Prison

Yet, despite seeing clear proof, they decided to imprison him for a time.

12:35And it seemed good to them (the men-folk) after they had seen the signs (of his innocence) to imprison him for a time.

Two young men entered prison with him. One said, “I saw myself pressing grapes.” The other said, “I saw myself carrying bread on my head, and birds were eating from it. Tell us what this means, we see you as a righteous man.”

12:36And two young men went to prison with him. One of them said: I dreamed that I was pressing wine. The other said: I dreamed that I was carrying upon my head bread whereof the birds were eating. Announce unto us the interpretation, for we see thee of those good (at interpretation).

He replied, “I will interpret your dreams before your next meal arrives. This is part of what my Lord has taught me. I have abandoned the faith of those who do not believe in Allah and deny the Hereafter.”

12:37He said: The food which ye are given (daily) shall not come unto you but I shall tell you the interpretation ere it cometh unto you. This is of that which my Lord hath taught me. Lo! I have forsaken the religion of folk who believe not in Allah and are disbelievers in the Hereafter.

“I follow the faith of my forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We do not associate anything with Allah. This is Allah’s grace upon us and upon humanity, but most people are ungrateful.”

12:38And I have followed the religion of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. It never was for us to attribute aught as partner to Allah. This is of the bounty of Allah unto us (the seed of Abraham) and unto mankind; but most men give not thanks.

“O my fellow prisoners, are many gods better, or is the One, the Almighty?”

12:39O my fellow-prisoners! Are divers lords better, or Allah the One, Almighty?

“You worship nothing but names you and your ancestors invented, Allah has sent no authority for them. Judgment belongs only to Allah. He commands that you worship none but Him. This is the true faith, but most people do not realize it.”

12:40Those whom ye worship beside Him are but names which ye have named, ye and your fathers. Allah hath revealed no sanction for them. The decision rests with Allah only, Who hath commanded you that ye worship none save Him. This is the right religion, but most men know not.

“O my fellow prisoners, one of you will serve wine to his master, while the other will be crucified, and birds will eat from his head. This is the matter decreed.”

12:41O my two fellow-prisoners! As for one of you, he will pour out wine for his lord to drink; and as for the other, he will be crucified so that the birds will eat from his head. Thus is the case judged concerning which ye did inquire.

He said to the one he knew would be freed, “Mention me to your master.” But Satan made him forget to do so, and Joseph remained in prison for several years.

12:42And he said unto him of the twain who he knew would be released: Mention me in the presence of thy lord. But Satan caused him to forget to mention it to his lord, so he (Joseph) stayed in prison for some years.