12. Yusuf

(O my Lord! Thou hast given me (something) of sovereignty) you gave me the sovereignty of Egypt which spreads over an area of forty parasangs by forty parasangs (and hast taught me (something) of the interpretation of events) the interpretation of dreams, (Creator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art my Protecting Friend) You are Lord, Creator, Provider, Protector and Helper (in the world and the Hereafter. Make me to die submissive (unto Thee)) in my worship and confession of monotheism, (and join me to the righteous) join me in Paradise with the messengers among my forefathers.

(This) that which I mentioned to you, O Muhammad, of the story of Joseph and his brothers (is of the tidings of the Unseen) of the events which were hidden from you (which We inspire in thee (Muhammad)) with which We send Gabriel to you. (Thou wast not present with them when they bed their plan) when they agreed to throw Joseph in the well (and they were scheming) they were intending by this the peril of Joseph.

(And though thou try much) no matter how hard you try, (most men) the people of Mecca (will not believe) in the scriptures and messengers.

(Thou askest them) O Muhammad (no fee) no payment (for it) for the profession of monotheism. (It is) i.e. the Qur'an (naught else than a reminder) an admonition (unto the peoples) unto the jinn and humans.

(How many a portent) a sign (is there in the heavens) such as the sun, the moon, the stars, etc., (and the earth) and that which is in the earth such as mountains, oceans, trees, beasts, etc., (which they) i.e. the people of Mecca (pass by with face averted!) they denied them and never reflected upon them.

(And most of them) the people of Mecca (believe not in Allah) deep in their hearts; it is also said that this means: they do not believe in the worship of Allah (except that they attribute partners (unto Him)) openly.

(Say) O Muhammad to the people of Mecca: (This) the religion of Abraham (is my Way) my religion: (I call on Allah with sure knowledge) with a firm religion and exposition, (I) call on Allah (and whosoever followeth me) they believe in me and also call on Allah with sure knowledge. (Glory be to Allah!) he exonerates Allah from having a son or partner (And am not of the idolaters) I am not with the idolaters in following their religion.

(We sent not before thee) O Muhammad, any messengers (save men whom We inspired) We send Gabriel to them as We sent him to you (from among the folk of the townships) they were related to townships like you. (Have they) the people of Mecca (not travelled in the land and seen) and reflect on (the nature of the consequence for) how was the end result of (those who were before them) among the disbelievers? (And verily the abode of the Hereafter) Paradise, (for those who ward off (evil)) ward off disbelief, idolatry and indecencies and instead believe in Allah, Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an, (is best. Have ye then no sense?) do you not have the common sense to realise that the Hereafter is better than the life of this world; it is also said that this means: have you then no sense to realise that the life of this world is evanescent while the Hereafter is everlasting; it is also said that this means: do you not believe in that which befell the people of old as a result of their disbelief in the messengers?

(Till, when the messengers despaired) they despaired in the belief of their people (and thought) and knew and were certain, i.e. the messengers (that they) their people (were denied) the promise of the messengers; it is also said that this means: the people denied that which the messengers brought to them from Allah, (then came unto them Our help) i.e. Our chastisement, destroying their people, (and whom We would was saved) i.e. the messengers and those who believed in them. (And our wrath) chastisement (cannot be warded from the guilty) from the idolaters.