Mentions of Prophet Yusuf (PBUH) in the Quran
The story of Prophet Yusuf (PBUH) is primarily detailed in Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12) of the Quran. This chapter is named after him and narrates his entire life story. Below are the key verses and their transliterations with translations.
1. Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12, Verses 4-6)
Arabic: اِذۡ قَالَ يُوۡسُفُ لِاَبِيۡهِ يٰٓاَبَتِ اِنِّىۡ رَاَيۡتُ اَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوۡكَبًا وَّالشَّمۡسَ وَالۡقَمَرَ رَاَيۡتُهُمۡ لِىۡ سٰجِدِيۡنَ
قَالَ يٰبُنَىَّ لَا تَقۡصُصۡ رُءۡيَاكَ عَلٰٓى اِخۡوَتِكَ فَيَكِيۡدُوۡا لَكَ كَيۡدًا ؕ اِنَّ الشَّيۡطٰنَ لِلۡاِنۡسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِيۡنٌ
وَكَذٰلِكَ يَجۡتَبِيۡكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِنۡ تَاۡوِيۡلِ الۡاَحَادِيۡثِ وَيُتِمُّ نِعۡمَتَهٗ عَلَيۡكَ وَعَلٰى اٰلِ يَعۡقُوۡبَ كَمَاۤ اَتَمَّهَا عَلٰٓى اَبَوَيۡكَ اِبۡرٰهِيۡمَ وَاِسۡحٰقَ ؕ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ عَلِيۡمٌ حَكِيۡمٌ
Transliteration: Idh qāla yūsufu li’abīhi yā abati innī ra’aytu aḥada ʿashara kawkaban wa-al-shamsa wa-al-qamara ra’aytuhum lī sājidīn
Qāla yā bunayya lā taqṣuṣ ru’yāka ʿalā ikhwati-ka fayakīdū laka kaydan inna al-shayṭāna lil-insāni ʿaduwwun mubīn
Wa-kadhālika yajtabīka rabbuka wa-yuʿallimuka min ta’wīl al-aḥādīthi wa-yutimmu niʿmatahu ʿalayka wa-ʿalā āl yaʿqūba kamā atammahā ʿalā abawayka ibrāhīma wa-is’ḥāqa inna rabbaka ʿalīmun ḥakīmun
English Translation: “Remember when Yusuf said to his father, ‘O my father, indeed I have seen (in a dream) eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me.’
He said, ‘O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers or they will contrive against you a plan. Indeed Satan is to man a manifest enemy.
And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of narratives and complete His favor upon you and upon the family of Yaqub, as He completed it upon your fathers, Ibrahim and Ishaq. Indeed, your Lord is Knowing and Wise.'”
2. Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12, Verses 19-22)
Arabic: وَجَآءَتۡ سَيَّارَةٌ فَاَرۡسَلُوۡا وَارِدَهُمۡ فَاَدۡلٰى دَلۡوَهٗؕ قَالَ يٰبُشۡرٰى هٰذَا غُلٰمٌؕ وَاَسَرُّوۡهُ بِضَاعَةً ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عَلِيۡمٌۢ بِمَا يَعۡمَلُوۡنَ
وَشَرَوۡهُ بِثَمَنٍۢ بَخۡسٍ دَرَاهِمَ مَعۡدُوۡدَةٍ وَّكَانُوۡا فِيۡهِ مِنَ الزّٰهِدِيۡنَ
وَقَالَ الَّذِى اشۡتَرٰٮهُ مِنۡ مِّصۡرَ لِامۡرَاَتِهٖۤ اَكۡرِمِىۡ مَثۡوٰٮهُ عَسٰٓى اَنۡ يَّنۡفَعَنَاۤ اَوۡ نَتَّخِذَهٗ وَلَدًا ؕ وَكَذٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوۡسُفَ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ وَلِنُعَلِّمَهٗ مِنۡ تَاۡوِيۡلِ الۡاَحَادِيۡثِ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ غَالِبٌ عَلٰٓى اَمۡرِهٖ وَلٰكِنَّ اَكۡثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُوۡنَ
وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ اَشُدَّهٗۤ اٰتَيۡنٰهُ حُكۡمًا وَّعِلۡمًا ؕ وَكَذٰلِكَ نَجۡزِى الۡمُحۡسِنِيۡنَ
Transliteration: Wa jā’at sayyāratun fa’arsalū wāridahum fa-adlā dalwah qāla yā bushrā hādhā ghulām wa-asarūhu biḍā’atan wa-llāhu ʿalīmun bimā yaʿmalūn
Wa-sharawhu bithi-manin bakhsin darāhima maʿdūdah wa-kānū fīhi mina al-zāhidīn
Wa-qāla alladhī ishtarāhu min miṣra li-im’ra’atihi akrimī mathwāhu ‘asā ‘an yanfaʿanā aw nattakhidhahu waladan wa-kadhālika makkannā li-yūsufa fī al-arḍi wa-linuʿallimahu min ta’wīl al-aḥādīthi wa-allāhu ghālibun ʿalā amrihi walākinna akthara al-nāsi lā yaʿlamūn
Wa-lamma balagha ashuddahu ātaynāhu ḥukman wa-ʿilman wa-kadhālika najzi al-muḥsinīn
English Translation: “And there came a caravan of travelers; they sent their water-drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said, ‘Good news! There is a boy.’ And they concealed him, taking him as merchandise; and Allah was Knowing of what they did.
And they sold him for a reduced price—a few silver coins—and they were, concerning him, of those content with little.
And the one from Egypt 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 Yusuf in the land that We might teach him the interpretation of events. And Allah is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know.
And when he reached maturity, We gave him judgment and knowledge. And thus We reward the doers of good.”
3. Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12, Verses 36-42)
This section details the interpretation of the dreams of two prisoners who were with Yusuf in jail.
وَدَخَلَ مَعَهُ السِّجۡنَ فَتَيَانِؕ قَالَ اَحَدُهُمَآ اِنِّىۡۤ اَرٰىنِىۡۤ اَعۡصِرُ خَمۡرًا وَّقَالَ الۡاٰخَرُ اِنِّىۡۤ اَرٰىنِىۡۤ اَحۡمِلُ فَوۡقَ رَاۡسِىۡ خُبۡزًا تَاۡكُلُ الطَّيۡرُ مِنۡهُؕ نَبِّئۡنَا بِتَاۡوِيۡلِهٖۤ اِنَّا نَرٰٮكَ مِنَ الۡمُحۡسِنِيۡنَ
قَالَ لَا يَاۡتِيۡكُمَا طَعَامٌ تُرۡزَقَانِهٖۤ اِلَّا نَبَّاۡتُكُمَا بِتَاۡوِيۡلِهٖ قَبۡلَ اَنۡ يَّاۡتِيَكُمَاؕ ذٰلِكُمَا مِمَّا عَلَّمَنِىۡ رَبِّىۡؕ اِنِّىۡ تَرَكۡتُ مِلَّةَ قَوۡمٍ لَا يُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَهُمۡ بِالۡاٰخِرَةِ هُمۡ كٰفِرُوۡنَ
وَاتَّبَعۡتُ مِلَّةَ اٰبَآءِىۡۤ اِبۡرٰهِيۡمَ وَاِسۡحٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوۡبَؕ مَا كَانَ لَنَاۤ اَنۡ نُّشۡرِكَ بِاللّٰهِ مِنۡ شَىۡءٍؕ ذٰلِكَ مِنۡ فَضۡلِ اللّٰهِ عَلَيۡنَا وَعَلَى النَّاسِ وَلكِنَّ اَكۡثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَشۡكُرُوۡنَ
يٰصٰحِبَىِ السِّجۡنِ ءَاَرۡبَابٌ مُّتَفَرِّقُوۡنَ خَيۡرٌ اَمِ اللّٰهُ الۡوَاحِدُ الۡقَهَّارُ
مَا تَعۡبُدُوۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِهٖۤ اِلَّاۤ اَسۡمَآءً سَمَّيۡتُمُوۡهَاۤ اَنۡتُمۡ وَ اٰبَآؤُكُمۡ مَاۤ اَنۡزَلَ اللّٰهُ بِهَا مِنۡ سُلۡطٰنٍ ؕ اِنِ الۡحُكۡمُ اِلَّا لِلّٰهِ ؕ اَمَرَ اَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوۡۤا اِلَّاۤ اِيَّاهُ ؕ ذٰلِكَ الدِّيۡنُ الۡقَيِّمُ وَلكِنَّ اَكۡثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُوۡنَ
يٰصٰحِبَىِ السِّجۡنِ اَمَّاۤ اَحَدُكُمَا فَيَسۡقِىۡ رَبَّهٗ خَمۡرًا وَاَمَّا الۡاٰخَرُ فَيُصۡلَبُ فَتَاۡكُلُ الطَّيۡرُ مِنۡ رَّاۡسِهٖؕ قُضِىَ الۡاَمۡرُ الَّذِىۡ فِيۡهِ تَسۡتَفۡتِيٰنِ
وَقَالَ لِلَّذِىۡ ظَنَّ اَنَّهٗ نَاجٍ مِّنۡهُمَا اذۡكُرۡنِىۡ عِنۡدَ رَبِّكَ ؕ فَاَنۡسٰٮهُ الشَّيۡطٰنُ ذِكۡرَ رَبِّهٖ فَلَبِثَ فِى السِّجۡنِ بِضۡعَ سِنِيۡنَ
Transliteration:
Wa-dakhala maʿahu as-sij’na fatayāni qāla aḥaduhumā innī arā-nī aʿṣiru khamran wa-qāla al-ākharu innī arā-nī aḥmilu fawqa ra’sī khubzan ta’kulu aṭ-ṭayru minhu nabbi’nā bi-ta’wīlihi innā narāka mina al-muḥsinīn
Qāla lā ya’tīkumā ṭaʿāmun tur’zaqānihi illā nabba’tukumā bi-ta’wīlihi qabla an ya’tiyakumā dhālika mimmā ʿallamanī rabbī innī taraktu millata qawmin lā yu’minūna billāhi wa-hum bil-ākhirati hum kāfirūn
Wa-ittabaʿtu millata ābā’i ibrāhīma wa-ismāʿīla wa-yaʿqūba mā kāna lanā an nushrika billāhi min shay’in dhālika min faḍli allāhi ʿalaynā wa-ʿalā an-nāsi walākinna akthara an-nāsi lā yashkurūn
Yā ṣāḥibayi as-sij’ni a-arbābun mutafarriqūna khayrun am allāhu al-wāḥidu al-qahhār
Mā taʿbudūna min dūnihi illā asmā’an sammaytumūhā antum wa-abā’ukum mā anzala allāhu bihā min sulṭān in il-ḥukmu illā lillāhi amara allā taʿbudū illā iyyāhu dhālika ad-dīnu al-qayyimu walākinna akthara an-nāsi lā yaʿlamūn
Yā ṣāḥibayi as-sij’ni ammā aḥadukumā fa-yasqī rabbahu khamran wa-ammā al-ākhara fa-yuṣlabu fa-ta’kulu aṭ-ṭayru min ra’sihi quḍiya al-amru alladhī fīhi tastaftiyān
Wa-qāla lilladhī ẓanna annahu nājin minhumā u-dh’kurnī ʿinda rabbika fa-ansāhu ash-shayṭānu dhikra rabbihi fa-labitha fī as-sij’ni biḍʿa sinīn
English Translation:
“And two young men entered the prison with him. One of them said, ‘Indeed, I have seen myself (in a dream) pressing wine.’ The other said, ‘Indeed, I have seen myself carrying bread on my head, from which the birds were eating. Inform us of its interpretation; indeed, we see you to be of those who do good.’
He said, ‘You will not receive food that is provided to you except that I will inform you of its interpretation before it comes to you. That is from what my Lord has taught me. Indeed, I have left the religion of a people who do not believe in Allah, and they, in the Hereafter, are disbelievers.
And I have followed the religion of my fathers, Ibrahim, Ishaq, and Yaqub. And it was not for us to associate anything with Allah. That is from the favor of Allah upon us and upon the people, but most of the people are not grateful.
O my two companions of prison, are separate lords better or Allah, the One, the Prevailing?
You worship not besides Him except (mere) names you have named them, you and your forefathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. Legislation is not but for Allah. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.
O my two companions of prison, as for one of you, he will give drink to his master of wine; but as for the other, he will be crucified, and the birds will eat from his head. The matter has been decreed about which you both inquire.’
And he said to the one whom he knew would go free, ‘Mention me before your master.’ But Satan made him forget the mention (to) his master, and Yusuf remained in prison for several years.”
Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) in Hadith
While the Quran provides the most comprehensive account of Prophet Yusuf (PBUH), there are also a few mentions of him in authentic hadith collections.
1. Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 3397)
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “May Allah bestow His Mercy on Lot (Lut)! He wanted to have a powerful support. If I were to stay in prison as long as Yusuf did, I would have responded to the inviter.”
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith 101
2. Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 4686)
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “The noble, the son of the noble, the son of the noble, the son of the noble, was Yusuf, the son of Yaqub, the son of Ishaq, the son of Ibrahim.”
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith 13
3. Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2378)
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “The best of you is the one who learned the Quran and taught it to others.” Then he mentioned Prophet Yusuf, stating how he persevered in learning and spreading knowledge even through hardship.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book 30, Hadith 21
The story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), peace be upon him, is one of the most detailed and captivating narratives in the Quran. It is found in Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12), which is entirely dedicated to his life. The story is filled with themes of patience, trust in Allah, forgiveness, and the triumph of righteousness over hardship.
Background
Yusuf (Joseph, PBUH) was the son of Prophet Yaqub (Jacob, PBUH), also known as Israel, and the grandson of Prophet Ishaq (Isaac, PBUH). He was born in Canaan (modern-day Palestine) and had eleven brothers. Yusuf (PBUH) was exceptionally handsome and his father loved him dearly, more than his other sons, which sparked jealousy among them.
The Dream
The story begins with a dream that young Yusuf (PBUH) shares with his father, Yaqub (PBUH). In the dream, Yusuf (PBUH) sees eleven stars, the sun, and the moon prostrating to him. Yaqub, a prophet, recognizes the significance of this dream and understands that Yusuf (PBUH) is destined for greatness. He advises Yusuf not to reveal the dream to his brothers, fearing their jealousy.
Jealousy and Betrayal
Yusuf’s (PBUH) brothers, envious of their father’s affection for him, conspire to get rid of him. They initially plan to kill him but later decide to throw him into a well, leaving him for dead. They tell their father that a wolf devoured Yusuf, showing his blood-stained shirt as false evidence.
A passing caravan finds Yusuf in the well and sells him as a slave in Egypt. He is bought by a high-ranking official, referred to as Al-Aziz (Potiphar), who brings Yusuf into his household.
Yusuf in Egypt
Yusuf grows up in Al-Aziz’s household, where he becomes known for his beauty, wisdom, and trustworthiness. However, Al-Aziz’s wife, Zulaikha, is captivated by Yusuf’s beauty and tries to seduce him. Yusuf, a man of high moral integrity, rejects her advances. Enraged by his refusal, Zulaikha falsely accuses him of trying to assault her. Despite his innocence, Yusuf is imprisoned.
Yusuf in Prison
Even in prison, Yusuf (PBUH) earns the trust and respect of his fellow prisoners due to his piety and wisdom. While in prison, he interprets the dreams of two prisoners. One of them, who is later released and works for the king, remembers Yusuf’s (PBUH) ability when the king has a troubling dream.
The king dreams of seven fat cows being devoured by seven lean ones, and seven green ears of grain followed by seven dry ones. None of his advisors can interpret the dream, but Yusuf (PBUH), through divine guidance, explains its meaning: Egypt will experience seven years of prosperity followed by seven years of drought. He advises the king to store grain during the prosperous years to prepare for the famine.
Yusuf (PBUH) Rise to Power
Impressed by Yusuf’s (PBUH) wisdom, the king releases him from prison and appoints him as a minister, giving him authority over the nation’s resources. Yusuf (PBUH) diligently managed Egypt’s resources during the seven years of abundance, preparing for the coming famine.
Reunion with His Brothers
As the famine strikes the region, Yusuf’s (PBUH) brothers travel to Egypt seeking food. They do not recognize Yusuf (PBUH), but he recognizes them. Yusuf (PBUH) tests his brothers’ integrity by accusing them of being spies and holding one of the brothers, Benjamin (Yusuf’s full brother), as a hostage. He also secretly places a valuable cup in Benjamin’s sack, accusing him of theft to keep him close.
When the brothers return to Canaan and explain the situation to Yaqub (PBUH), he is heartbroken but continues to trust in Allah. Eventually, the brothers return to Egypt, and Yusuf (PBUH) reveals his true identity. They are shocked and ashamed of their past actions. Yusuf (PBUH), in an act of immense forgiveness, tells them not to fear and that Allah has turned their wrongdoing into a means of good.
Reunion with Yaqub (PBUH)
Yusuf (PBUH) invites his entire family, including his father, to come to Egypt and settle there. Yaqub (PBUH), who had been blinded by the grief of losing Yusuf (PBUH), regains his sight upon hearing that his son is alive. The family is joyfully reunited in Egypt, and the dream Yusuf (PBUH) had as a child comes true when his brothers (the eleven stars) and his parents (the sun and moon) bow to him in respect, as a sign of his high status.
Also, read Story of Prophet Yaqub (Jacob) (Pbuh)