They said, 'Our father, ask forgiveness for our sins. We were truly at fault.'

He said, 'I will ask my Lord to forgive you. He is truly the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.'

Then, when they entered before Joseph, he drew his parents close and said, 'Enter Egypt, Allah willing, in safety.'

He raised his parents upon the throne, and they all fell down before him in prostration. He said, 'My father, this is the fulfilment of my earlier dream. My Lord has made it come true. He was good to me when He brought me out of prison and brought you from the desert after Satan had stirred conflict between me and my brothers. My Lord is truly subtle in carrying out whatever He wills. He alone is the All-Knowing, All-Wise.'

My Lord, You have given me a share of authority and taught me the interpretation of events and dreams. Originator of the heavens and the earth, You are my protecting Guardian in this world and the Hereafter. Let me die in submission to You and join me with the righteous.'

This is from the accounts of the unseen that We reveal to you. You were not with them when they agreed on their plan and were scheming.

Yet most people will not believe, no matter how eager you are.

You ask them for no payment for it. It is only a reminder for all peoples.

How many signs in the heavens and the earth they pass by while turning away from them!

Most of them do not believe in Allah without also associating others with Him.

Do they feel secure that an overwhelming punishment from Allah will not come upon them, or that the Hour will not come upon them suddenly while they are unaware?

Say, 'This is my way. I call to Allah with clear insight, I and those who follow me. Glory be to Allah! I am not one of those who associate others with Him.'

We sent before you only men from the people of towns to whom We gave revelation. Have they not travelled through the land and seen how those before them ended? The home of the Hereafter is better for those who are mindful of Allah. Will you not understand?

Until, when the messengers had despaired and thought they had been denied, Our help came to them. Then whoever We willed was saved. Our punishment cannot be turned away from guilty people.

There is certainly a lesson in their stories for people of understanding. This is not a tale that could be invented, but a confirmation of what came before it, an explanation of all things, and guidance and mercy for people who believe.