Revealed during the late Makkan period in the midst of the "Year of Sorrow," Surah Yusuf was sent down as a source of divine comfort to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) following the tragic deaths of his beloved wife Khadijah and his protective uncle Abu Talib, and during his peak persecution. Prompted by a challenge from his detractors to explain how the Children of Israel ended up in Egypt, this chapter is uniquely distinct as the only Surah in the Quran dedicated entirely to a single, flawlessly detailed, chronological narrative from beginning to end, explicitly described by God as "the best of stories." It vividly chronicles the incredibly turbulent life of Prophet Joseph (Yusuf), detailing his heartbreaking betrayal by his jealous brothers, his terrifying descent into the well, his life in Egyptian slavery, the intense trial of temptation by a powerful woman, and his unjust, years-long imprisonment. Beyond the historical events, the Surah operates as a masterclass in the psychology of beautiful patience (*Sabr Jameel*), unwavering moral purity, and the reality of unseen divine providence. It serves to reassure the Prophet—and all believers facing overwhelming adversity—that even when human beings plot malicious betrayal in secret, God is subtly executing His own master plan, ultimately demonstrating that righteous perseverance through the darkest of trials will inevitably lead to worldly and spiritual elevation.
Transliteration
Aliflamra tilka ayatu alkitabi almubeenu
Translation
Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the Verses of the Clear Book
Transliteration
Inna anzalnahu quranan AAarabiyyan laAAallakum taAAqiloona
Translation
We have revealed it an Arabic Quran, so that you may understand
Transliteration
Nahnu naqussu AAalayka ahsana alqasasi bima awhayna ilayka hatha alqurana wain kunta min qablihi lamina alghafileena
Translation
We narrate to you the most accurate history, by revealing to you this Quran. Although, prior to it, you were of the unaware
Transliteration
Ith qala yoosufu liabeehi ya abati innee raaytu ahada AAashara kawkaban waalshshamsa waalqamara raaytuhum lee sajideena
Translation
When Joseph said to his father, “O my father, I saw eleven planets, and the sun, and the moon; I saw them bowing down to me.”
Transliteration
Qala ya bunayya la taqsus ruyaka AAala ikhwatika fayakeedoo laka kaydan inna alshshaytana lilinsani AAaduwwun mubeenun
Translation
He said, “O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers, lest they plot and scheme against you. Satan is man's sworn enemy
Transliteration
Wakathalika yajtabeeka rabbuka wayuAAallimuka min taweeli alahadeethi wayutimmu niAAmatahu AAalayka waAAala ali yaAAqooba kama atammaha AAala abawayka min qablu ibraheema waishaqa inna rabbaka AAaleemun hakeemun
Translation
And thus your Lord will choose you, and will teach you the interpretation of events, and will complete His blessing upon you and upon the family of Jacob, as He has completed it before upon your forefathers Abraham and Isaac. Your Lord is Knowing and Wise
Transliteration
Laqad kana fee yoosufa waikhwatihi ayatun lilssaileena
Translation
In Joseph and his brothers are lessons for the seekers
Transliteration
Ith qaloo layoosufu waakhoohu ahabbu ila abeena minna wanahnu AAusbatun inna abana lafee dalalin mubeenin
Translation
When they said, “Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we are, although we are a whole group. Our father is obviously in the wrong
Transliteration
Oqtuloo yoosufa awi itrahoohu ardan yakhlu lakum wajhu abeekum watakoonoo min baAAdihi qawman saliheena
Translation
“Kill Joseph, or throw him somewhere in the land, and your father‘s attention will be yours. Afterwards, you will be decent people.”
Transliteration
Qala qailun minhum la taqtuloo yoosufa waalqoohu fee ghayabati aljubbi yaltaqithu baAAdu alssayyarati in kuntum faAAileena
Translation
One of them said, “Do not kill Joseph, but throw him into the bottom of the well; some caravan may pick him up—if you must do something.”
Transliteration
Qaloo ya abana ma laka la tamanna AAala yoosufa wainna lahu lanasihoona
Translation
They said, “Father, why do you not trust us with Joseph, although we care for him?”
Transliteration
Arsilhu maAAana ghadan yartaAA wayalAAab wainna lahu lahafithoona
Translation
“Send him with us tomorrow, that he may roam and play; we will take care of him.”
Transliteration
Qala innee layahzununee an thathhaboo bihi waakhafu an yakulahu alththibu waantum AAanhu ghafiloona
Translation
He said, “It worries me that you would take him away. And I fear the wolf may eat him while you are careless of him.”
Transliteration
Qaloo lain akalahu alththibu wanahnu AAusbatun inna ithan lakhasiroona
Translation
They said, “If the wolf ate him, and we are many, we would be good for nothing.”
Transliteration
Falamma thahaboo bihi waajmaAAoo an yajAAaloohu fee ghayabati aljubbi waawhayna ilayhi latunabiannahum biamrihim hatha wahum la yashAAuroona
Translation
So they went away with him, and agreed to put him at the bottom of the well. And We inspired him, “You will inform them of this deed of theirs when they are unaware.”
Transliteration
Wajaoo abahum AAishaan yabkoona
Translation
And they came to their father in the evening weeping
Transliteration
Qaloo ya abana inna thahabna nastabiqu watarakna yoosufa AAinda mataAAina faakalahu alththibu wama anta bimuminin lana walaw kunna sadiqeena
Translation
They said, “O father, we went off racing one another, and left Joseph by our belongings; and the wolf ate him. But you will not believe us, even though we are being truthful.”
Transliteration
Wajaoo AAala qameesihi bidamin kathibin qala bal sawwalat lakum anfusukum amran fasabrun jameelun waAllahu almustaAAanu AAala ma tasifoona
Translation
And they brought his shirt, with fake blood on it. He said, “Your souls enticed you to do something. But patience is beautiful, and God is my Help against what you describe.”
Transliteration
Wajaat sayyaratun faarsaloo waridahum faadla dalwahu qala ya bushra hatha ghulamun waasarroohu bidaAAatan waAllahu AAaleemun bima yaAAmaloona
Translation
A caravan passed by, and they sent their water-carrier. He lowered his bucket, and said, “Good news. Here is a boy.” And they hid him as merchandise. But God was aware of what they did
Transliteration
Washarawhu bithamanin bakhsin darahima maAAdoodatin wakanoo feehi mina alzzahideena
Translation
And they sold him for a cheap price—a few coins—they considered him to be of little value