In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

1. Alif. Lam. Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book.

2. We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran, so that you may understand.

3. We relate to you the most beautiful of stories through this Quran We have revealed to you; though before this, you were among those unaware.

4. When Joseph said to his father, "My dear father, I saw eleven stars, and the sun and the moon — I saw them bowing down to me."

5. He replied, "My dear son, do not tell your brothers about your dream, or they may plot against you. Surely, Satan is an open enemy to human beings."

6. "And so your Lord will choose you, teach you the interpretation of dreams, and complete His favor upon you, and upon the family of Jacob, just as He completed it earlier upon your forefathers Abraham and Isaac. Truly, your Lord is All-Knowing, All-Wise."

7. Certainly, in Joseph and his brothers there are signs for those who ask.

8. When they said, "Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we are, even though we are a strong group. Clearly, our father is mistaken."

9. "Kill Joseph, or cast him away to some distant land, so your father's attention will be yours alone. Afterward, you can become righteous people."

10. One of them said, "Do not kill Joseph. Instead, throw him into the depths of a well, where some travelers may find him — if you must do something."

11. They said, "Father, why do you not trust us with Joseph, when we truly wish him well?"

12. "Send him with us tomorrow, so he can enjoy himself and play. We promise to protect him."

13. He said, "It saddens me to let him go with you, and I fear a wolf may devour him, while you are not paying attention."

14. They replied, "If a wolf were to devour him while we are a strong group, then surely we would be losers."

15. So when they took him away, and agreed to throw him into the depths of the well, We inspired him: "You will inform them of this deed of theirs one day, while they do not realize it."

16. And they returned to their father at nightfall, weeping.

17. They said, "Father, we went racing and left Joseph with our belongings, and the wolf devoured him. But you will never believe us, even though we speak the truth."

18. And they brought his shirt stained with false blood. He said, "No, your souls have tempted you into something. Patience is most fitting. Allah alone is my helper against what you describe."

19. Then a caravan came by, and they sent their water-carrier, who lowered his bucket. He cried out, "Good news! Here is a boy!" And they secretly took him as merchandise. But Allah was fully aware of what they were doing.

20. And they sold him for a small price — a few silver coins — for they valued him lightly.

21. The man from Egypt who bought him said to his wife, "Treat him kindly. Perhaps he will benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son." Thus We established Joseph securely in the land, and taught him the interpretation of events. Allah always prevails in His purpose, but most people do not realize it.

22. And when he reached maturity, We granted him wisdom and knowledge. This is how We reward those who do good.

23. And the woman in whose house he lived, tried to seduce him. She locked the doors, and said, "Come to me!" He replied, "Allah forbid! My lord has treated me honorably. Wrongdoers will not succeed."

24. She desired him, and he would have desired her, had he not seen the clear proof from his Lord. Thus We turned evil and indecency away from him. He was truly one of Our sincere servants.

25. They raced toward the door, and she tore his shirt from behind. At the door, they found her husband. She said, "What punishment does someone deserve, who intended evil toward your wife, except imprisonment or a painful punishment?"

26. Joseph said, "It was she who tried to seduce me." A witness from her own household suggested, "If his shirt is torn from the front, then she has spoken the truth, and he is lying.

27. But if his shirt is torn from behind, then she has lied, and he is truthful."

28. When her husband saw that Joseph's shirt was torn from behind, he said, "This is surely one of your schemes. Indeed, your schemes are great."

29. "Joseph, overlook this matter. And you," he said to his wife, "seek forgiveness for your sin. You have certainly done wrong."

30. Some women in the city began to gossip, "The governor's wife is trying to seduce her servant. She's completely consumed by love for him. We see her clearly lost in error."

31. When she heard about their gossip, she invited them, and prepared a banquet for them, giving each woman a knife. Then she said to Joseph, "Come out before them." When they saw him, they were so amazed, that they cut their own hands, exclaiming, "Allah forbid! This is no human — this can only be a noble angel!"

32. She said, "This is the one you blamed me for! Yes, I tried to seduce him, but he firmly resisted. Yet if he doesn't do as I command, he'll surely be imprisoned and utterly humiliated."

33. Joseph prayed, "My Lord, prison is dearer to me than what they invite me to. Unless You turn their schemes away from me, I might yield to them, and become one of the ignorant."

34. So his Lord answered his prayer, and turned their schemes away from him. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.

35. Yet even after seeing all the signs, they decided to imprison him for a time.

36. Two young men entered prison along with him. One of them said, "I dreamed I was pressing wine." The other said, "I dreamed I was carrying bread on my head, and birds were eating from it. Tell us what these dreams mean — we see you as a man of goodness."

37. Joseph replied, "No meal will come to you before I have explained its meaning. This is part of what my Lord has taught me. I have abandoned the ways of people who do not believe in Allah, and who deny the Hereafter.

38. I follow the faith of my forefathers — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is not right for us to associate anything with Allah. This is Allah's grace upon us, and upon all people, yet most people are ungrateful.

39. My fellow prisoners, which is better: many different lords, or Allah, the One, the Supreme?

40. Those you worship besides Him are nothing but names you and your ancestors invented — Allah has never authorized them. Judgment belongs only to Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him. This is the upright religion, yet most people do not know.

41. My fellow prisoners, as for your dreams: one of you will serve wine to his master, while the other will be crucified, and birds will eat from his head. The matter you asked about has been decided."

42. Joseph said to the one he knew would be freed, "Mention me to your master." But Satan made him forget the mention of his Lord, so Joseph remained in prison for several more years.

43. The king said, "I see seven fat cows, being eaten by seven lean ones, and seven green ears of grain, along with seven others dry and withered. O chiefs, explain my vision to me, if you can interpret dreams."

44. They replied, "These are confused dreams, and we have no knowledge of interpreting such dreams."

45. Then the one who had been freed remembered after a long time. and said, "I can tell you its interpretation, so send me forth."

46. "Joseph, O truthful one, explain to us the meaning of seven fat cows, eaten by seven lean ones, and seven green ears of grain, along with seven others dry and withered, so that I may return to the people, and let them know."

47. Joseph said, "You will sow for seven years continuously. Whatever you harvest, leave it stored in its ears, except for a small amount you will eat.

48. Then after that will come seven years of hardship, consuming all that you have stored beforehand, except for a little you will have preserved.

49. Then after that, will come a year in which the people will receive abundant rain, and they will press."

50. The king said, "Bring him to me." But when the messenger came to Joseph, he said, "Return to your master, and ask him about the women who cut their hands. My Lord is fully aware of their schemes."

51. The king asked the women, "What happened when you tried to seduce Joseph?" They replied, "Allah forbid! We know nothing evil about him." The governor's wife then said, "Now the truth has come to light. It was I who tried to seduce him, and he is surely truthful."

52. "That is so he will know that I did not betray him in his absence, and that Allah does not guide the schemes of the treacherous.

53. Yet I do not claim innocence for myself, for the human soul persistently urges evil, except those upon whom my Lord has mercy. Truly, my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful."

54. The king said, "Bring him to me; I will appoint him exclusively for myself." When he spoke with Joseph, he declared, "Today you are highly honored, and fully trusted by us."

55. Joseph said, "Place me in charge of the storehouses of the land, for I am reliable and knowledgeable."

56. Thus We established Joseph securely in the land, free to settle wherever he wished. We grant Our mercy to whomever We will, and We never let the reward of those who do good go to waste.

57. And surely, the reward of the Hereafter is far better for those who believe and are mindful of Allah.

58. Then Joseph's brothers came, and entered his presence. He recognized them, but they did not recognize him.

59. After he had provided them with their supplies, he said, "Bring me your brother from your father's side. Don't you see that I give full measure, and am the best of hosts?

60. But if you do not bring him to me, you will receive no measure from me, nor will you come near me again."

61. They replied, "We will try to persuade his father; we will surely do it."

62. Joseph said to his servants, "Put their traded goods back into their saddlebags, so they may recognize them when they return to their families, and perhaps they will come back."

63. When they returned to their father, they said, "Father, we have been denied further supplies. Send our brother with us, so we may receive our measure, and we promise to protect him."

64. He said, "Should I trust you with him, as I trusted you before with his brother? Allah is the best protector, and He is the Most Merciful of all who show mercy."

65. When they opened their baggage, they found their traded goods returned to them. They said, "Father, what more could we ask for? Our goods have been returned to us. We can now provide for our family, protect our brother, and receive an extra camel-load of grain. This is an easy measure."

66. He said, "I will not send him with you, until you give me a solemn pledge before Allah, that you will bring him back to me, unless you are completely overwhelmed." When they gave him their solemn pledge, he said, "Allah is witness over what we say."

67. Then he said, "My sons, do not enter through one gate, but enter through separate gates. Yet I cannot protect you from anything decreed by Allah. Judgment belongs only to Allah. In Him I place my trust, and in Him let all who trust place their trust."

68. When they entered as their father had instructed them, it did not protect them from Allah's decree in any way; it was only a wish in Jacob's heart that he fulfilled. He possessed knowledge because of what We had taught him, but most people do not know.

69. When they entered Joseph's presence, he drew his brother close to himself, and said, "I am your brother, so do not be distressed by what they used to do."

70. Then, after he had provided them with their supplies, he placed the drinking cup into his brother's bag. Soon after, a caller announced, "Caravan! You are surely thieves!"

71. Turning toward them, they asked, "What is it you are missing?"

72. They replied, "We are missing the king's cup. Whoever brings it back will receive a camel-load of grain — I personally guarantee it."

73. They said, "By Allah, you certainly know we did not come to cause trouble in the land, nor are we thieves."

74. They asked, "Then what should be his punishment, if you are lying?"

75. They answered, "Its punishment will be that whoever's bag it is found in — he himself will be the punishment. This is how we deal with wrongdoers."

76. Joseph began searching their bags, before his brother's bag. Then he took it out from his brother's bag. This is how We planned for Joseph. He could not have detained his brother under the king's law, except that Allah willed. We raise in rank whomever We choose, and above every person of knowledge, is One Who knows all.

77. They said, "If he steals, a brother of his stole before." Joseph kept this accusation hidden within himself, and did not reveal it to them. He said, "You are in a worse position, and Allah knows best what you describe."

78. They pleaded, "Honored governor, he has an elderly father — please take one of us instead. We see you as among the righteous."

79. He replied, "Allah forbid that we should take anyone except the one with whom we found our property. Otherwise, we would surely be unjust."

80. When they lost all hope of persuading him, they withdrew privately to confer. Their eldest said, "Don't you remember that your father took a solemn pledge from you before Allah, and how you previously failed regarding Joseph? I will not leave this land, until my father permits me, or Allah decides for me — He is the best of judges.

81. Return to your father, and say, 'Father, your son has stolen. We testify only to what we know, and we could not guard against the unseen.

82. Ask the town where we stayed, and the caravan we traveled with — we are certainly telling the truth.'"

83. Jacob said, "No, your souls have tempted you into something. Patience is most fitting. Perhaps Allah will bring them all back to me — He alone is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise."

84. He turned away from them, saying, "Oh, my sorrow for Joseph!" His eyes turned white from grief, while he was suppressing his sorrow.

85. They said, "By Allah, you will keep remembering Joseph, until you waste away or die!"

86. He replied, "I only complain of my anguish and sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah what you do not know."

87. My sons, go and search diligently for Joseph and his brother, and never lose hope in Allah's relief. Surely, no one loses hope in Allah's relief, except those who disbelieve.

88. When they entered his presence, they said, "Honored governor, hardship has afflicted us and our family, and we have brought only meager goods. Please give us full measure, and be charitable toward us. Allah surely rewards those who show charity."

89. He asked, "Do you realize what you did to Joseph and his brother, when you acted in ignorance?"

90. They exclaimed, "Could it be that you are Joseph?" He replied, "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Allah has truly favored us. Whoever remains mindful of Allah and patient — Allah never lets the reward of those who do good go to waste."

91. They said, "By Allah, He has certainly preferred you over us, and we were clearly in the wrong."

92. He said, "There is no blame upon you today. May Allah forgive you — He is the Most Merciful of all who show mercy."

93. "Take this shirt of mine, and lay it over my father's face; he will regain his sight. Then bring your entire family to me."

94. As soon as the caravan departed, their father said, "I can sense Joseph's scent, though you may think me senile."

95. They said, "By Allah, you are still lost in your old illusions."

96. But when the bearer of good news arrived, and placed the shirt over his face, he regained his sight, and said, "Did I not tell you that I know from Allah what you do not know?"

97. They said, "Father, ask forgiveness for our sins — we were surely in the wrong."

98. He replied, "I will ask my Lord to forgive you. He is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful."

99. When they entered Joseph's presence, he warmly embraced his parents, and said, "Enter Egypt, Allah willing, in complete safety."

100. He raised his parents onto the throne, and they all bowed down before him. Joseph said, "Father, this is the fulfillment of my earlier dream. My Lord has made it come true. He was truly gracious to me, when He freed me from prison, and brought you all from the desert, after Satan had stirred conflict between me and my brothers. My Lord is gentle in fulfilling whatever He wills. He alone is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise."

101. My Lord, You have granted me authority, and taught me the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and the earth, You are my Protector in this world and the Hereafter. Let me die in submission to You, and join me with the righteous.

102. These are accounts of the unseen that We reveal to you. You were not with them when they agreed upon their plan, and plotted secretly.

103. Yet most people, no matter how eagerly you desire it, will not believe.

104. You ask them no reward for this message; it is only a reminder for all people.

105. How many signs in the heavens and the earth do they pass by, turning away from them?

106. Most of them do not believe in Allah, without also associating others with Him.

107. Do they feel secure that an overwhelming punishment from Allah will not come upon them, or that the Hour will not arrive suddenly, catching them unaware?

108. Say, "This is my path: I call to Allah with clear insight — I and those who follow me. Glory be to Allah! I am not among those who associate others with Him."

109. We sent before you only men from among the people of the towns, to whom We revealed Our message. Have they not traveled through the land, and observed how those before them met their end? Surely, the home of the Hereafter is far better for those who are mindful of Allah. Will you not then understand?

110. When the messengers nearly lost hope, and thought they had been lied to, Our help came to them. We saved whomever We willed, but Our punishment cannot be turned away from the guilty people.

111. Certainly, in their stories is a lesson for people of understanding. This is not a fabricated tale, but a confirmation of what came before it, a detailed explanation of all things, and guidance and mercy for those who believe.