12. Yusuf

Joseph them proceeded to interpret the dreams of the two prisoners, saying: (O my two fellow prisoners! As for one of you) the cupbearer, he will return to his former position and glory, (he will pour out wine for his lord) his master the king (to drink; and as for the other) the baker, he will leave prison, and (he will be crucified so that the birds will eat from his head) the two prisoner were alarmed upon hearing the interpretation of the baker's dream. Both of them hastened to say: �We have not seen any dreams!� But Joseph said to them: (Thus is the case judged concerning which ye did inquire) it will be just as I have informed you, whether you saw those dreams or not.

(And he said unto him of the twain who he knew would be released) from prison, i.e. the cupbearer: (Mention me in the presence of thy lord) your master the king; tell him that I have been wronged: my brothers sold me when I being a free man and I was put into prison while being innocent. (But Satan caused him to forget to mention it to his lord) Satan made him so preoccupied that he forgot to mention Joseph to his master, the king. It is also said that this means: Satan whispered to him: if you mention prison to the king, he will put you back in it. This is why he did not mention Joseph to the king; it is also said that the meaning of this is: Satan made Joseph forget the remembrance of his Lord and instead remembered a created being like him, (so he (Joseph) stayed in prison for some years) seven years, as a punishment for not mentioning Allah, when he had already spent five years in jail.

(And the king said: Lo! I saw in a dream seven fat kine) coming out of a river (which seven lean were eating) the seven lean kine, that were dying of lack of nourishment swallowed up the fat kine, but even then it was as if they did not eat anything, (and seven green ears of corn and other (seven) dry) the dry ones coiling around the green ones such that they overshadowed their greenery and became unnoticeable. (O notables!) Meaning: the soothsayers, sorcerers and fortune-tellers, (Expound for me my vision) interpret for me my dream, (if ye can interpret dreams) if you know how to interpret dreams.

(They) i.e. the soothsayers, sorcerers and fortune-tellers (answered: Jumbled dreams!) these are false and unreal dreams. (And we are not knowing in the interpretation of dreams) we do not know how to interpret dreams.

(And he of the two who was released) from prison, i.e. the cupbearer, (and (now) at length) after seven years (remembered) remembered Joseph, (said: I am going to announce unto you the interpretation) he said to the king: I will inform you of the interpretation of your dream, (therefore send me forth) to prison for there is a man there who knows the interpretation of dreams. And he described Joseph's knowledge, clemency and goodness towards the prisoners and his expertise in interpreting dreams. And so he was sent.

When he went to him, he said: (Joseph! O thou truthful one!) O you who were truthful in interpreting the first dream, (Expound for us the seven fat kine) that came out of the river and (which seven lean) that were dying of lack of nourishment (were eating and the seven green ears of corn and other (seven) dry) coiling around the seven green ears, overshadowing their greenery, (that I may return unto the people) to the king, (so that they may know) the interpretation of the king's dream. Joseph said: �Yes! I will interpret his dream. The seven fat kine are seven years of soil fertility, and the seven green ears represent abundance and low prices during these seven years. The seven dying, lean kine represent years of drought while the seven dry ears represent lack of foodstuff and high prices during these years�.

Joseph then instructed them what to do. (He said: Ye shall sow seven years as usual) each year continuously, (but that which ye reap) of crops, (leave it in the ear) and do not thresh it, this is better for its preservation, (all save a little which ye eat) all save the quantity which you need for your sustenance.

(Then after that) after the seven years of soil fertility (will come seven hard years) seven years of drought (which will devour all that ye have prepared for them) all that you have saved during the seven years of soil fertility, (save a little of that which ye have stored) kept aside.

(Then, after that) after the years of drought, (will come a year when the people) of Egypt (will have plenteous crops) foodstuffs and rain (and when they will press) wine and oils.

The Messenger went back and informed the king of it. (And the King said: Bring him unto me) bring Joseph to me. (And when the messenger) the cupbearer (came unto him) to Joseph and informed him that the king wanted to see him, (he said) Joseph said to him: (Return unto thy lord) your master, the king (and ask him what was the case of the women) he said: go and ask the king to enquire about what really happened with those women (who cut their hands) who slashed and grazed their hands. (Lo! my lord) my master (knoweth their guile) their scheming and doing.