Translation:
He said: "O my Lord! the prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me: 1681 Unless You turn away their snare from me, I should (in my youthful folly) feel inclined towards them and join the ranks of the ignorant." 1682
He said: "O my Lord! the prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me: 1681 Unless You turn away their snare from me, I should (in my youthful folly) feel inclined towards them and join the ranks of the ignorant." 1682
Translation:
Said he: "O my Sustainer! Prison is more desirable to me than [compliance with] what these women invite me to: for, unless Thou turn away their guile from me, I might yet yield to their allure 31 and become one of those who are unaware [of right and wrong]."
Said he: "O my Sustainer! Prison is more desirable to me than [compliance with] what these women invite me to: for, unless Thou turn away their guile from me, I might yet yield to their allure 31 and become one of those who are unaware [of right and wrong]."
Commentary:
31 Lit., "incline towards them"; it should, however, be borne in mind that the verb saba combines the concepts of inclination, yearning and amorous indulgence (cf. Lane IV, 1649); hence my rendering.
31 Lit., "incline towards them"; it should, however, be borne in mind that the verb saba combines the concepts of inclination, yearning and amorous indulgence (cf. Lane IV, 1649); hence my rendering.
1681 "To which they invite me. "Notice it is now "they" not "she". Where there was the snare of one woman before, it is now the collective snare of many women—of womankind!
1682 Joseph's speech is characteristic. Like a true Prophet of Allah, he takes refuge in Allah. He knows the weakness of human nature. He would not pit his own strength against the whole assault of evil. He will rely on Allah to turn evil away from him, and praise Him alone for any success he achieves in his fight. It is only the ignorant who do not know man's weakness and Allah's strength!