Chapter 12

12.41

surah 12 - verse 41

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Fellow-prisoners, as for one of you, he shall pour wine for his lord; as for the other, he shall be crucified, and birds will eat of his head. The matter is decided whereon you enquire.'
Maududi	Fellow-prisoners! (This is the interpretation of your dreams): one of you will serve wine to his lord (the king of Egypt). As for the other, he will be crucified and birds will eat of his head. The question concerning what you asked has thus been decided."
Pickthall	O my two fellow-prisoners! As for one of you, he will pour out wine for his lord to drink; and as for the other, he will be crucified so that the birds will eat from his head. Thus is the case judged concerning which ye did inquire.
Sahih	O two companions of prison, as for one of you, he will give drink to his master of wine; but as for the other, he will be crucified, and the birds will eat from his head. The matter has been decreed about which you both inquire."
Yusuf Ali	"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"...

12.42

surah 12 - verse 42

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Then he said to the one he deemed should be saved of the two, 'Mention me in thy lord's presence.' But Satan caused him to forget to mention him to his master, so that he continued in the prison for certain years.
Maududi	And Joseph said to the one of the two prisoners who he knew would be set free: "Mention me in your lord's presence." But Satan caused him to forget mentioning this to his lord (the ruler of Egypt) and so Joseph languished in prison for several years.
Pickthall	And he said unto him of the twain who he knew would be released: Mention me in the presence of thy lord. But Satan caused him to forget to mention it to his lord, so he (Joseph) stayed in prison for some years.
Sahih	And he said to the one whom he knew would go free, "Mention me before your master." But Satan made him forget the mention [to] his master, and Joseph remained in prison several years.
Yusuf Ali	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.

12.43

surah 12 - verse 43

translator's name	verse
Arberry	And the king said, 'I saw in a dream seven fat kine, and seven lean ones devouring them; likewise seven green ears of corn, and seven withered. My counsellors, pronounce to me upon my dream, if you are expounders of dreams.'
Maududi	And once the king said: "I have dreamt that there are seven fat cows and seven lean cows are devouring them, and there are seven fresh green ears of corn and seven others dry and withered. My nobles! Tell me what is the interpretation of this dream, if you are well-versed in interpretation of dreams."
Pickthall	And the king said: Lo! I saw in a dream seven fat kine which seven lean were eating, and seven green ears of corn and other (seven) dry. O notables! Expound for me my vision, if ye can interpret dreams.
Sahih	And [subsequently] the king said, "Indeed, I have seen [in a dream] seven fat cows being eaten by seven [that were] lean, and seven green spikes [of grain] and others [that were] dry. O eminent ones, explain to me my vision, if you should interpret visions."
Yusuf Ali	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."

12.44

surah 12 - verse 44

translator's name	verse
Arberry	'A hotchpotch of nightmares!' they said. 'We know nothing of the interpretation of nightmares.'
Maududi	They said: "These are confused dreams, and we do not know the interpretation of such dreams."
Pickthall	They answered: Jumbled dreams! And we are not knowing in the interpretation of dreams.
Sahih	They said, "[It is but] a mixture of false dreams, and we are not learned in the interpretation of dreams."
Yusuf Ali	They said: "A confused medley of dreams: and we are not skilled in the interpretation of dreams."

12.45

surah 12 - verse 45

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Then said the one who had been delivered, remembering after a time, 'I will myself tell you its interpretation; so send me forth.'
Maududi	Then of the two prisoners, the one who had been set free, now remembered, after the lapse of a long period, what Joseph had said. He said: "I will tell you the interpretation of this dream; just send me (to Joseph in prison)."
Pickthall	And he of the two who was released, and (now) at length remembered, said: I am going to announce unto you the interpretation, therefore send me forth.
Sahih	But the one who was freed and remembered after a time said, "I will inform you of its interpretation, so send me forth."
Yusuf Ali	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)."

12.46

surah 12 - verse 46

translator's name	verse
Arberry	'Joseph, thou true man, pronounce to us regarding seven fat kine, that seven lean ones were devouring, seven green ears of corn, and seven withered; haply I shall return to the men, haply they will know.'
Maududi	Then he went to Joseph and said to him: "Joseph, O truthfulness incarnate, tell the true meaning of the dream in which seven fat cows are devoured by seven lean ones; and there are seven green ears of corn and seven others dry and withered so that I may return to the people and they may learn."
Pickthall	(And when he came to Joseph in the prison, he exclaimed): Joseph! O thou truthful one! Expound for us the seven fat kine which seven lean were eating and the seven green ears of corn and other (seven) dry, that I may return unto the people, so that they may know.
Sahih	[He said], "Joseph, O man of truth, explain to us about seven fat cows eaten by seven [that were] lean, and seven green spikes [of grain] and others [that were] dry - that I may return to the people; perhaps they will know [about you]."
Yusuf Ali	"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."

12.47

surah 12 - verse 47

translator's name	verse
Arberry	He said, 'You shall sow seven years after your wont; what you have harvested leave in the ear, excepting a little whereof you eat.
Maududi	Joseph said: "You will cultivate consecutively for seven years. Leave in the ears all that you have harvested except the little out of which you may eat.
Pickthall	He said: Ye shall sow seven years as usual, but that which ye reap, leave it in the ear, all save a little which ye eat.
Sahih	[Joseph] said, "You will plant for seven years consecutively; and what you harvest leave in its spikes, except a little from which you will eat.
Yusuf Ali	(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.

12.48

surah 12 - verse 48

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Then thereafter there shall come upon you seven hard years, that shall devour what you have laid up for them, all but a little you keep in store.
Maududi	Then there will follow seven years of great hardship in which you will eat up all you have stored earlier, except the little that you may set aside.
Pickthall	Then after that will come seven hard years which will devour all that ye have prepared for them, save a little of that which ye have stored.
Sahih	Then will come after that seven difficult [years] which will consume what you saved for them, except a little from which you will store.
Yusuf Ali	"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.

12.49

surah 12 - verse 49

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Then thereafter there shall come a year wherein the people will be succoured and press in season.
Maududi	Then there will come a year when people will be helped by plenty of rain and they will press (grapes)."
Pickthall	Then, after that, will come a year when the people will have plenteous crops and when they will press (wine and oil).
Sahih	Then will come after that a year in which the people will be given rain and in which they will press [olives and grapes]."
Yusuf Ali	"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)."

12.50

surah 12 - verse 50

translator's name	verse
Arberry	The king said, 'Bring him to me!' And when the messenger came to him, he said, 'Return unto thy lord, and ask of him, "What of the women who cut their hands?" Surely my Lord has knowledge of their guile.'
Maududi	The king said: "Bring this man to me." But when the royal messenger came to Joseph he said: "Go back to your master and ask him about the case of the women who had cut their hands. Surely my Lord has full knowledge of their guile."
Pickthall	And the king said: Bring him unto me. And when the messenger came unto him, he (Joseph) said: Return unto thy lord and ask him what was the case of the women who cut their hands. Lo! my Lord knoweth their guile.
Sahih	And the king said, "Bring him to me." But when the messenger came to him, [Joseph] said, "Return to your master and ask him what is the case of the women who cut their hands. Indeed, my Lord is Knowing of their plan."
Yusuf Ali	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."

12.51

surah 12 - verse 51

translator's name	verse
Arberry	'What was your business, women,' he said, 'when you solicited Joseph?' 'God save us!' they said. 'We know no evil against him.' The Governor's wife said, 'Now the truth is at last discovered; I solicited him; he is a truthful man.
Maududi	Thereupon the king asked the women: "What happened when you sought to tempt Joseph?" They said: "Allah forbid! We found no evil in him." The chief's wife said: "Now the truth has come to light. It was I who sought to tempt him. He is indeed truthful."
Pickthall	He (the king) (then sent for those women and) said: What happened when ye asked an evil act of Joseph? They answered: Allah Blameless! We know no evil of him. Said the wife of the ruler: Now the truth is out. I asked of him an evil act, and he is surely of the truthful.
Sahih	Said [the king to the women], "What was your condition when you sought to seduce Joseph?" They said, "Perfect is Allah! We know about him no evil." The wife of al-'Azeez said, "Now the truth has become evident. It was I who sought to seduce him, and indeed, he is of the truthful.
Yusuf Ali	(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).

12.52

surah 12 - verse 52

translator's name	verse
Arberry	'That, so that he may know I betrayed him not secretly, and that God guides not the guile of the treacherous.
Maududi	Joseph said: "I did this so that he [i.e. the chief) may know that I did not betray him in his absence, and that Allah does not allow the design of the treacherous to succeed.
Pickthall	(Then Joseph said: I asked for) this, that he (my lord) may know that I betrayed him not in secret, and that surely Allah guideth not the snare of the betrayers.
Sahih	That is so al-'Azeez will know that I did not betray him in [his] absence and that Allah does not guide the plan of betrayers.
Yusuf Ali	"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.

12.53

surah 12 - verse 53

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Yet I claim not that my soul was innocent -- surely the soul of man incites to evil -- except inasmuch as my Lord had mercy; truly my Lord is All-forgiving, All-compassionate.'
Maududi	I do not seek to acquit myself; for surely one's self prompts one to evil except him to whom my Lord may show mercy. Verily my Lord is Ever Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Pickthall	I do not exculpate myself. Lo! the (human) soul enjoineth unto evil, save that whereon my Lord hath mercy. Lo! my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.
Sahih	And I do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful."
Yusuf Ali	"Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame): the (human) soul is certainly prone to evil, unless my Lord do bestow His Mercy: but surely my Lord is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."

12.54

surah 12 - verse 54

translator's name	verse
Arberry	The king said, 'Bring him to me! I would attach him to my person.' Then, when he had spoken with him, he said, 'Today thou art established firmly in our favour and in our trust.'
Maududi	The king said: "Bring him to me. I will select him exclusively for my own service." So when Joseph spoke to him the king said: "You are now one of established position, fully-trusted by us."
Pickthall	And the king said: Bring him unto me that I may attach him to my person. And when he had talked with him he said: Lo! thou art to-day in our presence established and trusted.
Sahih	And the king said, "Bring him to me; I will appoint him exclusively for myself." And when he spoke to him, he said, "Indeed, you are today established [in position] and trusted."
Yusuf Ali	So the king said: "Bring him unto me; I will take him specially to serve about my own person." Therefore when he had spoken to him, he said: "Be assured this day, thou art, before our own presence, with rank firmly established, and fidelity fully proved!

12.55

surah 12 - verse 55

translator's name	verse
Arberry	He said, 'Set me over the land's storehouses; I am a knowing guardian.'
Maududi	Joseph said: "Place me in charge of the treasures of the land. I am a good keeper and know my task well."
Pickthall	He said: Set me over the storehouses of the land. Lo! I am a skilled custodian.
Sahih	[Joseph] said, "Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian."
Yusuf Ali	(Joseph) said: "Set me over the store-houses of the land: I will indeed guard them, as one that knows (their importance)."

12.56

surah 12 - verse 56

translator's name	verse
Arberry	So We established Joseph in the land, to make his dwelling there wherever he would. We visit with Our mercy whomsoever We will, and We leave not to waste the wage of the good-doers.
Maududi	Thus did We establish Joseph in the land so that he could settle wherever he pleased. We bestow favour, out of Our Mercy, on whomsoever We please, and We do not cause the reward of those who do good to go to waste.
Pickthall	Thus gave We power to Joseph in the land. He was the owner of it where he pleased. We reach with Our mercy whom We will. We lose not the reward of the good.
Sahih	And thus We established Joseph in the land to settle therein wherever he willed. We touch with Our mercy whom We will, and We do not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.
Yusuf Ali	Thus did We give established power to Joseph in the land, to take possession therein as, when, or where he pleased. We bestow of our Mercy on whom We please, and We suffer not, to be lost, the reward of those who do good.

12.57

surah 12 - verse 57

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Yet is the wage of the world to come better for those who believe, and are godfearing.
Maududi	Surely the reward of the Hereafter is better for those who believe and act in a God-fearing way.
Pickthall	And the reward of the Hereafter is better, for those who believe and ward off (evil).
Sahih	And the reward of the Hereafter is better for those who believed and were fearing Allah.
Yusuf Ali	But verily the reward of the Hereafter is the best, for those who believe, and are constant in righteousness.

12.58

surah 12 - verse 58

translator's name	verse
Arberry	And the brethren of Joseph came, and entered unto him, and he knew them, but they knew him not.
Maududi	And Joseph's brothers came to Egypt and presented themselves before him. He recognized them, but they did not know him.
Pickthall	And Joseph's brethren came and presented themselves before him, and he knew them but they knew him not.
Sahih	And the brothers of Joseph came [seeking food], and they entered upon him; and he recognized them, but he was to them unknown.
Yusuf Ali	Then came Joseph's brethren: they entered his presence, and he knew them, but they knew him not.

12.59

surah 12 - verse 59

translator's name	verse
Arberry	When he had equipped them with their equipment be said, 'Bring me a certain brother of yours from your father. Do you not see that I fill up the measure, and am the best of hosts?
Maududi	And when he had prepared for them their provisions, Joseph said: "Bring to me your other brother from your father. Do you not see that I give full measure and am most hospitable?
Pickthall	And when he provided them with their provision he said: Bring unto me a brother of yours from your father. See ye not that I fill up the measure and I am the best of hosts?
Sahih	And when he had furnished them with their supplies, he said, "Bring me a brother of yours from your father. Do not you see that I give full measure and that I am the best of accommodators?
Yusuf Ali	And when he had furnished them forth with provisions (suitable) for them, he said: "Bring unto me a brother ye have, of the same father as yourselves, (but a different mother): see ye not that I pay out full measure, and that I do provide the best hospitality?

12.60

surah 12 - verse 60

translator's name	verse
Arberry	But if you bring him not to me, there shall be no measure for you with me, neither shall you come nigh me.'
Maududi	If you do not bring him to me, you shall have no corn from me; and do not even attempt to come close to me."
Pickthall	And if ye bring him not unto me, then there shall be no measure for you with me, nor shall ye draw near.
Sahih	But if you do not bring him to me, no measure will there be [hereafter] for you from me, nor will you approach me."
Yusuf Ali	"Now if ye bring him not to me, ye shall have no measure (of corn) from me, nor shall ye (even) come near me."