Chapter 12

Surah Yusuf (Joseph)

12.81

surah 12 - verse 81

translator's name verse
Arberry Return you all to your father, and say, "Father, thy son stole; we do not testify except that we know; we were no guardians of the Unseen.
Maududi So go back to your father and tell him: "Father! Your son has certainly been guilty of stealing. We did not see him stealing but testify according to what we know, and obviously we had no power to keep watch over that what is altogether hidden from us.
Pickthall Return unto your father and say: O our father! Lo! thy son hath stolen. We testify only to that which we know; we are not guardians of the Unseen.
Sahih Return to your father and say, "O our father, indeed your son has stolen, and we did not testify except to what we knew. And we were not witnesses of the unseen,
Yusuf Ali "Turn ye back to your father, and say, 'O our father! behold! thy son committed theft! we bear witness only to what we know, and we could not well guard against the unseen!

12.82

surah 12 - verse 82

translator's name verse
Arberry Enquire of the city wherein we were, and the caravan in which we approached; surely we are truthful men".'
Maududi You may inquire of the dwellers of the city where we were, and of the people of the caravan with whom we travelled. We are altogether truthful in what we say."
Pickthall Ask the township where we were, and the caravan with which we travelled hither. Lo! we speak the truth.
Sahih And ask the city in which we were and the caravan in which we came - and indeed, we are truthful,"
Yusuf Ali "'Ask at the town where we have been and the caravan in which we returned, and (you will find) we are indeed telling the truth.'"

12.83

surah 12 - verse 83

translator's name verse
Arberry 'No!' he said 'But your spirits tempted you to do somewhat. But come, sweet patience! Haply God will bring them all to me; He is the All-knowing, the All-wise.'
Maududi The father heard the narration and said: "(All that is untrue). But your souls have made it easy for you to engage in a heinous act. So, I will be graciously patient even at this. Allah may well bring them all back to me. He is All-Knowing, All-Wise."
Pickthall (And when they came unto their father and had spoken thus to him) he said: Nay, but your minds have beguiled you into something. (My course is) comely patience! It may be that Allah will bring them all unto me. Lo! He, only He, is the Knower, the Wise.
Sahih [Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. Perhaps Allah will bring them to me all together. Indeed it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise."
Yusuf Ali Jacob said: "Nay, but ye have yourselves contrived a story (good enough) for you. So patience is most fitting (for me). Maybe Allah will bring them (back) all to me (in the end). For He is indeed full of knowledge and wisdom."

12.84

surah 12 - verse 84

translator's name verse
Arberry And he turned away from them, and said, 'Ah, woe is me for Joseph!' And his eyes turned white because of the sorrow that he choked within him.
Maududi Then he turned his back to them, and said: "O my grief for Joseph!" His eyes whitened with grief and he was choked up with sorrow trying to suppress his grief.
Pickthall And he turned away from them and said: Alas, my grief for Joseph! And his eyes were whitened with the sorrow that he was suppressing.
Sahih And he turned away from them and said, "Oh, my sorrow over Joseph," and his eyes became white from grief, for he was [of that] a suppressor.
Yusuf Ali And he turned away from them, and said: "How great is my grief for Joseph!" And his eyes became white with sorrow, and he fell into silent melancholy.

12.85

surah 12 - verse 85

translator's name verse
Arberry 'By God,' they said, 'thou wilt never cease mentioning Joseph till thou art consumed, or among the perishing.'
Maududi The sons said: "By Allah! You will continue to remember Joseph until you will either consume yourself with grief, or will die."
Pickthall They said: By Allah, thou wilt never cease remembering Joseph till thy health is ruined or thou art of those who perish!
Sahih They said, "By Allah, you will not cease remembering Joseph until you become fatally ill or become of those who perish."
Yusuf Ali They said: "By Allah! (never) wilt thou cease to remember Joseph until thou reach the last extremity of illness, or until thou die!"

12.86

surah 12 - verse 86

translator's name verse
Arberry He said, 'I make complaint of my anguish and my sorrow unto God; I know from God that you know not.
Maududi He said: "I will address my sorrow and grief only to Allah, and I know from Allah what you do not know.
Pickthall He said: I expose my distress and anguish only unto Allah, and I know from Allah that which ye know not.
Sahih He said, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you do not know.
Yusuf Ali He said: "I only complain of my distraction and anguish to Allah, and I know from Allah that which ye know not...

12.87

surah 12 - verse 87

translator's name verse
Arberry Depart, my sons, and search out tidings of Joseph and his brother. Do not despair of God's comfort; of God's comfort no man despairs, excepting the people of the unbelievers.'
Maududi My sons! Go and try to find out about Joseph and his brother and do not despair of Allah's mercy. Verily only the unbelievers despair of Allah's mercy."
Pickthall Go, O my sons, and ascertain concerning Joseph and his brother, and despair not of the Spirit of Allah. Lo! none despaireth of the Spirit of Allah save disbelieving folk.
Sahih O my sons, go and find out about Joseph and his brother and despair not of relief from Allah. Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people."
Yusuf Ali "O my sons! go ye and enquire about Joseph and his brother, and never give up hope of Allah's Soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah's Soothing Mercy, except those who have no faith."

12.88

surah 12 - verse 88

translator's name verse
Arberry So, when they entered unto him, they said, 'O mighty prince, affliction has visited us and our people. We come with merchandise of scant worth. Fill up to us the measure, and be charitable to us; surely God recompenses the charitable.'
Maududi On going to Egypt they presented themselves to Joseph and said to him: "O chief! We and our family are struck with distress and have brought only a paltry sum. So give us corn in full measure, and give it to us in charity. Allah rewards those who are charitable."
Pickthall And when they came (again) before him (Joseph) they said: O ruler! Misfortune hath touched us and our folk, and we bring but poor merchandise, so fill for us the measure and be charitable unto us. Lo! Allah will requite the charitable,
Sahih So when they entered upon Joseph, they said, "O 'Azeez, adversity has touched us and our family, and we have come with goods poor in quality, but give us full measure and be charitable to us. Indeed, Allah rewards the charitable."
Yusuf Ali Then, when they came (back) into (Joseph's) presence they said: "O exalted one! distress has seized us and our family: we have (now) brought but scanty capital: so pay us full measure, (we pray thee), and treat it as charity to us: for Allah doth reward the charitable."

12.89

surah 12 - verse 89

translator's name verse
Arberry He said, 'Are you aware of what you did with Joseph and his brother, when you were ignorant?'
Maududi When Joseph heard this (he could not hold himself and said): "Do you remember what you did to Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?"
Pickthall He said: Know ye what ye did unto Joseph and his brother in your ignorance?
Sahih He said, "Do you know what you did with Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?"
Yusuf Ali He said: "Know ye how ye dealt with Joseph and his brother, not knowing (what ye were doing)?"

12.90

surah 12 - verse 90

translator's name verse
Arberry They said, 'Why, art thou indeed Joseph?' 'I am Joseph,' he said. 'This is my brother. God has indeed been gracious unto us. Whosoever fears God, and is patient -- surely God leaves not to waste the wage of the good-doers.
Maududi They exclaimed: "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said: "Yes, I am Joseph and this is my brother. Allah has surely been gracious to us. Indeed whoever fears Allah and remains patient, Allah does not allow the reward of such people to go to waste."
Pickthall They said: Is it indeed thou who art Joseph? He said: I am Joseph and this is my brother. Allah hath shown us favour. Lo! he who wardeth off (evil) and endureth (findeth favour); for lo! Allah loseth not the wages of the kindly.
Sahih They said, "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Allah has certainly favored us. Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient, then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good."
Yusuf Ali They said: "Art thou indeed Joseph?" He said, "I am Joseph, and this is my brother: Allah has indeed been gracious to us (all): behold, he that is righteous and patient,- never will Allah suffer the reward to be lost, of those who do right."

12.91

surah 12 - verse 91

translator's name verse
Arberry 'By God,' they said, 'God has indeed preferred thee above us, and certainly we have been sinful.'
Maududi They said: "We swear by Allah! Indeed Allah has chosen you in preference to us and we were truly guilty."
Pickthall They said: By Allah, verily Allah hath preferred thee above us, and we were indeed sinful.
Sahih They said, "By Allah, certainly has Allah preferred you over us, and indeed, we have been sinners."
Yusuf Ali They said: "By Allah! indeed has Allah preferred thee above us, and we certainly have been guilty of sin!"

12.92

surah 12 - verse 92

translator's name verse
Arberry He said, 'No reproach this day shall be on you; God will forgive you; He is the most merciful of the merciful.
Maududi He replied: "No blame lies with you today. May Allah forgive you. He is the Most Merciful of all those that are merciful.
Pickthall He said: Have no fear this day! May Allah forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.
Sahih He said, "No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful."
Yusuf Ali He said: "This day let no reproach be (cast) on you: Allah will forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!

12.93

surah 12 - verse 93

translator's name verse
Arberry Go, take this shirt, and do you cast it on my father's face, and he shall recover his sight; then bring me your family all together.'
Maududi Take this shirt of mine and throw it over my father's face. He will regain his sight. And bring to me all your family."
Pickthall Go with this shirt of mine and lay it on my father's face, he will become (again) a seer; and come to me with all your folk.
Sahih Take this, my shirt, and cast it over the face of my father; he will become seeing. And bring me your family, all together."
Yusuf Ali "Go with this my shirt, and cast it over the face of my father: he will come to see (clearly). Then come ye (here) to me together with all your family."

12.94

surah 12 - verse 94

translator's name verse
Arberry So, when the caravan set forth, their father said, 'Surely I perceive Joseph's scent, unless you think me doting.'
Maududi And as the caravan set out (from Egypt), their father said (in Canaan): "Indeed I smell the fragrance of Joseph. I say so although you may think that I am doting."
Pickthall When the caravan departed their father had said: Truly I am conscious of the breath of Joseph, though ye call me dotard.
Sahih And when the caravan departed [from Egypt], their father said, "Indeed, I find the smell of Joseph [and would say that he was alive] if you did not think me weakened in mind."
Yusuf Ali When the caravan left (Egypt), their father said: "I do indeed scent the presence of Joseph: Nay, think me not a dotard."

12.95

surah 12 - verse 95

translator's name verse
Arberry They said, 'By God, thou art certainly in thy ancient error.
Maududi They said: "Surely you are still in your same old craze."
Pickthall (Those around him) said: By Allah, lo! thou art in thine old aberration.
Sahih They said, "By Allah, indeed you are in your [same] old error."
Yusuf Ali They said: "By Allah! truly thou art in thine old wandering mind."

12.96

surah 12 - verse 96

translator's name verse
Arberry But when the bearer of good tidings came to him, and laid it on his face, forthwith he saw once again. He said, 'Did I not tell you I know from God that you know not?'
Maududi And when the bearer of good news came he threw Joseph's shirt over Jacob's face, whereupon he regained his sight, and said: "Did I not tell you that I know from Allah what you do not know?"
Pickthall Then, when the bearer of glad tidings came, he laid it on his face and he became a seer once more. He said: Said I not unto you that I know from Allah that which ye know not?
Sahih And when the bearer of good tidings arrived, he cast it over his face, and he returned [once again] seeing. He said, "Did I not tell you that I know from Allah that which you do not know?"
Yusuf Ali Then when the bearer of the good news came, He cast (the shirt) over his face, and he forthwith regained clear sight. He said: "Did I not say to you, 'I know from Allah that which ye know not?'"

12.97

surah 12 - verse 97

translator's name verse
Arberry They said, 'Our father, ask forgiveness of our crimes for us; for certainly we have been sinful.'
Maududi They said: "Father! Pray for the forgiveness of our sins; we were truly guilty."
Pickthall They said: O our father! Ask forgiveness of our sins for us, for lo! we were sinful.
Sahih They said, "O our father, ask for us forgiveness of our sins; indeed, we have been sinners."
Yusuf Ali They said: "O our father! ask for us forgiveness for our sins, for we were truly at fault."

12.98

surah 12 - verse 98

translator's name verse
Arberry He said, 'Assuredly I will ask my Lord to forgive you; He is the All-forgiving, the All-compassionate.'
Maududi He said: "I shall pray to my Lord for your forgiveness, for He, and indeed He alone, is Ever Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Pickthall He said: I shall ask forgiveness for you of my Lord. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
Sahih He said, "I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."
Yusuf Ali He said: "Soon will I ask my Lord for forgiveness for you: for he is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

12.99

surah 12 - verse 99

translator's name verse
Arberry So, when they entered unto Joseph, he took his father and mother into his arms saying, 'Enter you into Egypt, if God will, in security.'
Maududi And when they went to Joseph, he took his parents aside and said (to the members of his family): "Enter the city now, and if Allah wills, you shall be secure."
Pickthall And when they came in before Joseph, he took his parents unto him, and said: Come into Egypt safe, if Allah will!
Sahih And when they entered upon Joseph, he took his parents to himself and said, "Enter Egypt, Allah willing, safe [and secure]."
Yusuf Ali Then when they entered the presence of Joseph, he provided a home for his parents with himself, and said: "Enter ye Egypt (all) in safety if it please Allah."

12.100

surah 12 - verse 100

translator's name verse
Arberry And he lifted his father and mother upon the throne; and the others fell down prostrate before him. 'See, father,' he said, 'this is the interpretation of my vision of long ago; my Lord has made it true. He was good to me when He brought me forth from the prison, and again when He brought you out of the desert, after that Satan set at variance me and my brethren. My Lord is gentle to what He will; He is the All-knowing, the All-wise.
Maududi And after they had entered the city, Joseph raised his parents to the throne beside himself, and they (involuntarily) bowed in prostration before him. Joseph said: "Father! This is the fulfilment of the vision I had before - one that My Lord has caused to come true. He was kind to me when He rescued me from the prison, and brought you from the desert after Satan had stirred discord between me and my brothers. Certainly my Lord is Subtle in the fulfilment of His will; He is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
Pickthall And he placed his parents on the dais and they fell down before him prostrate, and he said: O my father! This is the interpretation of my dream of old. My Lord hath made it true, and He hath shown me kindness, since He took me out of the prison and hath brought you from the desert after Satan had made strife between me and my brethren. Lo! my Lord is tender unto whom He will. He is the Knower, the Wise.
Sahih And he raised his parents upon the throne, and they bowed to him in prostration. And he said, "O my father, this is the explanation of my vision of before. My Lord has made it reality. And He was certainly good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you [here] from bedouin life after Satan had induced [estrangement] between me and my brothers. Indeed, my Lord is Subtle in what He wills. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise.
Yusuf Ali And he raised his parents high on the throne (of dignity), and they fell down in prostration, (all) before him. He said: "O my father! this is the fulfilment of my vision of old! Allah hath made it come true! He was indeed good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you (all here) out of the desert, (even) after Satan had sown enmity between me and my brothers. Verily my Lord understandeth best the mysteries of all that He planneth to do, for verily He is full of knowledge and wisdom.