42 Preface وَقالَ لِلَّذي ظَنَّ أَنَّهُ ناجٍ مِنهُمَا اذكُرني عِندَ رَبِّكَ فَأَنساهُ الشَّيطانُ ذِكرَ رَبِّهِ فَلَبِثَ فِي السِّجنِ بِضعَ سِنينَYusuf AliAnd of the two, to that one whom he consider about to be saved, he said: “Mention me to thy lord.”1 But Satan made him forget2 to mention him to his lord: and (Joseph) lingered in prison a few (more) years.3Joseph never mentioned himself in interpreting the dream, nor ever thought of himself in his kindness to his fellow-sufferers in prison. It was afterwards, when the cupbearer’s dream came true, and he was being released on being restored to favour, that we can imagine him taking an affectionate leave of Joseph, and even asking him in his elation if he could do anything for Joseph. Joseph had no need of earthly favours?least of all, from kings or their favourites. The divine grace was enough for him. But he had great work to do, which he could not do in prison? work for Egypt and her king, and the world at large. If the cupbearer could mention him to the king, not by way of recommendation, but because the king’s own justice was being violated in keeping an innocent man in prison, perhaps that might help to advance the cause of the king and of Egypt And so he said, “Mention me to King.”The eternal Plan does not put God’s Prophets under obligations to men commanding mere worldly favour or earthly power. If they are given a chance, the obligation is on the worldly men, however highly placed. . . In this case, the poor cupbearer was but human. When he was in the midst of the Court, he forgot the poor fellow-prisoner languishing in prison. In this he yielded to the lower part of his nature, which is guided by Satan. (R).A few (more) years: bid' in Arabic signifies a small indefinite number, say up to 3, 5, 7 or 9 years.