Overview (Verses 54 - 55)

A Great Turn in Joseph’s Fortunes

And the King said: ‘Bring him before me. I will choose him for my own.’ And when he had spoken to him, the King said: ‘You shall henceforth be in a position of high standing with us, invested with all trust.’ Joseph replied: ‘Give me charge of the store- houses of the land. I am able to look after them with wisdom.’ Thus did We establish Joseph in the land, free to do what he willed. We bestow Our mercy on whom We will, and We never fail to give their reward to those who do good. But as for those who believe in God and keep away from evil, the reward of the life to come is much better indeed. (Verses 54-57)

The King established Joseph’s innocence. He also learnt how adept Joseph was in the interpretation of dreams, and how wise he was when he requested an investigation of the women’s behaviour. The King also learnt that Joseph was a man of dignity. He did not rush to leave the prison and meet the King of Egypt. He took the stand of an honourable man who had been wrongfully imprisoned. He wanted to prove the falsehood of the accusation even before his release. He wanted to re- establish his integrity and the truth of his faith before seeking any position of favour with the King.

His dignified attitude as a man of integrity and wisdom earned hire the King’s love and respect. Hence, the King ordered: “Bring him before me. I will choose him for my own.” (Verse 54) He does not want him brought before him so that he can release him, or just to know this learned interpreter of dreams, or to grant him audience and tell him that he is pleased with him. He wants him brought to him so that he can choose him for his own and make him a trusted advisor and even a friend.

There are those who are accused of no crime and have full freedom, who shed their dignity at the feet of rulers. They put a leash around their own necks, eagerly seeking a glimpse of satisfaction or a word of praise which keeps them as servants, not trusted advisors. I wish to God that such people would read the Qur’ān and Joseph’s story so that they would know that dignity and honour bring much more profit, even material profit, than can ever be gained through humiliating themselves before rulers and tyrants.

“The King said: ‘Bring him before me. I will choose him for my own.’“ (Verse 54) The text of the sūrah leaves out the details of how the King’s new order was carried out. Instead, we find ourselves looking at the scene of Joseph and the King: “And when he had spoken to him, the King said: ‘You shall henceforth be in a position of high standing with us, invested with all trust.’“ (Verse 54) When the King speaks to him, he is certain that the impression he has had of him is a true one. Hence he assures him that he has a position with the King himself. He is no longer a Hebrew slave, but a man of high standing. He is no longer the accused, but one who is invested with trust. Such a position of trust and security are also with the King himself. So, what does Joseph say in response?

He does not prostrate himself before the King in a gesture of gratitude as do courtiers who strive to win a tyrant’s pleasure. He does not say to him may you live long and I always be your obedient servant, as those who vie for a tyrant’s favour do. He only asks to be entrusted with the task he feels himself to be the best to discharge in the forthcoming period of hardship and of which he has warned the King by interpreting his dream for him. He feels that if he is entrusted with this task he will save the country from ruin and save many lives. He recognized that the situation needed his expert planning, efficiency, honesty and integrity. Hence he said to the King: “Give me charge of the store-houses of the land. I am able to look after them with wisdom.” (Verse 55)

The anticipated years of crisis, preceded by seven years of bumper harvests, required good management, with strict control over agriculture, managing the surplus harvest and ensuring its sound storage so that it did not decay.  Joseph mentions the two qualities he possesses which he thinks the task requires: “I am able to look after them with wisdom.” (Verse 55) It should be noted that Joseph did not ask a personal favour from the King. This was not the time to make personal gain. Instead, he asked for that which would help the country and its people. He requests a position of very difficult responsibilities which people would rather steer away from, because it could easily cost them their careers or their lives. Hunger encourages lawlessness. A hungry multitude could easily tear apart those in power at a moment of confusion and trouble.

Overview (Verses 54 - 55)

A Great Turn in Joseph’s Fortunes

And the King said: ‘Bring him before me. I will choose him for my own.’ And when he had spoken to him, the King said: ‘You shall henceforth be in a position of high standing with us, invested with all trust.’ Joseph replied: ‘Give me charge of the store- houses of the land. I am able to look after them with wisdom.’ Thus did We establish Joseph in the land, free to do what he willed. We bestow Our mercy on whom We will, and We never fail to give their reward to those who do good. But as for those who believe in God and keep away from evil, the reward of the life to come is much better indeed. (Verses 54-57)

The King established Joseph’s innocence. He also learnt how adept Joseph was in the interpretation of dreams, and how wise he was when he requested an investigation of the women’s behaviour. The King also learnt that Joseph was a man of dignity. He did not rush to leave the prison and meet the King of Egypt. He took the stand of an honourable man who had been wrongfully imprisoned. He wanted to prove the falsehood of the accusation even before his release. He wanted to re- establish his integrity and the truth of his faith before seeking any position of favour with the King.

His dignified attitude as a man of integrity and wisdom earned hire the King’s love and respect. Hence, the King ordered: “Bring him before me. I will choose him for my own.” (Verse 54) He does not want him brought before him so that he can release him, or just to know this learned interpreter of dreams, or to grant him audience and tell him that he is pleased with him. He wants him brought to him so that he can choose him for his own and make him a trusted advisor and even a friend.

There are those who are accused of no crime and have full freedom, who shed their dignity at the feet of rulers. They put a leash around their own necks, eagerly seeking a glimpse of satisfaction or a word of praise which keeps them as servants, not trusted advisors. I wish to God that such people would read the Qur’ān and Joseph’s story so that they would know that dignity and honour bring much more profit, even material profit, than can ever be gained through humiliating themselves before rulers and tyrants.

“The King said: ‘Bring him before me. I will choose him for my own.’“ (Verse 54) The text of the sūrah leaves out the details of how the King’s new order was carried out. Instead, we find ourselves looking at the scene of Joseph and the King: “And when he had spoken to him, the King said: ‘You shall henceforth be in a position of high standing with us, invested with all trust.’“ (Verse 54) When the King speaks to him, he is certain that the impression he has had of him is a true one. Hence he assures him that he has a position with the King himself. He is no longer a Hebrew slave, but a man of high standing. He is no longer the accused, but one who is invested with trust. Such a position of trust and security are also with the King himself. So, what does Joseph say in response?

He does not prostrate himself before the King in a gesture of gratitude as do courtiers who strive to win a tyrant’s pleasure. He does not say to him may you live long and I always be your obedient servant, as those who vie for a tyrant’s favour do. He only asks to be entrusted with the task he feels himself to be the best to discharge in the forthcoming period of hardship and of which he has warned the King by interpreting his dream for him. He feels that if he is entrusted with this task he will save the country from ruin and save many lives. He recognized that the situation needed his expert planning, efficiency, honesty and integrity. Hence he said to the King: “Give me charge of the store-houses of the land. I am able to look after them with wisdom.” (Verse 55)

The anticipated years of crisis, preceded by seven years of bumper harvests, required good management, with strict control over agriculture, managing the surplus harvest and ensuring its sound storage so that it did not decay.  Joseph mentions the two qualities he possesses which he thinks the task requires: “I am able to look after them with wisdom.” (Verse 55) It should be noted that Joseph did not ask a personal favour from the King. This was not the time to make personal gain. Instead, he asked for that which would help the country and its people. He requests a position of very difficult responsibilities which people would rather steer away from, because it could easily cost them their careers or their lives. Hunger encourages lawlessness. A hungry multitude could easily tear apart those in power at a moment of confusion and trouble.