11- Hud
6  There  is  no  moving  creature  on  earth  but  its sustenance dependeth on Allah: He
knoweth  the  time  and  place of its definite abode and its temporary deposit: All is in a
clear Record.
7  He  it  is  Who  created  the  heavens  and the earth in six Days - and His Throne was
over  the  waters  -  that  He might try you, which of you is best in conduct. But if thou
wert  to  say  to them, "Ye shall indeed be raised up after death", the Unbelievers would
be sure to say, "This is nothing but obvious sorcery!"
8  If  We  delay  the  penalty  for  them  for  a  definite term, they are sure to say, "What
keeps  it  back?"  Ah!  On  the  day  it (actually) reaches them, nothing will turn it away
from them, and they will be completely encircled by that which they used to mock at!
9  If  We  give  man  a  taste  of Mercy from Ourselves, and then withdraw it from him,
behold! he is in despair and (falls into) blasphemy.
10  But  if  We  give him a taste of (Our) favours after adversity hath touched him, he is
sure to say, "All evil has departed from me:" Behold! he falls into exultation and pride.
11  Not  so  do  those  who  show  patience and constancy, and work righteousness; for
them is forgiveness (of sins) and a great reward.
12  Perchance  thou  mayest  (feel  the  inclination) to give up a part of what is revealed
unto  thee,  and  thy  heart  feeleth  straitened  lest  they  say, "Why is not a treasure sent
down  unto  him,  or  why does not an angel come down with him?" But thou art there
only to warn! It is Allah that arrangeth all affairs!
13  Or  they  may say, "He forged it," Say, "Bring ye then ten suras forged, like unto it,
and call (to your aid) whomsoever ye can, other than Allah!- If ye speak the truth!
14  "If  then  they  (your false gods) answer not your (call), know ye that this revelation
is  sent  down  (replete)  with  the knowledge of Allah, and that there is no god but He!
will ye even then submit (to Islam)?"
15  Those  who  desire  the  life  of the present and its glitter,- to them we shall pay (the
price of) their deeds therein,- without diminution.
16  They  are  those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but the Fire: vain are the
designs they frame therein, and of no effect and the deeds that they do!
17  Can  they  be  (like)  those  who accept a Clear (Sign) from their Lord, and whom a
witness  from  Himself  doth  teach,  as  did the Book of Moses before it,- a guide and a
mercy?  They  believe  therein; but those of the Sects that reject it,- the Fire will be their
promised  meeting-place.  Be  not  then  in  doubt  thereon:  for  it  is the truth from thy
Lord: yet many among men do not believe!
18  Who  doth  more  wrong  than  those  who invent a life against Allah? They will be
turned  back  to  the  presence  of  their  Lord, and the witnesses will say, "These are the
ones  who  lied  against  their  Lord!  Behold!  the  Curse  of  Allah is on those who do
wrong!-
19  "Those  who  would  hinder  (men)  from  the  path  of  Allah  and would seek in it
something crooked: these were they who denied the Hereafter!"
20  They  will  in  no  wise  frustrate  (His  design)  on  earth,  nor  have they protectors
besides  Allah!  Their  penalty  will  be  doubled! They lost the power to hear, and they
did not see!
21  They  are  the  ones  who  have lost their own souls: and the (fancies) they invented
have left them in the lurch!
22 Without a doubt, these are the very ones who will lose most in the Hereafter!
23  But  those  who  believe  and  work  righteousness,  and  humble themselves before
their Lord,- They will be companions of the gardens, to dwell therein for aye!
24  These  two  kinds  (of men) may be compared to the blind and deaf, and those who
can see and hear well. Are they equal when compared? Will ye not then take heed?
25  We  sent  Noah  to  his  people  (with  a mission): "I have come to you with a Clear
Warning:
26  "That  ye  serve  none  but  Allah: Verily I do fear for you the penalty of a grievous
day."
27  But  the chiefs of the Unbelievers among his people said: "We see (in) thee nothing
but  a  man  like  ourselves:  Nor do we see that any follow thee but the meanest among
us,  in  judgment  immature:  Nor  do we see in you (all) any merit above us: in fact we
thing ye are liars!"
28  He  said:  "O  my  people!  See  ye if (it be that) I have a Clear Sign from my Lord,
and  that  He  hath sent Mercy unto me from His own presence, but that the Mercy hath
been  obscured  from  your  sight?  shall we compel you to accept it when ye are averse
to it?
29  "And  O  my people! I ask you for no wealth in return: my reward is from none but
Allah:  But  I  will  not  drive away (in contempt) those who believe: for verily they are
to meet their Lord, and ye I see are the ignorant ones!
30  "And  O  my people! who would help me against Allah if I drove them away? Will
ye not then take heed?
31  "I  tell  you  not  that  with  me  are  the  treasures  of  Allah,  nor do I know what is
hidden,  nor  claim  I  to  be  an  angel.  Nor  yet do I say, of those whom your eyes do
despise  that  Allah  will not grant them (all) that is good: Allah knoweth best what is in
their souls: I should, if I did, indeed be a wrong-doer."
32  They  said:  "O  Noah! thou hast disputed with us, and (much) hast thou prolonged
the  dispute  with us: now bring upon us what thou threatenest us with, if thou speakest
the truth!?"
33  He  said:  "Truly,  Allah  will  bring  it on you if He wills,- and then, ye will not be
able to frustrate it!
34  "Of  no  profit  will  be  my  counsel  to  you,  much  as I desire to give you (good)
counsel,  if  it  be  that  Allah  willeth  to leave you astray: He is your Lord! and to Him
will ye return!"
35  Or  do  they  say,  "He  has  forged it"? Say: "If I had forged it, on me were my sin!
and I am free of the sins of which ye are guilty!
36  It  was  revealed  to  Noah: "None of thy people will believe except those who have
believed already! So grieve no longer over their (evil) deeds.
37  "But  construct  an  Ark  under  Our  eyes  and  Our inspiration, and address Me no
(further)  on  behalf  of  those  who are in sin: for they are about to be overwhelmed (in
the Flood)."
38  Forthwith  he  (starts)  constructing the Ark: Every time that the chiefs of his people
passed  by  him,  they threw ridicule on him. He said: "If ye ridicule us now, we (in our
turn) can look down on you with ridicule likewise!
39  "But  soon  will  ye know who it is on whom will descend a penalty that will cover
them with shame,- on whom will be unloosed a penalty lasting:"
40  At  length,  behold!  there  came  Our  command,  and  the  fountains  of  the  earth
gushed  forth!  We said: "Embark therein, of each kind two, male and female, and your
family    -  except  those  against  whom  the  word  has  already  gone  forth,-  and  the
Believers." but only a few believed with him.
41  So  he said: "Embark ye on the Ark, In the name of Allah, whether it move or be at
rest! For my Lord is, be sure, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful!"
42  So  the  Ark  floated  with them on the waves (towering) like mountains, and Noah
called  out  to  his  son,  who had separated himself (from the rest): "O my son! embark
with us, and be not with the unbelievers!"
43  The  son  replied:  "I  will betake myself to some mountain: it will save me from the
water."  Noah  said:  "This  day nothing can save, from the command of Allah, any but
those  on  whom He hath mercy! "And the waves came between them, and the son was
among those overwhelmed in the Flood.
44  Then  the  word  went  forth: "O earth! swallow up thy water, and O sky! Withhold
(thy  rain)!"  and  the water abated, and the matter was ended. The Ark rested on Mount
Judi, and the word went forth: "Away with those who do wrong!"
45  And  Noah  called  upon  his  Lord,  and said: "O my Lord! surely my son is of my
family! and Thy promise is true, and Thou art the justest of Judges!"
46  He  said:  "O  Noah! He is not of thy family: For his conduct is unrighteous. So ask
not  of  Me  that  of  which  thou  hast  no knowledge! I give thee counsel, lest thou act
like the ignorant!"
47  Noah  said:  "O  my  Lord!  I  do  seek  refuge with Thee, lest I ask Thee for that of
which  I  have  no  knowledge.  And  unless  thou forgive me and have Mercy on me, I
should indeed be lost!"
48  The  word  came:  "O  Noah!  Come down (from the Ark) with peace from Us, and
blessing  on  thee  and  on  some of the peoples (who will spring) from those with thee:
but  (there  will  be  other)  peoples  to whom We shall grant their pleasures (for a time),
but in the end will a grievous penalty reach them from Us."
49  Such  are  some  of  the  stories  of  the  unseen, which We have revealed unto thee:
before  this,  neither  thou  nor  thy  people  knew  them. So persevere patiently: for the
End is for those who are righteous.
50  To  the  'Ad  People  (We  sent)  Hud,  one  of  their  own brethren. He said: "O my
people!  worship  Allah!  ye  have  no  other  god  but  Him.  (Your  other  gods) ye do
nothing but invent!
51  "O  my  people! I ask of you no reward for this (Message). My reward is from none
but Him who created me: Will ye not then understand?
52    "And    O    my  people!  Ask  forgiveness  of  your  Lord,  and  turn  to  Him  (in
repentance):  He  will  send  you  the  skies  pouring abundant rain, and add strength to
your strength: so turn ye not back in sin!"
53  They  said:  "O  Hud! No Clear (Sign) that hast thou brought us, and we are not the
ones to desert our gods on thy word! Nor shall we believe in thee!
54  "We  say  nothing  but  that  (perhaps) some of our gods may have seized thee with
imbecility."  He  said:  "I  call  Allah  to  witness,  and do ye bear witness, that I am free
from the sin of ascribing, to Him,
55  "Other  gods  as  partners!  so  scheme (your worst) against me, all of you, and give
me no respite.
56  "I  put  my  trust in Allah, My Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature,
but He hath grasp of its fore-lock. Verily, it is my Lord that is on a straight Path.
57  "If  ye  turn  away,- I (at least) have conveyed the Message with which I was sent to
you.  My  Lord  will  make another people to succeed you, and you will not harm Him
in the least. For my Lord hath care and watch over all things."
58  So  when  Our  decree issued, We saved Hud and those who believed with him, by
(special) Grace from Ourselves: We saved them from a severe penalty.
59  Such  were  the  'Ad  People:  they  rejected  the  Signs of their Lord and Cherisher;
disobeyed  His  messengers;  And  followed the command of every powerful, obstinate
transgressor.
60  And  they  were  pursued by a Curse in this life,- and on the Day of Judgment. Ah!
Behold!  for  the  'Ad  rejected  their  Lord  and Cherisher! Ah! Behold! removed (from
sight) were 'Ad the people of Hud!
61  To  the Thamud People (We sent) Salih, one of their own brethren. He said: "O my
people!  Worship  Allah:  ye  have  no  other god but Him. It is He Who hath produced
you  from  the  earth  and  settled  you therein: then ask forgiveness of Him, and turn to
Him (in repentance): for my Lord is (always) near, ready to answer."
62  They  said: "O Salih! thou hast been of us! a centre of our hopes hitherto! dost thou
(now)  forbid  us  the  worship  of  what  our  fathers  worshipped? But we are really in
suspicious (disquieting) doubt as to that to which thou invitest us."
63  He  said:  "O  my  people! do ye see? if I have a Clear (Sign) from my Lord and He
hath  sent  Mercy  unto me from Himself,- who then can help me against Allah if I were
to disobey Him? What then would ye add to my (portion) but perdition?
64  "And  O  my  people! This she-camel of Allah is a symbol to you: leave her to feed
on Allah's (free) earth, and inflict no harm on her, or a swift penalty will seize you!"
65  But  they  did  ham-string  her.  So  he  said:  "Enjoy  yourselves in your homes for
three days: (Then will be your ruin): (Behold) there a promise not to be belied!"
66  When  Our  Decree  issued,  We  saved  Salih and those who believed with him, by
(special)  Grace  from  Ourselves  -  and  from the Ignominy of that day. For thy Lord -
He is the Strong One, and able to enforce His Will.
67  The  (mighty)  Blast  overtook  the  wrong-doers,  and  they  lay  prostrate  in  their
homes before the morning,-
68  As  if  they  had  never  dwelt  and  flourished  there.  Ah! Behold! for the Thamud
rejected    their   Lord  and  Cherisher!  Ah!  Behold!  removed  (from  sight)  were  the
Thamud!
69  There  came Our messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said, "Peace!" He
answered, "Peace!" and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf.
70  But  when  he saw their hands went not towards the (meal), he felt some mistrust of
them,  and  conceived  a  fear  of them. They said: "Fear not: We have been sent against
the people of Lut."
71  And  his  wife  was standing (there), and she laughed: But we gave her glad tidings
of Isaac, and after him, of Jacob.
72  She  said:  "Alas  for  me!  shall  I  bear a child, seeing I am an old woman, and my
husband here is an old man? That would indeed be a wonderful thing!"
73  They  said:  "Dost  thou  wonder  at  Allah's  decree?  The  grace  of  Allah  and His
blessings  on  you,  o  ye people of the house! for He is indeed worthy of all praise, full
of all glory!"
74  When  fear  had  passed  from  (the  mind  of)  Abraham  and  the  glad  tidings had
reached him, he began to plead with us for Lut's people.
75  For  Abraham was, without doubt, forbearing (of faults), compassionate, and given
to look to Allah.
76  O  Abraham!  Seek not this. The decree of thy Lord hath gone forth: for them there
cometh a penalty that cannot be turned back!
77  When  Our  messengers  came  to  Lut,  he  was  grieved  on  their  account and felt
himself powerless (to protect) them. He said: "This is a distressful day."
78  And  his  people came rushing towards him, and they had been long in the habit of
practising  abominations.  He  said:  "O  my  people!  Here  are  my  daughters: they are
purer  for  you  (if  ye  marry)! Now fear Allah, and cover me not with shame about my
guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?"
79  They  said:  "Well  dost  thou know we have no need of thy daughters: indeed thou
knowest quite well what we want!"
80  He  said:  "Would that I had power to suppress you or that I could betake myself to
some powerful support."
81  (The  Messengers)  said:  "O  Lut! We are Messengers from thy Lord! By no means
shall  they  reach  thee! now travel with thy family while yet a part of the night remains,
and  let  not  any  of  you  look  back:  but  thy  wife  (will  remain behind): To her will
happen  what  happens  to  the  people.  Morning  is  their  time  appointed:  Is  not  the
morning nigh?"
82  When  Our Decree issued, We turned (the cities) upside down, and rained down on
them brimstones hard as baked clay, spread, layer on layer,-
83 Marked as from thy Lord: Nor are they ever far from those who do wrong!
84  To  the  Madyan  People  (We  sent) Shu'aib, one of their own brethren: he said: "O
my  people!  worship  Allah:  Ye  have  no  other  god  but  Him.  And  give  not short
measure  or  weight:  I see you in prosperity, but I fear for you the penalty of a day that
will compass (you) all round.
85  "And  O  my  people!  give just measure and weight, nor withhold from the people
the things that are their due: commit not evil in the land with intent to do mischief.
86  "That  which  is  left you by Allah is best for you, if ye (but) believed! but I am not
set over you to keep watch!"
87  They  said:  "O  Shu'aib!  Does thy (religion of) prayer command thee that we leave
off  the  worship  which  our  fathers  practised, or that we leave off doing what we like
with    our    property?    truly,    thou  art  the  one  that  forbeareth  with  faults  and  is
right-minded!"
88  He  said:  "O  my  people!  see ye whether I have a Clear (Sign) from my Lord, and
He   hath  given  me  sustenance  (pure  and)  good  as  from  Himself?  I  wish  not,  in
opposition  to  you, to do that which I forbid you to do. I only desire (your) betterment
to  the  best  of  my  power;  and my success (in my task) can only come from Allah. In
Him I trust, and unto Him I look.
89  "And  O  my people! let not my dissent (from you) cause you to sin, lest ye suffer a
fate  similar  to  that  of  the people of Noah or of Hud or of Salih, nor are the people of
Lut far off from you!
90  "But  ask  forgiveness  of  your  Lord,  and  turn unto Him (in repentance): For my
Lord is indeed full of mercy and loving-kindness."
91  They  said:  "O  Shu'aib!  much  of  what thou sayest we do not understand! In fact
among  us  we  see  that  thou  hast  no  strength!  Were it not for thy family, we should
certainly have stoned thee! for thou hast among us no great position!"
92  He  said:  "O  my  people!  is  then  my family of more consideration with you than
Allah?  For  ye cast Him away behind your backs (with contempt). But verily my Lord
encompasseth on all sides all that ye do!
93  "And  O  my  people!  Do whatever ye can: I will do (my part): Soon will ye know
who  it  is  on  whom  descends  the  penalty of ignominy; and who is a liar! and watch
ye! for I too am watching with you!"
94  When  Our  decree  issued, We saved Shu'aib and those who believed with him, by
(special)  mercy  from  Ourselves: But the (mighty) blast did seize the wrong-doers, and
they lay prostrate in their homes by the morning,-
95  As  if  they  had  never  dwelt  and flourished there! Ah! Behold! How the Madyan
were removed (from sight) as were removed the Thamud!
96 And we sent Moses, with Our Clear (Signs) and an authority manifest,
97  Unto  Pharaoh  and  his chiefs: but they followed the command of Pharaoh and the
command of Pharaoh was no right (guide).
98  He  will  go  before his people on the Day of Judgment, and lead them into the Fire
(as cattle are led to water): But woeful indeed will be the place to which they are led!
99  And  they  are  followed  by  a  curse in this (life) and on the Day of Judgment: and
woeful is the gift which shall be given (unto them)!
100  These  are  some of the stories of communities which We relate unto thee: of them
some are standing, and some have been mown down (by the sickle of time).
101  It  was  not  We  that  wronged  them:  They wronged their own souls: the deities,
other  than  Allah,  whom  they  invoked,  profited  them no whit when there issued the
decree of thy Lord: Nor did they add aught (to their lot) but perdition!
102  Such  is the chastisement of thy Lord when He chastises communities in the midst
of their wrong: grievous, indeed, and severe is His chastisement.
103  In  that  is  a  Sign for those who fear the penalty of the Hereafter: that is a Day for
which mankind will be gathered together: that will be a Day of Testimony.
104 Nor shall We delay it but for a term appointed.
105  The  day  it  arrives,  no  soul  shall  speak except by His leave: of those (gathered)
some will be wretched and some will be blessed.
106  Those  who  are  wretched  shall  be  in  the  Fire:  There  will  be for them therein
(nothing but) the heaving of sighs and sobs:
107  They  will  dwell  therein  for  all  the  time  that the heavens and the earth endure,
except as thy Lord willeth: for thy Lord is the (sure) accomplisher of what He planneth.
108  And  those  who  are blessed shall be in the Garden: They will dwell therein for all
the  time  that  the  heavens  and  the  earth  endure,  except  as  thy  Lord willeth: a gift
without break.
109  Be  not  then  in  doubt  as to what these men worship. They worship nothing but
what  their  fathers  worshipped  before  (them):  but  verily We shall pay them back (in
full) their portion without (the least) abatement.
110  We  certainly  gave  the  Book  to  Moses,  but differences arose therein: had it not
been  that  a  word  had  gone  forth  before from thy Lord, the matter would have been
decided between them, but they are in suspicious doubt concerning it.
111  And,  of  a  surety,  to all will your Lord pay back (in full the recompense) of their
deeds: for He knoweth well all that they do.
112  Therefore  stand  firm  (in  the  straight  Path)  as  thou  art commanded,- thou and
those  who  with thee turn (unto Allah); and transgress not (from the Path): for He seeth
well all that ye do.
113  And  incline  not  to  those  who do wrong, or the Fire will seize you; and ye have
no protectors other than Allah, nor shall ye be helped.
114  And  establish  regular  prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of
the  night:  For  those  things, that are good remove those that are evil: Be that the word
of remembrance to those who remember (their Lord):
115  And  be  steadfast  in  patience;  for  verily  Allah  will not suffer the reward of the
righteous to perish.
116  Why  were  there  not,  among  the  generations  before  you, persons possessed of
balanced  good  sense,  prohibiting  (men)  from  mischief  in  the  earth  -  except a few
among    them    whom  We  saved  (from  harm)?  But  the  wrong-doers  pursued  the
enjoyment of the good things of life which were given them, and persisted in sin.
117    Nor    would    thy    Lord    be  the  One  to  destroy  communities  for  a  single
wrong-doing, if its members were likely to mend.
118  If  thy  Lord  had  so  willed,  He  could have made mankind one people: but they
will not cease to dispute.
119  Except  those  on  whom  thy  Lord hath bestowed His Mercy: and for this did He
create  them:  and the Word of thy Lord shall be fulfilled: "I will fill Hell with jinns and
men all together."
120  All  that  we  relate  to thee of the stories of the messengers,- with it We make firm
thy  heart:  in  them  there  cometh  to  thee  the  Truth,  as  well as an exhortation and a
message of remembrance to those who believe.
121 Say to those who do not believe: "Do what ever ye can: We shall do our part;
122 "And wait ye! We too shall wait."
123  To  Allah  do belong the unseen (secrets) of the heavens and the earth, and to Him
goeth  back  every  affair  (for  decision):  then  worship Him, and put thy trust in Him:
and thy Lord is not unmindful of aught that ye do.

12- Yusuf
In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful
1 A.L.R. These are the symbols (or Verses) of the perspicuous Book.
2 We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an, in order that ye may learn wisdom.
3  We  do  relate  unto  thee  the  most  beautiful of stories, in that We reveal to thee this
(portion of the) Qur'an: before this, thou too was among those who knew it not.
4  Behold!  Joseph  said  to  his  father:  "O my father! I did see eleven stars and the sun
and the moon: I saw them prostrate themselves to me!"
5  Said  (the  father): "My (dear) little son! relate not thy vision to thy brothers, lest they
concoct a plot against thee: for Satan is to man an avowed enemy!
6  "Thus  will  thy  Lord  choose  thee  and  teach  thee the interpretation of stories (and
events)  and  perfect  His  favour  to  thee  and  to  the  posterity  of  Jacob  - even as He
perfected  it  to  thy fathers Abraham and Isaac aforetime! for Allah is full of knowledge
and wisdom."
7 Verily in Joseph and his brethren are signs (or symbols) for seekers (after Truth).
8  They  said:  "Truly Joseph and his brother are loved more by our father than we: But
we are a goodly body! really our father is obviously wandering (in his mind)!
9  "Slay  ye  Joseph or cast him out to some (unknown) land, that so the favour of your
father  may  be  given to you alone: (there will be time enough) for you to be righteous
after that!"
10  Said  one  of  them:  "Slay  not  Joseph,  but  if  ye  must do something, throw him
down to the bottom of the well: he will be picked up by some caravan of travellers."
11  They  said:  "O  our  father!  why dost thou not trust us with Joseph,- seeing we are
indeed his sincere well-wishers?
12  "Send  him  with  us  tomorrow  to enjoy himself and play, and we shall take every
care of him."
13  (Jacob)  said:  "Really  it  saddens  me  that  ye should take him away: I fear lest the
wolf should devour him while ye attend not to him."
14  They  said:  "If  the  wolf  were  to  devour him while we are (so large) a party, then
should we indeed (first) have perished ourselves!"
15  So  they  did  take him away, and they all agreed to throw him down to the bottom
of  the  well:  and We put into his heart (this Message): 'Of a surety thou shalt (one day)
tell them the truth of this their affair while they know (thee) not'
16 Then they came to their father in the early part of the night, weeping.
17  They  said:  "O  our  father!  We went racing with one another, and left Joseph with
our  things;  and  the wolf devoured him.... But thou wilt never believe us even though
we tell the truth."
18  They  stained  his  shirt with false blood. He said: "Nay, but your minds have made
up  a  tale  (that  may  pass)  with  you,  (for  me)  patience  is  most fitting: Against that
which ye assert, it is Allah (alone) Whose help can be sought"..
19  Then  there  came  a  caravan  of  travellers:  they sent their water-carrier (for water),
and  he  let  down  his bucket (into the well)...He said: "Ah there! Good news! Here is a
(fine)  young  man!"  So  they  concealed him as a treasure! But Allah knoweth well all
that they do!
20  The  (Brethren)  sold  him  for  a  miserable price, for a few dirhams counted out: in
such low estimation did they hold him!
21  The  man  in  Egypt  who  bought him, said to his wife: "Make his stay (among us)
honourable:  may  be  he  will  bring  us  much  good,  or we shall adopt him as a son."
Thus  did  We  establish  Joseph  in the land, that We might teach him the interpretation
of  stories  (and  events).  And  Allah  hath  full  power and control over His affairs; but
most among mankind know it not.
22  When  Joseph  attained  His  full  manhood,  We  gave  him power and knowledge:
thus do We reward those who do right.
23  But  she  in  whose  house  he  was,  sought  to  seduce him from his (true) self: she
fastened  the  doors,  and  said:  "Now  come,  thou (dear one)!" He said: "Allah forbid!
truly  (thy  husband) is my lord! he made my sojourn agreeable! truly to no good come
those who do wrong!"
24  And  (with  passion) did she desire him, and he would have desired her, but that he
saw  the  evidence  of his Lord: thus (did We order) that We might turn away from him
(all) evil and shameful deeds: for he was one of Our servants, sincere and purified.
25  So  they  both  raced  each  other  to  the  door, and she tore his shirt from the back:
they  both  found her lord near the door. She said: "What is the (fitting) punishment for
one    who    formed    an    evil   design  against  thy  wife,  but  prison  or  a  grievous
chastisement?"
26  He  said:  "It  was  she  that  sought to seduce me - from my (true) self." And one of
her  household  saw  (this)  and  bore  witness, (thus):- "If it be that his shirt is rent from
the front, then is her tale true, and he is a liar!
27  "But  if  it be that his shirt is torn from the back, then is she the liar, and he is telling
the truth!"
28  So  when  he  saw  his  shirt,-  that  it  was  torn  at  the  back,-  (her  husband) said:
"Behold! It is a snare of you women! truly, mighty is your snare!
29  "O  Joseph,  pass this over! (O wife), ask forgiveness for thy sin, for truly thou hast
been at fault!"
30  Ladies  said in the City: "The wife of the (great) 'Aziz is seeking to seduce her slave
from  his  (true)  self:  Truly  hath  he  inspired  her  with  violent  love:  we  see  she  is
evidently going astray."
31  When  she  heard  of  their malicious talk, she sent for them and prepared a banquet
for  them:  she  gave  each  of  them a knife: and she said (to Joseph), "Come out before
them."  When  they  saw  him,  they  did  extol  him, and (in their amazement) cut their
hands:  they  said,  "Allah  preserve us! no mortal is this! this is none other than a noble
angel!"
32  She  said:  "There  before  you is the man about whom ye did blame me! I did seek
to  seduce  him  from his (true) self but he did firmly save himself guiltless!....and now,
if  he  doth not my bidding, he shall certainly be cast into prison, and (what is more) be
of the company of the vilest!"
33  He  said:  "O  my  Lord!  the  prison  is  more  to my liking than that to which they
invite  me:  Unless  Thou  turn  away  their  snare  from  me,  I  should (in my youthful
folly) feel inclined towards them and join the ranks of the ignorant."
34  So  his  Lord  hearkened  to  him  (in  his  prayer),  and turned away from him their
snare: Verily He heareth and knoweth (all things).
35  Then  it  occurred  to  the  men,  after  they  had  seen  the signs, (that it was best) to
imprison him for a time.
36  Now  with him there came into the prison two young men. Said one of them: "I see
myself  (in  a  dream) pressing wine." said the other: "I see myself (in a dream) carrying
bread  on  my  head,  and birds are eating, thereof." "Tell us" (they said) "The truth and
meaning thereof: for we see thou art one that doth good (to all)."
37  He  said: "Before any food comes (in due course) to feed either of you, I will surely
reveal  to  you  the  truth  and  meaning of this ere it befall you: that is part of the (duty)
which  my  Lord hath taught me. I have (I assure you) abandoned the ways of a people
that believe not in Allah and that (even) deny the Hereafter.
38  "And  I  follow  the  ways  of  my  fathers,-  Abraham,  Isaac, and Jacob; and never
could  we  attribute  any  partners  whatever to Allah: that (comes) of the grace of Allah
to us and to mankind: yet most men are not grateful.
39  "O  my two companions of the prison! (I ask you): are many lords differing among
themselves better, or the One Allah, Supreme and Irresistible?
40  "If  not  Him,  ye  worship  nothing but names which ye have named,- ye and your
fathers,-  for  which  Allah  hath  sent  down no authority: the command is for none but
Allah:  He  hath  commanded  that  ye  worship none but Him: that is the right religion,
but most men understand not...
41  "O  my  two companions of the prison! As to one of you, he will pour out the wine
for  his  lord  to  drink:  as  for the other, he will hang from the cross, and the birds will
eat    from  off  his  head.  (so)  hath  been  decreed  that  matter  whereof  ye  twain  do
enquire"...
42  And  of  the  two,  to  that  one  whom  he  consider  about  to  be  saved,  he  said:
"Mention  me  to  thy lord." But Satan made him forget to mention him to his lord: and
(Joseph) lingered in prison a few (more) years.
43  The  king  (of  Egypt)  said: "I do see (in a vision) seven fat kine, whom seven lean
ones  devour,  and  seven  green  ears of corn, and seven (others) withered. O ye chiefs!
Expound to me my vision if it be that ye can interpret visions."
44    They    said:   "A  confused  medley  of  dreams:  and  we  are  not  skilled  in  the
interpretation of dreams."
45  But  the  man  who had been released, one of the two (who had been in prison) and
who  now  bethought  him after (so long) a space of time, said: "I will tell you the truth
of its interpretation: send ye me (therefore)."
46  "O  Joseph!"  (he  said)  "O  man  of  truth!  Expound to us (the dream) of seven fat
kine  whom  seven  lean  ones  devour,  and  of  seven  green  ears  of corn and (seven)
others withered: that I may return to the people, and that they may understand."
47  (Joseph)  said:  "For  seven  years  shall  ye  diligently sow as is your wont: and the
harvests  that  ye  reap,  ye  shall leave them in the ear,- except a little, of which ye shall
eat.
48  "Then  will  come after that (period) seven dreadful (years), which will devour what
ye  shall  have  laid  by  in  advance  for  them,-  (all) except a little which ye shall have
(specially) guarded.
49  "Then  will  come  after that (period) a year in which the people will have abundant
water, and in which they will press (wine and oil)."
50  So  the  king  said: "Bring ye him unto me." But when the messenger came to him,
(Joseph)  said:  "Go  thou  back  to  thy  lord, and ask him, 'What is the state of mind of
the ladies who cut their hands'? For my Lord is certainly well aware of their snare."
51  (The  king)  said  (to  the ladies): "What was your affair when ye did seek to seduce
Joseph  from  his  (true)  self?"  The  ladies  said:  "Allah  preserve us! no evil know we
against  him!"  Said  the  'Aziz's  wife:  "Now  is  the truth manifest (to all): it was I who
sought  to  seduce  him  from  his  (true)  self:  He is indeed of those who are (ever) true
(and virtuous).
52  "This  (say  I), in order that He may know that I have never been false to him in his
absence, and that Allah will never guide the snare of the false ones.