Holy Quran Part 17

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87. They said: "O Shu'aib! Does thy (religion of) prayer command They said: "O Shu'aib! Does thy (religion of) prayer command thee that we leave off the wors.h.i.+p which our fathers practised, or that we leave off doing what we like with our property? truly, thou art the one that forbeareth with faults and is right-minded!"

88. He said: "O my people! see ye whether I have a Clear (Sign) He said: "O my people! see ye whether I have a Clear (Sign) from my Lord, and He hath given me sustenance (pure and) good as from Himself? I wish not, in opposition to you, to do that which I forbid you to do. I only desire (your) betterment to the best of my power; and my success (in my task) can only come from Allah. In Him I trust, and unto Him I look.

89. "And O my people! let not my dissent (from you) cause you to "And O my people! let not my dissent (from you) cause you to sin, lest ye suffer a fate similar to that of the people of Noah or of Hud or of Salih, nor are the people of Lut far off from you!

90. "But ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn unto Him (in "But ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn unto Him (in repentance): For my Lord is indeed full of mercy and loving-kindness."

91. They said: "O Shu'aib! much of what thou sayest we do not They said: "O Shu'aib! much of what thou sayest we do not understand! In fact among us we see that thou hast no strength! Were it not for thy family, we should certainly have stoned thee! for thou hast among us no great position!"

92. He said: "O my people! is then my family of more consideration He said: "O my people! is then my family of more consideration with you than Allah. For ye cast Him away behind your backs (with contempt). But verily my Lord encompa.s.seth on all sides all that ye do!

93. "And O my people! Do whatever ye can: I will do (my part): Soon "And O my people! Do whatever ye can: I will do (my part): Soon will ye know who it is on whom descends the penalty of ignominy; and who is a liar! and watch ye! for I too am watching with you!"

94. When Our decree issued, We saved Shu'aib and those who When Our decree issued, We saved Shu'aib and those who believed with him, by (special) mercy from Ourselves: But the (mighty) blast did seize the wrong-doers, and they lay prostrate in their homes by the morning,-95. As if they had never dwelt and flourished there! Ah! Behold! How As if they had never dwelt and flourished there! Ah! Behold! How the Madyan were removed (from sight) as were removed the Thamud!

96. And we sent Moses, with Our Clear (Signs) and an authority And we sent Moses, with Our Clear (Signs) and an authority manifest, 97. Unto Pharaoh and his chiefs: but they followed the command of Unto Pharaoh and his chiefs: but they followed the command of Pharaoh and the command of Pharaoh was no right (guide).

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98. He will go before his people on the Day of Judgment, and lead He will go before his people on the Day of Judgment, and lead them into the Fire (as cattle are led to water): But woeful indeed will be the place to which they are led!

99. And they are followed by a curse in this (life) and on the Day of And they are followed by a curse in this (life) and on the Day of Judgment: and woeful is the gift which shall be given (unto them)!

100. These are some of the stories of communities which We relate These are some of the stories of communities which We relate unto thee: of them some are standing, and some have been mown down (by the sickle of time).

101. It was not We that wronged them: They wronged their own It was not We that wronged them: They wronged their own souls: the deities, other than Allah, whom they invoked, profited them no whit when there issued the decree of thy Lord: Nor did they add aught (to their lot) but perdition!

102. Such is the chastis.e.m.e.nt of thy Lord when He chastises Such is the chastis.e.m.e.nt of thy Lord when He chastises communities in the midst of their wrong: grievous, indeed, and severe is His chastis.e.m.e.nt.

103. In that is a Sign for those who fear the penalty of the Hereafter: In that is a Sign for those who fear the penalty of the Hereafter: that is a Day for which mankind will be gathered together: that will be a Day of Testimony.

104. Nor shall We delay it but for a term appointed. Nor shall We delay it but for a term appointed.

105. The day it arrives, no soul shall speak except by His leave: of The day it arrives, no soul shall speak except by His leave: of those (gathered) some will be wretched and some will be blessed.

106. Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire: There will be for Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire: There will be for them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighs and sobs: 107. They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth: for thy Lord is the (sure) accomplisher of what He planneth.

108. And those who are blessed shall be in the Garden: They will And those who are blessed shall be in the Garden: They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth: a gift without break.

109. Be not then in doubt as to what these men wors.h.i.+p. They Be not then in doubt as to what these men wors.h.i.+p. They wors.h.i.+p nothing but what their fathers wors.h.i.+pped before (them): but verily We shall pay them back (in full) their portion without (the least) abatement.

110. We certainly gave the Book to Moses, but differences arose We certainly gave the Book to Moses, but differences arose therein: had it not been that a word had gone forth before from thy Lord, [image]

the matter would have been decided between them, but they are in suspicious doubt concerning it.

111. And, of a surety, to all will your Lord pay back (in full the And, of a surety, to all will your Lord pay back (in full the recompense) of their deeds: for He knoweth well all that they do.

112. Therefore stand firm (in the straight Path) as thou art Therefore stand firm (in the straight Path) as thou art commanded,-thou and those who with thee turn (unto Allah.; and transgress not (from the Path): for He seeth well all that ye do.

113. And incline not to those who do wrong, or the Fire will seize And incline not to those who do wrong, or the Fire will seize you; and ye have no protectors other than Allah, nor shall ye be helped.

114. And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night: For those things, that are good remove those that are evil: Be that the word of remembrance to those who remember (their Lord): 115. And be steadfast in patience; for verily Allah will not suffer the And be steadfast in patience; for verily Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.

116. Why were there not, among the generations before you, Why were there not, among the generations before you, persons possessed of balanced good sense, prohibiting (men) from mischief in the earth - except a few among them whom We saved (from harm)? But the wrong-doers pursued the enjoyment of the good things of life which were given them, and persisted in sin.

117. Nor would thy Lord be the One to destroy communities for a Nor would thy Lord be the One to destroy communities for a single wrong-doing, if its members were likely to mend.

118. If thy Lord had so willed, He could have made mankind one If thy Lord had so willed, He could have made mankind one people: but they will not cease to dispute.

119. Except those on whom thy Lord hath bestowed His Mercy: and Except those on whom thy Lord hath bestowed His Mercy: and for this did He create them: and the Word of thy Lord shall be fulfilled: "I will fill h.e.l.l with jinns and men all together."

120. All that we relate to thee of the stories of the apostles,-with it All that we relate to thee of the stories of the apostles,-with it We make firm thy heart: in them there cometh to thee the Truth, as well as an exhortation and a message of remembrance to those who believe.

121. Say to those who do not believe: "Do what ever ye can: We Say to those who do not believe: "Do what ever ye can: We shall do our part; 122. "And wait ye! We too shall wait." "And wait ye! We too shall wait."

123. To Allah do belong the unseen (secrets) of the heavens and the To Allah do belong the unseen (secrets) of the heavens and the earth, and to Him goeth back every affair (for decision): then wors.h.i.+p [image]

Him, and put thy trust in Him: and thy Lord is not unmindful of aught that ye do.

Surah 12. Joseph

1. A.L.R. These are the symbols (or Verses) of the perspicuous Book. A.L.R. These are the symbols (or Verses) of the perspicuous Book.

2. We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an, in order that ye may We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an, in order that ye may learn wisdom.

3. We do relate unto thee the most beautiful of stories, in that We We do relate unto thee the most beautiful of stories, in that We reveal to thee this (portion of the) Qur'an: before this, thou too was among those who knew it not.

4. Behold! Joseph said to his father: "O my father! I did see eleven Behold! Joseph said to his father: "O my father! I did see eleven stars and the sun and the moon: I saw them prostrate themselves to me!"

5. Said (the father): "My (dear) little son! relate not thy vision to thy Said (the father): "My (dear) little son! relate not thy vision to thy brothers, lest they concoct a plot against thee: for Satan is to man an avowed enemy!

6. "Thus will thy Lord choose thee and teach thee the interpretation "Thus will thy Lord choose thee and teach thee the interpretation of stories (and events) and perfect His favour to thee and to the posterity of Jacob - even as He perfected it to thy fathers Abraham and Isaac aforetime! for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom."

7. Verily in Joseph and his brethren are signs (or symbols) for Verily in Joseph and his brethren are signs (or symbols) for seekers (after Truth).

8. They said: "Truly Joseph and his brother are loved more by our They said: "Truly Joseph and his brother are loved more by our father than we: But we are a goodly body! really our father is obviously wandering (in his mind)!

9. "Slay ye Joseph or cast him out to some (unknown) land, that so "Slay ye Joseph or cast him out to some (unknown) land, that so the favour of your father may be given to you alone: (there will be time enough) for you to be righteous after that!"

10. Said one of them: "Slay not Joseph, but if ye must do something, Said one of them: "Slay not Joseph, but if ye must do something, throw him down to the bottom of the well: he will be picked up by some caravan of travellers."

11. They said: "O our father! why dost thou not trust us with They said: "O our father! why dost thou not trust us with Joseph,-seeing we are indeed his sincere well-wishers?

12. "Send him with us tomorrow to enjoy himself and play, and we "Send him with us tomorrow to enjoy himself and play, and we shall take every care of him."

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13. (Jacob) said: "Really it saddens me that ye should take him (Jacob) said: "Really it saddens me that ye should take him away: I fear lest the wolf should devour him while ye attend not to him."

14. They said: "If the wolf were to devour him while we are (so large) They said: "If the wolf were to devour him while we are (so large) a party, then should we indeed (first) have perished ourselves!"

15. So they did take him away, and they all agreed to throw him So they did take him away, and they all agreed to throw him down to the bottom of the well: and We put into his heart (this Message): 'Of a surety thou shalt (one day) tell them the truth of this their affair while they know (thee) not'

16. Then they came to their father in the early part of the night, Then they came to their father in the early part of the night, weeping.

17. They said: "O our father! We went racing with one another, and They said: "O our father! We went racing with one another, and left Joseph with our things; and the wolf devoured him.... But thou wilt never believe us even though we tell the truth."

18. They stained his s.h.i.+rt with false blood. He said: "Nay, but your They stained his s.h.i.+rt with false blood. He said: "Nay, but your minds have made up a tale (that may pa.s.s) with you, (for me) patience is most fitting: Against that which ye a.s.sert, it is Allah (alone) Whose help can be sought"..

19. Then there came a caravan of travellers: they sent their watercarrier (for water), and he let down his bucket (into the well)...He said: Then there came a caravan of travellers: they sent their watercarrier (for water), and he let down his bucket (into the well)...He said: "Ah there! Good news! Here is a (fine) young man!" So they concealed him as a treasure! But Allah knoweth well all that they do!

20. The (Brethren) sold him for a miserable price, for a few dirhams The (Brethren) sold him for a miserable price, for a few dirhams counted out: in such low estimation did they hold him!

21. The man in Egypt who bought him, said to his wife: "Make his The man in Egypt who bought him, said to his wife: "Make his stay (among us) honourable: may be he will bring us much good, or we shall adopt him as a son." Thus did We establish Joseph in the land, that We might teach him the interpretation of stories (and events). And Allah hath full power and control over His affairs; but most among mankind know it not.

22. When Joseph attained His full manhood, We gave him power and When Joseph attained His full manhood, We gave him power and knowledge: thus do We reward those who do right.

23. But she in whose house he was, sought to seduce him from his But she in whose house he was, sought to seduce him from his (true) self: she fastened the doors, and said: "Now come, thou (dear one)!" He said: "(Allah) forbid! truly (thy husband) is my lord! he made my sojourn agreeable! truly to no good come those who do wrong!"

24. And (with pa.s.sion) did she desire him, and he would have desired And (with pa.s.sion) did she desire him, and he would have desired her, but that he saw the evidence of his Lord: thus (did We order) that We [image]

might turn away from him (all) evil and shameful deeds: for he was one of Our servants, sincere and purified.

25. So they both raced each other to the door, and she tore his s.h.i.+rt So they both raced each other to the door, and she tore his s.h.i.+rt from the back: they both found her lord near the door. She said: "What is the (fitting) punishment for one who formed an evil design against thy wife, but prison or a grievous chastis.e.m.e.nt?"

26. He said: "It was she that sought to seduce me - from my (true) He said: "It was she that sought to seduce me - from my (true) self." And one of her household saw (this) and bore witness, (thus):-"If it be that his s.h.i.+rt is rent from the front, then is her tale true, and he is a liar!

27. "But if it be that his s.h.i.+rt is torn from the back, then is she the "But if it be that his s.h.i.+rt is torn from the back, then is she the liar, and he is telling the truth!"

28. So when he saw his s.h.i.+rt,-that it was torn at the back,-(her So when he saw his s.h.i.+rt,-that it was torn at the back,-(her husband) said: "Behold! It is a snare of you women! truly, mighty is your snare!

29. "O Joseph, pa.s.s this over! (O wife), ask forgiveness for thy sin, "O Joseph, pa.s.s this over! (O wife), ask forgiveness for thy sin, for truly thou hast been at fault!"

30. Ladies said in the City: "The wife of the (great) 'Aziz is seeking to Ladies said in the City: "The wife of the (great) 'Aziz is seeking to seduce her slave from his (true) self: Truly hath he inspired her with violent love: we see she is evidently going astray."

31. When she heard of their malicious talk, she sent for them and When she heard of their malicious talk, she sent for them and prepared a banquet for them: she gave each of them a knife: and she said (to Joseph), "Come out before them." When they saw him, they did extol him, and (in their amazement) cut their hands: they said, "(Allah) preserve us! no mortal is this! this is none other than a n.o.ble angel!"

32. She said: "There before you is the man about whom ye did blame She said: "There before you is the man about whom ye did blame me! I did seek to seduce him from his (true) self but he did firmly save himself guiltless!....and now, if he doth not my bidding, he shall certainly be cast into prison, and (what is more) be of the company of the vilest!"

33. He said: "O my Lord! the prison is more to my liking than that to He said: "O my Lord! the prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me: Unless Thou turn away their snare from me, I should (in my youthful folly) feel inclined towards them and join the ranks of the ignorant."

34. So his Lord hearkened to him (in his prayer), and turned away So his Lord hearkened to him (in his prayer), and turned away from him their snare: Verily He heareth and knoweth (all things).

35. Then it occurred to the men, after they had seen the signs, (that Then it occurred to the men, after they had seen the signs, (that it was best) to imprison him for a time.

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36. Now with him there came into the prison two young men. Said Now with him there came into the prison two young men. Said one of them: "I see myself (in a dream) pressing wine." said the other: "I see myself (in a dream) carrying bread on my head, and birds are eating, thereof." "Tell us" (they said) "The truth and meaning thereof: for we see thou art one that doth good (to all)."

37. He said: "Before any food comes (in due course) to feed either of He said: "Before any food comes (in due course) to feed either of you, I will surely reveal to you the truth and meaning of this ere it befall you: that is part of the (duty) which my Lord hath taught me. I have (I a.s.sure you) abandoned the ways of a people that believe not in Allah and that (even) deny the Hereafter.

38. "And I follow the ways of my fathers,-Abraham, Isaac, and "And I follow the ways of my fathers,-Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and never could we attribute any partners whatever to Allah. that (comes) of the grace of Allah to us and to mankind: yet most men are not grateful.

39. "O my two companions of the prison! (I ask you): are many lords "O my two companions of the prison! (I ask you): are many lords differing among themselves better, or the One Allah, Supreme and Irresistible?

40. "If not Him, ye wors.h.i.+p nothing but names which ye have "If not Him, ye wors.h.i.+p nothing but names which ye have named,-ye and your fathers,-for which Allah hath sent down no authority: the command is for none but Allah. He hath commanded that ye wors.h.i.+p none but Him: that is the right religion, but most men understand not...

41. "O my two companions of the prison! As to one of you, he will "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"...

42. And of the two, to that one whom he consider about to be saved, 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.

43. The king (of Egypt) said: "I do see (in a vision) seven fat kine, 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."

44. They said: "A confused medley of dreams: and we are not skilled They said: "A confused medley of dreams: and we are not skilled in the interpretation of dreams."

45. But the man who had been released, one of the two (who had 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 s.p.a.ce of time, said: "I will tell you the truth of its interpretation: send ye me (therefore)."

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46. "O Joseph!" (he said) "O man of truth! Expound to us (the "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."

47. (Joseph) said: "For seven years shall ye diligently sow as is your (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.

48. "Then will come after that (period) seven dreadful (years), which "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.

49. "Then will come after that (period) a year in which the people will "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)."

50. So the king said: "Bring ye him unto me." But when the 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."

51. (The king) said (to the ladies): "What was your affair when ye did (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).

52. "This (say I), in order that He may know that I have never been "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.

53. "Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame): the (human) soul is "Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame): the (human) soul is certainly p.r.o.ne to evil, unless my Lord do bestow His Mercy: but surely my Lord is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."

54. So the king said: "Bring him unto me; I will take him specially to 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 a.s.sured this day, thou art, before our own presence, with rank firmly established, and fidelity fully proved!

55. (Joseph) said: "Set me over the store-houses of the land: I will (Joseph) said: "Set me over the store-houses of the land: I will indeed guard them, as one that knows (their importance)."

56. Thus did We give established power to Joseph in the land, to take 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.

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