Surah Yusuf (12): Verses 45-46

Translation and Exegesis

It is known that when the King asked the nobles about the dream and those present admitted their inability to interpret it, the cupbearer said:

"Indeed, in the prison, there is a man who is virtuous, righteous, very knowledgeable, and very obedient. I, along with the baker, heard two dreams from him, and he explained both, and he was completely truthful in everything, not missing a single word. If you grant permission, I will go to him and bring you the interpretation."

This is what is meant by His statement: {...and said the one who was saved from them both...} (referring to the cupbearer).

As for His statement: {...and remember after a time...} (or wadakkir), we say: The discussion regarding the command udhkur (remember) will come later in the exegesis of the Almighty's saying: {...that he may be reminded?} (Al-Qamar: 51) in Surah Al-Qamar.

The author of Al-Kashshaf stated that {Wadakkir} (with a dāl) is the more eloquent reading according to Al-Hasan, while {Wadhakkir} (with a dhāl) means "to remind oneself" (or "to take heed").

As for {ummah} (time/nation), there are several interpretations:

1. {Ba'da ummah} means "after a long time." This is because a ḥīn (time period) is only established upon the accumulation of many days, just as an ummah (a large gathering/nation) is established upon the gathering of a great multitude. Thus, the ḥīn was an ummah of days and hours.
2. Al-Ashhab Al-'Uqayli recited it as {Ba'da immāh} (with a kasra on the hamza), where immāh means "blessing" or "favor." 'Adiyy said:

   Then after success, kingship, and blessing, the graves laid them to rest there. The meaning here is: "after he was favored with salvation."

3. It was also recited as {Ba'da ummah} (with a fatḥa on the mīm), meaning "after forgetfulness." It is said: amahu ya'umuhu ummahu if he forgot. The correct reading is with a fatḥa on the mīm, although Abu 'Ubaydah mentioned it with a sukūn on the mīm.

The summary of the matter is that it either means: "Remember after the passing of many times" from the moment Joseph (peace be upon him) instructed him to mention it to the King; or it means: "Remember after attaining the blessing" with that King; or it means: "Remember after forgetfulness."

If one asks: The statement {Wadakkir ba'da ummah} suggests that the one who forgot was the cupbearer, yet you claim the one who forgot was Joseph (peace be upon him).

We reply: Ibn Al-Anbārī said that udhkur means "to mention" or "to inform," and this does not necessarily imply prior forgetfulness. Perhaps the cupbearer refrained from mentioning it to the King for fear that doing so would remind the King of the sin for which he was imprisoned, thus increasing his distress. It is also possible that forgetfulness occurred for Joseph (peace be upon him) and for the cupbearer.

As for {Fa-arsilūn} (Send me), the address is either to the King (using the plural form for respect) or to the King alone as a form of glorification.

As for {Yūsufu ayyuhā al-ṣiddīq} (Joseph, O truthful one), there is an implied omission. The meaning is: "So send [someone], and [the messenger] came to him and said, 'Joseph, O truthful one.'"

Al-Ṣiddīq is one who has reached the utmost degree of truthfulness. He was described with this attribute because no lie had ever been experienced from him. It is also said that it is because he was truthful in interpreting the dream. This indicates that whoever wishes to learn something from a man must honor him and address him with words that suggest reverence.

Then, he repeated the question using the exact wording the King had used, and he did well, because the interpretation of dreams can vary due to differences in wording, as is mentioned in that science.

As for the Almighty's saying: {That I may return to the people, perhaps they will know} (12:46), the meaning is: "Perhaps I will return to the people with your verdict (fatwā), so that they may know your virtue and knowledge." He only said, "Perhaps I will return to the people with your verdict," because he saw the inability of all other interpreters to answer this matter, so he feared that he too might be unable to answer it. For this reason, he said: {That I may return to the people}.

Verse 47-49

{He said, "You will plant for seven consecutive years, and what you harvest leave in its ears, except a little of which you eat. Then there will come after that seven severe [years] that will consume what you have stored for them, except a little of what you safeguard. Then there will come after that a year in which the people will be given rain, and in it they will press [the grapes/olives]."} (12:47-49)