Sūrah Yūsuf

āyāt 1–3

These are the verses of a clear Book. Indeed, Allah has sent down this Book as an Arabic Qur’ān so that you all might understand it. Allah relates to the Prophet ﷺ the best of stories in what He has revealed in this Qur’ān, even though the Prophet ﷺ was, before this revelation, among those unaware of these stories.

āyāt 4–6

This passage recounts when Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام told his father, Prophet Yaʿqūb عليه السلام, that he had seen in a dream eleven stars, the sun, and the moon prostrating to him. His father then advised him not to tell his brothers about this vision, warning that Satan is a clear enemy to humankind and they might plot against him. Prophet Yaʿqūb عليه السلام then foretold that Allah would choose him, teach him the interpretation of events, and perfect His favor upon him and the family of Prophet Yaʿqūb عليه السلام, just as He had done for their ancestors, Prophet Ibrāhīm عليه السلام and Prophet Isḥāq عليه السلام, for Allah is Knowing and Wise.

āyāt 7–9

There are indeed lessons in the story of Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام and his brothers for those who seek understanding. This is evident when his brothers discussed among themselves, saying that Yūsuf and his brother were more beloved to their father than all of them, even though they were a larger group, and they felt their father was clearly mistaken in his affection. They then proposed either killing Yūsuf or casting him far away into another land, believing that if they did, their father's full attention would turn to them, and after that, they would become righteous people.

āyāt 10–12

Among the brothers, one suggested that instead of killing Yusuf, they should throw him into a well so that some travelers might find and take him. They then approached their father, asking why he didn't trust them with Yusuf, assuring him they were his sincere well-wishers. They requested their father to send Yusuf with them the next day so he could enjoy himself and play, promising to guard him carefully.

āyāt 13–15

Prophet Ya'qūb عليه السلام expressed his sorrow at the idea of his sons taking Yūsuf away, fearing a wolf might devour him while they were heedless. His sons replied that if a wolf were to eat Yūsuf while they were a strong group, they would indeed be losers. When they took Yūsuf and decided to cast him into the bottom of a well, Allah revealed to him that he would one day remind them of this deed, while they would not recognize him.

āyāt 16–17

The brothers of Yūsuf عليه السلام returned to their father during the night, crying. They then told their father that they had been racing one another and left Yūsuf with their belongings, whereupon a wolf devoured him. They added that their father would not believe them, even if they were telling the truth.

āyāt 19–21

A group of travelers arrived, and their water drawer lowered his bucket into the well, only to find a young boy. They were delighted and decided to hide him, treating him as merchandise, though Allāh was fully aware of their actions. They sold the boy for a very low price, just a few silver coins, showing they did not value him much. The man from Egypt who bought him told his wife to treat the boy well, hoping he might be useful or even adopted as their own son. This is how Allāh established Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام in the land, so that He could teach him the interpretation of dreams, for Allāh has full power over His plans, even though most people do not realize this.

āyāt 22

When Yūsuf عليه السلام reached his full maturity, God granted him wisdom and knowledge. This is how God rewards those who do good deeds.

āyāt 23–25

The woman in whose house Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام was living tried to tempt him. She closed the doors and urged him to come to her, but he sought refuge in Allāh, saying that Allāh was his Master who had been good to him, and that wrongdoers never succeed. She was strongly determined to seduce him, and he might have inclined to her had he not seen a sign from his Lord. It was in this way that Allāh kept evil and immorality away from him, for he was truly one of Allāh's chosen servants. They both rushed towards the door, and as they did, she tore his shirt from the back. Just then, they found her husband at the door. She immediately accused Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام, saying that someone who intended evil for his wife deserved either imprisonment or a painful punishment.

āyāt 26–28

Yūsuf عليه السلام explained that the woman tried to seduce him. Then, a witness from her own family suggested that if his shirt was torn from the front, she was telling the truth and he was lying. However, if his shirt was torn from the back, then she was lying, and he was truthful. When her husband saw that Yūsuf’s عليه السلام shirt was indeed torn from the back, he exclaimed that this was a scheme of women, and their schemes are truly great.

āyāt 29–31

Yūsuf عليه السلام was told to ignore the incident, and the woman was told to seek forgiveness for her sin because she was in the wrong. Meanwhile, other women in the city began to gossip, saying that the wife of al-ʿAzeez was trying to seduce her servant, and they saw her as clearly misguided. When she heard about their gossip, she invited them to a banquet, gave each one a knife, and then told Yūsuf عليه السلام to appear before them. When the women saw Yūsuf عليه السلام, they were so astonished by his beauty that they accidentally cut their hands and exclaimed that he was not a man, but a noble angel.

āyāt 32

The woman who tried to seduce Yūsuf عليه السلام spoke to the other women, pointing to him and saying that he was the one they had criticized her for. She admitted that she had tried to entice him, but he had firmly resisted. She then threatened that if he did not do as she commanded, he would surely be imprisoned and made to feel debased.

āyāt 34–35

Allāh responded to Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام's plea and protected him from the women's schemes. Indeed, Allāh is the One Who hears all and knows all. Then, even though they had seen clear signs of his innocence, it seemed best to the people in authority to imprison Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام for a period of time.

āyāt 36–38

Two young men entered the prison with Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام, and each told him of a dream they had seen, asking him to explain their meaning, for they saw him as a doer of good. Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام told them that he would explain their dreams before any new food reached them, as this knowledge was from what his Lord had taught him. He then explained that he had abandoned the religion of those who do not believe in God and deny the Hereafter, and instead followed the religion of his fathers, Ibrāhīm عليه السلام, Ishāq عليه السلام, and Yaʿqūb عليه السلام. He emphasized that they would never associate anything with God, explaining that this was a favor from God to them and to all people, though most people are not grateful.

āyāt 39

Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام asks his two prison companions to consider whether having many separate deities is better, or if it is better to believe in Allāh, the One, the All-Dominant.

āyāt 41–42

Yūsuf عليه السلام then told his two prison companions what would happen to them: one of them would serve wine to his master, while the other would be crucified and birds would eat from his head. He explained that this matter, about which they had inquired, was already decreed. Yūsuf عليه السلام then asked the one he knew would be freed to mention him to his master, but Satan caused the man to forget to do so, leading Yūsuf عليه السلام to remain in prison for several more years.

āyāt 43–45

The king says he saw a dream of seven fat cows being eaten by seven thin ones, and seven green ears of grain along with seven dry ones. He asks his counselors to interpret his vision if they are able to explain dreams. They reply that it is merely a jumble of confusing dreams, and they do not know how to interpret such visions. Then, the servant who had been freed from prison and remembered Yūsuf عليه السلام after a long time, says he will explain the dream, and asks to be sent to Yūsuf عليه السلام.

āyāt 46–48

The man returned to Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام, asking him to explain the dream of seven fat cows eaten by seven lean ones, and seven green spikes of grain alongside dry ones. He hoped that by doing so, his people would learn about Prophet Yūsuf's عليه السلام knowledge. Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام then explained that for seven consecutive years they would plant and harvest, storing most of the grain in its spikes, consuming only a little. After these years, seven difficult years would follow, during which they would consume most of what they had saved, keeping only a small amount for storage.

āyāt 49–51

After the years of famine, a year will arrive when abundant rain falls, and people will press their produce for oil and wine. The king then asked for Yūsuf عليه السلام to be brought to him, but Yūsuf عليه السلام told the messenger to return to the king and ask about the women who cut their hands, stating that his Lord knows their scheme. The king then questioned the women about their attempt to seduce Yūsuf عليه السلام, and they all declared Yūsuf عليه السلام innocent, saying they knew no evil of him. At this point, the wife of al-ʿAzeez admitted that she was the one who tried to seduce him, confirming that Yūsuf عليه السلام was indeed truthful.

āyāt 52–54

The woman (the wife of al-ʿAzeez) confesses her past actions, stating that she did not betray her husband in his absence and that God does not guide the plots of betrayers. She then adds that she does not absolve herself, for the human soul is indeed prone to evil, unless God shows it mercy. She concludes by acknowledging that her Lord is All-Forgiving and All-Merciful. After this, the king commands that Yūsuf عليه السلام be brought to him, so he can appoint him exclusively for his service. When the king speaks with Yūsuf عليه السلام, he tells him that he is now established in a high position and completely trustworthy.

āyāt 55–57

Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام asked the king to appoint him over the land's storehouses, assuring him that he would be a knowing and trustworthy guardian. This is how God established Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام in the land, allowing him to settle wherever he wished. God extends His mercy to whomever He wills and does not let the reward of those who do good go to waste. For those who believe and are God-fearing, the reward in the Hereafter is even better.

āyāt 58–60

Yūsuf's brothers arrived seeking food and came before him. Yūsuf recognized them, but they did not recognize him. After providing them with their provisions, he told them to bring him a brother of theirs from their father, pointing out that he gives full measure and is a generous host. He then warned them that if they did not bring him this brother, they would receive no further provisions from him, nor would they be allowed to approach him again.

āyāt 61–63

Yūsuf عليه السلام's brothers decide they will try to convince their father to let their brother go, and they will indeed do it. Meanwhile, Yūsuf عليه السلام instructs his servants to secretly place the brothers' goods back into their saddlebags, hoping that when they discover it after returning home, they will feel compelled to come back. Upon arriving home, the brothers tell their father that they have been denied further provisions unless they bring their brother, and they promise to protect him.

āyāt 64–66

The father asked if he should entrust his son to them, just as he had entrusted their brother to them before, but affirmed that God is the best Guardian and the Most Merciful. Later, when they opened their travel bags, they found their goods had been returned to them. They told their father that this was exactly what they wanted, and that they would get provisions for their family, protect their brother, and receive an additional camel's load of provisions, which was an easy measure. The father then said he would not send his son with them unless they swore by God that they would bring him back, unless they were completely overwhelmed, and when they gave their promise, he said that God was entrusted over what they had said.

āyāt 67–69

Yaʿqūb (Jacob) عليه السلام told his sons not to enter the city all together through one gate, but through different gates, though he added that he could not protect them from God's decree, as all decisions belong to God, on whom he relied, and on whom everyone should rely. When they entered as their father had instructed, it did not change anything from God's decree, but it was a concern within Yaʿqūb عليه السلام that he had addressed, for he was a man of knowledge due to what God had taught him, though most people do not understand this. Then, when the brothers entered before Yūsuf (Joseph) عليه السلام, he drew his full brother to himself and secretly told him, "Indeed, I am your brother, so do not grieve over what they did to me before."

āyāt 70–72

After the king's official had given Yūsuf's brothers their provisions, he secretly placed the king's measuring bowl into his brother's sack. Suddenly, a crier announced that the caravan were thieves. When Yūsuf's brothers approached, they asked what was missing. The officials replied that they were missing the king's measuring cup, and whoever found it would be rewarded with a camel's load, with the official personally guaranteeing this reward.

āyāt 73–75

The brothers of Yūsuf عليه السلام declare by God that they have not come to cause corruption in the land, nor have they been thieves. The accusers then ask what the penalty would be if they were lying. The brothers reply that the penalty is that whoever has the stolen item in his bag will himself be taken as compensation, explaining that this is how they punish wrongdoers.

āyāt 76–78

The official began searching the brothers' bags, starting with the older brothers before checking the bag of Joseph's full brother. From there, the missing cup was found, which is how Allah planned things for Joseph, for he could not have detained his brother according to the king's law unless Allah had willed it. Allah elevates in rank whomever He pleases, and above every knowledgeable person is one who is even more knowledgeable. The brothers then remarked that if this brother had stolen, then an older brother of his had stolen before, but Joseph kept this thought to himself without revealing it, saying silently that their accusation was far worse, and Allah knew best what they were describing. They then pleaded with the noble official, saying that their brother had a very old father, and asked if he would take one of them in their brother's place, for they saw him as a kind person.

āyāt 79–81

The official says he seeks God's refuge from taking anyone other than the one with whom their property was found, for that would be unjust. When the brothers despaired of getting their youngest brother back, they consulted privately. Their eldest brother reminded them of their oath to their father and their past failure regarding Yūsuf عليه السلام. He then declared he would not leave the land until his father allowed him or God decided for him, for God is the best of judges. He instructed them to return to their father and tell him their son had stolen, and they could only testify to what they knew, as they were not witnesses to the unseen.

āyāt 82

The brothers told their father to ask the people of the city they had visited, and the caravan they had come with, about their story. They insisted that they were speaking the truth.

āyāt 83–85

When his sons returned with another story, Yaʿqūb عليه السلام told them that their own souls had enticed them, and that beautiful patience was most fitting, hoping that Allāh would bring all his sons back to him, for He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. He then turned away from them, expressing his profound sorrow over Yūsuf عليه السلام, and his eyes turned white from the intense grief he suppressed. His sons then exclaimed that he would continue to remember Yūsuf عليه السلام until he became fatally ill or even perished.

āyāt 88–89

When Yūsuf عليه السلام's brothers came before him, they explained that hardship had affected them and their family. They acknowledged that the goods they brought were poor, and they requested that he give them full measure and be generous to them, reminding him that God rewards the generous. Yūsuf عليه السلام then asked them if they remembered what they did to him and his brother when they were unaware of the consequences of their actions.

āyāt 91

The brothers acknowledged, swearing by Allāh, that He had clearly favored Yūsuf عليه السلام above them. They admitted their own wrongdoing in the past.

āyāt 93–95

Yūsuf عليه السلام instructs his brothers to take his shirt and place it over his father’s face, so his father would regain his sight, and to bring their entire family to him. As the caravan set out from Egypt, their father Yaʿqūb عليه السلام sensed Yūsuf’s presence, stating that he could smell Yūsuf, if only they would not dismiss him as senile. His family members, however, responded by swearing by Allah that he was still caught in his old delusion.

āyāt 96–98

When the bearer of good news arrived, he threw the shirt over Jacob's face, and immediately Jacob regained his sight. He then reminded his sons that he had told them he knew things from God that they did not know. His sons then pleaded with their father, asking him to seek God's forgiveness for their sins, admitting that they had been wrong. Jacob responded that he would ask his Lord for their forgiveness, for indeed, God is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

āyāt 99–101

When Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام met his parents, he embraced them and told them to enter Egypt safely, if God willed. He then seated his parents on the throne, and they all bowed down to him. Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام explained that this event was the fulfillment of his earlier vision, and that God had been good to him by freeing him from prison and bringing his family from the desert after Satan had caused discord between him and his brothers. He acknowledged that his Lord is subtle in His will and is the Knowing, the Wise. Then, Prophet Yūsuf عليه السلام prayed to his Lord, thanking Him for giving him authority and teaching him the interpretation of dreams. He called upon the Creator of the heavens and earth as his protector in this life and the Hereafter, asking to die as a Muslim and to be joined with the righteous.

āyāt 102–104

These are among the stories of the unseen that God reveals to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, for he ﷺ was not present with Yūsuf's brothers عليه السلام when they conspired against him. Although the Prophet ﷺ earnestly desires for people to believe, most of them will not. The Prophet ﷺ does not ask for any reward for conveying this message; it is simply a reminder for all of humanity.

āyāt 105–107

Many signs of God’s power and presence are found throughout the heavens and the earth, yet people often pass by them, turning away without reflecting. In fact, most people do not truly believe in God without also associating others with Him. Do they then feel safe that an overwhelming punishment from God will not come upon them, or that the Hour of Judgment will not suddenly arrive while they are unaware?

āyāt 108–110

The Prophet ﷺ is instructed to declare that his path, and that of his followers, is to invite people to Allāh with clear understanding, affirming Allāh's glory and disavowing any partnership with Him. The text then clarifies that previous messengers were also just men from towns to whom revelation was given, urging people to reflect on the fate of earlier nations and recognize that the dwelling of the Hereafter is superior for those who are mindful of Allāh. It explains that when messengers despaired, believing they had been rejected, Allāh's help arrived, saving whomever He willed, and His punishment cannot be turned back from the wrongdoers.

āyāt 111

This sūrah, and the stories within it, contain a clear lesson for people who possess understanding. The Qur'an is not a fabricated tale, but rather it confirms the divine messages that came before it, clarifies everything, and serves as guidance and mercy for those who truly believe.