The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

a
Literally ‘uninterrupted giving’.
Hud
143
11: 112

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those who have turned to God with you. Do not overstep the limits,
for He sees everything you do. 
113Do not rely on those who do evil, or
the Fire may touch you, and then you will have no one to protect you
from God, nor will you be helped.
114[Prophet], keep up the prayer at both ends of the day, and
during parts of the night, for good things drive bad away –
– this is a
reminder for those who are aware. 
115Be steadfast: God does not let
the rewards of those who do good go to waste. 
116If only there had
been, among the generations before your time, people with a rem-
nant of good sense, to forbid corruption on the earth! We saved only
a few of them, while the unjust pursued the enjoyment of plenty, and
persisted in sin. 
117Your Lord would not destroy any town without
cause if its people were acting righteously. 
118If your Lord had
pleased, He would have made all people a single community, but they
continue to have their di
fferences–– 119except those on whom your
Lord has mercy –
– for He created them to be this way, and the word
of your Lord is 
final: ‘I shall definitely fill Hell with both jinn and
men.’
120So [Muhammad], We have told you the stories of the prophets
to make your heart 
firm and in these accounts truth has come to you,
as well as lessons and reminders for the believers. 
121Say to those who
do not believe, ‘Do whatever you can: we too are doing what we can,’
122and ‘Wait: we too are waiting.’ 123All that is hidden in the heavens
and earth belongs to God, and all authority
a
goes back to Him. So
[Prophet], worship Him, and put your trust in Him: your Lord is
never unaware of what you [people] are doing.
a
Or ‘all things’.
The Qur
an
11: 113
144

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12. JOSEPH
A Meccan sura dealing primarily with the story of Joseph, but framed
by a three-verse introduction about the Qur
an and a ten-verse epilogue
about the Meccans’ response, the punishment met by earlier disbelievers, and
encouragement for the Prophet.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1Alif Lam Ra
These are the verses of the Scripture that makes things clear ––
2We
have sent it down as an Arabic Qur
an so that you [people] may
understand.
3We tell you [Prophet] the best of stories in revealing this Quran
to you.
a
Before this
b
you were one of those who knew nothing about
them.
4Joseph said to his father, ‘Father, I dreamed of eleven stars
and the sun and the moon: I saw them all bow down before me,’ 
5and
he replied, ‘My son, tell your brothers nothing of this dream, or they
may plot to harm you –– Satan is man’s sworn enemy. 
6This is about
how your Lord will choose you, teach you to interpret dreams, and
perfect His blessing on you and the House of Jacob, just as He
perfected it earlier on your forefathers Abraham and Isaac: your
Lord is all knowing and wise.’
7There are lessons in the story of Joseph and his brothers for all
who seek them. 
8The brothers said [to each other], ‘Although we are
many, Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we are ––
our father is clearly in the wrong.’ 
9[One of them said], ‘Kill Joseph
or banish him to another land, and your father’s attention will be free
to turn to you. After that you can be righteous.’ 
10[Another of them]
said, ‘Do not kill Joseph, but, if you must, throw him into the hidden
depths of a well where some caravan may pick him up.’
11They said to their father, ‘Why do you not trust us with Joseph?
We wish him well. 
12Send him with us tomorrow and he will enjoy