The Qur'ân, Part I: Chapters I–XVI — SBE Vol. 6 (trans. E. H. Palmer, 1880)
The translator’s English as printed (E. H. Palmer). The original-language text is not held; names are romanised as the translator printed them.
verily, ye are thieves!’
They said, approaching them, ‘ What is it that ye miss ?’
Said they, ‘We miss the goblet of the king, and whoso brings it shall have a camel-load, and I am guarantee thereof.’
They said, ‘By God! Ye knew we came not to do evil in the land, and that we were not thieves.’
They said, ‘And what shall be the recompense thereof if ye be liars ?’
[75] They said, ‘The recompense thereof is he in whose pack it is found—he shall be the recompense thereof; thus do we recompense the unjust.’
And he began with their sacks before the sacks of his brother ; then he drew it forth from his brother's sack. Thus did we devise a stratagem for Joseph. He could not take his brother by the king’s religion! except God pleased ;—we raise the degrees of
1 Le. by the law of Egypt it was not lawful for Joseph to take his brother for a bondsman as a punishment for theft.
Q2
p. 228
whomsoever we please, and over every possessor of knowledge is one who knows.
They said, ‘If he has stolen, a brother of his has stolen before him.’
But Joseph kept it secret in his soul and disclosed it not to them. Said he, ‘Ye are in a bad case, and God knows best about what ye describe.’
They said, ‘O prince! Verily, he has a father, a very old man; take then one of us instead of him; verily, we can see that thou art of those who do good.’
Said he, ‘(I seek) refuge in God from taking any save him with whom we found our property; verily, we should then be certainly unjust.’
[80] And when they despaired of him they retired to consult privately. Said the eldest of them, ‘Do ye not know that your father has taken a compact from God against you? Aforetime ye exceeded in the matter of Joseph—I will surely not quit the land until my father give me leave, or God judge for me, for He is the best of judges.
‘Return ye to your father and say, “O our father ! verily, thy son has committed theft, and we bore testimony to naught but what we knew; for of the unforeseen we were not keepers !”
‘Ask then in the city where we were, and of the caravan in which we approached it, for, verily, we tell the truth,’
Said he, ‘ Nay, your souls have induced you to do this thing. But patience is fair. It may be that God will give me them all together ;—verily, He is knowing, wise.’
And he turned away from them and said, ‘O myp. 229 lament for Joseph!’ and his eyes grew white with grief, for he repressed (his woe).
[85] They said, ‘By God! thou wilt not cease to remember Joseph till thou art at the point of death, or art of those who perish!’
Said he, ‘I only complain of my emotion and my grief to God, for I know that from God which ye know nothing of.
‘O my sons! go and enquire concerning Joseph and his brother, and despair not of God’s comfort ; for, verily, none need despair of God’s comfort save a misbelieving people!’
‘O my sons! go and enquire concerning Joseph and his brother, and despair not of God’s comfort ; for, verily, none need despair of God’s comfort save a misbelieving people!’
And when they entered in unto him they said, ‘O prince! distress has touched both us and our families, and we have brought trifling chattels. So give us full measure and bestow upon us in charity; verily, God rewards the charitable.’
He said, ‘Do ye know what ye did with Joseph and his brother, while ye were ignorant ?’
[90] They said, ‘Art thou then indeed Joseph ?’
He said, ‘I am Joseph, and this is my brother;
God has been gracious towards us. Verily, whoso
fears God and is patient,—verily, God wastes not
the hire of those who do good!’
They said, ‘By God! God has chosen thee over us; and we indeed were sinners.’
He said, ‘ No reproach against you to-day! God will pardon you, for He is the most merciful of the merciful. Take this my shirt, and throw it over the face of my father, he will become able to see; and bring me your families all together.’
And when the caravan departed, their father said,
‘Verily, I find the smell of Joseph, unless ye think
I dote!’
p. 230
[95] They said, ‘By God! thou art in thy old error.’ And when the herald of glad tidings came he threw it on his face, and he was restored to sight. -
Said he, ‘Did I not tell you that I know from
God that of which ye know not ?’
They said, ‘O our father! ask pardon for us of our sins ;—verily, we were sinners!’
He said, ‘I will ask pardon for you from my
Lord ; verily, He is the pardoning and merciful.’
[100] And when they entered in unto Joseph, he took his father to stay with him, and said, ‘Enter ye into Egypt, if it please God, safe.’ And he raised his father upon the throne, and they fell down before him adoring.
And he said, ‘O my sire! This is the interpretation of my vision aforetime; my Lord has made it come true, and He has been good to me, in bringing me forth out of prison, afid bringing you from the desert, after Satan had made a breach between me and my brethren ;—verily, my Lord is kind to whomsoever He will ;—verily, He is the knowing, the wise !
‘O my Lord! thou hast given me dominion, and hast taught me the interpretation of sayings; O originator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art my patron in this world and the next; take me to Thyself resigned, and let me reach the righteous!’
That is one of the stories of the unseen which we inspire thee with, though thou wert not with them when they agreed in their affair, when they were so crafty.—And yet most men, though thou shouldst be urgent, will not believe.
Thou dost not ask them for it a hire ; it is naught but a reminder to the world.
p. 231
[105] How many a sign in the heavens and the earth do they pass by and turn away therefrom !
Nor do most of them believe in God without associating (other gods) with Him.
Thou dost not ask them for it a hire ; it is naught but a reminder to the world.
p. 231
[105] How many a sign in the heavens and the earth do they pass by and turn away therefrom !
Nor do most of them believe in God without associating (other gods) with Him.
Are they safe, then, from overwhelming vengeance coming on them from the torment of God? or from the Hour coming upon them suddenly while they do not perceive ?
Say, ‘This is my way; I call now unto God on clear proof, I and those who follow me; and celebrated be God’s praises, for I am not of the idolaters.’
Nor did we ever send before thee any save men whom we inspired, of the people of the cities. Have they not journeyed on in the earth, and beheld how was the end of those before them? But the abode of the future is surely better for those who believe ;— what! have they then no sense?
[110] Until when the apostles despaired and they thought that they were proved liars, our help came to them, and whosoever we pleased was saved ; but our violence is not averted from the sinful people.
Their stories were a lesson to those endowed with minds. It was not a tale forged, but a verification of what was before it, and a detailing of everything, and a guide and a mercy to a people who believe.
p. 232
THe CHAPTER OF THUNDER.
(XIII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
A.L.M.R. Those are the signs of the Book, and that which is sent down to thee from thy Lord is the truth; but most people will not believe. God it is who has raised the heavens without columns that ye can see; then He made for the throne, and subjected the sun and the moon; each one runs on to a stated and appointed time; He governs the affair, details the signs ;—haply of the meeting with your Lord ye will be sure.
And He it is who has stretched out the earth and placed therein firm mountains and rivers, and of every fruit has He placed therein two kinds. He makes the night cover the day;—verily, in that are signs unto a people who reflect.
And on the earth are neighbouring portions, and gardens of grapes and corn and palms growing together (from one root) and not growing together ; they are watered with one water, yet we distinguish one over the other as food;—verily, in that are signs unto a people who have sense.
[5] And if thou shouldst wonder, wondrous is their speech: ‘What! when we have become dust, shall we really then be created anew ?’
These are they who disbelieve in their Lord, and these are they with fetters round their necks, and these are the fellows of the Fire; they shall dwell therein for aye!
They will wish thee to hasten on the evil ratherp. 233 than the good; examples have passed away before them: but thy Lord is possessor of forgiveness unto men, notwithstanding their injustice ; but, verily, thy Lord is keen to punish.
verily, you are thieves!’
They said, approaching them, ‘ What is it that you miss ?’
Said they, ‘We miss the goblet of the king, and whoso brings it shall have a camel-load, and I am guarantee thereof.’
They said, ‘By God! You knew we came not to do evil in the land, and that we were not thieves.’
They said, ‘And what shall be the recompense thereof if you be liars ?’
[75] They said, ‘The recompense thereof is he in whose pack it is found—he shall be the recompense thereof; thus do we recompense the unjust.’
And he began with their sacks before the sacks of his brother ; then he drew it forth from his brother's sack. Thus did we devise a stratagem for Joseph. He could not take his brother by the king’s religion! except God pleased ;—we raise the degrees of
1 Le. by the law of Egypt it was not lawful for Joseph to take his brother for a bondsman as a punishment for theft.
Q2
p. 84
whomsoever we please, and over every possessor of knowledge is one who knows.
They said, ‘If he has stolen, a brother of his has stolen before him.’
But Joseph kept it secret in his soul and disclosed it not to them. Said he, ‘You are in a bad case, and God knows best about what you describe.’
They said, ‘O prince! Verily, he has a father, a very old man; take then one of us instead of him; verily, we can see that you are of those who do good.’
Said he, ‘(I seek) refuge in God from taking any save him with whom we found our property; verily, we should then be certainly unjust.’
[80] And when they despaired of him they retired to consult privately. Said the eldest of them, ‘Do you not know that your father has taken a compact from God against you? Aforetime you exceeded in the matter of Joseph—I will surely not quit the land until my father give me leave, or God judge for me, for He is the best of judges.
‘Return you to your father and say, “O our father ! verily, your son has committed theft, and we bore testimony to naught but what we knew; for of the unforeseen we were not keepers !”
‘Ask then in the city where we were, and of the caravan in which we approached it, for, verily, we tell the truth,’
Said he, ‘ Nay, your souls have induced you to do this thing. But patience is fair. It may be that God will give me them all together ;—verily, He is knowing, wise.’
And he turned away from them and said, ‘O myp. 229 lament for Joseph!’ and his eyes grew white with grief, for he repressed (his woe).
[85] They said, ‘By God! you will not cease to remember Joseph till you are at the point of death, or art of those who perish!’
Said he, ‘I only complain of my emotion and my grief to God, for I know that from God which you know nothing of.
‘O my sons! go and enquire concerning Joseph and his brother, and despair not of God’s comfort ; for, verily, none need despair of God’s comfort save a misbelieving people!’
‘O my sons! go and enquire concerning Joseph and his brother, and despair not of God’s comfort ; for, verily, none need despair of God’s comfort save a misbelieving people!’
And when they entered in unto him they said, ‘O prince! distress has touched both us and our families, and we have brought trifling chattels. So give us full measure and bestow upon us in charity; verily, God rewards the charitable.’
He said, ‘Do you know what you did with Joseph and his brother, while you were ignorant ?’
[90] They said, ‘Art you then indeed Joseph ?’
He said, ‘I am Joseph, and this is my brother;
God has been gracious towards us. Verily, whoso
fears God and is patient,—verily, God wastes not
the hire of those who do good!’
They said, ‘By God! God has chosen you over us; and we indeed were sinners.’
He said, ‘ No reproach against you to-day! God will pardon you, for He is the most merciful of the merciful. Take this my shirt, and throw it over the face of my father, he will become able to see; and bring me your families all together.’
And when the caravan departed, their father said,
‘Verily, I find the smell of Joseph, unless you think
I dote!’
p. 104
[95] They said, ‘By God! you are in your old error.’ And when the herald of glad tidings came he threw it on his face, and he was restored to sight. -
Said he, ‘Did I not tell you that I know from
God that of which you know not ?’
They said, ‘O our father! ask pardon for us of our sins ;—verily, we were sinners!’
He said, ‘I will ask pardon for you from my
Lord ; verily, He is the pardoning and merciful.’
[100] And when they entered in unto Joseph, he took his father to stay with him, and said, ‘Enter you into Egypt, if it please God, safe.’ And he raised his father upon the throne, and they fell down before him adoring.
And he said, ‘O my sire! This is the interpretation of my vision aforetime; my Lord has made it come true, and He has been good to me, in bringing me forth out of prison, afid bringing you from the desert, after Satan had made a breach between me and my brethren ;—verily, my Lord is kind to whomsoever He will ;—verily, He is the knowing, the wise !
‘O my Lord! you have given me dominion, and have taught me the interpretation of sayings; O originator of the heavens and the earth! You are my patron in this world and the next; take me to Yourself resigned, and let me reach the righteous!’
That is one of the stories of the unseen which we inspire you with, though you were not with them when they agreed in their affair, when they were so crafty.—And yet most men, though you should be urgent, will not believe.
You do not ask them for it a hire ; it is naught but a reminder to the world.
XII, rog-rrr. +=THE CHAPTER OF JOSEPH. 231
[105] How many a sign in the heavens and the earth do they pass by and turn away therefrom !
Nor do most of them believe in God without associating (other gods) with Him.
You do not ask them for it a hire ; it is naught but a reminder to the world.
XII, rog-rrr. +=THE CHAPTER OF JOSEPH. 231
[105] How many a sign in the heavens and the earth do they pass by and turn away therefrom !
Nor do most of them believe in God without associating (other gods) with Him.
Are they safe, then, from overwhelming vengeance coming on them from the torment of God? or from the Hour coming upon them suddenly while they do not perceive ?
Say, ‘This is my way; I call now unto God on clear proof, I and those who follow me; and celebrated be God’s praises, for I am not of the idolaters.’
Nor did we ever send before you any save men whom we inspired, of the people of the cities. Have they not journeyed on in the earth, and beheld how was the end of those before them? But the abode of the future is surely better for those who believe ;— what! have they then no sense?
[110] Until when the apostles despaired and they thought that they were proved liars, our help came to them, and whosoever we pleased was saved ; but our violence is not averted from the sinful people.
Their stories were a lesson to those endowed with minds. It was not a tale forged, but a verification of what was before it, and a detailing of everything, and a guide and a mercy to a people who believe.
p. 7
THe CHAPTER OF THUNDER.
(XIII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
A.L.M.R. Those are the signs of the Book, and that which is sent down to you from your Lord is the truth; but most people will not believe. God it is who has raised the heavens without columns that you can see; then He made for the throne, and subjected the sun and the moon; each one runs on to a stated and appointed time; He governs the affair, details the signs ;—haply of the meeting with your Lord you will be sure.
And He it is who has stretched out the earth and placed therein firm mountains and rivers, and of every fruit has He placed therein two kinds. He makes the night cover the day;—verily, in that are signs unto a people who reflect.
And on the earth are neighbouring portions, and gardens of grapes and corn and palms growing together (from one root) and not growing together ; they are watered with one water, yet we distinguish one over the other as food;—verily, in that are signs unto a people who have sense.
[5] And if you should wonder, wondrous is their speech: ‘What! when we have become dust, shall we really then be created anew ?’
These are they who disbelieve in their Lord, and these are they with fetters round their necks, and these are the fellows of the Fire; they shall dwell therein for aye!
They will wish you to hasten on the evil ratherp. 233 than the good; examples have passed away before them: but your Lord is possessor of forgiveness unto men, notwithstanding their injustice ; but, verily, your Lord is keen to punish.
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