Quran English Translation |Surah 12-13-Yusuf-Ar-Ra’d
[12:18] They produced his shirt with fake blood on it. He said, “Indeed, you have conspired with each other to commit a certain scheme. All I can do is resort to a quiet patience. May GOD help me in the face of your conspiracy.”
[12:19] A caravan passed by, and soon sent their waterer. He let down his bucket, then said, “How lucky! There is a boy here!” They took him along as merchandise, and GOD was fully aware of what they did.
[12:20] They sold him for a cheap price – a few dirhams – for they did not have any need for him.
[12:21] The one who bought him in Egypt said to his wife, “Take good care of him. Maybe he can help us, or maybe we can adopt him.” We thus established Joseph on earth, and we taught him the interpretation of dreams. GOD‘s command is always done, but most people do not know.
[12:22] When he reached maturity, we endowed him with wisdom and knowledge. We thus reward the righteous.
[12:23] The lady of the house where he lived tried to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, “I am all yours.” He said, “May GOD protect me. He is my Lord, who gave me a good home. The transgressors never succeed.”
[12:24] She almost succumbed to him, and he almost succumbed to her, if it were not that he saw a proof from his Lord. We thus diverted evil and sin away from him, for he was one of our devoted servants.
[12:25] The two of them raced towards the door, and, in the process, she tore his garment from the back. They found her husband at the door. She said, “What should be the punishment for one who wanted to molest your wife, except imprisonment or a painful punishment?”
[12:26] He said, “She is the one who tried to seduce me.” A witness from her family suggested: “If his garment is torn from the front, then she is telling the truth and he is a liar.
[12:27] “And if his garment is torn from the back, then she lied, and he is telling the truth.”
[12:28] When her husband saw that his garment was torn from the back, he said, “This is a woman’s scheme. Indeed, your scheming is formidable.
[12:29] “Joseph, disregard this incident. As for you (my wife), you should seek forgiveness for your sin. You have committed an error.”
[12:30] Some women in the city gossiped: “The governor’s wife is trying to seduce her servant. She is deeply in love with him. We see that she has gone astray.”
[12:31] When she heard of their gossip, she invited them, prepared for them a comfortable place, and gave each of them a knife. She then said to him, “Enter their room.” When they saw him, they so admired him, that they cut their hands. They said, “Glory be to GOD, this is not a human being; this is an honorable angel.”
[12:32] She said, “This is the one you blamed me for falling in love with. I did indeed try to seduce him, and he refused. Unless he does what I command him to do, he will surely go to prison, and will be debased.”
[12:33] He said, “My Lord, the prison is better than giving in to them. Unless You divert their scheming from me, I may desire them and behave like the ignorant ones.”
[12:34] His Lord answered his prayer and diverted their scheming from him. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
[12:35] Later, they saw to it, despite the clear proofs, that they should imprison him for awhile.
[12:36] Two young men were in the prison with him. One of them said, “I saw (in my dream) that I was making wine,” and the other said, “I saw myself carrying bread on my head, from which the birds were eating. Inform us of the interpretation of these dreams. We see that you are righteous.”
[12:37] He said, “If any food is provided to you, I can inform you about it before you receive it. This is some of the knowledge bestowed upon me by my Lord. I have forsaken the religion of people who do not believe in GOD, and with regard to the Hereafter, they are really disbelievers.
[12:38] “And I followed instead the religion of my ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We never set up any idols beside GOD. Such is the blessing from GOD upon us and upon the people, but most people are unappreciative.
[12:39] “O my prison mates, are several gods better, or GOD alone, the One, the Supreme?
[12:40] “You do not worship beside Him except innovations that you have made up, you and your parents. GOD has never authorized such idols. All ruling belongs to GOD, and He has ruled that you shall not worship except Him. This is the perfect religion, but most people do not know.
[12:41] “O my prison mates, one of you will be the wine butler for his lord, while the other will be crucified – the birds will eat from his head. This settles the matter about which you have inquired.”
[12:42] He then said to the one to be saved “Remember me at your lord.” Thus, the devil caused him to forget his Lord, and, consequently, he remained in prison a few more years.
[12:43] The king said, “I saw seven fat cows being devoured by seven skinny cows, and seven green spikes (of wheat), and others shriveled. O my elders, advise me regarding my dream, if you know how to interpret the dreams.”
[12:44] They said, “Nonsense dreams. When it comes to the interpretation of dreams, we are not knowledgeable.”
[12:45] The one who was saved (from the prison) said, now that he finally remembered, “I can tell you its interpretation, so send me (to Joseph).”
[12:46] “Joseph my friend, inform us about seven fat cows being devoured by seven skinny cows, and seven green spikes, and others shriveled. I wish to go back with some information for the people.”
[12:47] He said, “What you cultivate during the next seven years, when the time of harvest comes, leave the grains in their spikes, except for what you eat.
[12:48] “After that, seven years of drought will come, which will consume most of what you stored for them.
[12:49] “After that, a year will come that brings relief for the people, and they will, once again, press juice.”
[12:50] The king said, “Bring him to me.” When the messenger came to him, he said, “Go back to your lord and ask him to investigate the women who cut their hands. My Lord is fully aware of their schemes.”
[12:51] (The king) said (to the women), “What do you know about the incident when you tried to seduce Joseph?” They said, “GOD forbid; we did not know of anything evil committed by him.” The wife of the governor said, “Now the truth has prevailed. I am the one who tried to seduce him, and he was the truthful one.
[12:52] “I hope that he will realize that I never betrayed him in his absence, for GOD does not bless the schemes of the betrayers.
[12:53] “I do not claim innocence for myself. The self is an advocate of vice, except for those who have attained mercy from my Lord. My Lord is Forgiver, Most Merciful.”
[12:54] The king said, “Bring him to me, so I can hire him to work for me.” When he talked with him, he said, “Today, you have a prominent position with us.”
[12:55] He said, “Make me the treasurer, for I am experienced in this area and knowledgeable.”
[12:56] We thus established Joseph on earth, ruling as he wished. We shower our mercy upon whomever we will, and we never fail to recompense the righteous.
[12:57] Additionally, the reward in the Hereafter is even better for those who believe and lead a righteous life.
[12:58] Joseph’s brothers came; when they entered, he recognized them, while they did not recognize him.
[12:59] After he provided them with their provisions, he said, “Next time, bring with you your half-brother. Do you not see that I give full measure, and treat you generously?
[12:60] “If you fail to bring him to me, you will get no share from me; you will not even come close.”
[12:61] They said, “We will negotiate with his father about him. We will surely do this.”
[12:62] He then instructed his assistants: “Put their goods back in their bags. When they find them upon their return to their family, they may come back sooner.”
[12:63] When they returned to their father, they said, “Our father, we can no longer get any provisions, unless you send our brother with us. We will take good care of him.”
[12:64] He said, “Shall I trust you with him, as I trusted you with his brother before that? GOD is the best Protector, and, of all the merciful ones, He is the Most Merciful.”
[12:65] When they opened their bags, they found their goods returned to them. They said, “Our father, what more can we ask for? Here are our goods returned to us. We can thus provide for our family, protect our brother, and receive one more camel-load. This is certainly a profitable deal.”
[12:66] He said, “I will not send him with you, unless you give me a solemn pledge before GOD that you will bring him back, unless you are utterly overwhelmed.” When they gave him their solemn pledge, he said, “GOD is witnessing everything we say.”
[12:67] And he said, “O my sons, do not enter from one door; enter through separate doors. However, I cannot save you from anything that is predetermined by GOD. To GOD belongs all judgments. I trust in Him, and in Him shall all the trusters put their trust.”
[12:68] When they went (to Joseph), they entered in accordance with their father’s instructions. Although this could not change anything decreed by GOD, Jacob had a private reason for asking them to do this. For he possessed certain knowledge that we taught him, but most people do not know.
[12:69] When they entered Joseph’s place, he brought his brother closer to him and said, “I am your brother; do not be saddened by their actions.”
[12:70] When he provided them with their provisions, he placed the drinking cup in his brother’s bag, then an announcer announced: “The owners of this caravan are thieves.”
[12:71] They said, as they came towards them, “What did you lose?”
[12:72] They said, “We lost the king’s cup. Anyone who returns it will receive an extra camel-load; I personally guarantee this.”
[12:73] They said, “By GOD, you know full well that we did not come here to commit evil, nor are we thieves.”
[12:74] They said, “What is the punishment for the thief, if you are liars?”
[12:75] They said, “The punishment, if it is found in his bag, is that the thief belongs to you. We thus punish the guilty.”
[12:76] He then started by inspecting their containers, before getting to his brother’s container, and he extracted it out of his brother’s container. We thus perfected the scheme for Joseph; he could not have kept his brother if he applied the king’s law. But that was the will of GOD. We exalt whomever we choose to higher ranks. Above every knowledgeable one, there is one who is even more knowledgeable.
[12:77] They said, “If he stole, so did a brother of his in the past.” Joseph concealed his feelings in himself, and did not give them any clue. He said (to himself), “You are really bad. GOD is fully aware of your accusations.”
[12:78] They said, “O you noble one, he has a father who is elderly; would you take one of us in his place? We see that you are a kind man.”
[12:79] He said, “GOD forbid that we should take other than the one in whose possession we found our goods. Otherwise, we would be unjust.”
[12:80] When they despaired of changing his mind, they conferred together. Their eldest said, “Do you realize that your father has taken a solemn pledge from you before GOD? In the past you lost Joseph. I am not leaving this place until my father gives me permission, or until GOD judges for me; He is the best Judge.
[12:81] “Go back to your father and tell him… `Our father, your son has committed a theft. We know for sure, because this is what we have witnessed. This was an unexpected occurrence.
[12:82] `You may ask the community where we were, and the caravan that came back with us. We are telling the truth.’ ”
[12:83] He said, “Indeed, you have conspired to carry out a certain scheme. Quiet patience is my only recourse. May GOD bring them all back to me. He is the Omniscient, Most Wise.”
[12:84] He turned away from them, saying, “I am grieving over Joseph.” His eyes turned white from grieving so much; he was truly sad.
[12:85] They said, “By GOD, you will keep on grieving over Joseph until you become ill, or until you die.”
[12:86] He said, “I simply complain to GOD about my dilemma and grief, for I know from GOD what you do not know.
[12:87] “O my sons, go fetch Joseph and his brother, and never despair of GOD‘s grace. None despairs of GOD‘s grace except the disbelieving people.”
[12:88] When they entered (Joseph’s) quarters, they said, “O you noble one, we have suffered a lot of hardship, along with our family, and we have brought inferior goods. But we hope that you will give us full measure and be charitable to us. GOD rewards the charitable.”
[12:89] He said, “Do you recall what you did to Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?”
[12:90] They said, “You must be Joseph.” He said, “I am Joseph, and here is my brother. GOD has blessed us. That is because if one leads a righteous life, and steadfastly perseveres, GOD never fails to reward the righteous.”
[12:91] They said, “By GOD, GOD has truly preferred you over us. We were definitely wrong.”
[12:92] He said, “There is no blame upon you today. May GOD forgive you. Of all the merciful ones, He is the Most Merciful.
[12:93] “Take this shirt of mine; when you throw it on my father’s face, his vision will be restored. Bring your whole family and come back to me.”
[12:94] Even before the caravan arrived, their father said, “I can sense the smell of Joseph. Will someone enlighten me?”
[12:95] They said, “By GOD, you are still in your old confusion.”
[12:96] When the bearer of good news arrived, he threw (the shirt) on his face, whereupon his vision was restored. He said, “Did I not tell you that I knew from GOD what you did not know?”
[12:97] They said, “Our father, pray for our forgiveness; we were wrong indeed.”
[12:98] He said, “I will implore my Lord to forgive you; He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful.”
[12:99] When they entered Joseph’s quarters, he embraced his parents, saying, “Welcome to Egypt. GOD willing, you will be safe here.”
[12:100] He raised his parents upon the throne. They fell prostrate before him. He said, “O my father, this is the fulfillment of my old dream. My Lord has made it come true. He has blessed me, delivered me from the prison, and brought you from the desert, after the devil had driven a wedge between me and my brothers. My Lord is Most Kind towards whomever He wills. He is the Knower, the Most Wise.”
[12:101] “My Lord, You have given me kingship and taught me the interpretation of dreams. Initiator of the heavens and the earth; You are my Lord and Master in this life and in the Hereafter. Let me die as a submitter, and count me with the righteous.”
[12:102] This is news from the past that we reveal to you. You were not present when they made their unanimous decision (to throw Joseph in the well), as they conspired together.
[12:103] Most people, no matter what you do, will not believe.
[12:104] You are not asking them for any money; you simply deliver this reminder for all the people.
[12:105] So many proofs in the heavens and the earth are given to them, but they pass by them, heedlessly!
[12:106] The majority of those who believe in GOD do not do so without committing idol worship.
[12:107] Have they guaranteed that an overwhelming retribution from GOD will not strike them, or the Hour will not come to them suddenly, when they least expect it?
[12:108] Say, “This is my path: I invite to GOD, on the basis of a clear proof, and so do those who follow me. GOD be glorified. I am not an idol worshiper.”
[12:109] We did not send before you except men whom we inspired, chosen from the people of various communities. Did they not roam the earth and see the consequences for those before them? The abode of the Hereafter is far better for those who lead a righteous life. Would you then understand?
[12:110] Just when the messengers despair, and think that they had been rejected, our victory comes to them. We then save whomever we choose, while our retribution for the guilty people is unavoidable.
[12:111] In their history, there is a lesson for those who possess intelligence. This is not fabricated Hadith; this (Quran) confirms all previous scriptures, provides the details of everything, and is a beacon and mercy for those who believe.
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Sura 13: Thunder (Al-Ra`ad)
Number of verses in sura: 43
Order of revelation: 96
[13:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[13:1] A. L. M. R. These (letters) are proofs of this scripture. What is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, but most people do not believe.
[13:2] GOD is the One who raised the heavens without pillars that you can see, then assumed all authority. He committed the sun and the moon, each running (in its orbit) for a predetermined period. He controls all things, and explains the revelations, that you may attain certainty about meeting your Lord.
[13:3] He is the One who constructed the earth and placed on it mountains and rivers. And from the different kinds of fruits, He made them into pairs – males and females. The night overtakes the day. These are solid proofs for people who think.
[13:4] On earth, there are adjacent lots that produce orchards of grapes, crops, palm trees – dioecious and non-dioecious. Although they are irrigated with the same water, we prefer some of them over others in eating. These are solid proofs for people who understand.
[13:5] If you ever wonder, the real wonder is their saying: “After we turn into dust, do we get recreated anew?” These are the ones who have disbelieved in their Lord. These are the ones who have incurred shackles around their necks. These are the ones who have incurred Hell, wherein they abide forever.
[13:6] They challenge you to bring doom upon them, rather than turning righteous! Sufficient precedents have been set for them in the past. Indeed, your Lord is full of forgiveness towards the people, in spite of their transgressions, and your Lord is also strict in enforcing retribution.
[13:7] Those who disbelieved say, “If only a miracle could come down to him from his Lord (we will then believe).” You are simply a warner – every community receives a guiding teacher.
[13:8] GOD knows what every female bears, and what every womb releases, or gains. Everything He does is perfectly measured.
[13:9] The Knower of all secrets and declarations; the Supreme, the Most High.
[13:10] It is the same whether you conceal your thoughts, or declare them, or hide in the darkness of the night, or act in the daylight.
[13:11] Shifts (of angels) take turns, staying with each one of you – they are in front of you and behind you. They stay with you, and guard you in accordance with GOD‘s commands. Thus, GOD does not change the condition of any people unless they themselves make the decision to change. If GOD wills any hardship for any people, no force can stop it. For they have none beside Him as Lord and Master.
[13:12] He is the One who shows you the lightning as a source of fear, as well as hope, and He initiates the loaded clouds.
[13:13] The thunder praises His glory, and so do the angels, out of reverence for Him. He sends the lightning bolts, which strike in accordance with His will. Yet, they argue about GOD, though His power is awesome.
[13:14] Imploring Him is the only legitimate supplication, while the idols they implore beside Him cannot ever respond. Thus, they are like those who stretch their hands to the water, but nothing reaches their mouths. The supplications of the disbelievers are in vain.
[13:15] To GOD prostrates everyone in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and the evenings.
[13:16] Say, “Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?” Say, “GOD.” Say, “Why then do you set up besides Him masters who do not possess any power to benefit or harm even themselves?” Say, “Is the blind the same as the seer? Is darkness the same as the light?” Have they found idols besides GOD who created creations similar to His creations, to the point of not distinguishing the two creations? Say, “GOD is the Creator of all things, and He is the One, the Supreme.”
[13:17] He sends down water from the sky, causing the valleys to overflow, then the rapids produce abundant foam. Similarly, when they use fire to refine metals for their jewelry or equipment, foam is produced. GOD thus cites analogies for the truth and falsehood. As for the foam, it goes to waste, while that which benefits the people stays close to the ground. GOD thus cites the analogies.
[13:18] Those who respond to their Lord deserve the good rewards. As for those who failed to respond to Him, if they possessed everything on earth – even twice as much – they would readily give it up as ransom. They have incurred the worst reckoning, and their final abode is Hell; what a miserable destiny.
[13:19] Is one who recognizes that your Lord’s revelations to you are the truth equal to one who is blind? Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
[13:20] They are the ones who fulfill their pledge to GOD, and do not violate the covenant.
[13:21] They join what GOD has commanded to be joined, reverence their Lord, and fear the dreadful reckoning.
[13:22] They steadfastly persevere in seeking their Lord, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), spend from our provisions to them secretly and publicly, and counter evil with good. These have deserved the best abode.
[13:23] They enter the gardens of Eden, together with the righteous among their parents, their spouses, and their children. The angels will enter in to them from every door.
[13:24] “Peace be upon you, because you steadfastly persevered. What a joyous destiny.”
[13:25] As for those who violate GOD‘s covenant after pledging to keep it, and sever what GOD has commanded to be joined, and commit evil, they have incurred condemnation; they have incurred the worst destiny.
[13:26] GOD is the One who increases the provision for whomever He wills, or withholds it. They have become preoccupied with this life; and this life, compared to the Hereafter, is nil.
[13:27] Those who disbelieve would say, “If only a miracle could come down to him from his Lord (we would believe).” Say, “GOD sends astray whomever He wills, and guides to Him only those who obey.”
[13:28] They are the ones whose hearts rejoice in remembering GOD. Absolutely, by remembering GOD, the hearts rejoice.
[13:29] Those who believe and lead a righteous life have deserved happiness and a joyous destiny.
[13:30] We have sent you (O Rashad) to this community, just as we did for other communities in the past. You shall recite to them what we reveal to you, for they have disbelieved in the Most Gracious. Say, “He is my Lord. There is no god except He. I put my trust in Him alone; to Him is my ultimate destiny.”
[13:31] Even if a Quran caused mountains to move, or the earth to tear asunder, or the dead to speak (they will not believe). GOD controls all things. Is it not time for the believers to give up and realize that if GOD willed, He could have guided all the people? The disbelievers will continue to suffer disasters, as a consequence of their own works, or have disasters strike close to them, until GOD‘s promise is fulfilled. GOD will never change the predetermined destiny.
[13:32] Messengers before you have been ridiculed; I permitted the disbelievers to carry on, then I punished them. How terrible was My retribution!
[13:33] Is there any equal to the One who controls every single soul? Yet, they set up idols to rival GOD. Say, “Name them. Are you informing Him of something on earth that He does not know? Or, are you fabricating empty statements?” Indeed, the schemes of those who disbelieve have been adorned in their eyes. They are thus diverted from the right path. Whomever GOD sends astray can never find a guiding teacher.
[13:34] They have incurred retribution in this life, and the retribution in the Hereafter is far worse. Nothing can protect them against GOD.
[13:35] The allegory of Heaven, which is promised for the righteous, is flowing streams, inexhaustible provisions, and cool shade. Such is the destiny for those who observe righteousness, while the destiny for the disbelievers is Hell.
[13:36] Those who received the scripture rejoice in what was revealed to you; some others may reject parts of it. Say, “I am simply enjoined to worship GOD, and never associate any idols with Him. I invite to Him, and to Him is my ultimate destiny.”
[13:37] We revealed these laws in Arabic, and if you ever acquiesce to their wishes, after this knowledge has come to you, you will have no ally, nor a protector, against GOD.
[13:38] We have sent messengers before you (O Rashad), and we made them husbands with wives and children. No messenger can produce a miracle without GOD‘s authorization, and in accordance with a specific, predetermined time.
[13:39] GOD erases whatever He wills, and fixes (whatever He wills). With Him is the original Master Record.
[13:40] Whether we show you what we promise them, or terminate your life before that, your sole mission is to deliver (the message). It is us who will call them to account.
[13:41] Do they not see that every day on earth, brings them closer to the end, and that GOD decides their life span, irrevocably? He is the most efficient Reckoner.
[13:42] Others before them have schemed, but to GOD belongs the ultimate scheming. He knows what everyone is doing. The disbelievers will find out who the ultimate winners are.
[13:43] Those who disbelieved will say, “You are not a messenger!” Say, “GOD suffices as a witness between me and you, and those who possess knowledge of the scripture.”
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