Translation:
Now with him there came into the prison two young men. 1685 Said one of them: "I seest myself (in a dream) pressing wine." said the other: "I seest myself (in a dream) carrying bread on my head, and birds are eating, thereof." 1686 "Tell us" (they said) "The truth and meaning thereof: for we seest you are one that do good (to all)." 1687
Now with him there came into the prison two young men. 1685 Said one of them: "I seest myself (in a dream) pressing wine." said the other: "I seest myself (in a dream) carrying bread on my head, and birds are eating, thereof." 1686 "Tell us" (they said) "The truth and meaning thereof: for we seest you are one that do good (to all)." 1687
Translation:
NOW two young men happened to go to prison at the same time as Joseph. 35 One of them said: "Behold, I saw myself [in a dream] pressing wine." And the other said: "Behold, I saw myself [in a dream] carrying bread on my head, and birds were eating thereof." [And both entreated Joseph:] "Let us know the real meaning of this! Verily, we see that thou art one of those who know well [how to interpret dreams]. 36
NOW two young men happened to go to prison at the same time as Joseph. 35 One of them said: "Behold, I saw myself [in a dream] pressing wine." And the other said: "Behold, I saw myself [in a dream] carrying bread on my head, and birds were eating thereof." [And both entreated Joseph:] "Let us know the real meaning of this! Verily, we see that thou art one of those who know well [how to interpret dreams]. 36
Commentary:
35 Lit., "entered the prison with him". According to the Biblical account (not contradicted by the Qur'an), they were the King's cup-bearer and baker, both of them imprisoned for unspecified offences.
36 This is the meaning given by Baghawi, Zamakhshari and Baydawi to the expression al-muhsinin in the above context, adopting the tropical use of the verb ahsana in the sense of "he knew [something]" or "he knew [it] well". Thus, the Qur'an indicates here in its elliptic manner that Joseph's reputation for wisdom and dream-interpretation preceded him to prison.
35 Lit., "entered the prison with him". According to the Biblical account (not contradicted by the Qur'an), they were the King's cup-bearer and baker, both of them imprisoned for unspecified offences.
36 This is the meaning given by Baghawi, Zamakhshari and Baydawi to the expression al-muhsinin in the above context, adopting the tropical use of the verb ahsana in the sense of "he knew [something]" or "he knew [it] well". Thus, the Qur'an indicates here in its elliptic manner that Joseph's reputation for wisdom and dream-interpretation preceded him to prison.
1685 Now opens another chapter in Joseph's life. The Plan of Allah develops. The wicked might plot; the weak might be swayed by specious arguments: but everything is used by the Universal Plan for its own beneficent purposes. Joseph must get into touch with the King, in order to work out the salvation of Egypt , and yet it must be through no obligation to smaller men. And he must diffuse his personality and teach the truth to men of all sorts in prison.
1686 Two men came to the prison about the same time as Joseph. They were both apparently officers of the king, who had incurred his wrath. One was a cupbearer (or butler or chief steward) whose duty was to prepare the king's wines and drinks. The other was the king's baker, whose duty was to prepare the king's bread. They were both in disgrace. The former dreamed that he was again carrying on his duties and pressing wine: the latter that he was carrying bread, but it did not reach his master, for the birds ate of it.
1687 Both these men saw the Signs of Allah about Joseph. They felt not only that he had wisdom, but that he was kind and benevolent, and would give of his wisdom even to strangers like themselves. They therefore told him their dreams and asked him to interpret them.