هذه أحسنُ القصصِ وأكثرُها تفصيلًا وتشويقًا في القرآن الكريم، تتضمّن نقائصَ بشريةً كالحسد والبغض والكِبر والهوى والمكر والكيد والقسوة والترويع، كما تتضمّن صفاتٍ نبيلةً كالصبر والوفاء والشجاعة والمروءة والرحمة.

This is the most detailed and fascinating story in the Quran, involving both human weaknesses such as jealousy, hatred, pride, passion, deception, intrigue, cruelty, and terror as well as noble qualities such as patience, loyalty, bravery, nobility, and compassion.

يُروى أنّ من أسباب نزولها أنّ اليهود سألوا النبيّ محمداً ﷺ أن يُخبرهم عن يوسف عليه السلام، وكان من أنبيائهم القدماء. وقد وقع في قصته تحريفٌ في بعض أجزائها، وشوائبُ من الزيادة والنقصان في أجزاءٍ أخرى. فأُنزلت في كتاب الله تعالى (القرآن)، كاملةً في تفاصيلها الدقيقة والمحكمة.

It is related that among the reasons for its revelation is that the Jews asked the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to tell them about Joseph (pbuh) who was one of their old prophets. His story had been distorted in parts and marred in others with interpolation and exclusions. Therefore it was revealed in the Book of Allah (Quran), complete in its minute and careful details.

قال الله تعالى:

Allah the Almighty declared:

نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ الْقَصَصِ بِمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ ﷺ

"We relate unto you (Muhammad) the best of stories through Our Revelations unto you, of this Quran. And before this (i.e. before the coming of Divine Inspiration to you), you were among those who knew nothing about it (the Quran). ( Ch 12:3 Quran)

وَقَضَى اللهُ تَعَالَى أَيْضًا:

Almighty Allah also decreed:

كَذَٰلِكَ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنْبَاءِ مَا قَدْ سَبَقَ ۚ وَقَدْ آتَيْنَاكَ مِنْ لَدُنَّا ذِكْرًا ﷺ. مَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ فَإِنَّهُ يَحْمِلُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وِزْرًا، خَالِدِينَ فِيهِ ۖ وَسَاءَ لَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حِمْلًا. (سورۃ طٰہٰ: 99-101)

"Thus We relate to you (O Muhammad) some information of what happened before, And indeed We have give you from Us a Reminder (this Quran). Whoever turns away from it (this Quran--i.e. does not believe in it, nor acts on its orders), verily they will bear a heavy burden (of sins) on the Day of Resurrection. They will abide in that (state in the Fire of Hell), and evil indeed will it be that load for them on the Day of Resurrection.(Ch 20:99-101)

تتدفّق قصة يوسف عليه السلام في سياق واحد من أولها إلى آخرها؛ فمضمونها وأسلوبها متماسكان على حد سواء. وهي تبعث في نفسك الشعور بعظمة قدرة الله وسلطانه، وبنفاذ أحكامه رغم ما يعترضها من تدخّل البشر.

The story of Joseph (pbuh) moves in a stream from beginning to end; its substance and form are equally coherent. It inspires you with a feeling for the depth of Allah's power and supremacy and the execution of His rulings despite the challenge of human intervention.

وَاللَّهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَىٰ أَمْرِهِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۝ [سورة يوسف: 21]

"And Allah has full power and control over His Affairs, but most of men know not. (Ch 12:21)

هذا ما تؤكده قصة يوسف عليه السلام تأكيدًا قاطعًا، إذ تنتهي بالطمأنينة والعِبَر العجيبة.

This is what the story of Joseph (pbuh), confirms categorically, for it ends with comfort and marvels.

عاش يوسف طوال حياته يواجه مكائد دبّرها أقرب الناس إليه. دبّر له إخوته القتل، ثم عدلوا عن ذلك فنفوه بعيدًا عن أبيه. وقد وقع هذا له وهو صبي.

Joseph lived all his life confronting schemes made by the people closest to him. His brothers plotted to kill him, but they amended it to exiling him. This happened to him while he was a boy.

بِيعَ في سوق الرقيق في مصر، حيث اشتراه أحدهم بثمن زهيد. ثم تعرّض لمحاولة إغواء من زوجة رجلٍ عظيم، فلما أُحبطت رغبتها، زجّت به في السجن، فمكث فيه مدة من الزمن. ومع كل ذلك، اقترب في النهاية من عرش مصر، وصار كبير وزراء الملك. ثم بدأ دعوته إلى الله من موقع السلطة الحاكمة.

He was sold into the slave market in Egypt, where he was bought for a nominal sum. Then he fell victim to the attempted seduction by a great man's wife who, when her wish was foiled, sent him to prison, where he remained for some time. In spite of all of this, he at length approached close to the Egyptian throne and became the king's chief minister. He then began his call to Allah from the position of the ruling authority.

تحقّقت مشيئةُ الله، وانتهى الأمرُ. هذا هو جوهرُ القصة.

Allah's plans were carried out, and the matter ended. This is the substance (theme) of the story.

أما الصورة (الأسلوب) التي عُرض بها، فهي معلمٌ من معالم الإعجاز.

As for the form (style) in which it is presented, it is a landmark of wonder.

القصة تُعرض في سلسلة من المشاهد المتتالية، فتمنحك مشهداً بعد آخر، والانتقال بينها ملهِمٌ ومفيدٌ ومحرِّكٌ للخيال. وفيها كذلك فراغاتٌ فنية، تترك للقارئ مهمة إتمام المعنى بخياله، وعمقُ الصورة التي لا يستطيع أي فنان بشري أن يبدعها.

The story is presented in a sequence of episodes. It gives you scene after scene and the transition is inspiring, informative, and stirring to the imagination. There are also artistic loopholes, which leave it to the imagination of the reader to complete the sense, as well as the depth of the picture, the like of which no human artist can bring forth.

تبدأ القصة برؤيا وتنتهي بتعبيرها. وبينما كانت الشمس تطلّ من الأفق، فتغمر الأرض بضيائها الصباحي، جاء يوسف (عليه السلام)، ابن النبي يعقوب (عليه السلام)

The story begins with a dream and ends with its interpretation. As the sun appeared over the horizon, bathing the earth in its morning glory, Joseph (pbuh), son of the Prophet Jacob (pbuh)

استيقظ من نومه، مسرورًا برؤيا جميلة رآها. وامتلأ حماسًا فركض إلى أبيه وقصّها عليه.

awoke from his sleep, delighted by a pleasant dream he had had. Filled with excitement he ran to his father and related it.

﴿يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوْكَبًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ رَأَيْتُهُمْ لِي سَاجِدِينَ﴾ (سورۃ یوسف: ٤)

"O my father! Verily, I saw (in a dream) eleven stars and the sun and the moon, I saw them prostrating themselves to me." (Ch 12:4)

ﺃﺷﺮﻕ ﻭﺟﻪ ﺃﺑﻴﻪ. ﻓﻘﺪ ﺗﻮﺳﻢ ﻓﻲ ﻳﻮﺳﻒ ﺃﻧﻪ ﺳﻴﻜﻮﻥ ﻣﻤﻦ ﺗﺘﺤﻘﻖ ﺑﻪ ﻧﺒﻮﺀﺓ ﺟﺪﻩ ﺇﺑﺮﺍﻫﻴﻢ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﺍﻟﺴﻼﻡ، ﺣﻴﺚ ﺳﻴﺤﻔﻆ ﺃﺣﻔﺎﺩﻩ ﻧﻮﺭ ﺑﻴﺖ ﺇﺑﺮﺍﻫﻴﻢ ﻭﻳﻨﺸﺮﻭﻥ ﺭﺳﺎﻟﺔ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺱ ﺃﺟﻤﻌﻴﻦ.

His father's face lit up. He foresaw that Joseph would be one through whom the prophecy of his grandfather, Prophet Abraham (pbuh), would be fulfilled, in that his offspring would keep the light of Abraham's house alive and spread Allah's message to mankind.

فلهذا رُوِيَ أنَّ رسولَ اللهِ ﷺ سُئِلَ: «أيُّ الناسِ أكرمُ؟» فقال: «أتقاهم». فقالوا: ليس عن هذا نسألك. فقال: «فأكرمُ الناسِ يوسفُ نبيُّ اللهِ، ابنُ نبيِّ اللهِ، ابنِ خليلِ اللهِ (إبراهيمَ)». (صحيح البخاري) غير أنَّ الأبَ كان على علمٍ تامٍّ بحسدِ إخوةِ يوسفَ، فنهاه عن أن يقصَّ رؤياه على إخوته.

Therefore, it was narrated that Allah's Messenger Muhammad (pbuh) was asked: "Who is the most honorable amongst the people?" He replied: "The most God-fearing." The people said: "We do not want to ask you about this." He said: "The most honorable person is Joseph Allah's prophet, the son of Allah's prophet, the son of the faithful friend of Allah (Abraham)." (Sahih Al-Bukhari) However, the father was well aware of the jealousy of Joseph's brothers, so he warned him against telling his dream to his brothers.

"يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تَقْصُصْ رُؤْيَاكَ عَلَىٰ إِخْوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُوا لَكَ كَيْدًا ۖ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لِلْإِنسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ * وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَجْتَبِيكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ وَيُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ كَمَا أَتَمَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَبَوَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَاقَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ"

"O my son! Relate not your vision to your brothers, lest they arrange a plot against you. Verily! Satan is to man an open enemy! Thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of dreams (an other things) and perfect His Favor on you and on the offspring of Jacob, as He perfected it on your fathers, Abraham, and Isaac aforetime! Verily! your Lord is All-Knowing, All-Wise." (Ch 12:5-6)

كان يوسف ابن ثماني عشرة سنة، وسيماً قوي البنية، لطيف الطبع. كان محترماً، طيب القلب، حسن المراعاة للآخرين. وكان أخوه بنيامين لطيفاً مثله. وكانا من أم واحدة هي راحيل. ولما كانا يتحليان بهذه الصفات الكريمة، أحبهما أبوهما أكثر من سائر أبنائه، ولم يكن يدعهما يغيبان عن ناظريه. وكان يشغلهما بالعمل في حديقة البيت حفاظاً عليهما.

Joseph was eighteen years old, very handsome and robust, with a gentle temperament. He was respectful, kind and considerate. His brother Benjamin was equally pleasant. Both were from one mother, Rachel. Because of their refined qualities, the father loved the two more than his other children, and would not let them out of his sight. To protect them, he kept them busy with work in the house garden.

انتهى مشهد يعقوب وابنه، وبدأ مشهدٌ آخر يتآمر فيه إخوة يوسف عليه.

The scene of Jacob and his son closes. Another opens on Joseph's brothers plotting against him.

إنَّ يُوسُفَ وَأَخَاهُ (بِنْيَامِينَ) أَحَبُّ إِلَى أَبِينَا مِنَّا، وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ. إِنَّ أَبَانَا لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ. اقْتُلُوا يُوسُفَ أَوِ اطْرَحُوهُ أَرْضًا يَخْلُ لَكُمْ وَجْهُ أَبِيكُمْ، وَتَكُونُوا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ قَوْمًا صَالِحِينَ (بِأَنْ تَنْوُوا التَّوْبَةَ قَبْلَ ارْتِكَابِ الذَّنْبِ). قَالَ قَائِلٌ مِنْهُمْ: لَا تَقْتُلُوا يُوسُفَ، وَلَكِنْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ فَاعِلِينَ فَأَلْقُوهُ فِي غَيَابَةِ الْجُبِّ، يَلْتَقِطْهُ بَعْضُ السَّيَّارَةِ. [سورة يوسف: 12/8-10]

"Truly, Joseph and his brother (Benjamin) are loved more by our father than we, but we are Usbah (a strong group). Really our father is in a plain error. Kill Joseph or cast him out to some other land, so that the favor of your father may be give to you alone, and after that you will be righteous folk (by intending repentance before committing the sin)." One from among them said: "Kill not Joseph, but if you must do something, throw him down to the bottom of a well, he will be picked up by some caravan of travelers." (Ch 12:8-10)

في صفحات العهد القديم أن يوسف أخبرهم برؤياه، بينما لا يذكر القرآن أن ذلك قد حدث. ولو كان قد حدث لقال الإخوة أنفسهم ذلك. ويزعم العهد القديم أنهم كانوا قد فقدوا حقوقهم بسببه، ولذلك كانوا سيقتلونه. والحق أن يوسف التزم بوصية أبيه ولم يُخبر إخوته برؤياه.

The pages of the Old Testament say that Joseph told them his dream, whereas the Quran does not say that happened. Had it been so, the brothers would have said so themselves. The Old Testament claims they had lost their own rights by him, and so they would kill him. Indeed Joseph kept his father's order and did not tell his brothers about his vision.

ومع ذلك، جلس إخوته يتآمرون عليه. فسأل أحدهم: "لماذا يحب أبونا يوسف أكثر منا؟" فأجاب آخر: "ربما بسبب جماله." وقال ثالث: "يوسف وأخوه يشغلان قلب أبينا." فاشتكى الأول: "لقد ضلّ أبونا ضلالاً بيّناً." واقترح أحدهم حلاً للأمر: أن يُقتل يوسف.

In spite of this, his brothers sat down to conspire against him. One of them asked: "Why does our father love Joseph more than us?" Another answered: "Perhaps because of his beauty." A third said: "Joseph and his brother occupied our father's heart." The first complained: "Our father has gone all astray." One of them suggested a solution to the matter; kill Joseph.

"أين نقتله؟" "ينبغي أن نطرده بعيدًا عن هذه الأرض." "سنرسله إلى أرض بعيدة." "لماذا لا نقتله فنستريح، حتى يخلص لك وجه أبيك وحدك؟" إلا أن يهوذا، الأكبر والأعقل بينهم، قال: "لا حاجة إلى قتله ما دام كل ما تريدونه هو التخلص منه. انظروا، لنلقِه في بئر فتلتقطه قافلة مارّة، فتأخذه معها إلى أرض بعيدة. عندها يغيب عن نظر أبيكم، ويتحقق غرضكم بنفيه. ثم بعد ذلك نتوب عن جريمتنا ونعود إلى كوننا أناسًا صالحين من جديد." واستمر النقاش حول فكرة إلقاء يوسف في البئر، إذ رُئي ذلك الحل الأكثر أمانًا. فرُفضت خطة القتل، وأُقرّ النفي إلى أرض بعيدة عن طريق الاختطاف. وكانت هذه أذكى الأفكار.

ثم كانت حركتهم التالية التي فتحت المشهد بينهم وبين أبيهم يعقوب عليه السلام:

Their next movement opened the scene between them and their father Jacob (pbuh):

قَالُوا يَا أَبَانَا مَا لَكَ لَا تَأْمَنَّا عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَنَاصِحُونَ ۝ أَرْسِلْهُ مَعَنَا غَدًا يَرْتَعْ وَيَلْعَبْ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ ۝ قَالَ إِنِّي لَيَحْزُنُنِي أَن تَذْهَبُوا بِهِ وَأَخَافُ أَن يَأْكُلَهُ الذِّئْبُ وَأَنتُمْ عَنْهُ غَافِلُونَ ۝ قَالُوا لَئِنْ أَكَلَهُ الذِّئْبُ وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّا إِذًا لَّخَاسِرُونَ ۝ (سورة يوسف: 11-14)

They said: "O our father! Why do you not trust us with Joseph, when we are indeed his well wishers? Send him with us tomorrow to enjoy himself and play, and verily we will take care of him." He (Jacob) said: "Truly, it saddens me that you should take him away. I fear lest a wolf should devour him, while you are careless of him." They said: "If a wolf devours him, while we are Usbah (a strong group) (to guard him), then surely we are the losers." (Ch 12:11-14)

اقترح يعقوب نقطةً لم تخطر ببالهم في نقاشهم: فقد خشي أن تأكله ذئاب الصحراء! أ(كان يقصد) الذئاب التي بداخلهم، أم كان يقصد الذئاب البرية؟ لا يعلم ذلك إلا الله. فألحّوا على أبيهم أن يرسل يوسف معهم، فوافق تحت ضغطهم.

Jacob suggested a point, which had not occurred to them in their discussion: he feared that desert wolves would eat him! ithe wolves within them, or did he mean the wild wolves? No one but Allah knows. They coaxed their father to send Joseph with them; he agreed under their pressure.

لقد فرحوا لأنهم صاروا الآن قادرين على التخلص من يوسف، فبعد ذلك يكون لهم حظ أوفر في نيل محبة أبيهم. ولما خرجوا من البيت، توجهوا مباشرة إلى البئر كما خططوا، بحجة الشرب من الماء. فاحتضنه أحدهم بذراعيه وضمّه إليه بشدة. وقد فزع يوسف من هذا السلوك غير المعتاد، فجاهد ليتخلص من قبضتهم. وهرع إخوة آخرون لإمساكه. فنزع أحدهم قميصه. وانضم آخرون إليهم فرفعوا يوسف وألقوه في البئر العميقة. ولم تُجدِ توسلاتُه المؤلمة شيئًا في قلوبهم القاسية.

They were excited that they could now get rid of Joseph for after this they could stand a better chance of receiving their father's affection. On leaving home, they went directly to the well, as they had planned, on the pretext of drinking water. One of them put his arms around Joseph and held him tightly. Startled by this unusual behavior, Joseph struggled to free himself. More brothers rushed to hold him. One of them removed his shirt. Some more joined in to lift Joseph up and cast him into the deep well. Joseph's piteous pleas made no difference to their cruel hearts.

ثُمَّ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ إِلَى يُوسُفَ أَنَّهُ آمِنٌ وَلَا يَخَافُ، فَإِنَّهُ سَيَلْقَاهُمْ يَوْمًا مَا لِيُذَكِّرَهُمْ بِمَا فَعَلُوا.

Then Allah revealed to Joseph that he was safe and should not fear, for he would meet them again some day to remind them of what they had done.

كان في البئر ماءٌ حمل جسدَ يوسفَ فلم يُصَب بأذى. جلس وحيداً في الماء، ثم تعلّق بحافةٍ صخريةٍ عالية وتسلّق فوقها. وتركه إخوته في هذا المكان الموحش.

There was water in the well, which buoyed Joseph's body, so he was not harmed. He sat lonely in the water, then clung to a rock ledge overheard and climbed on top of it. his brothers left him in this desolate place.

ثُمَّ ذَبَحُوا شَاةً وَلَطَّخُوا قَمِيصَ يُوسُفَ بِدَمِهَا. فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمْ أَنْ يَحْلِفُوا عَلَى كِتْمَانِ فِعْلَتِهِمْ سِرًّا. فَحَلَفَ جَمِيعُهُمْ.

Then they killed a sheep and soaked Joseph's shirt in its blood. One brother said that they should swear to keep their deed a close secret. All of them took the oath.

﴿وَجَاءُوا أَبَاهُمْ عِشَاءً يَبْكُونَ﴾ (سورۃ یوسف: ١٦)

"And they came to their father in the early part of the night weeping." (Ch 12:16)

كان المشهد ليلاً مظلماً، يقطعه بكاء عشرة رجال. كان الأب جالساً في بيته حين دخل الأبناء، وقد غشيت ظلمةُ الليل ظلمةَ قلوبهم، وظلمةُ كذبهم تكاد تخرج. تساءل يعقوب بصوت مسموع: "ما هذا البكاء؟ هل أصاب غنمنا شيء؟" فأجابوا وهم يبكون: "يا أبانا! ذهبنا نتسابق، وتركنا يوسف عند متاعنا فأكله الذئب؛ ولن تصدّقنا ولو كنا صادقين. (سورة يوسف: 17)"

The scene here is dark night, broken by the crying of ten men. The father is sitting in his house when the sons enter, the darkness of night covering the darkness of their hearts and the darkness of their lies struggling to come out. Jacob wondered aloud: "Why this weeping? Has anything happened to our flock?" They answered crying: "O our father! We went racing with one another, and left Joseph by our belongings and a wolf devoured him; but you will never believe us even when we speak the truth. (Ch 12:17)

"فَلَمَّا رَجَعْنَا مِنَ السِّبَاقِ تَعَجَّبْنَا أَنَّ يُوسُفَ كَانَ فِي بَطْنِ الذِّئْبِ." "لَمْ نَرَهُ!" "وَلَنْ تُصَدِّقُونَا وَلَوْ كُنَّا صَادِقِينَ! إِنَّمَا نُخْبِرُكَ بِمَا حَدَثَ!" "لَقَدْ أَكَلَ الذِّئْبُ يُوسُفَ!" "هَذَا قَمِيصُ يُوسُفَ. لَقَدْ لَطَّخْنَاهُ بِالدَّمِ الْمُلَوَّثِ، وَلَمْ نَجِدْ يُوسُفَ!" وَجَاءُوا بِقَمِيصِهِ مُلَطَّخًا بِدَمٍ كَاذِبٍ. (سُورَةُ يُوسُفَ: 18)

"We were surprised after returning from the race that Joseph was in the belly of the wolf." "We did not see him!" "You will not believe us even though we are truthful! we are telling you what happened!" "The wolf has eaten Joseph!" "This is Joseph's shirt. We foiled it soiled with blood, and did not find Joseph!" They brought his shirt stained with false blood. (Ch 12:18)

في أعماق قلب يعقوب كان يعلم أن ابنه الحبيب ما زال حياً، وأن أبناءه الآخرين يكذبون. أمسك بالدم الملطّخ بيديه، ونشره أمامه، ثم قال: "يا له من ذئب رحيم! أكل ابني الحبيب دون أن يمزّق قميصه!" احمرّت وجوههم حين طالبهم بمزيد من المعلومات، لكن كلاً منهم أقسم بالله أنه يقول الحق. فانفجر الأب المكسور القلب بالبكاء:

Deep down in the heart Jacob knew that his beloved son was still alive and that his other sons were lying. He held the blood stained in his hands, spread it out and remarked: "What a merciful wolf! he ate up my beloved son without tearing his shirt!" Their faces turned red when he demanded more information, but each swore by Allah that he was telling the truth. The brokenhearted father burst into tears:

بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا ۖ فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ ۖ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ

"Nay! But your ownselves have made up a tale. So for me patience is more fitting. It is Allah Alone whose Help can be sought against that which you assert." (Ch 12:18)

في البئر المظلمة تمكن يوسف من العثور على حافة حجرية يتمسك بها. كان يحيط به ظلام دامس وصمت مخيف. وخطرت بباله أفكار مرعبة: ماذا سيحل به؟

In the dark well Joseph managed to find a stone ledge to hold onto. Around him was total darkness and an eerie silence. Fearful thoughts entered his mind: what would happen to him?

أين سيجد الطعام؟ ولماذا انقلب عليه إخوته أنفسهم؟ هل سيعلم أبوه بمحنته؟ ومرّت أمام عينيه ابتسامة أبيه، فتذكّر الحب والعطف اللذين كان يغمره بهما دائمًا. وأخذ يوسف يدعو ربه بخشوع، يسأل الله النجاة. وشيئًا فشيئًا بدأ خوفه يهدأ. فقد كان خالقه يبتليه بمصيبة عظيمة ليغرس فيه روح الصبر والشجاعة. فأسلم يوسف أمره لمشيئة ربه.

Where would he find food? Why had his own brothers turned against him? Would his father know of his plight? His father's smile flashed before him recalling the love and affection he had always shown him. Joseph began to pray earnestly, pleading to Allah for salvation. Gradually his fear began to subside. His Creator was testing the young man with a great misfortune in order to infuse in him a spirit of patience and courage. Joseph, surrended himself to the will of his Lord.

ينتقل المشهد إلى الصحراء الواسعة. وفي الأفق يظهر خطٌّ طويل من الإبل والخيل والرجال؛ إنها قافلة متجهة إلى مصر. توقفت قافلة التجار عند هذه البئر المشهورة لتأخذ الماء. فأرخى رجلٌ دلوه في البئر. وفزع يوسف حين رأى الدلو يهوي مسرعًا، فأمسك به قبل أن يسقط في الماء. ولما بدأ الرجل يسحب الدلو أحسّ بثقل غير معتاد في الحمل، فأطلّ برأسه داخل البئر. فصُدم بما رأى؛ إذ كان رجلٌ متعلقًا بالحبل! فشدّ الحبل بقوة، وصاح بأصحابه: "أعينونا يا رفاق، يبدو أننا وجدنا كنزًا حقيقيًا في البئر!" فهرع رفاقه إلى البئر وساعدوه في إخراج الغريب الذي كان يتعلق بالحبل.

The next scene shows the wide desert. At the horizon is a long line of camels, horses, and men; a caravan on its way to Egypt. The caravan of merchants halted at this famous well for water. A man lowered in his bucket. Joseph was startled by the bucket hurtling down and grabbed hold of it before it could land in the water. As the man began to haul he felt the load unusually heavy, so he peeped into the well. What he saw shocked him; a man was clinging to the rope! He held the rope tightly and shouted to his friends: "Better give me a hand fellows! Looks like I found real treasure in the well!" His companions rushed to the well and helped him to pull out the stranger holding onto the rope.

أمامهم كان يقف شابٌّ صحيحُ البدن، وسيمُ الوجه، يتهلّل بابتسامةٍ كأنها ابتسامةُ الملائكة. رأوا فيه غنيمةً جميلةً، إذ لم يكن يهمّهم سوى المال. وفي الحال، وضعوا في قدميه أغلالًا من حديد، واصطحبوه إلى مصر، بعيدًا عن وطنه الحبيب كنعان.

Standing before them was a healthy, handsome youth, beaming with an angelic smile. They saw in him a handsome prize, for money was all that mattered to them. Immediately, they clapped iron shackles on his feet and took him along to Egypt, far away from his beloved homeland of Canaan.

في جميع أنحاء المدينة المصرية انتشر الخبر بأن عبداً شاباً وسيماً قوياً بشكل استثنائي معروض للبيع. تجمّع المئات في سوق الرقيق؛ كان بعضهم متفرجين، وآخرون مزايدين من النخبة والأغنياء، كلٌّ منهم يمدّ عنقه ليرى هذا النموذج الوسيم. وقد وجد المنادي في المزاد فرصته، إذ اشتدّت المزايدة وأخذ كل مشترٍ يحاول أن يتجاوز الآخر.

All over the Egyptian city the news spread that an unusually handsome, robust young slave was on sale. People gathered by the hundreds at the slave market. some were spectators, others were bidders the elite and the rich, each one craning his neck to view the handsome specimen. the auctioneer had a field day as the bidding went wild, each buyer trying to outbid the other.

أَخِيرًا، زَادَ العَزِيزُ، وزِيرُ مِصْرَ، على جَمِيعِ المُتَنَافِسِينَ وأَخَذَ يُوسُفَ إلى قَصْرِهِ.

Eventually, the Aziz, the chief minister of Egypt, outbid all the others and took Joseph to his mansion.

ما نراه نحن مِحنًا وتشهيرًا هو الدرجة الأولى من سُلّم يوسف نحو العظمة.

What we see as hazards and slander is the first step of the ladder on Joseph's way to greatness.

اللہ اپنے فیصلے میں غالب ہے۔ وہ اپنی تدبیر پوری کرتا ہے، خواہ دوسروں کی تدبیریں ابھی بن ہی رہی ہوں۔ چنانچہ وہ ان کی تدبیر کو ناکام بنا دیتا ہے، اور اللہ کا وعدہ پورا ہو کر رہتا ہے۔ اللہ نے یوسف علیہ السلام کو نبوت کا وعدہ دیا تھا۔ جس شخص نے انہیں خریدا، اس کے دل میں یوسف کی محبت ڈال دی گئی، اور وہ کوئی معمولی حیثیت کا آدمی نہ تھا۔ وہ ایک اہم شخصیت تھا، مصر کے حکمران طبقے میں شمار ہوتا تھا۔

Allah is decisive in His action. His plan is carried out despite the plans of others and while theirs are still being made. So He spoils their plan, and Allah's promise is realized. Allah has promise Joseph prophethood. Love for Joseph was thrust into the heart of the man who bought him, and he was a man of no mean position. He was an important personage, one of the ruling class of Egypt.

فلهذا، فوجئ يوسف مسرورًا حين أمر كبير وزراء مصر رجاله بنزع القيود الثقيلة عن قدميه المتورمتين. وفوجئ أيضًا حين قال له ألّا يخون أمانته، وأنه لن يُعامَل بسوء إن أحسن السلوك. ابتسم يوسف لمحسنه، وشكره، ووعده بالإخلاص.

Therefore, Joseph was pleasantly surprised when the chief minister of Egypt ordered his men to remove the heavy shackles from his swollen feet. He was also surprised when he told Joseph not to betray his trust; he would not be ill-treated if he behaved himself. Joseph smiled at his benefactor, thanked him, and promised to be loyal.

شعر يوسف بالطمأنينة، فقد أُوي أخيراً وسيُعتنى به جيداً. فحمد الله مراراً، وتعجّب من أسرار الحياة. فلم يكن ببعيد أن أُلقي في بئر عميقة مظلمة، لا أمل له في الخروج منها حياً. ثم أُنقذ، ثم استُعبد مكبّلاً بالأغلال الحديدية، والآن يتحرك بحرية في قصر فخم، وفيه من الطعام ما يكفيه للتمتع به.

Joseph felt at ease, for at last he was sheltered and would be well cared for. He thanked Allah over and over and wondered at the mysterious of life. Not so long ago he had been cast into a deep, dark well with no hope of ever coming out alive. Next he was rescued, then enslaved in iron shackles, and now he was moving freely in a luxurious mansion with enough food to enjoy.

لكنَّ قلبَه كان يتلظّى شوقًا إلى والديه وأخيه بنيامين، فكان يذرف الدموعَ كلَّ يوم.

However, his heart ached with longing for his parents and brother Benjamin, and he shed tears daily.

وَجُعِلَ يُوسُفُ خَادِمًا خَاصًّا لِزَوْجَةِ الْوَزِيرِ. كَانَ مُطِيعًا وَدَائِمَ الاسْتِعْدَادِ لِخِدْمَةِ الآخَرِينَ. وَبِحُسْنِ أَخْلاقِهِ وَلُطْفِ سُلُوكِهِ، أَسَرَ قُلُوبَ الجَمِيعِ.

مرّت الأيام وكبر يوسف. قال الله تعالى:

The days passed and Joseph grew. Almighty Allah said:

ولَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ آتَيْنَاهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ [١٢:٢٢]

"And when he (Joseph) attained his full manhood, We gave him wisdom and knowledge (the Prophethood), thus We reward the doers of good. (Ch 12:22)

أُعطِيَ الحكمةَ في الأمور وعلمًا بالحياة وأحوالها. وأُعطِيَ فنَّ الحديث، فكان يأسِرُ من يسمعه. وأُعطِيَ النُّبلَ وضبطَ النفس، فصار شخصيةً لا تُقاوَم. وسرعان ما عرف سيدُه أن الله قد أنعم عليه بيوسف.

He was given wisdom in affairs and knowledge of life and its conditions. He as given the art of conversation, captivating those who heard him. He was given nobility and self restraint, which made him an irresistible personality. His master soon knew that Allah had graced him with Joseph.

فَهِمَ أَنَّ يُوسُفَ كَانَ أَصْدَقَ الناسِ وَأَعْدَلَهُمْ وَأَكْرَمَهُمْ مِنْ بَيْنِ كُلِّ مَنْ لَقِيَهُ فِي حَيَاتِهِ. لِذَلِكَ جَعَلَ يُوسُفَ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ، وَأَكْرَمَهُ، وَعَامَلَهُ مُعَامَلَةَ الِابْنِ.

He understood that Joseph was the most honest, straightforward and noble person he had met in his life. Therefore, he put Joseph in charge of his household, honored him, and treated him as a son.

كانت امرأة العزيز، زليخا، تراقب يوسف يوماً بعد يوم. كانت تجلس معه، وتحادثه، وتصغي إليه، ويزداد عجبها مع مرور الأيام.

The wife of the chief minister, Zulaikha, watched Joseph from day to day. She at with him, talked with him, listened to him, and her wonder increased over the passion of time.

ثم جاءت الفتنة الثانية ليوسف عليه السلام. فقد عجزت امرأة العزيز، زليخا، عن مقاومة هذا الفتى الوسيم، وأقضّ حبه مضجعها. لقد أحبته، وكان مؤلماً لها أن تكون قريبة منه إلى هذا الحد، ومع ذلك لا تستطيع أن تضمه إليها. ومع هذا لم تكن امرأة متهتكة، فقد كان بوسعها، بمكانتها، أن تنال أي رجل تشتهيه. وكما يُروى، لا بد أنها كانت امرأة جميلة ذكية جداً، وإلا فلماذا اختارها وزير الملك من بين جميع الحسناوات في المملكة؟ ومع أنها لم ترزق منه بولد، فإنه لم يتخذ عليها زوجة أخرى، لأنه كان يحبها حباً جماً. ويكشف القرآن الكريم الستار عن هذا المشهد من الحب الجارف المتأجج لدى المرأة.

Joseph was soon confronted (with his second trial). The chief minister's wife, Zulaikha could not resist the handsome Joseph, and her obsession with him caused her sleepless nights. She fell in love with him, and it was painful for her to be so close to a man, yet be unable to hold him. Yet, she was not a wayward woman, for in her position she could get any man she desired. By all accounts, she must have been a very pretty and intelligent lady, or why would the chief minister have chosen her of all the pretty women in the kingdom? Although she bore him no child, he would not take another wife, as he loved her passionately.The Quran raises the curtain on the scene of this fierce and devouring love on the part of the lady.

قال الله تعالى:

Allah the Almighty told us:

وَرَاوَدَتْهُ الَّتِي هُوَ فِي بَيْتِهَا عَن نَّفْسِهِ وَغَلَّقَتِ الْأَبْوَابَ وَقَالَتْ هَيْتَ لَكَ ۚ قَالَ مَعَاذَ اللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ رَبِّي أَحْسَنَ مَثْوَايَ ۖ إِنَّهُ لَا يُفْلِحُ الظَّالِمُونَ۔ وَلَقَدْ هَمَّتْ بِهِ ۖ وَهَمَّ بِهَا لَوْلَا أَن رَّأَىٰ بُرْهَانَ رَبِّهِ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ لِنَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ السُّوءَ وَالْفَحْشَاءَ ۚ إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُخْلَصِينَ۔

"And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him (to do an evil act), she closed the doors and said: "come on, O you." He said: "I seek refuge in Allah (or Allah forbid)! Truly he (your husband) is my master! He made my stay agreeable! (So I will never betray him). Verily, the Zalimun (wrong, evildoers) will never be successful." Indeed she did desire him and he would have inclined to her desire had he not seen the evidence of his Lord. Thus it was, that We might turn away from evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen, guided slaves. (Ch 12:23-24)

اتفق المفسرون على قصد المعصية لدى المرأة، لكنهم اختلفوا في قصده هو. فمنهم من قال: إنها راودته وراودها على المعصية، لكنه لم يمضِ في قصده. ومنهم من قال: إنها أرادت منه أن يقبّلها فحسب، وأنه همّ بضربها. وقال آخرون: إن هذا القلق كان موجودًا قبل هذه الحادثة، إذ اعتراه اضطراب نفسي عند بلوغه سن المراهقة، فأزاله الله سبحانه عنه.

Commentators are unanimous about her intention of disobedience but disagree about his own intention. There are those who say that she tempted him and he tempted her to sin, although he did not follow through with his intent. Others say that she merely wanted him to kiss her, and he attempted to strike her. Yet others say that this anxiety had been there before this incident. There was a psychological disturbance in Joseph when he reached adolescence, which Almighty Allah rid him of.

فَأَسْلَمُ التَّفْسِيرِ الأَسْلَمُ لَنَا أَنَّ فِي الآيَةِ الفِتْنَةَ وَالمُقَاوَمَةَ، لِقَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى:

The safest commentary for us is that there is temptation and resistance in the verse, for He Most High stated:

وَلَقَدْ هَمَّتْ بِهِ وَهَمَّ بِهَا لَوْلَا أَن رَّأَىٰ بُرْهَانَ رَبِّهِ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ لِنَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ السُّوءَ وَالْفَحْشَاءَ ۚ إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُخْلَصِينَ

"And indeed she did desire him and he would have inclined to her desire... (Ch 12:24)

قال أبو عبيدة: هذه همٌّ ومقاومة، أي أنها راودته؛ ولو لم يرَ برهان الله لَهمَّ بها. وهذا يتفق مع عصمة الأنبياء، بما يناسب الكلمات التي تأتي بعدها مباشرة:

Abu Ubaidah said that this is a temptation and resistance meaning that she had tried to seduce him; had he not seen the proof of Allah, he would have been seduced. This is in keeping with the infallibility of prophets, as it suits the words, which immediately follow:

كَذَٰلِكَ لِنَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ السُّوءَ وَالْفَحْشَاءَ ۚ إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُخْلَصِينَ. (سورة يوسف: ٢٤)

"Thus it was that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. surely, he was one of Our chosen, guided slaves. (Ch 12:24)

تَدُلُّ هذه الآيةُ على أنَّ يوسفَ كان عبدًا مخلصًا لله، وتشهدُ أيضًا بنجاتِه من سلطانِ الشيطان. وقال العزيزُ الجليلُ للشيطانِ (إبليسَ) يومَ الخَلْقِ:

This verse proves that Joseph was an upright worshipper of Allah; it also testifies to his rescue from the authority of Satan. The Almighty said to the devil (Iblis) on the Day of Creation:

﴿إِنَّ عِبَادِي لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَانٌ إِلَّا مَنِ اتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ الْغَاوِينَ﴾ (الحجر: ٤٢)

لم يزدها امتناع يوسف إلا شغفًا، فلما همّ بالخروج من الباب ليفرّ، عدت خلفه وأمسكت بقميصه كما يتشبّث الغريق بالمركب. ومن جذبها له مزّقت قميصه، وبقيت القطعة الممزّقة في يدها. وقد وصلا إلى الباب معًا، فانفتح فجأة، فإذا بزوجها واقفٌ أمامهما ومعه أحد أقاربها.

Joseph's refusal only heightened her passion. As he moved to the door to escape, she ran after him and caught hold of his shirt, like a drowning person clinging to the boat. In her tugging she tore his shirt and held the torn piece in her hand. They reached the door together. It opened suddenly, there stood her husband and a relative of hers.

قال الله تعالى:

Almighty Allah said:

فَاسْتَبَقَا الْبَابَ وَقَدَّتْ قَمِيصَهُ مِن دُبُرٍ وَأَلْفَيَا سَيِّدَهَا لَدَى الْبَابِ

"So they raced with one another to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back. They both found her lord (her husband) at the door. (Ch 12:25)

لَمَّا فَتَحَ الْبَابَ رَأَى زَوْجَهَا وَاقِفًا أَمَامَهُ. فَغَيَّرَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ الْمَاكِرَةُ نَبْرَتَهَا فَوْرًا إِلَى الْغَضَبِ، وَأَرَتْ زَوْجَهَا الْقِطْعَةَ الْمُمَزَّقَةَ مِنَ الْقَمِيصِ الَّتِي فِي يَدِهَا، وَسَأَلَتْهُ قَائِلَةً:

As he opened the door, he saw her husband standing in front of him. The sly woman immediately changed her tone to anger, and, showing the torn piece of the shirt in her hand, asked her husband:

"مَا جَزَاءُ مَنْ أَرَادَ بِأَهْلِكَ سُوءًا إِلَّا أَنْ يُسْجَنَ أَوْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ" (سورۃ یوسف: ٢٥)

"What is the recompense (punishment) for him who intended an evil design against your wife, except that he be put in prison or a painful torment?" (Ch 12:25)

كانت الآن تتهم يوسف بالتحرش بها، لتعطي الانطباع بأنها بريئة وضحية لشهوة يوسف. ومع أن يوسف كان مذهولاً، فقد نفى ذلك.

She was now accusing Joseph of molesting her, to give the impression that she was innocent and a victim of Joseph's sexual desire. Though bewildered Joseph denied it:

قَالَتْ هِيَ رَاوَدَتْنِي عَنْ نَفْسِي (سورة يوسف: 26)

"It was she that sought to seduce me." (Ch 12:26)

أُدِيرَ القميصُ من يدٍ إلى يدٍ، وهي تنظر. فنظرَ الشاهدُ (ابنُ عمّها) إليه فوجد أنه مُمَزَّقٌ من الخلف. وأظهرت القرينةُ أنها مذنبة. فقال الزوجُ المُحبَط لزوجته: "إنه لَمِن كيدِكنّ أيتها النساء! إن كيدكنّ عظيمٌ!" {إِنَّهُ مِن كَيْدِكُنَّ ۖ إِنَّ كَيْدَكُنَّ عَظِيمٌ} (يوسف: ٢٨)

The shirt was passed from hand to hand, while she watched. The witness (her cousin) looked at it and found that it was torn at the back. The evidence showed that she was guilty. The disappointed husband remarked to his wife: "Surely, it is a plot of you women! Certainly mighty is you plot!" (Ch 12:28)

لا يمكن أن تبقى حادثةٌ كهذه سرّاً في بيتٍ يعجّ بالخدم، وقد انتشرت القصة.

An incident like this cannot remain a secret in a house filled with servants, and the story spread.

بدأت النساء ينظرن إلى تصرفها على أنه فضيحة، وقلن:

Women began to see her behavior as scandalous. They remarked:

وَقَالَ نِسْوَةٌ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ امْرَأَتُ الْعَزِيزِ تُرَاوِدُ فَتَاهَا عَن نَّفْسِهِ قَدْ شَغَفَهَا حُبًّا ۖ إِنَّا لَنَرَاهَا فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ

"The wife of Al-Aziz is seeking to seduce her (slave) young man, indeed she loves him violently; verily, we see her in plain error." (Ch 12:30)

فطبعًا أحزنت زليخا تلك الأحاديث. فقد كانت تعتقد صادقةً أنه ليس من السهل على أي امرأة أن تقاوم رجلًا وسيمًا مثل يوسف. ولتُثبت عجزها، خططت لأن تعرّض النساء للفتنة نفسها التي واجهتها. فدعتهن إلى وليمة فاخرة. ولم تكن واحدة من المدعوات لترغب في تفويت شرف الطعام مع زوجة كبير الوزراء؛ إضافةً إلى أنهن كنّ يخفين في أنفسهن رغبةً في لقاء يوسف الوسيم وجهًا لوجه. وقال بعض صديقاتها المقربات مازحاتٍ إنهن لن يحضرن إلا إذا عرّفتهن على يوسف.

Naturally their gossip distressed Zulaikha. She honestly believed that it was not easy for any women to resist a man as handsome as Joseph. To prove her helplessness, she planned to subject the women to the same temptation she faced. She invited them to a lavish banquet. No one so invited would want to miss the honor of dining with the chief minister's wife; besides, they secretly harbored the desire to meet the handsome Joseph face to face. Some of her close friends jokingly said they would come only if she introduced them to Joseph.

كانت الدعوة مقصورة على النساء. بدأت الوليمة، وعمّ الضحك والمرح.

The invitation was restricted to ladies. The banquet began, laughter and mirth abounded.

تقتضي الآداب ألّا تذكر النسوة موضوع يوسف. ولذلك صُدمن حين بدأت زليخا الحديث عنه. فقالت: "لقد سمعتُ بمن يقولون إنّي عشقتُ الفتى العبريّ يوسف." فساد الصمت مجلس الوليمة. وفي الحال توقفت أيدي الضيفات كلّهن، وتركّزت الأنظار جميعها على زوجة عزيز مصر. وقالت، وهي تُصدر أوامرها بتقديم الفاكهة: "أعترف بأنه فتىً فاتن الجمال، ولا أنكر أنّي أحبّه. لقد أحببتُه منذ زمنٍ طويل."

Etiquette dictated that the ladies not mention the topic of Joseph. They were shocked, therefore, when Zulaikha opened the topic. "I have heard of those who say I have fallen in love with the young Hebrew man, Joseph." Silence fell upon the banquet. At once all the guests hands stopped, and all eyes fell on the chief minister's wife. She said, while giving orders for the fruit to be served: "I admit that he is charming fellow. I do not deny that I love him. I have loved him for a long time."

لقد أزال اعترافُ زوجةِ كبيرِ الوزراء التوترَ بين النساء. وبعد أن فرغ الضيوفُ من عشائهم، شرعوا في تقطيع فاكهتهم. وفي تلك اللحظة بالذات استدعت يوسفَ ليظهر أمامهم. فدخل القاعةَ برشاقة وبصرُه مُنكَّس. فناداه زليخا باسمه فرفع رأسه. فدُهش الضيوفُ وذُهلوا. كان وجهُه يتلألأ، مفعماً بجمالٍ يشبه جمالَ الملائكة. وكان يعكس براءةً تامة، حتى إنه كان يُحَسّ في أعماق نفسه بطمأنينة القلب.

The confession of the chief minister's wife removed the tension among the ladies. After finishing their dinner, the guests began cutting their fruit. At that very moment she summoned Joseph to make his appearance. He entered the hall gracefully, his gaze lowered. Zulaikha called him by his name and he raised his head. The guests were astonished and dumbfounded. His face was shining and full of man angelic beauty. It reflected complete innocence, so much so that one could feel the peace of mind in the depth of his soul.

وَأَخَذْنَ يُقَطِّعْنَ أَيْدِيَهُنَّ دَهْشَةً وَقُلْنَ حَاشَ لِلَّهِ، وَكَانَتْ أَعْيُنُهُنَّ كُلُّهَا مُعَلَّقَةً بِيُوسُفَ

They exclaimed in astonishment while continuing to cut the fruit. All their eyes were on Joseph.

وهكذا بدأت النساء يقطعن أكفّهن غافلاتٍ دون أن يشعرن بأنهن قد قطعنها.

So it was that the women began to cut their palms absent mindly without feeling that they had cut them.

لقد كان لحضور يوسف في مشهد الدراما من التأثير ما جعلهن يفقدن الإحساس بالألم، فلم يشعرن بجرح أيديهن. فصاحت إحداهن: "يا للعجب!" وهمست أخرى: "هذا ليس بشرًا!" وتلعثمت ثالثة وهي تربّت على شعرها قائلة: "ما هذا إلا ملَك كريم." ثم نهضت امرأة العزيز وأعلنت: "هذا هو الذي لُمتُنّ من أجله. لا أنكر أنني راودته عن نفسه، فقد فُتنتن بيوسف، وانظرن ما حلّ بأيديكن. لقد راودته، فإن لم يفعل ما آمره به فليُسجنن، وليكونن من الصاغرين."

The presence of Joseph at the scene of drama was so effective that blflowedwithouttheir feeling pain. One of the ladies gasped: "Good gracious!" Another whispered: "This is not a mortal being!" Another stammered, patting her hair: "This is but a noble angel." Then the chief minister's wife stood up and announced: "This is the one for whom I have been blamed. I do not deny that I tempted him. You have been enchanted by Joseph, and see what has happened to your hands. I have tempted him, and if he does not do what I want of him he shall be imprisoned."

قال الله تعالى مُخبراً عن مشهد المائدة بقوله:

Almighty Allah related the scene of the banquet in His words:

فَلَمَّا سَمِعَتْ بِمَكْرِهِنَّ أَرْسَلَتْ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَأَعْتَدَتْ لَهُنَّ مُتَّكَأً وَآتَتْ كُلَّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِّنْهُنَّ سِكِّينًا وَقَالَتِ اخْرُجْ عَلَيْهِنَّ ۖ فَلَمَّا رَأَيْنَهُ أَكْبَرْنَهُ وَقَطَّعْنَ أَيْدِيَهُنَّ وَقُلْنَ حَاشَ لِلَّهِ مَا هَٰذَا بَشَرًا إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا مَلَكٌ كَرِيمٌ ۔ قَالَتْ فَذَٰلِكُنَّ الَّذِي لُمْتُنَّنِي فِيهِ ۖ وَلَقَدْ رَاوَدْتُّهُ عَن نَّفْسِهِ فَاسْتَعْصَمَ ۖ وَلَئِن لَّمْ يَفْعَلْ مَآ آمُرُهُ لَيُسْجَنَنَّ وَلَيَكُونًا مِّنَ الصَّاغِرِينَ ۔ قَالَ رَبِّ السِّجْنُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا يَدْعُونَنِي إِلَيْهِ ۖ وَإِلَّا تَصْرِفْ عَنِّي كَيْدَهُنَّ أَصْبُ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَأَكُن مِّنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ ۔ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ فَصَرَفَ عَنْهُ كَيْدَهُنَّ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

“So when she heard of their accusation, she sent for them and prepared a banquet for them; she gave each one of them a knife (to cut the foodstuff with), and she said (to Joseph): "Come out before them." Then, when they saw him, they exalted him (at his beauty) and (in their astonishment) cut their hands. They said: "how perfect is Allah (or Allah forbid)! No man is this! This is none other than a noble angel!" She said: "This is he (the young man) about whom you did blame me (for his love) and I did seek to seduce him, but he refused. And now if he refuses to obey my order, he shall certainly be cast into prison, and will be one of those who are disgraced." He said: "O my Lord! Prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me. Unless You turn away their plot from me, I will feel inclined towards them and be one of those who commit sin and deserve blame or those who do deeds of the ignorants." So his Lord answered his inovocation and turned away from him their plot. Verily he is the All Hearer, the All Knower.” (Ch 12:31-34)

في تلك الليلة، أقنعت زليخا زوجها بأن السبيل الوحيد لصون شرفها هو أن يُلقى يوسف في السجن، وإلا فلن تستطيع ضبط نفسها ولا حفظ هيبته.

That evening, Zulaikha convinced her husband that the only way to save her honor was to put Joseph in prison; otherwise she would not be able to control herself or to safeguard his prestige.

كان الوزير يعلم أن يوسف بريء تمامًا، وأنه شابٌّ ذو خُلُقٍ رفيع، وخادمٌ مخلص، ولهذه الأسباب كان يحبه. لم يكن قرارُ زجِّ رجلٍ بريء في السجن أمرًا هيّنًا عليه، لكنه لم يجد بُدًّا من ذلك. فقد رأى أن شرفَ يوسف سيُصان أيضًا إذا أُبعد عن أنظار زليخا. وفي تلك الليلة، أرسل الوزير يوسفَ إلى السجن وقلبُه مثقلٌ بالحزن.

The chief minister knew Joseph was absolutely innocent, that he was a young man of honor, a loyal servant, and he loved him for these reasons. It was not an easy decision for him to put an innocent man behind bars. However, he was left with no choice. He reasoned that Joseph's honor would also be safeguarded if he was kept out of Zulaikha's sight. That night, with a heavy heart, the chief minister sent Joseph to prison.

كان السجن الابتلاء الثالث ليوسف عليه السلام. وفي هذه المدة منحه الله موهبةً عظيمة، وهي القدرة على تعبير الرؤى. وفي نفس الوقت تقريبًا دخل السجن رجلان آخران: أحدهما ساقي الملك، والآخر طاهي الملك. وأحسّ الرجلان أن يوسف ليس مجرمًا عاديًّا، إذ كان يتلألأ على وجهه نورُ التقوى. ورأى الرجلان رؤيا واضحة، وكانا حريصين على أن يُفسَّر لهما ذلك. رأى طاهي الملك أنه يقف في مكان وعلى رأسه خبز، وكان طائران يأكلان من الخبز. ورأى الساقي أنه يسقي الملك خمرًا. فذهبا إلى يوسف عليه السلام، وقصّا عليه رؤياهما، وطلبا منه أن يبيّن لهما تأويلها.

Prison was Joseph's third test. During this period Allah blessed him with an extraordinary gift; the ability to interpret dreams. At about the same time two other men landed in the prison. One was the cupbearer of the king; the other was the king's cook. The two men sensed that Joseph was not a common criminal, for an aura of piety glowed on his face. Both men had vivid dreams, and they were anxious to have them explained. The king's cook dreamed that he stood in a place with bread on his head, and two birds were eating the bread. The cupbearer dreamed that he was serving the king wine. The two went to Joseph and told him their dreams, asking him to give them their meaning.

ثم دعا يوسف عليه السلام الفتيين إلى الله. ثم قال إن الطباخ سيُصلب حتى يموت، وإن الساقي سيعود إلى خدمة الملك. وقال يوسف للساقي أن يذكره عند الملك وأن يقول إن في السجن نفساً مظلومة اسمها يوسف. ووقع ما تنبأ به يوسف عليه السلام؛ فصُلب الطباخ، وعاد الساقي إلى القصر.

First, Joseph called them to Allah. Then he said that the cook would be crucified until he died and that the cupbearer would return to the service of the king. Joseph told the cupbearer to remember him to the king and to say that there was a wronged soul called Joseph in prison. What Joseph predicted did happen; the cook was crucified and the cupbearer returned to the palace.

بَعْدَ أَنْ عَادَ السَّاقِي إِلَى خِدْمَتِهِ، أَنْسَاهُ الشَّيْطَانُ ذِكْرَ يُوسُفَ لِلْمَلِكِ، فَبَقِيَ يُوسُفُ فِي السِّجْنِ بِضْعَ سِنِينَ، لَكِنَّهُ اتَّخَذَ الصَّبْرَ شِعَارًا لَهُ، وَكَانَ يَدْعُو اللَّهَ.

After the cupbearer returned to service, Satan made him forget to mention Joseph's name to the king. Therefore, Joseph remained in prison for a few years, but he made patience his own, praying to Allah.

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى:

Almighty Allah narrated:

{وَدَخَلَ مَعَهُ السِّجْنَ فَتَيَانِ ۚ قَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا إِنِّي أَرَانِي أَعْصِرُ خَمْرًا ۖ وَقَالَ الْآخَرُ إِنِّي أَرَانِي أَحْمِلُ فَوْقَ رَأْسِي خُبْزًا تَأْكُلُ الطَّيْرُ مِنْهُ ۖ نَبِّئْنَا بِتَأْوِيلِهِ ۖ إِنَّا نَرَاكَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ} قَالَ لَا يَأْتِيكُمَا طَعَامٌ تُرْزَقَانِهِ إِلَّا نَبَّأْتُكُمَا بِتَأْوِيلِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَأْتِيَكُمَا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمَا مِمَّا عَلَّمَنِي رَبِّي ۚ إِنِّي تَرَكْتُ مِلَّةَ قَوْمٍ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَهُمْ بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ كَافِرُونَ وَاتَّبَعْتُ مِلَّةَ آبَائِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ ۚ مَا كَانَ لَنَا أَنْ نُشْرِكَ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ فَضْلِ اللَّهِ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى النَّاسِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ}

"And there entered with him two young men in the prison. One of them said: "Verily, I saw myself (in a dream) pressing wine." The other said: "Verily, I saw myself (in a dream) carrying bread on my head and birds were eating thereof." They said: Inform us of the interpretation of this. Verily, we think you are one of those Muhsineen (doers of good)." He said: "No food will come to you (in wakefulness or in dream) as your provision but I will inform (in wakefulness) its interpretation before it (the food) comes. This is of that which my Lord has taught me. Verily, I have abandoned the religion of a people that believe not in Allah and are disbeliveers in the Hereafter. And I have followed the religion of my fathers, - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and never could we attribute any partners whatsoever to Allah. This is from the Grace of Allah to us and to mankind, but most men think not (i.e. they neither believe in Allah nor worship Him).

يَا صَاحِبَيِ السِّجْنِ أَأَرْبَابٌ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيْرٌ أَمِ اللَّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ ۝ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِ إِلَّا أَسْمَاءً سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُم مَّا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَانٍ ۚ إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۚ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

"O two companions of the prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, the Irresistible? You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged), you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgment) is for none but Allah. He has commanded (His Monotheism), that is the true, straight religion, but most men know not.

يَا صَاحِبَيِ السِّجْنِ أَمَّا أَحَدُكُمَا فَيَسْقِي رَبَّهُ خَمْرًا وَأَمَّا الْآخَرُ فَيُصْلَبُ فَتَأْكُلُ الطَّيْرُ مِن رَّأْسِهِ قُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ الَّذِي فِيهِ تَسْتَفْتِيَانِ۔ وَقَالَ لِلَّذِي ظَنَّ أَنَّهُ نَاجٍ مِّنْهُمَا اذْكُرْنِي عِندَ رَبِّكَ فَأَنسَاهُ الشَّيْطَانُ ذِكْرَ رَبِّهِ فَلَبِثَ فِي السِّجْنِ بِضْعَ سِنِينَ۔ (ترجمہ کا مطلب: ہائے دونوں قیدی ساتھیو! تم میں سے ایک اپنے آقا (بادشاہ یا مالک) کو شراب پلائے گا، اور دوسرا سولی پر چڑھایا جائے گا اور پرندے اس کے سر سے کھائیں گے۔ اس بات کا فیصلہ ہو چکا جس کے بارے میں تم دونوں سوال کر رہے تھے۔ اور یوسف نے اس سے کہا جسے اس نے نجات پانے والا سمجھا: مجھے اپنے آقا (بادشاہ) کے پاس یاد کرنا۔ مگر شیطان نے اسے اپنے آقا سے ذکر کرنا بھلا دیا، پس یوسف کئی سال قید میں رہے۔)

پھر قید خانے کا منظر ختم ہوتا ہے اور بادشاہ کے خواب گاہ کا ایک نیا منظر شروع ہوتا ہے۔ بادشاہ سو رہا ہے۔ وہ خود کو دریائے نیل کے کنارے پر دیکھتا ہے۔ پانی اس کے سامنے پیچھے ہٹ رہا ہے اور محض کیچڑ بنتا جا رہا ہے۔ مچھلیاں کیچڑ میں اچھلنے کودنے لگتی ہیں۔ دریا سے سات موٹی گائیں نکلتی ہیں، جن کے پیچھے سات دبلی گائیں آتی ہیں۔ سات دبلی گائیں سات موٹی گایوں کو کھا جاتی ہیں۔ بادشاہ خوفزدہ ہو جاتا ہے۔

The scene in the prison closes; a new scene opens in the bedchamber of the king. The king is asleep. He sees himself on the banks of the Nile river. The water is receding before him, becoming mere mud. The fish begin to skip and jump in the mud. Seven fat cows come out of the river followed by seven lean cows. The seven lean ones devour the seven fat ones. The king is terrified.

تَنْبُتُ السُّنْبُلَاتُ السَّبْعُ الخَضْرَاءُ عَلَى ضِفَافِ النَّهْرِ وَتَخْتَفِي فِي الطِّينِ. وَفِي المَوْضِعِ ذَاتِهِ تَنْبُتُ سَبْعُ سُنْبُلَاتٍ يَابِسَةٍ مِنَ الحَبِّ.

The seven ears of green grain grow on the riverbanks and disappear in the mud. One the same spot grow seven dray ears of grain.

استيقظ الملك فزعاً مذعوراً مكتئباً، لا يدري ما معنى كل هذا. فأرسل في طلب السحرة والكهنة والوزراء، وأخبرهم بمنامه.

The king awoke frightened, shocked, and depressed, not knowing what all this meant. He sent for the sorcerers, priests and ministers, and told them his dream.

قال السحرة: "هذا حُلمٌ مُختلطٌ. وكيف يكون شيءٌ من ذلك؟ إنه كابوس." وقال الكهنة: "لعلّ جلالة الملك تناول عشاءً ثقيلاً." وقال كبير الوزراء: "أيُعقل أن جلالة الملك كان مكشوفاً ولم يسحب الغطاء عليه أثناء الليل؟" وقال مهرّج الملك مازحاً: "جلالة الملك بدأ يشيخ، ولذلك تختلط أحلامه." وانتهوا إلى رأيٍ مُجمعٍ بأنه كان مجرّد كابوس.

The sorcerers said: "This is a mixed up dream. How can any of that be? It is a nightmare." The priests said: "Perhaps his majesty had a heavy supper." The chief minister said: "Could it be that his majesty was exposed and did not draw the blanket up at night?" The king's jester said, jokingly: "His majesty is beginning to grow old, and so his dreams are confused." They reached an unanimous conclusion that it was only a nightmare.

وَبَلَغَ الخَبَرُ السَّاقِيَ، فَتَذَكَّرَ رُؤْيَاهُ الَّتِي رَآهَا فِي السِّجْنِ، وَقَارَنَهَا بِرُؤْيَا المَلِكِ، فَخَطَرَ عَلَى بَالِهِ يُوسُفُ. فَأَسْرَعَ إِلَى المَلِكِ يُخْبِرُهُ عَنْ يُوسُفَ، الَّذِي كَانَ الوَحِيدَ القَادِرَ عَلَى تَفْسِيرِ الرُّؤْيَا. وَقَالَ السَّاقِي: «لَقَدْ طَلَبَ مِنِّي أَنْ أَذْكُرَهُ عِنْدَكَ، فَنَسِيتُ». فَأَرْسَلَ المَلِكُ السَّاقِيَ لِيَسْأَلَ يُوسُفَ عَنِ الرُّؤْيَا.

The news reached the cupbearer. He recollected the dream he had in prison and compared it to the king's dream, and, therefore Joseph came to mind. He ran to the king to tell him about Joseph, who was the only one capable to interpreting the dream. The cupbearer said : "He had asked me to remember him to you, but I forgot." The king sent the cupbearer to ask Joseph about the dream.

وفسّر لهم يوسف عليه السلام الرؤيا قائلًا: «سيكون سبع سنين متتابعة يكثر فيها الخير، فإن زُرعت الأرض زراعةً سليمة، فسيكون محصولها وفيرًا، يزيد على حاجة الناس. ويجب أن يُخزَّن هذا الفائض. ثم يأتي بعدها سبع سنين من القحط، تُستهلك فيها الحبوب المدّخرة». وأوصاهم كذلك بأن يحفظوا في سنوات القحط شيئًا من الحبوب ليكون بذرًا للموسم القادم. ثم أضاف يوسف: «وبعد سبع سنين من الجفاف، ستأتي سنةٌ يكثر فيها الماء، فإن استُعمل استعمالًا حسنًا، نبتت الكروم وأشجار الزيتون نباتًا وفيرًا، فأعطت العنب وزيت الزيتون بكثرة». فعاد الساقي مسرعًا يحمل البشرى إلى الملك، وقد أُعجب الملك بتفسير يوسف.

Joseph interpreted it to him: "There will be seven years of abundance. If the land is properly cultivated, there will be an excess of good harvest, more than the people will need. This should be stored. Thereafter, seven years of famine will follow, during which time the excess grain could be used." He also advised that during the famine they should save some grain to be used for seed for the next harvest. Joseph then added; "After seven years of drought, there will be a year during which water will be plentiful. If the water is properly used, grapevines and olive trees will grow in abundance, providing plenty of grapes and olive oil." The cupbearer hurried back with the good news. The king was fascinated by Joseph's

قَالَ اللهُ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ هٰذِهِ الْقِصَّةَ عَلَى النَّحْوِ التَّالِي:

Almighty Allah narrated this incident thus:

وَقَالَ الْمَلِكُ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ سَبْعَ بَقَرَاتٍ سِمَانٍ يَأْكُلُهُنَّ سَبْعٌ عِجَافٌ وَسَبْعَ سُنبُلَاتٍ خُضْرٍ وَأُخَرَ يَابِسَاتٍ ۖ يَا أَيُّهَا الْمَلَأُ أَفْتُونِي فِي رُؤْيَايَ إِن كُنتُمْ لِلرُّؤْيَا تَعْبُرُونَ. قَالُوا أَضْغَاثُ أَحْلَامٍ ۖ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِتَأْوِيلِ الْأَحْلَامِ بِعَالِمِينَ. وَقَالَ الَّذِي نَجَا مِنْهُمَا وَادَّكَرَ بَعْدَ أُمَّةٍ أَنَا أُنَبِّئُكُم بِتَأْوِيلِهِ فَأَرْسِلُونِ. يُوسُفُ أَيُّهَا الصِّدِّيقُ أَفْتِنَا فِي سَبْعِ بَقَرَاتٍ سِمَانٍ يَأْكُلُهُنَّ سَبْعٌ عِجَافٌ وَسَبْعِ سُنبُلَاتٍ خُضْرٍ وَأُخَرَ يَابِسَاتٍ لَّعَلِّي أَرْجِعُ إِلَى النَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ. قَالَ تَزْرَعُونَ سَبْعَ سِنِينَ دَأَبًا ۖ فَمَا حَصَدتُّمْ فَذَرُوهُ فِي سُنبُلِهِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّمَّا تَأْكُلُونَ. ثُمَّ يَأْتِي مِن بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ سَبْعٌ شِدَادٌ يَأْكُلْنَ مَا قَدَّمْتُمْ لَهُنَّ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّمَّا تُحْصِنُونَ.

"And the king of Egypt said: "Verily, I saw in a dream seven fat cows, whom seven lean cows were devouring, and seven green ears of corn and seven others dry. O notables! Explain to me my dream if it be that you can interpret dreams." They said: "Mixed up false dreams and we are not skilled in the interpretation of dreams." Then the man who was released (one of the two who were in prison), now at length remembered and said: "I will tell you its interpretation, so send me forth." (He said): "O Joseph, the man of truth! Explain to us (the dream) of seven fat cows whom seven lean ones were devouring, and of seven green ears of corn and seven others dry, that I may return to the people, and that they may know." Joseph said: "For seven consecutive years, you shall sow as usual and that the harvest which you reap you shall leave in ears, all --except a little of it which you may eat. Then will come after that seven hard years, which will devour what you have laid by in advance for them, all except a little of that which you have guarded (stored).

ثُمَّ يَأْتِي مِنْ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ عَامٌ فِيهِ يُغَاثُ النَّاسُ وَفِيهِ يَعْصِرُونَ. (الإصحاح ١٢: ٤٣-٤٩)

Then thereafter will come a year in which people will have abundant rain and in which they will press wine and oil." (Ch 12:43-49)

أُعجب الملك بشدة. من عساه يكون هذا الشخص؟ فأمر بإطلاق سراح يوسف من السجن وإحضاره إليه في الحال. فذهب رسول الملك ليأتي به فورًا، لكن يوسف رفض أن يخرج من السجن ما لم تثبت براءته. ربما اتُّهم بأنه قطّع أيدي النسوة، أو أنه حاول الاعتداء عليهن، أو ربما وُجّهت إليه أي تهمة باطلة أخرى.

The king was greatly astonished. Who could this person be? He commanded that Joseph be set free from prison and presented to him at once. The king's envoy went to fetch him immediately, but Joseph refused to leave the prison unless his innocence was proven. Perhaps they accused him of cutting the ladies hands, or trying to rape them. Perhaps any other false accusation was made.

لَا نَعْلَمُ عَلَى وَجْهِ التَّحْدِيدِ مَا قِيلَ لِلنَّاسِ لِتَبْرِيرِ الْحُكْمِ عَلَى يُوسُفَ بِالسِّجْنِ. فَعَادَ الرَّسُولُ إِلَى الْمَلِكِ. فَسَأَلَهُ الْمَلِكُ: "أَيْنَ يُوسُفُ؟ أَلَمْ آمُرْكَ أَنْ تَأْتِيَنِي بِهِ؟" فَأَجَابَ الرَّسُولُ: "لَقَدْ أَبَى أَنْ يَخْرُجَ حَتَّى تَتَبَيَّنَ بَرَاءَتُهُ فِي شَأْنِ النِّسْوَةِ اللَّاتِي قَطَّعْنَ أَيْدِيَهُنَّ." فَأَمَرَ الْمَلِكُ: "ائْتُونِي بِنِسْوَةِ الْوُزَرَاءِ وَامْرَأَةِ الْعَزِيزِ حَالًا." وَشَعَرَ الْمَلِكُ أَنَّ يُوسُفَ قَدْ ظُلِمَ ظُلْمًا غَيْرَ عَادِلٍ، لَكِنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ يَعْرِفُ عَلَى وَجْهِ الدِّقَّةِ كَيْفَ ظُلِمَ. فَجَاءَتِ امْرَأَةُ الْعَزِيزِ مَعَ نِسْوَةِ الْوُزَرَاءِ الْأُخْرَيَاتِ. فَسَأَلَ الْمَلِكُ: "مَا قِصَّةُ يُوسُفَ؟ مَاذَا تَعْرِفْنَ عَنْهُ؟ هَلْ صَحِيحٌ أَنَّ...؟" فَقَاطَعَتْهُ إِحْدَى النِّسْوَةِ قَائِلَةً: "حَاشَ لِلَّهِ!" وَقَالَتِ ثَانِيَةٌ: "لَا نَعْلَمُ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ سُوءٍ عَمِلَهُ." وَقَالَتْ ثَالِثَةٌ: "إِنَّهُ يَتَمَتَّعُ بِبَرَاءَةِ الْمَلَائِكَةِ." وَاتَّجَهَتْ أَعْيُنُ الْجَمِيعِ إِلَى امْرَأَةِ الْعَزِيزِ. وَكَانَ وَجْهُهَا الْآنَ مُتَجَعِّدًا وَقَدْ فَقَدَتْ مِنْ وَزْنِهَا، إِذْ غَلَبَهَا الْحُزْنُ عَلَى يُوسُفَ وَهُوَ فِي السِّجْنِ. فَاعْتَرَفَتْ بِجُرْأَةٍ أَنَّهَا كَذَبَتْ، وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ صَادِقًا.

We do not know exactly what was said to the people to justify Joseph's sentence to prison. The envoy returned to the king. The king asked him: "Where is Joseph? Did I not command you to fetch him?" The envoy replied: "He refused to leave until his innocence is established regarding the ladies who cut their hands." The king ordered: "Bring the wives of the ministers and the wife of the chief minister at once." The king felt that Joseph had been harmed unfairly but he did not know exactly how. The wife of the chief minister came with the other ministers' wives. The king asked: "What is the story of Joseph? What do you know about him? Is it true that…?" One of the ladies interrupted the king exclaiming: "Allah forbid!" A second said: "We know of no evil he has done." A third said: "He enjoys the innocence of angels." The eyes of everyone turned to the wife of the chief minister. She now wore a wrinkled face and had lost weight. She had been overwhelmed by sorrow over Joseph while he was in prison. She boldly confessed that she had lied and he had told the truth.

قال الله تعالى: ﴿وَقَالَ الْمَلِكُ ائْتُونِي بِهِ فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُ الرَّسُولُ قَالَ ارْجِعْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَاسْأَلْهُ مَا بَالُ النِّسْوَةِ اللَّاتِي قَطَّعْنَ أَيْدِيَهُنَّ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي بِكَيْدِهِنَّ عَلِيمٌ * قَالَ مَا خَطْبُكُنَّ إِذْ رَاوَدتُّنَّ يُوسُفَ عَن نَّفْسِهِ ۚ قُلْنَ حَاشَ لِلَّهِ مَا عَلِمْنَا عَلَيْهِ مِن سُوءٍ ۚ قَالَتِ امْرَأَتُ الْعَزِيزِ الْآنَ حَصْحَصَ الْحَقُّ أَنَا رَاوَدتُّهُ عَن نَّفْسِهِ وَإِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ * ذَٰلِكَ لِيَعْلَمَ أَنِّي لَمْ أَخُنْهُ بِالْغَيْبِ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي كَيْدَ الْخَائِنِينَ * وَمَا أُبَرِّئُ نَفْسِي ۚ إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّي ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ﴾ [يوسف: 50-53].

Almighty Allah said: And the king said: "Bring him to me." But, when the messenger came to him (Joseph) said: "Return to your lord, and ask him, 'what happened to the women who cut their hands? Surely, my Lord (Allah) is Well Aware of their plot." (The king) said (to the women): "What was your affair when you did seek to seduce Joseph?" The women said: "Allah forbid! No evil know we against him!" The wife of Al Aziz said: "Now the truth is manifest to all, it was I who sought to seduce him and he is surely one of the truthful." (Then Joseph said: "I asked for this inquiry) in order that he (Al-Aziz) may know that I betrayed him not in secret. And, verily! Allah guides not the plot of the betrayers. And I free not myself (from the blame). Verily, the human self is inclined to evil, except when my Lord bestows His Mercy (upon whom He wills). Verily, my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, most Merciful." (Ch 12:50-53).

تأمّل في هذه الآيات يوحي بأنها قد اتجهت إلى دين يوسف، أي التوحيد. وكان سجنُه نقطةً تحوّلٍ عظيمة في حياتها. وبعد ذلك يُهمل الأسلوب القرآني قصةَ امرأة عزيز مصر إهمالًا تامًّا، فلا نعرف ما آل إليه أمرها بعد أن أدلت بشهادتها الصريحة. ومع ذلك فقد رُويت حولها أساطير، فقيل إنها بعد وفاة زوجها تزوجت يوسف، و«إذا هي عذراء»، إذ اعترفت بأن زوجها كان شيخًا لم يمسّ النساء. وقالت روايات أخرى إنها فقدت بصرها من كثرة البكاء على يوسف، وإنها هجرت قصرها وجابت شوارع المدينة.

Reflecting on these verses suggests that she had turned to Joseph's religion, monotheism. His imprisonment was a great turning point in her life. After this, the Quranic style neglects the story of the chief minister's wife completely. We do not know what happened to her after she gave her clear evidence. Yet still, there are legends about her. It has been said that after her husband died she married Joseph, and, behold she was a virgin. She confessed that her husband had been old and had never touched women. Other legends said that she lost her sight, weeping for Joseph. She abandoned her palace and wandered in the streets of the city.

ومع ذلك، اختفت المرأةُ من السياق القرآني في المرحلة المناسبة، عند ذروة محنتها. ولعلّها تبقى في الذاكرة أطولَ مما لو عرفنا خاتمتها.

However, the lady disappeared from the Quranic narrative at the suitable stage, at the climax of her trouble. Perhaps she lingers in memory longer than if we had known the ending.

أخبر الملكُ يوسفَ أن براءته قد ثبتت، وأمر بأن يحضر إلى القصر لإجراء مقابلة معه. وقد عرف الملك صفاته الكريمة. فلما حضر يوسف، كلّمه الملك بلغته. وأدهشت أجوبةُ يوسف الملكَ برقيّه الثقافي وسعة علمه.

The king informed Joseph that his innocence was established and ordered him to come to the palace for an interview. The king recognized his noble qualities. When Joseph came, the king spoke to him in his tongue. Joseph's replies astonished the king with his cultural refinement and wide knowledge.

ثم تحوّل الحديث إلى الرؤيا. نصح يوسف الملكَ بأن يبدأ في التخطيط لسنين القحط القادمة. وأخبره أن القحط لن يصيب مصر وحدها، بل البلدان المجاورة أيضًا. فعرض عليه الملكُ منصبًا رفيعًا. فطلب يوسف أن يُجعل مسؤولًا عن الخزائن، ليحفظ محصول الأمة، ويصونه بذلك في أثناء الجدب المتوقع. ولم يكن يوسف يقصد بذلك انتهاز فرصة أو تحقيق منفعة شخصية؛ بل أراد فقط أن ينقذ الشعوب الجائعة لمدة سبع سنين. وكان ذلك منه نبلًا خالصًا، إذ أراد أن يضمن ألا يهلك كثير من الناس بسبب ذلك.

Then the conversation turned to the dream. Joseph advised the king to start planning for years of famine ahead. He informed him that the famine would affect not only Egypt but the neighboring countries as well. The king offered him a high position. Joseph asked to be made controller of the granaries, so that he could guard the nation's harvest and thereby safeguard it during the anticipated drought. By this Joseph did not mean to seize an opportunity or personal gain; he merely wanted to rescue hungry nations for a personal gain; he merely wanted to rescue hungry nations for a period of seven years. It was a sheer nobleness on his part in that he wanted to ensure that many people would not die as a result.

قال الله تعالى:

Almighty Allah said:

وَقَالَ الْمَلِكُ ائْتُونِي بِهِ أَسْتَخْلِصْهُ لِنَفْسِي ۖ فَلَمَّا كَلَّمَهُ قَالَ إِنَّكَ الْيَوْمَ لَدَيْنَا مَكِينٌ أَمِينٌ ۝ قَالَ اجْعَلْنِي عَلَىٰ خَزَائِنِ الْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنِّي حَفِيظٌ عَلِيمٌ۔ (كوزيرٍ للمالية في مصر، بدلاً من العزيز الذي كان قد توفي في ذلك الوقت)

"And the king said: "Bring him to me that I may attach him to my person." Then, when he spoke to him, he said: "Verily, this day, you are with us high in rank and full trusted." Joseph said: "Set me over the store houses of the land; I will indeed guard them with full knowledge." (as a minister of finance in Egypt, in place of Al-Aziz who was dead at that time).

وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَتَبَوَّأُ مِنْهَا حَيْثُ يَشَاءُ ۚ نُصِيبُ بِرَحْمَتِنَا مَن نَّشَاءُ ۖ وَلَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ ‎﴿٥٤﴾‏ وَلَأَجْرُ الْآخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُونَ ‎﴿٥٥﴾‏

Thus did We give full authority to Joseph in the land, to take possession therein, as when or where he likes. We bestow of Our Mercy on whom We please, and We make not to be lost the reward of Al Muhsineen (the good-doers). (Ch 12:54-57).

وتوالت عجلات الزمن. وخلال السنوات السبع المباركة، كانليوسف السلطان التام على زراعة المحاصيل وحصادها وتخزينها. ثم تلت ذلك سبع سنوات من الجفاف، وانتشر القحط في أرجاء المنطقة كلها، بما فيها كنعان، موطن يوسف. فنصح يوسف الملك بأنه لما كانت مملكته مباركة بالحبوب المدَّخرة، فينبغي له أن يبيع حبوبه للأمم المحتاجة بسعر عادل. فوافق الملك، وانتشر الخبر السار في أنحاء المنطقة كلها.

The wheels of time turned. During the seven good years, Joseph had full control over the cultivation, harvesting, and storage of crops. During the following seven years, drought followed and famine spread throughout the region, including Canaan, the homeland of Joseph. Joseph advised the king that as his kingdom was blessed with reserved grain, he should sell his grain to the needy nations at a fair price. The king agreed, and the good news spread all over the region.

أرسل يعقوب عليه السلام أبناءه العشرة، عدا بنيامين، إلى مصر لشراء الطعام. وسمع يوسف عليه السلام بإخوته العشرة الذين جاءوا من بعيد، ولا يستطيعون التكلم بلغة المصريين.

Jacob sent ten of his sons, all except Benjamin, to Egypt to purchase provisions. Joseph heard of the ten brothers who had come from afar and who could not speak the language of the Egyptians.

فَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ لِيَشْتَرُوا حَاجَاتِهِمْ عَرَفَ يُوسُفُ إِخْوَتَهُ فِي الْحَالِ، وَلَمْ يَعْرِفُوهُ، وَكَيْفَ يَعْرِفُونَهُ؟ فَقَدْ كَانَ يُوسُفُ عِنْدَهُمْ لَمْ يَعُدْ مَوْجُودًا؛ فَقَدْ أُلْقِيَ فِي الْجُبِّ الْعَمِيقِ الْمُظْلِمِ مُنْذُ سِنِينَ طَوِيلَةٍ! اسْتَقْبَلَهُمْ يُوسُفُ بِحَفَاوَةٍ. وَبَعْدَ أَنْ زَوَّدَهُمْ بِالطَّعَامِ، سَأَلَهُمْ مِنْ أَيْنَ جَاءُوا. فَأَجَابُوا: «نَحْنُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ أَخًا، أَبْنَاءُ نَبِيٍّ كَرِيمٍ. وَالْأَصْغَرُ عِنْدَ أَبِينَا فِي الْبَيْتِ يَقُومُ بِحَاجَاتِ أَبِينَا الشَّيْخِ الْكَبِيرِ». وَلَمَّا سَمِعَ يُوسُفُ ذَلِكَ امْتَلَأَتْ عَيْنَاهُ بِالدُّمُوعِ، وَفَاضَ شَوْقُهُ إِلَى وَطَنِهِ فِي قَلْبِهِ، كَمَا فَاضَ شَوْقُهُ إِلَى وَالِدَيْهِ الْحَبِيبَيْنِ وَأَخِيهِ الْحَنُونِ بِنْيَامِينَ. فَقَالَ لَهُمْ: «أَأَنْتُمْ قَوْمٌ صَادِقُونَ؟»

When they called on him to purchase their needs, Joseph immediately recognized his brothers, but they did not know him. How could they? To them Joseph no longer existed; he had been thrown into the deep, dark well many years ago! Joseph received them warmly. After supplying them with provisions, he asked where they had come from. They explained: "We are eleven brothers, the children of a noble prophet. The youngest is at home tending to the needs of our aging father." On hearing this, Joseph's eyes filled with tears; his longing for home swelled up in his heart, as well as his longing for his beloved parents and his loving brother Benjamin. "Are you truthful people?" Joseph asked them.

قالوا مُتَعَجِّبِينَ: «وَمَا لَنَا لَا نَقُولُ؟ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ صَادِقًا فَأْتِ بِأَخِينَا كَيْفَ تَشَاءُ، فَسَنُعْطِيكَ كَيْلَيْنِ»، لَكِنْ قَالَ يُوسُفُ لَهُمْ مُحَذِّرًا: «إِنْ لَمْ تَأْتُونِي بِهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُونِي وَلَا تَعُودُوا»؟ Note: the verse-style quotation in the original was not inside { } brackets, so I have kept it as plain text rather than introducing Qur'an markers.

قال الله تعالى:

Allah the Almighty said:

وَجَاءَ إِخْوَةُ يُوسُفَ فَدَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ فَعَرَفَهُمْ وَهُمْ لَهُ مُنكِرُونَ. وَلَمَّا جَهَّزَهُم بِجَهَازِهِمْ قَالَ ائْتُونِي بِأَخٍ لَّكُم مِّنْ أَبِيكُمْ ۚ أَلَا تَرَوْنَ أَنِّي أُوفِي الْكَيْلَ وَأَنَا خَيْرُ الْمُنزِلِينَ. فَإِن لَّمْ تَأْتُونِي بِهِ فَلَا كَيْلَ لَكُمْ عِندِي وَلَا تَقْرَبُونِ. قَالُوا سَنُرَاوِدُ عَنْهُ أَبَاهُ وَإِنَّا لَفَاعِلُونَ. وَقَالَ لِفِتْيَانِهِ اجْعَلُوا بِضَاعَتَهُمْ فِي رِحَالِهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَعْرِفُونَهَا إِذَا انقَلَبُوا إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ.

"And Joseph's brethren came and they entered unto him, and he recognized them, but they recognized him not. And when he had furnished them forth with provisions (according to their need), he said: "Bring me a brother of yours from your father; (he meant Benjamin). See you not that I give full measure, and that I am the best of the hosts? But if you bring him onto me, there shall be no measure of corn for you with me, nor shall you come near me." They said: "We shall try to get permission for him from his father, and verily, we shall do it." And (Joseph) told his servants to put their money (with which they had bought the corn) into their bags, so that they might know it when they go back to their people, in order that they might come back. (Ch 12:58-62)

تخفُت المشاهد في مصر، وتُضاء في كنعان. عاد الإخوة إلى أبيهم. وقبل أن يُفرِغوا الإبل من أحمالها، سلّموا عليه، ثم عاتبوه قائلين: "لقد مُنعنا بعض الطعام لأنك لم تدعْ ابنك يذهب معنا. فقد قالوا لنا إنهم لن يعطونا الطعام لمن غاب أخوه. فلماذا لا تأتمننا عليه؟ أرجوك، أرسله معنا، وسنحفظه ونعتني به." فحزن يعقوب، وقال لهم: "لن أدع بنيامين يسافر معكم. لن أفارقه، فقد أمنتكم على يوسف فخنتموني." ثم بعد ذلك، لما فتحوا أكياس الحبوب، فوجئوا بأن كيس النقود قد رُدّ إليهم كما هو. فأسرعوا إلى أبيهم: "انظر يا أبانا! لقد ردّ الوزير الكريم أموالنا، وهذا دليل قاطع على أنه لن يؤذي أخانا، وأن الأمر لن يجلب علينا إلا الخير." لكن يعقوب أبى أن يرسل بنيامين معهم.

The scene dims in Egypt and lights in Canaan. The brothers returned to their father. Before they could unload the camels, they greeted him, then reproved him: "We were denied some supplies because you did not let your son go with us. They would not give us food for absentees. Why would you not entrust him with us? Please, send him with us, and we shall take care of him." Jacob became sad and told them: "I will not permit Benjamin to travel with you. I will not part with him, for I entrusted Joseph to you and you failed me." Later, when they opened their grain sacks, they were surprised to find the money purse returned intact. They rushed to their father; "Look, father! The noble official has returned our money; this is surely proof that he would not harm our brother and it can only benefit us." But Jacob refused to send Benjamin with them.

بَعْدَ مُدَّةٍ، لَمَّا نَفِدَ الطَّعَامُ عِنْدَهُمْ، طَلَبَ يَعْقُوبُ مِنْهُمْ أَنْ يُسَافِرُوا إِلَى مِصْرَ لِيَجْلِبُوا المَزِيدَ مِنَ الحَبِّ.

After some time, when they had no more grain, Jacob asked them to travel to Egypt for more.

ذكّروه بالتحذير الذي أسداه إليهم عزيزُ مصر. لم يكن بإمكانهم أن يرجعوا دون بنيامين. وافق يعقوب، لكن لم يفعل ذلك إلا بعد أن أخذ منهم عهدًا. قال: "لن أرسله معكم حتى تعطوني موثقًا بالله أن تأتوني به، إلا أن يُحاط بكم". فأعطوه ميثاقهم المؤكد. فذكّرهم: "الله على ما نقول وكيل". ثم أوصاهم أن يدخلوا المدينة من أبواب متفرقة.

They reminded him of the warning the Egyptian official had given them. They could not return without Benjamin. Jacob agreed, but not before he extracted a pledge from them. "I will not send him with you unless you give me a pledge in Allah's name that you shall bring him back to me as safely as you take him." They gave their solemn pledge. He reminded them: "Allah is witness to your pledge." He then advised them to enter the city through several different gates.

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى:

Almighty Allah narrated:

فَلَمَّا رَجَعُوا إِلَىٰ أَبِيهِمْ قَالُوا يَا أَبَانَا مُنِعَ مِنَّا الْكَيْلُ فَأَرْسِلْ مَعَنَا أَخَانَا نَكْتَلْ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ. قَالَ هَلْ آمَنُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا كَمَا أَمِنْتُكُمْ عَلَىٰ أَخِيهِ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ فَاللَّهُ خَيْرٌ حَافِظًا ۖ وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ. وَلَمَّا فَتَحُوا مَتَاعَهُمْ وَجَدُوا بِضَاعَتَهُمْ رُدَّتْ إِلَيْهِمْ ۖ قَالُوا يَا أَبَانَا مَا نَبْغِي ۖ هَٰذِهِ بِضَاعَتُنَا رُدَّتْ إِلَيْنَا ۖ وَنَمِيرُ أَهْلَنَا وَنَحْفَظُ أَخَانَا وَنَزْدَادُ كَيْلَ بَعِيرٍ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ كَيْلٌ يَسِيرٌ. قَالَ لَنْ أُرْسِلَهُ مَعَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ تُؤْتُونِ مَوْثِقًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ لَتَأْتُنَّنِي بِهِ إِلَّا أَن يُحَاطَ بِكُمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا آتَوْهُ مَوْثِقَهُمْ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَا نَقُولُ وَكِيلٌ. وَقَالَ يَا بَنِيَّ لَا تَدْخُلُوا مِن بَابٍ وَاحِدٍ وَادْخُلُوا مِنْ أَبْوَابٍ مُّتَفَرِّقَةٍ ۖ وَمَا أُغْنِي عَنكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ مِن شَيْءٍ ۖ إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖ وَعَلَيْهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ.

"So when they returned to their father, they said: "O our father! No more measure of grain shall we get (unless we take our brother). So send our brother with us, and we shall get our measure and truly we will guard him." He said: "Can I entrust him to you except as I entrust his brother (Joseph) to you aforetime? But Allah is the best to guard, and He is the Most Merciful of those Who show mercy." And when thopened their bags, they found their money had been returned to them. They said: "O our father! What more can we desire? This, our money has been returned to us, so we shall get more food for our family, and we shall guard our brother and add one more measure of a camel's load. This quantity is easy (for the king to give)." He (Jacob) said: "I will not send him with you until you swear a solemn oath to me in Allah's Name, that you will bring him back to me unless you are yourselves surrounded (by enemies, etc). And when they had sworn their solemn oath, he said: "Allah is the Witness over what we have said." And he said: "O my sons! Do not enter by one gate, but by different gates, and I cannot avail you against Allah at all. Verily! The decision rests only with Allah. In Him, I put my trust and let all those that trust, put their trust in Him." (Ch 12:63-67 Quran).

بارك يعقوبُ أبناءَه عند رحيلهم، ودعا اللهَ أن يحفظهم. فسار الإخوةُ في الرحلة الطويلة إلى مصر، واعتنَوا بـبنيامين عناية تامة.

Jacob blessed them on their departure and prayed to Allah for their protection. The brothers undertook the long journey to Egypt, taking good care of Benjamin.

یوسف و بنیامین کی ملاقات یوسف علیہ السلام نے ان کا گرمجوشی سے استقبال کیا، اگرچہ انہیں مشکل سے اس خواہش پر قابو پانا پڑا جو بنیامین کو گلے لگانے کے لیے ان کے دل میں اٹھی۔ انہوں نے ان کے لیے دعوت کا اہتمام کیا اور انہیں جوڑوں میں بٹھایا۔ یوسف نے اپنے محبوب بھائی بنیامین کے ساتھ بیٹھنے کا انتظام کیا، جو رونے لگے۔ یوسف نے ان سے پوچھا کہ وہ کیوں رو رہے ہیں؟ انہوں نے جواب دیا: "اگر میرا بھائی یوسف یہاں ہوتا تو میں اس کے ساتھ بیٹھتا۔" اُس رات، جب یوسف اور بنیامین ایک کمرے میں اکیلے تھے، یوسف نے پوچھا کہ کیا وہ انہیں بھائی کے طور پر قبول کریں گے؟ بنیامین نے ادب سے جواب دیا کہ وہ اپنے میزبان کو ایک نہایت اچھا انسان سمجھتے ہیں، لیکن وہ کبھی اپنے بھائی کی جگہ نہیں لے سکتے۔ یوسف بے قرار ہو گئے اور بہتے ہوئے آنسوؤں کے درمیان کہا: "میرے پیارے بھائی، میں وہی بھائی ہوں جو کھو گیا تھا اور جس کا نام تم مسلسل دہراتے رہتے ہو۔ تقدیر نے ہمیں کئی برس کی جدائی کے بعد اکٹھا کیا ہے۔ یہ اللہ کا فضل ہے۔ لیکن فی الحال یہ بات ہمارے درمیان راز رہے۔" بنیامین نے یوسف کو اپنی بانہوں میں لے لیا، اور دونوں بھائی خوشی کے آنسو بہانے لگے۔

في اليوم التالي، وبينما كانت أكياسهم تُملأ بالحبوب لتُحمَّل على الإبل، أمر يوسف أحد خدمه أن يضع صاع الملك الذهبي، الذي كان يُستعمل لكيل الحبوب، في وعاء أخيه بنيامين. ولما هم الإخوة بالانطلاق، أُغلقت الأبواب، ونادى المنادي: "أيتها العير إنكم لسارقون!" كان الاتهام غريبًا للغاية، فاجتمع الناس حول إخوة يوسف.

The next day, while their bags were being filled with grains to load onto the camels, Joseph ordered one of his attendants to place the king's gold cup which was used for measuring the grain into Benjamin's saddlebag. When the brothers were ready to set out, the gates were locked, and the court crier shouted: "O you travelers, you are thieves!" The accusation was most unusual, and the people gathered around Joseph's brothers.

"ماذا فقدتم؟" سأل إخوته.

"What have you lost?" his brothers inquired.

قال جندي: «صُواعُ الملك الذهبي. مَن يُرشدنا إليه فله حِمْلُ بعيرٍ من الطعام». قال إخوةُ يوسف ببراءة تامة: «ما جئنا لنُفسد في الأرض ونسرق». قال أعوانُ يوسف، كما أمرهم: «ما جزاءُ السارق عندكم؟». أجاب الإخوة: «جزاؤه في شريعتنا أن يكون عبداً لمَن سُرق منه». وافق الأعوان قائلين: «نطبّق شريعتكم بدلاً من القانون المصري الذي يقضي بالسجن». أمر كبيرُ الأعوان جنودَه بالبدء في تفتيش القافلة. كان يوسف يتابع الواقعة من فوق عرشه العالي، وقد أوصى بأن يكون متاعُ بنيامين آخرَ ما يُفتَّش. فلما لم يجدوا الصُّواع في أوعية الإخوة العشرة الكبار، تنفّس الإخوةُ الصُّعداءَ.

A soldier said: "The king's golden cup. Whoever can trace it we will give a beast load of grain." Joseph's brothers said with all innocence: "We have not come here to corrupt the land and steal." Joseph's officers said (as he had instructed them): What punishment should you choose for the thief?" The brothers answered: "According to our law, whoever steals becomes a slave to the owner of the property." The officers agreed: "We shall apply your law instead of the Egyptian law, which provides for imprisonment." The chief officer ordered his soldiers to start searching the caravan. Joseph was watching the incident from high upon his throne. He had given instructions for Benjamin's bag to be the last to be searched. When they did not find the cup in the bags of the ten older brothers, the brothers sighed in relief.

لم يبقَ إلا متاعُ أخيهم الأصغر. قال يوسف، متدخلاً لأول مرة، إنه لا حاجة إلى تفتيش رَحْلِه، فهو لا يبدو سارقاً.

There remained only the bag of their youngest brother. Joseph said, intervening for the first time, that there was no need to search his saddle as he did not look like a thief.

قال إخوته: «لن نتحرك قيد أنملة حتى يُفتَّش رحله أيضًا. نحن أبناء رجل كريم، لسنا سارقين». فمدّ الجنود أيديهم فاستخرجوا صُواع الملك. فقال الإخوة: «إن يسرق فقد سرق أخٌ له من قبل». فانصرفوا عن القضية الحاضرة ليُلقوا التهمة على فئة معينة من أبناء يعقوب.

His brothers affirmed: "We will not move an inch unless his saddle is searched as well. We are the sons of a noble man, not thieves." The soldiers reached in their hands and pulled out the king's cup. The brothers exclaimed: "If he steals now, a brother of his has stolen before." They strayed from the present issue in order to blame a particular group of the children of Jacob.

ويوسف سمع عتابهم بأذنيه فامتلأ قلبه ندماً، ومع ذلك كظم غيظه في نفسه، وقال في نفسه: «أنتم شرٌّ مكاناً، والله أعلم بما تصفون»، ثم سكت. وبعد هذه الكلمات من الإخوة ساد الصمت بينهم، فنسوا شماتتهم السرّية، وتذكّروا يعقوب، فقد كانوا قد عاهدوه على ألّا يخونوا ابنه. فأخذوا يسألون يوسف الرحمة، وقالوا: «يا عزيز، خذ واحداً منا بدلاً منه، فهو ابن رجل صالح، ونحن نرى أنك رجل صالح». فأجابهم يوسف بهدوء: «أَنَعُوذُ بِاللهِ أن نأخذ إلّا مَن وجدنا متاعنا عنده، إنّا إذاً لظالمون». واستمر الإخوة يتوسلون طلباً للرحمة، غير أن الحراس قالوا إن الملك قد قال كلمته، وكلمته هي القانون. وكان يهوذا، الأكبر بينهم، شديد القلق، فقال للآخرين: «لقد عاهدنا أبانا بالله ألّا نخذله، فلن أعود إلى أبي إلا إذا أذن لي بذلك، وسأبقى هنا مكانه».

Joseph heard their resentment with his own ears and was filled with regret. Yet, he swallowed his own resentment, keeping it within. He said to himself, "you went further and fared worse; it shall go bad with you and worse hereafter, and Allah knows your intention." Silence fell upon them after these remarks by the brothers. Then they forgot their secret satisfaction and thought of Jacob; they had taken an oath with him that they would not betray his son. They began to beg Joseph for mercy. "Joseph, O minister! Take one of us instead. He is the son of a good man, and we can see you are a good man." Joseph answered calmly: "How can you want to set free the man who has stolen the king's cup? It would be sinful." The brothers went on pleading for mercy. However, the guards said that the king had spoke and his word was law. Judah, the eldest, was much worried and told the others: "We promised our father in the name of Allah not to fail him. I will, therefore, stay behind and will only return if my father permits me to do so."

فيما يتعلق بهذا المشهد، قال الله تعالى:

Regarding this scene, Almighty Allah said:

وَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَهُمْ أَبُوهُمْ مَا كَانَ يُغْنِي عَنْهُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ مِن شَيْءٍ إِلَّا حَاجَةً فِي نَفْسِ يَعْقُوبَ قَضَاهَا ۚ وَإِنَّهُ لَذُو عِلْمٍ لِّمَا عَلَّمْنَاهُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ۔ وَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ آوَىٰ إِلَيْهِ أَخَاهُ قَالَ إِنِّي أَنَا أَخُوكَ فَلَا تَبْتَئِسْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ۔ فَلَمَّا جَهَّزَهُم بِجَهَازِهِمْ جَعَلَ السِّقَايَةَ فِي رَحْلِ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ أَذَّنَ مُؤَذِّنٌ أَيَّتُهَا الْعِيرُ إِنَّكُمْ لَسَارِقُونَ۔ قَالُوا وَأَقْبَلُوا عَلَيْهِم مَّاذَا تَفْقِدُونَ۔ قَالُوا نَفْقِدُ صُوَاعَ الْمَلِكِ وَلِمَن جَاءَ بِهِ حِمْلُ بَعِيرٍ وَأَنَا بِهِ زَعِيمٌ۔ قَالُوا تَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُم مَّا جِئْنَا لِنُفْسِدَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا كُنَّا سَارِقِينَ۔ قَالُوا فَمَا جَزَاؤُهُ إِن كُنتُمْ كَاذِبِينَ۔ قَالُوا جَزَاؤُهُ مَن وُجِدَ فِي رَحْلِهِ فَهُوَ جَزَاؤُهُ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الظَّالِمِينَ۔ فَبَدَأَ بِأَوْعِيَتِهِمْ قَبْلَ وِعَاءِ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ اسْتَخْرَجَهَا مِن وِعَاءِ أَخِيهِ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كِدْنَا لِيُوسُفَ ۖ مَا كَانَ لِيَأْخُذَ أَخَاهُ فِي دِينِ الْمَلِكِ إِلَّا أَن يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ ۚ نَرْفَعُ دَرَجَاتٍ مَّن نَّشَاءُ ۗ وَفَوْقَ كُلِّ ذِي عِلْمٍ عَلِيمٌ۔

"And when they entered according to their father's advice, it did not avail them in the least against (the Will of ) Allah, it was but a need of Jacob's inner self which he discharged. And verily, he was endowed with knowledge because We had taught him, but most men know not. And when they went in before Joseph, he betook his brother (Benjamin) to himself and said: "Verily! I am your brother, so grieve not for what they used to do." So when he had furnished them forth with their provisions, he put the golden bowl in his brother's bag. Then a crier cried: "O you in the caravan! Surely, you are thieves!" They, turning towards them said: "What is that you have missed?" They said: "We have missed the golden bowl of the king and for him who produces it is the reward of a camel load; I will be bound by it." They said: "By Allah! Indeed you know that we came not to make mischief in the land, and we are no thieves!" They (Joseph's brothers) said: "The penalty should be that he, in whose bag it is found, should be held for the punishment of the crime. Thus we punish the Zalimeen (wrongdoers, etc)!" So he (Joseph) began the search in their bags before the bag of his brother. Then he brought it out of his brother's bag. Thus did We plan for Joseph. He could not take his brother by the law of the king (as a slave), except that Allah willed it. So Allah made the brothers to bind themselves with their way of 'punishment, i.e. enslaving of a thief.' We raise to degrees whom We please, but over all those endowed with knowledge is the All-Knowing (Allah).

قَالُوا إِن يَسْرِقْ فَقَدْ سَرَقَ أَخٌ لَّهُ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ فَأَسَرَّهَا يُوسُفُ فِي نَفْسِهِ وَلَمْ يُبْدِهَا لَهُمْ ۚ قَالَ أَنتُمْ شَرٌّ مَّكَانًا ۖ وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا تَصِفُونَ. قَالُوا يَا أَيُّهَا الْعَزِيزُ إِنَّ لَهُ أَبًا شَيْخًا كَبِيرًا فَخُذْ أَحَدَنَا مَكَانَهُ ۖ إِنَّا نَرَاكَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ. قَالَ مَعَاذَ اللَّهِ أَن نَّأْخُذَ إِلَّا مَن وَجَدْنَا مَتَاعَنَا عِندَهُ ۖ إِنَّا إِذًا لَّظَالِمُونَ.

فترك الإخوةُ زادًا كافيًا ليهوذا، الذي بقي في نُزُلٍ ينتظر مصيرَ بنيامين. وفي أثناء ذلك، أبقى يوسفُ بنيامينَ في بيته ضيفًا خاصًّا عليه، وأخبره كيف دبّر المكيدةَ بوضع صُواع الملك في رحله، ليُبقيَه عنده، حفاظًا عليه. وكان مسرورًا أيضًا بأنّ يهوذا بقي هناك، لأنه أخٌ طيّبُ القلب.

The brothers left enough provisions behind for Judah, who stayed at a tavern awaiting the fate of Benjamin. In the meantime, Joseph kept Benjamin in his house as his personal guest and told him how he had devised the plot to put the king's cup in his bag, in order to keep him behind, so as to protect him. He was also glad that Judah had stayed behind, as he was a good hearted brother.

أَخْفَى يُوسُفُ تَرْتِيبًا لِيَرْعَى سَلَامَةَ يَهُوذَا سِرًّا.

Joseph secretly arranged to watch over Judah's well being.

كانت خطة يوسف في إرسال إخوته رجوعًا أن يختبر صدقهم، ليرى هل سيعودون من أجل الأخوين اللذين تركوهما خلفهم.

Joseph's plan in sending the others back was to test their sincerity, to see if they would come back for the two brothers they had left behind.

فَلَمَّا رَجَعُوا إِلَىٰ أَبِيهِمْ قَالُوا يَا أَبَانَا إِنَّ ابْنَكَ سَرَقَ. وَمَا شَهِدْنَا إِلَّا بِمَا عَلِمْنَا. لَمْ يَلْبَثْ أَنْ قَالَ: بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنْفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ. عَسَى اللَّهُ أَنْ يَأْتِيَنِي بِهِمْ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ. Note: the original is an English retelling of the Qur'an's account of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) and his brothers and does not mention Prophet Muhammad, so ﷺ is not used here.

When they arrived home, they entered upon their father calling: "O our father! Your son has stolen!" He was puzzled, scarcely believing the news. He was overwhelmed with sorrow and his eyes wept tears. "Patience be with me; perhaps Allah will return all of them to me. He is Most Knowing, Most Wise." A pal of lonesomeness closed over him, yet he found consolation in patience and trusted in Allah.

أَوْحَى اللهُ إِلَيْنَا مَا جَرَى فِي لِقَائِهِمْ مَعَ أَبِيهِمْ:

Allah revealed to us what happened at their meeting with their father:

ارْجِعُوا إِلَىٰ أَبِيكُمْ فَقُولُوا يَا أَبَانَا إِنَّ ابْنَكَ سَرَقَ وَمَا شَهِدْنَا إِلَّا بِمَا عَلِمْنَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِلْغَيْبِ حَافِظِينَ وَاسْأَلِ الْقَرْيَةَ الَّتِي كُنَّا فِيهَا وَالْعِيرَ الَّتِي أَقْبَلْنَا فِيهَا وَإِنَّا لَصَادِقُونَ ﴿٨١﴾ قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا ۖ فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ ۖ عَسَى اللَّهُ أَن يَأْتِيَنِي بِهِمْ جَمِيعًا ۖ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿٨٣﴾ وَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَا أَسَفَىٰ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَابْيَضَّتْ عَيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْحُزْنِ فَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ ﴿٨٤﴾

"Return to your father and say: 'O our father! Verily, your son (Benjamin) has stolen, and we testify not except according to what we know, and we could not known the unseen! And ask the people of the town where we have been, and the caravan in which we returned and indeed we are telling the truth."" He (Jacob) said: "Nay, but your ownselves have beguiled you into something. So patience is most fitting for me. Maybe Allah will bring them back all to me. Truly He! Only He is All-Knowing, All-Wise." And he turned away from them and said: "Alas, my grief for Joseph!" And he lost his sight because of the sorrow that he was suppressing. (Ch 12:81-84)

كان الأب متألماً أشد الألم. ولم يكن يسليه ويقوي إيمانه وصبره إلا الصلاة.

The father was deeply hurt. Only prayer could comfort him and strengthen his faith and patience.

بَكَى يَعْقُوبُ تِلْكَ السِّنِينَ الطَّوِيلَةَ عَلَى ابْنِهِ الْحَبِيبِ يُوسُفَ، وَالْآنَ قَدِ انْتُزِعَ مِنْهُ أَحَدُ أَفْضَلِ أَبْنَائِهِ، فَكَادَ يَعْقُوبُ أَنْ يَفْقِدَ بَصَرَهُ.

Weeping all those years for his beloved son Joseph - and now one more of his best sons had been snatched from him - Jacob almost lost his sight.

قال له بنوه: «يا أبانا، أنت نبيٌّ كريم ورسولٌ عظيمٌ من رسل الله، نزلَ عليك الوحي، وأخذ الناس عنك الهدى والإيمان، فلماذا تُهلك نفسك بهذا الشكل؟» فأجاب يعقوب: «إن لومكم لن يخفّف من حزني، ولن يُسلّيني إلا عودةُ أبنائي.

The other sons pleaded with him: "O father, you are a noble prophet and a great messenger of Allah. Unto you descended revelation and people received guidance and faith from you. Why are you destroying yourself in this way?" Jacob replied: "Rebuking me will not lessen my grief. Only the return of my sons will comfort me.

يَا بَنِيَّ اذْهَبُوا فَتَحَسَّسُوا مِن يُوسُفَ وَأَخِيهِ وَلَا تَيْأَسُوا مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّهِ

My sons, go in search of Joseph and his brother; do not despair of Allah's mercy."

قال الله تعالى:

Allah, the Almighty told us:

قَالُوا تَٱللَّهِ تَفْتَؤُا۟ تَذْكُرُ يُوسُفَ حَتَّىٰ تَكُونَ حَرَضًا أَوْ تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْهَٰلِكِينَ. قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَشْكُوا۟ بَثِّى وَحُزْنِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ. يَٰبَنِىَّ ٱذْهَبُوا۟ فَتَحَسَّسُوا۟ مِن يُوسُفَ وَأَخِيهِ وَلَا تَا۟يْـَٔسُوا۟ مِن رَّوْحِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يَا۟يْـَٔسُ مِن رَّوْحِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلْقَوْمُ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ. [سورة يوسف: 85-87]

"They said: "By Allah! You will never cease remembering Joseph until you become weak with old age, or until you be of the dead." He said: "I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you know not. O my sons! Go you and inquire about Joseph and his brother and never give up hope of Allah's Mercy. Certainly no one despairs of Allah's Mercy, except the people who disbelieve." (Ch 12:85-87 Quran).

انطلقت القافلة متجهة إلى مصر. وكان الإخوة، في طريقهم لمقابلة كبير الوزراء (يوسف)، فقراء ومكتئبين.

The caravan set out for Egypt. The brothers - on their way to see the chief minister (Joseph) - were poor and depressed.

فَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا مِصْرَ جَمَعُوا يَهُوذَا، وَدَخَلُوا عَلَى يُوسُفَ، فَتَوَسَّلُوا إِلَيْهِ قَائِلِينَ:

On reaching Egypt they collected Judah and called on Joseph, to whom they pleaded:

«يَا أَيُّهَا الْعَزِيزُ مَسَّنَا وَأَهْلَنَا الضُّرُّ وَجِئْنَا بِبِضَاعَةٍ مُّزْجَاةٍ فَأَوْفِ لَنَا الْكَيْلَ وَتَصَدَّقْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَجْزِي الْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ» (يوسف: ٨٨).

"O ruler of the land! A hard time has hit us and our family, and we have brought but poor capital, so pay us full measure and be charitable to us. Truly, Allah does reward the charitable." (Ch 12:88).

في النهاية، توسّلوا إلى يوسف، وطلبوا منه الصدقة، مستعطفين قلبه، ومذكّرين إيّاه بأنّ الله يجزي المتصدّقين. وفي هذه اللحظة، وسط ضيقهم وحاجتهم، كلّمهم يوسف بلغتهم التي يعرفونها قائلاً:

At the end, they begged Joseph. They asked alms of him, appealing to his heart, reminding him that Allah rewards alms givers. At this moment, in the midst of their plight, Joseph spoke to them in their native tongue saying:

قَالَ هَلْ عَلِمْتُم مَّا فَعَلْتُم بِيُوسُفَ وَأَخِيهِ إِذْ أَنتُمْ جَاهِلُونَ ۝ قَالُوا أَإِنَّكَ لَأَنتَ يُوسُفُ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا يُوسُفُ وَهَٰذَا أَخِي ۖ قَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا ۖ

"Do you know what you did with Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?" They said: "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said: "I am Joseph, and his is my brother (Benjamin). Allah has indeed been Gracious to us.

إِنَّهُ مَن يَتَّقِ وَيَصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ قَالُوا تَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ آثَرَكَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا وَإِن كُنَّا لَخَاطِئِينَ

Verily, he who fears Allah with obedience to Him (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by performing righteous good deeds), and is patient, then surely, Allah makes not the reward of the good doers to be lost." They said: "By Allah! Indeed Allah has preferred you above us, and we certainly have been sinners." (Ch 12:89-91)

اِرْتَعَدَ الْإِخْوَةُ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ، لَكِنَّ يُوسُفَ طَمْأَنَهُمْ.

The brothers began to tremble with fear, but Joseph comforted them:

لَا تَثْرِيبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ ۖ يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ (سورۃ يوسف: 92)

فَضَمَّ يُوسُفُ إِخْوَتَهُ إِلَيْهِ، وَبَكَوْا جَمِيعًا فَرَحًا. وَلَمْ يَكُنْ مِنَ المُمْكِنِ أَنْ يَتْرُكَ يُوسُفُ مَنصِبَهُ الَّذِي يَتَحَمَّلُ مَسْؤُولِيَّتَهُ دُونَ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ بَدِيلٌ مُنَاسِبٌ، فَأَوْصَى إِخْوَتَهُ قَائِلًا:

Joseph embraced them, and together they wept with joy. It was not possible for Joseph to leave his responsible office without proper replacement, so he advised his brothers:

اذْهَبُوا بِقَمِيصِي هَٰذَا فَأَلْقُوهُ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِ أَبِي يَأْتِ بَصِيرًا وَأْتُونِي بِأَهْلِكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ ‎(يوسف: ٩٣)

"Go with this shirt of mine, and cast it over the face of my father, he will become clear-sighted, and bring to me all your family." (ch 12:93)

وهكذا توجّهت القافلة نحو فلسطين. نترك المشهد في مصر ونعود إلى فلسطين وإلى بيت يعقوب. الشيخ جالسٌ في حجرته، والدموع تنحدر على خدّيه. ينهض فجأةً، يلبس ثيابه ويخرج إلى زوجات ابنه. ثم يرفع وجهه نحو السماء ويشمّ الهواء.

And so the caravan headed back for Palestine. We lave the scene in Egypt and return to Palestine and the house of Jacob. The old man is sitting in his room; tears have been flowing down his cheeks. He stands up all of a sudden, dresses and goes out to his son's wives. Then he lifts up his face to Heaven and sniffs the air.

قالت زوجة الابن الأكبر: «خرج يعقوب من غرفته اليوم.» فسألت النساء عما الذي أصابه. كان على وجهه أثر ابتسامة خفيفة. فسأله الآخرون:

The wife of the eldest son remarked: "Jacob has come out of his room today." The women inquired about what was amiss. There was a hint of a smile on his face. The others asked him:

"كيف تشعر اليوم؟" فأجاب: "أشمُّ رائحة يوسف في الهواء." فتركته زوجاته وحده، يقلن فيما بينهن إنه لا أمل في الشيخ الكبير، "سيموت من البكاء على يوسف." "هل تحدّث عن قميص يوسف؟" "لا أعلم. قال إنه يشمّ رائحته، ولعله قد جنّ." في ذلك اليوم أراد الشيخ كوب حليب ليفطر به، لأنه كان صائمًا. وفي الليل بدّل ثيابه. كانت القافلة تسير في الصحراء وقميص يوسف مخبّأ بين الحبوب. اقتربت من ضيعة الشيخ. أخذ يُومئ بيديه في غرفته، ثم صلّى زمنًا طويلًا، رافعًا يديه إلى السماء وهو يستنشق الهواء. وكان يبكي والقميص يقترب منه.

"How do you feel today?" He answered: "I can smell Joseph in the air." The wives left him alone, saying to one another that there was no hope for the old man. 'he will die of weeping over Joseph.' "Did he talk about Joseph's shirt?" "I do not know. He said he could smell him; perhaps he has gone mad." That day the old man wanted a cup of milk to break his fast, for he had been fasting. At night he changed his clothes. The caravan was traveling in the desert with Joseph's shirt hidden among the grain. It neared the old man's estate. He gesticulated in his room, and then he prayed a long time, lifting his hands to heaven and sniffing the air. He was weeping as the shirt was nearing him.

بدأت القصة برؤيا وانتهت بتأويل الرؤيا. قال الله تعالى:

The story began with a dream and it ends with the interpretation of the dream. Almighty Allah narrated:

قَالَ سَوْفَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ رَبِّي ۖ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ ۝ فَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ آوَىٰ إِلَيْهِ أَبَوَيْهِ وَقَالَ ادْخُلُوا مِصْرَ إِن شَاءَ اللَّهُ آمِنِينَ ۝ وَرَفَعَ أَبَوَيْهِ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ وَخَرُّوا لَهُ سُجَّدًا ۖ وَقَالَ يَا أَبَتِ هَٰذَا تَأْوِيلُ رُءْيَايَ مِن قَبْلُ قَدْ جَعَلَهَا رَبِّي حَقًّا ۖ وَقَدْ أَحْسَنَ بِي إِذْ أَخْرَجَنِي مِنَ السِّجْنِ وَجَاءَ بِكُم مِّنَ الْبَدْوِ مِن بَعْدِ أَن نَّزَغَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَتِي ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي لَطِيفٌ لِّمَا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ ۝ [سورة يوسف: ٩٨-١٠٠]

He said: "I will ask my Lord for forgiveness for you, verily, He! Only He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful." Then, when they entered unto Joseph, he betook his parents to himself and said: "Enter Egypt, if Allah will, in security." And he raised his parents to the throne and they fell down before him prostrate. And he said: "O my father! This is the interpretation of my dream of old! My Lord has made it come true! He was indeed good to me, when He took me out of prison, and brought you all here out of the Bedouin life, after Satan had sown enmity between me and my brothers. Certainly, my Lord is the Most Courteous and Kind unto whom He will. Truly He! Only He is the All Knowing, the All-Wise." (Ch 12:98-100)

فكّر في مشاعره الآن بعد أن تحقق حلمه. فيدعو الله قائلًا:

Consider his feelings now that his dream has come true. He prays to Allah:

رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِي مِنَ الْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِي مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ ۚ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ أَنتَ وَلِيِّي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ۖ تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ

"My Lord! You have indeed bestowed on me of the sovereignty, and taught me the interpretation of my dreams; The only Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Wali (Protector, Helper, Supporter, Guardian etc). in this world and in the Hereafter, cause me to die as a Muslim (the one submitting to Your Will), and join me with the righteous." (Ch 12:101)

ترتّب يوسفُ لقاءً مع الملك لنفسه ولأهله، ليطلب من الملك الإذن لهم بالاستقرار في مصر. كان يوسفُ ذا خدمةٍ جليلةٍ للمملكة، وقد سرّ الملكُ أن يبقى معه في بيته. وسجد يوسفُ لله شكرًا.

Joseph arranged an audience with the king for himself and his family, to ask the king's permission for them to settle in Egypt. Joseph was an assert to the kingdom, and the king was happy to have him remain with his household. Joseph prostrated to Allah in gratitude.

قَالَ يَعْقُوبُ لِبَنِيهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَمُوتَ، ثُمَّ أَوْصَى أَبْنَاءَهُ بِالتَّمَسُّكِ بِتَعَالِيمِ الإِسْلَامِ، دِينِ جَمِيعِ أَنْبِيَاءِ اللهِ. قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:

Before he died, Jacob (pbuh) advised his children to adhere to the teachings of Islam, the religion of all of Allah's prophets. Allah the Almighty revealed:

أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَاءَ إِذْ حَضَرَ يَعْقُوبَ الْمَوْتُ إِذْ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن بَعْدِي قَالُوا نَعْبُدُ إِلَٰهَكَ وَإِلَٰهَ آبَائِكَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ إِلَٰهًا وَاحِدًا وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ (البقرة: 133)

"Or were you witnesses when death approached Jacob? When he said unto his sons: "What will you worship after me?" they said: "We shall worship your Ilah (God-Allah) the Ilah (God) of your father. Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, One Ilah (God), and to Him we submit in Islam." (Ch 12:133 Quran).

عندما حضرت يوسف عليه السلام الوفاة، طلب من إخوته أن يدفنوه بجوار آبائه إن غادروا مصر. فلما توفي يوسف عليه السلام، حُنِّط ووُضع في تابوت إلى أن يحين وقت إخراجه من مصر ودفنه بجوار آبائه كما أوصى. وقيل إنه توفي وعمره مئة وعشر سنين.

Joseph (pbuh), at the moment of his death, asked his brothers to bury him beside his forefathers if they were to leave Egypt. So when Joseph (pbuh) passed away, he was mummified and placed in a coffin until such a time as he could be taken out of Egypt and buried beside his forefathers, as he had requested. It was said that he died at the age of one hundred ten.