fair-doers."

12:91  They said, "By Allah! Indeed, Allah has already preferred you above us, and decidedly we were indeed sinners."

12:92  He said, "No reproach will be on you today; Allah will forgive you; and He is The Most Merciful of the merciful

12:93  Go with this shirt of mine; then cast it on my father's face and he will recover his sight, (Or: breath) and come up with your family all together."

12:94  And as soon as the caravan departed, their father said, "Surely I indeed find Yusuf's scent, (Or: breath) unless you think me doting."

12:95  They said, "By Allah, surely you are indeed in your old error."

12:96  Then, as soon as the bearer of good tidings (actually) came, he cast it on his face; so he turned back a beholder once again. (i.e., He regained his eyesight) He said, "Did I not say to you that surely I know from Allah what you do not know.

12:97  They said, "O our father, ask forgiveness of our guilty (deeds) for us; surely we have been sinners."

12:98  He said, "Eventually I will ask my Lord to forgive you; surely He, Ever He, is The Ever-Forgiving, The Ever-Merciful."

12:99  So, soon as they entered to Yusuf, he gave an abode to his two parents (Or: two fathers. See verse 6 of this suurah) with him and said, "Enter into Misr, (Egypt) in case Allah (so) decides, secure."

12:100  And he raised his two parents (Or: two fathers. See verse 6 of this suurah) upon the throne, and they (The pronoun is plural, not dual; i.e., three or more) collapsed prostrating to him. And he said, "O my father, this is the interpretation of my vision earlier; my Lord has already made it true; and He has already dealt me fairly as He brought me out of the prison and made you come forward from the desert, even after Ash-Shaytan (The all-vicious (one), i.e., the Devil) incited (jealousy) between me and my brothers. Surely my Lord is Ever-Kind to what He decides; surely He, Ever He, is The Ever-Knowing, The Ever-Wise

12:101  Lord! You have already brought me (my share) of kingship and You have taught me (my share) of the interpretation of discourses. O Originator (Literally: Renderer; i.e., Creator) of the heavens and the earth, You are my Ever-Patronizing Patron in the present (life) (Literally: the lowly (life), the life of this world) and the Hereafter, Take me up to You as a Muslim (One who submits to you) and join me with the righteous."

12:102  That is of the tidings of the Unseen that We reveal to you; (i.e., Muhammad) and in no way were you close to them as they agreed together upon their decision, (as) they were scheming

12:103  And, though you be (so) eager, in no way are most of mankind believers

12:104  And in no way do you ask of them any reward for it; decidedly it is (nothing) except a Remembrance for the worlds

12:105  And (similarly) many a sign (there are) in the heavens and the earth that they pass by, and they are veering away from them!

12:106  And in no way do most of them believe in Allah except (as) they are associators (of other gods with Him)

12:107  Do they then feel secure that there will not come up to them an Enveloper of the torment of Allah, or that the Hour will not come to them suddently and they are not aware

12:108  Say, "This is my way. I call to Allah with demonstration, I and whoever closely follows me; and All Extolment be to Allah; and in no way am I one of the associators." (Those who assciate other with Allah

12:109  And in no way did We send (any Messengers) even before you, except men whom We revealed to of the population of the towns. Have they then not traveled in the earth (and) so have looked into how was the end of (the ones) who were (there) even before them? And indeed the Residence of the Hereafter is most charitable (i.e., better) for the ones who are pious. Do you then not consider

12:110  Till, when the Messengers finally despaired and expected that they were counted liars, Our victory came to them. So, whoever We decided will be safely delivered. And Our violence will not be turned back (i.e., turned away from) from the criminal people

12:111  Indeed in their narratives is already a lesson to (the ones) endowed with intellects. In no way is it a discourse fabricated, but a (sincere) verification of what is before it, (Literally: between its two hands) and an expounding of everything, and a guidance, and a mercy to people who believe