1Alif, Lām, Rā.⁵³⁵ These are the verses of the clear Book.

2Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'ān⁵³⁶ that you might understand.

3We relate to you, [O Muḥammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur'ān although you were, before it, among the unaware.

4[Of these stories mention] when Joseph said to his father,⁵³⁷ "O my father, indeed I have seen [in a dream] eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me."

5He said, "O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers or they will contrive against you a plan. Indeed Satan, to man, is a manifest enemy.

6And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of narratives [i.e., events or dreams] and complete His favor upon you and upon the family of Jacob, as He completed it upon your fathers before, Abraham and Isaac. Indeed, your Lord is Knowing and Wise."

7Certainly were there in Joseph and his brothers signs for those who ask, [such as]

8When they said, "Joseph and his brother⁵³⁸ are more beloved to our father than we, while we are a clan. Indeed, our father is in clear error.

9Kill Joseph or cast him out to [another] land; the countenance [i.e., attention] of your father will [then] be only for you, and you will be after that a righteous people."⁵³⁹

10Said a speaker among them, "Do not kill Joseph but throw him into the bottom of the well; some travelers will pick him up – if you would do [something]."

11They said, "O our father, why do you not entrust us with Joseph while indeed, we are to him sincere counselors?

12Send him with us tomorrow that he may eat well and play. And indeed, we will be his guardians."

13[Jacob] said, "Indeed, it saddens me that you should take him, and I fear that a wolf would eat him while you are of him unaware."

14They said, "If a wolf should eat him while we are a [strong] clan, indeed, we would then be losers."

15So when they took him [out] and agreed to put him into the bottom of the well...⁵⁴⁰ But We inspired to him, "You will surely inform them [someday] about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity]."

16And they came to their father at night, weeping.

17They said, "O our father, indeed we went racing each other and left Joseph with our possessions, and a wolf ate him. But you would not believe us, even if we were truthful."

18And they brought upon his shirt false blood.⁵⁴¹ [Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allāh is the one sought for help against that which you describe."

19And there came a company of travelers; then they sent their water drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said, "Good news! Here is a boy." And they concealed him, [taking him] as merchandise;⁵⁴² and Allāh was Knowing of what they did.

20And they sold him for a reduced price – a few dirhams – and they were, concerning him, of those content with little.

21And the one from Egypt⁵⁴³ who bought him said to his wife, "Make his residence comfortable. Perhaps he will benefit us, or we will adopt him as a son." And thus, We established Joseph in the land that We might teach him the interpretation of events [i.e., dreams]. And Allāh is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know.

22And when he [i.e., Joseph] reached maturity, We gave him judgement and knowledge. And thus We reward the doers of good.

23And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, "Come, you." He said, "[I seek] the refuge of Allāh. Indeed, he⁵⁴⁴ is my master, who has made good my residence. Indeed, wrongdoers will not succeed."

24And she certainly determined [to seduce] him, and he would have inclined to her had he not seen the proof [i.e., sign] of his Lord. And thus [it was] that We should avert from him evil and immorality. Indeed, he was of Our chosen servants.

25And they both raced to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back, and they found her husband at the door. She said, "What is the recompense of one who intended evil for your wife but that he be imprisoned or a painful punishment?"

26[Joseph] said, "It was she who sought to seduce me." And a witness from her family testified, "If his shirt is torn from the front, then she has told the truth, and he is of the liars.

27But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied, and he is of the truthful."

28So when he [i.e., her husband] saw his shirt torn from the back, he said, "Indeed, it is of your [i.e., women's] plan. Indeed, your plan is great [i.e., vehement].

29Joseph, ignore this.⁵⁴⁵ And, [my wife], ask forgiveness for your sin. Indeed, you were of the sinful."

30And women in the city said, "The wife of al-'Azeez is seeking to seduce her slave boy; he has impassioned her with love. Indeed, we see her [to be] in clear error."

31So when she heard of their scheming, she sent for them and prepared for them a banquet and gave each one of them a knife and said [to Joseph], "Come out before them." And when they saw him, they greatly admired him and cut their hands⁵⁴⁶ and said, "Perfect is Allāh!⁵⁴⁷ This is not a man; this is none but a noble angel."

32She said, "That is the one about whom you blamed me. And I certainly sought