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

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

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

3. We tell you the best of stories through this Quran We revealed to you, though before this, you were unaware.

4. Remember when Joseph said to his father, "Father, I saw eleven stars, and the sun and the moon — I saw them bowing down to me."

5. His father said, "My dear son, don't tell your dream to your brothers, or they might plan something harmful against you. Satan is truly a clear enemy to humans."

6. "This is how your Lord will choose you, teach you the meaning of dreams, and complete His favor upon you and upon Jacob's family, just as He completed it earlier upon your ancestors, Abraham and Isaac. Your Lord is truly Knowing and Wise."

7. Certainly, in the story of Joseph and his brothers, there are lessons for those who ask.

8. When they said, "Joseph and his brother are more loved by our father than we are, even though we are a strong group. Our father is clearly mistaken."

9. "Kill Joseph, or send him away somewhere far, so your father's attention will be only for you. After that, you can become good people."

10. One of them said, "Don't kill Joseph. Instead, throw him into the bottom of a well, so some travelers will find him — if you really must do something."

11. They said, "Father, why don't you trust us with Joseph? We truly care about him."

12. "Send him with us tomorrow, so he can enjoy himself and play. We'll definitely keep him safe."

13. He said, "It really saddens me to let him go with you, and I'm afraid a wolf might eat him while you're not paying attention."

14. They said, "If a wolf eats him while we're such a strong group, then we'd truly be losers!"

15. When they took him away and agreed to throw him into the bottom of the well, We inspired him, "One day, you'll remind them of what they've done, when they don't even realize who you are."

16. Later that evening, they returned to their father, crying.

17. They said, "Father, we went racing each other and left Joseph with our things, and a wolf ate him. But you won't believe us, even though we're telling the truth."

18. They brought his shirt, stained with fake blood. He said, "No, your own hearts have tempted you into doing something terrible. But patience is beautiful, and Allah alone can help me with what you're describing."

19. Then some travelers came by, and they sent their water-carrier. He lowered his bucket and shouted, "Great news! There's a boy here!" They secretly took him as merchandise, but Allah knew exactly what they were doing.

20. They sold him for just a few silver coins — they didn't value him at all.

21. The man from Egypt who bought him said to his wife, "Take good care of him. Maybe he'll help us, or we might even adopt him as our son." That is how We established Joseph in the land, and taught him how to interpret dreams. Allah always accomplishes His plans, but most people don't realize it.

22. When Joseph grew up and reached maturity, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. That's how We reward those who do good.

23. The woman whose house he lived in tried to tempt him. She locked all the doors and said, "Come here!" He replied, "Allah protect me! Your husband has treated me kindly. Those who do wrong will never succeed."

24. She really desired him, and he might have desired her too, if he hadn't seen clear proof from his Lord. This is how We kept evil and shameful deeds away from him. He was truly one of Our sincere servants.

25. They raced to the door, and she tore his shirt from behind. At the door, they found her husband standing there. She quickly said, "What punishment does someone deserve who tried to harm your wife, except prison or painful punishment?"

26. Joseph said, "She was the one who tried to tempt me." Then someone from her own family suggested, "If his shirt is torn from the front, she's telling the truth and he's lying.

27. But if his shirt is torn from behind, she's lying and he's telling the truth."

28. When her husband saw Joseph's shirt torn from behind, he said, "This is one of your tricks — your tricks are truly serious!"

29. He said, "Joseph, forget about this. And you," he told his wife, "ask forgiveness for your sin. You've definitely done wrong."

30. Some women in the city started saying, "The governor's wife is trying to seduce her servant. She's completely fallen in love with him. We think she's clearly lost her way."

31. When she heard about their gossip, she invited them and prepared a comfortable place for them to sit. She gave each woman a knife, then said to Joseph, "Come out to them." When they saw him, they were amazed by his beauty, and accidentally cut their own hands. They said, "Allah forbid! This can't be a human — he must be a noble angel!"

32. She said, "This is the one you blamed me about! Yes, I tried to win him over, but he firmly refused. If he doesn't do what I command, he'll surely be thrown into prison and humiliated."

33. Joseph prayed, "My Lord, prison is better for me than what they're calling me to do. If You don't protect me from their plans, I might give in and become one of the ignorant."

34. So his Lord answered his prayer and protected him from their schemes. Truly, He hears everything and knows everything.

35. Even after seeing clear signs of Joseph's innocence, they decided to imprison him for a while.

36. Two young men entered prison with him. One of them said, "I dreamed I was pressing grapes to make 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're a good person."

37. Joseph replied, "I'll tell you the meaning of your dreams before your meal arrives. This is knowledge my Lord has taught me. I've left behind the ways of people who don't believe in Allah and who deny the Hereafter."

38. "I follow the faith of my fathers — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It's not right for us to worship anything besides Allah. This is Allah's kindness to us and to all people, but most people aren't thankful."

39. "My fellow prisoners, is it better to have many different masters, or to worship Allah — the One, the Almighty?"

40. "What you worship besides Him are only names you've invented — you and your ancestors. Allah never gave you permission for this. Judgment belongs only to Allah. He commands that you worship no one but Him. This is the true religion, but most people don't know."

41. "My fellow prisoners, here's the meaning of your dreams: one of you will serve wine to his master, and the other will be crucified, and birds will eat from his head. The matter you've asked about has already been decided."

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

43. The king said, "I dreamed of seven fat cows being eaten by seven skinny ones, and seven green ears of grain, and others that were dry. Advisors, explain my dream to me, if you can interpret dreams."

44. They replied, "These are confusing dreams, and we don't know how to interpret dreams like these."

45. Then the one who had been freed remembered after a long time, and said, "I can tell you what this dream means — just send me to Joseph."

46. He went to Joseph and said, "Joseph, truthful one, explain to us the meaning of seven fat cows eaten by seven skinny ones, and seven green ears of grain and others dry, so I can go back and let the people know."

47. Joseph said, "You will plant crops for seven years in a row. When you harvest, leave the grain in its ears, except for a little that you'll eat.

48. After that, seven very hard years will come, eating up what you've saved for them, except for a little that you'll keep safe.

49. Then, after that, will come a year when people will have plenty of rain and will press grapes and olives."

50. The king said, "Bring Joseph to me." But when the messenger came to Joseph, he said, "Go back to your master and ask him about the women who cut their hands. My Lord knows well what they planned."

51. The king asked the women, "What happened when you tried to tempt Joseph?" They said, "Allah forbid! We don't know anything bad about him." Then the governor's wife said, "Now the truth is clear — I was the one who tried to tempt him, and he's telling the truth."

52. Joseph said, "This was so the governor would know that I didn't betray him behind his back, and that Allah doesn't guide the plans of those who betray.

53. But I don't say I'm completely innocent, because the human soul often pushes toward wrong, except when my Lord shows mercy. My Lord is truly forgiving and kind."

54. The king said, "Bring Joseph to me — I will keep him close to myself." And when he spoke with Joseph, he said, "Today, you're trusted and respected by us."

55. Joseph said, "Put me in charge of the country's storehouses — I will guard them carefully and know how to manage them well."

56. This is how We gave Joseph power in the land, to live wherever he wished. We give Our mercy to whoever We choose, and We never let the reward of those who do good go to waste.

57. And the reward of the Hereafter is even better for those who believe and always do what's right.

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

59. After he gave them their supplies, he said, "Bring me your brother from your father's side. Don't you see that I give full measure, and I'm the best host?"

60. "If you don't bring him to me, you won't get any more grain from me, and don't even come near me."

61. They replied, "We'll try to convince his father. We'll definitely do it."

62. Joseph told his servants, "Put their traded goods back into their bags, so they'll recognize them when they return to their families. Maybe they'll come back."

63. When they returned to their father, they said, "Father, we've been stopped from getting more grain. Please send our brother with us, so we can get supplies. We'll surely protect him."

64. He said, "Should I trust you with him, just as I trusted you with his brother before? Allah is the best protector, and He is the most merciful of all."

65. Then, when they opened their bags, they found their traded goods returned to them. They said, "Father, what more could we ask for? Our goods have been returned to us. Now we can get more food for our family, protect our brother, and receive an extra camel-load of grain. This will be easy to get."

66. He said, "I won't send him with you, unless you promise me by Allah, that you'll surely bring him back to me, unless something beyond your control happens." And when they gave him their promise, he said, "Allah is our witness over what we say."

67. Then he said, "My sons, don't enter the city through one gate — go through different gates. But I can't protect you against anything Allah has decided. The final decision belongs only to Allah. I put my trust in Him, and everyone who trusts should rely on Him alone."

68. When they entered the way their father told them, it didn't protect them from Allah's plan at all. It was just something Jacob needed to do for himself. He truly had knowledge, because We taught him — but most people don't know.

69. When they came to Joseph, he brought his brother close to him, and whispered, "I am your brother, so don't feel sad about what they've done."

70. After Joseph prepared their supplies, he placed the king's cup into his brother's bag. Then someone called out, "Travelers — you are thieves!"

71. They turned around, surprised, and asked, "What have you lost?"

72. The guards replied, "We lost the king's cup. Whoever finds it will get a camel-load of food — I promise."

73. Joseph's brothers said, "By Allah, you know we didn't come here to cause trouble, and we're not thieves!"

74. The guards asked, "Then what's the punishment if you're lying?"

75. They answered, "Whoever has the cup in his bag will be held as punishment. That's how we punish wrongdoers."

76. Joseph began searching their bags, starting with the others before his brother's. Finally, he pulled the cup from his brother's bag. This was how We planned for Joseph — he couldn't have taken his brother according to the king's law, unless Allah had willed it. We raise up whoever We wish, and above everyone who knows something, there is someone who knows even more.

77. The brothers said, "If he stole, his brother stole before him too." Joseph kept his feelings hidden, and didn't show them. He said, "You are in a worse position, and Allah knows best what you're saying."

78. They pleaded, "Honored governor, he has an elderly father. Please take one of us instead — we see you're a kind and generous man."

79. Joseph replied, "Allah forbid that we take anyone except the one in whose bag we found our belongings. If we did, we'd certainly be wrongdoers."

80. When they lost hope of changing his mind, they stepped aside to talk privately. Their oldest brother said, "Don't you remember the promise you made to your father, and how you failed Joseph before? I won't leave this land until my father allows me, or Allah decides for me. He is the best Judge."

81. "Go back to your father and say, 'Father, your son stole. We only say what we saw, and we couldn't have known what was hidden.'"

82. "Ask the people in the town we were in, and the travelers we came with — we're telling the truth."

83. Their father said, "No, your hearts have tempted you to do something wrong again. But patience is beautiful. Maybe Allah will bring them all back to me — He knows everything and is truly wise."

84. He turned away from them, saying sadly, "Oh, my sorrow for Joseph!" His eyes turned white from grief, but he suppressed his sadness.

85. They said, "By Allah, you'll keep remembering Joseph until you become weak or even die!"

86. He replied, "I only share my sadness and pain with Allah, and I know from Allah what you don't know."

87. My sons, go and search carefully for Joseph and his brother, and never lose hope in Allah's mercy. Only those who reject Allah lose hope in His mercy.

88. When they entered Joseph's presence, they said, "Honored governor, hardship has touched us and our family, and we've come with only a little to trade. Please give us full measure, and be generous to us. Allah surely rewards those who are generous."

89. He asked, "Do you realize what you did to Joseph and his brother, when you were ignorant?"

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

91. They said, "By Allah, He has truly favored you above us, and we were definitely wrong."

92. Joseph said, "There's no blame on you today. May Allah forgive you — He is the most Merciful of all."

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

94. As soon as their caravan set out, their father said, "I can truly sense Joseph's scent, even though you might think I'm losing my mind."

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

96. But when the bearer of good news arrived, he placed the shirt on Jacob's face, and he regained his sight. Jacob said, "Didn't I tell you I know things from Allah that you don't know?"

97. They said, "Father, please ask Allah to forgive our sins — we were truly wrong."

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

99. Later, when they all came to Joseph, he warmly welcomed his parents, and said, "Enter Egypt safely, Allah willing."

100. Joseph raised his parents up onto the throne, and they all bowed down before him. He said, "Father, this is the meaning of my dream from long ago — my Lord has made it come true. He was kind to me when He freed me from prison, and brought you all here from the desert, even after Satan stirred trouble between me and my brothers. My Lord is gentle in whatever He wills. He is truly the All-Knowing, the Wise."

101. My Lord, You have given me authority, and taught me to understand the meanings behind events. Creator of the heavens and the earth, You are my Protector in this world and the Hereafter. Let me die as a Muslim, and join me with those who are good.

102. These are stories from the unseen, which We reveal to you. You weren't with them when they made their plans and plotted secretly.

103. Most people won't believe, no matter how much you want them to.

104. You're not asking them for any reward. This message is simply a reminder for all people.

105. How many signs in the heavens and the earth do they pass by, yet they turn away without noticing?

106. Most of them don't believe in Allah, without also worshiping others alongside Him.

107. Do they feel safe from being overtaken by Allah's punishment, or from the Hour coming suddenly when they least expect it?

108. Say, "This is my path — I invite others to Allah with clear understanding, I and those who follow me. Glory belongs to Allah, and I am not one of those who worship others beside Him."

109. We only sent before you men from among the people of the towns, to whom We revealed Our message. Haven't they traveled through the land, and seen how those before them ended up? The home of the Hereafter is far better for those who are mindful of Allah. Don't you understand?

110. When the messengers almost lost hope, and thought they had been rejected, Our help came to them. We saved whoever We chose, and Our punishment cannot be turned away from those who do wrong.

111. In their stories is a lesson for thoughtful people. These aren't made-up tales, but they confirm what came before, clearly explain everything, and provide guidance and mercy for people who believe.