سُوْرَةُ يُوسُفَ
Surah Yusuf (12) — Ayah 46
يُوسُفُ أَيُّهَا ٱلصِّدِّيقُ أَفْتِنَا فِى سَبْعِ بَقَرَٰتٍ سِمَانٍ يَأْكُلُهُنَّ سَبْعٌ عِجَافٌ وَسَبْعِ سُنۢبُلَـٰتٍ خُضْرٍ وَأُخَرَ يَابِسَـٰتٍ لَّعَلِّىٓ أَرْجِعُ إِلَى ٱلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿46﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
(He said): "O Yûsuf (Joseph), the man of truth! Explain to us (the dream) of seven fat cows whom seven lean ones were devouring, and of seven green ears of corn, and (seven) others dry, that I may return to the people, and that they may know."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
يُوسُفُ
yūsufu
Yusuf
أَيُّهَا
ayyuhā
O
ٱلصِّدِّيقُ
l-ṣidīqu
the truthful one
أَفْتِنَا
aftinā
Explain to us
فِى
fī
about
سَبْعِ
sabʿi
(the) seven
بَقَرَٰتٍۢ
baqarātin
cows
سِمَانٍۢ
simānin
fat
يَأْكُلُهُنَّ
yakuluhunna
eating them
سَبْعٌ
sabʿun
seven
عِجَافٌۭ
ʿijāfun
lean ones
وَسَبْعِ
wasabʿi
and seven
سُنۢبُلَـٰتٍ
sunbulātin
ears (of corn)
خُضْرٍۢ
khuḍ'rin
green
وَأُخَرَ
wa-ukhara
and other
يَابِسَـٰتٍۢ
yābisātin
dry
لَّعَلِّىٓ
laʿallī
that I may
أَرْجِعُ
arjiʿu
return
إِلَى
ilā
to
ٱلنَّاسِ
l-nāsi
the people
لَعَلَّهُمْ
laʿallahum
so that they may
يَعْلَمُونَ
yaʿlamūna
know
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
46. (Then he went to Joseph and said:) "Joseph, O truthful companion [45], explain to us the dream of seven fat cows being eaten by seven lean ones, and seven green ears and seven others dry, so that I may return to the people and they may know as well."
[45] When the cupbearer, who had been released from prison, heard this reply, he immediately remembered Sayyiduna Yusuf (Joseph) ؑ, his ability to interpret dreams, the fulfillment of his interpretations word for word, and also Sayyiduna Yusuf’s last message. Now, after a long time, he mentioned all these matters to the king, and also informed him that a very pious and noble person had been imprisoned for a long time without any fault. He said, “If you permit me, I will go to him in the prison and ask him about the interpretation of this dream and then inform you.”
[46]
The Cupbearer Asking Sayyiduna Yusuf for the Interpretation of the Dream:
The king was already disturbed and was not at all satisfied with the answers given by the interpreters. His heart testified that some dangerous calamity was about to befall. Therefore, he immediately granted the cupbearer permission to go to the prison. Upon reaching the prison, the cupbearer addressed Sayyiduna Yusuf ؑ with words that revived the memories of their time together in captivity. The noble character, knowledge, and morals of Sayyiduna Yusuf ؑ had left such an impression on the cupbearer’s mind during that period that he had not forgotten them, and thus he addressed him, “O my truthful companion.” After this address, he narrated the king’s dream to Sayyiduna Yusuf ؑ word for word, also mentioning the response of the interpreters. Then he asked for the interpretation of the dream and explained his purpose: firstly, so that the king, the interpreters, and the common people would know the interpretation of the dream; and secondly, so that everyone would also come to know how a knowledgeable, moral, and most capable person had been imprisoned for years without any fault.
[45] When the cupbearer, who had been released from prison, heard this reply, he immediately remembered Sayyiduna Yusuf (Joseph) ؑ, his ability to interpret dreams, the fulfillment of his interpretations word for word, and also Sayyiduna Yusuf’s last message. Now, after a long time, he mentioned all these matters to the king, and also informed him that a very pious and noble person had been imprisoned for a long time without any fault. He said, “If you permit me, I will go to him in the prison and ask him about the interpretation of this dream and then inform you.”
[46]
The Cupbearer Asking Sayyiduna Yusuf for the Interpretation of the Dream:
The king was already disturbed and was not at all satisfied with the answers given by the interpreters. His heart testified that some dangerous calamity was about to befall. Therefore, he immediately granted the cupbearer permission to go to the prison. Upon reaching the prison, the cupbearer addressed Sayyiduna Yusuf ؑ with words that revived the memories of their time together in captivity. The noble character, knowledge, and morals of Sayyiduna Yusuf ؑ had left such an impression on the cupbearer’s mind during that period that he had not forgotten them, and thus he addressed him, “O my truthful companion.” After this address, he narrated the king’s dream to Sayyiduna Yusuf ؑ word for word, also mentioning the response of the interpreters. Then he asked for the interpretation of the dream and explained his purpose: firstly, so that the king, the interpreters, and the common people would know the interpretation of the dream; and secondly, so that everyone would also come to know how a knowledgeable, moral, and most capable person had been imprisoned for years without any fault.
