Sūra XII.: Yūsuf, or Joseph.

Section 1

1. Alif-lam-ra tilka ayatu alkitabi almubeenu

1. A. L. R. These are
The Symbols (or Verses)
Of the Perspicuous Book.

2. Inna anzalnahu qur-anan AAarabiyyan laAAallakum taAAqiloona

2. We have sent it down
As an Arabic Qur-ān,
In order that ye may
Learn wisdom.

3. Nahnu naqussu AAalayka ahsana alqasasi bima awhayna ilayka hatha alqur-ana wa-in kunta min qablihi lamina alghafileena

3. We do relate unto thee
The most beautiful of stories,
In that We reveal to thee
This (portion of the) Qur-ān:
Before this, thou too
Was among those
Who knew it not.

4. Ith qala yoosufu li-abeehi ya abati innee raaytu ahada AAashara kawkaban waalshshamsa waalqamara raaytuhum lee sajideena

4. Behold, Joseph said
To his father: "O my father!
I did see eleven stars
And the sun and the moon:
I saw them prostrate themselves
To me!"

5. Qala ya bunayya la taqsus ru/yaka AAala ikhwatika fayakeedoo laka kaydan inna alshshaytana lil-insani AAaduwwun mubeenun

5. Said (the father):
"My (dear) little son!
Relate not thy vision
To thy brothers, lest they
Concoct a plot against thee:
For Satan is to man
An avowed enemy!

6. Wakathalika yajtabeeka rabbuka wayuAAallimuka min ta/weeli al-ahadeethi wayutimmu niAAmatahu AAalayka waAAala ali yaAAqooba kama atammaha AAala abawayka min qablu ibraheema wa-ishaqa inna rabbaka AAaleemun hakeemun

6. "Thus will thy Lord
Choose thee and teach thee
The interpretation of stories (and events)
And perfect His favour
To thee and to the posterity
Of Jacob—even as He
Perfected it to thy fathers
Abraham and Isaac aforetime!
For God is full of knowledge
And wisdom."

Next: Section 2 (7-20)