12. Yusuf

Judah then said: (Return) O my brothers (unto your father and say: O our father! Lo! thy son hath stolen) the king's golden cup; it is also said that this means: your son was taken for stealing. (We testify only to that which we know) we saw the stolen cup found in his bag; (we are not guardians of the Unseen) he said: if we knew the unseen, we would not have taken him; it is also said that this means: we could not look after him at night.

(Ask the township) the people of the township (where we were) it was one of the villages of Egypt, (and the caravan) and the people of the caravan (with which we travelled hither) they had travelled with a group of people from Canaan. (Lo! we speak the Truth) in that which we are saying to you. And so they told Jacob these words.

((And when they came unto their father and had spoken thus to him) he said) Jacob said to them: (Nay, but your minds have beguiled you into something) your minds have enticed you to do something, and so you did it. ((My course is) comely patience!) what I have to do is to be patient and show no anxiety. (It may be that Allah will bring them all) Joseph and his full brother as well as Judah (unto me. Lo! He, only He, is the Knower) of their whereabouts, (the Wise) in relation to returning them to me.

(They said) i.e. his children and his grandchildren: (By Allah, thou wilt never cease remembering Joseph till your health is ruined or you art of those who perish) through death!

(He said) Jacob said: (I expose my distress and anguish only unto Allah, and I know from Allah that which ye know not) I know that Joseph's vision is true and that we will prostrate to him; it is also said that this means: I know of Allah's mercy and of His good work that which you do not; it is also said that this means: I know that Joseph is alive. That is because the angel of death came to him and he asked him: " did you take away the soul of Joseph from among those you took their souls away ". And the angel said he did not.

For this reason, he said: (Go, O my sons, and ascertain concerning Joseph and his brother) go and enquire about Joseph and his brother Benjamin, (and despair not of the Spirit of Allah) despair not of the mercy of Allah. (Lo! None despaireth of the Spirit of Allah) of the mercy of Allah (save disbelieving folk) save the people who disbelieve in Allah and His mercy.

(And when they came (again) before him (Joseph)) a third time (they said: O ruler! Misfortune) hunger (hath touched us and our folk, and we bring but poor merchandise) merchandise which is not suitable for buying food, but are suitable for spending on people; it is also said that this means: merchandise that one can get in the mountains such as pine nuts and the fruit of the terebinth-tree; it is also said that this means: Arab merchandise such as dried lumps of cheese, wool, cheese and ghee, (so fill for us the measure) give us our measure as you would give if we had good money (and be charitable unto us) in regards to difference in the two prices; it is also said that this means: in regards to difference in the two measures. (Lo! Allah will requite the charitable) in the life of this world and in the Hereafter.

(He said) Joseph said to them: (Know ye what ye did unto Joseph and his brother in your ignorance) when you were ignorant youth?

(They said: Is it indeed thou who art Joseph? He said: I am Joseph and this is my brother) my full brother. (Allah hath shown us favour) by bestowing patience upon us. (Lo! he who wardeth off (evil)) in times of blessing (and endureth) in times of hardship finds favour; (for verily Allah loseth not) thwarts not (the wages) the reward (of the kindly) those who ward off evil and are patient.