56 Preface وَكَذٰلِكَ مَكَّنّا لِيوسُفَ فِي الأَرضِ يَتَبَوَّأُ مِنها حَيثُ يَشاءُ ۚ نُصيبُ بِرَحمَتِنا مَن نَشاءُ ۖ وَلا نُضيعُ أَجرَ المُحسِنينَYusuf AliThus did We give established power to Joseph in the land, to take possession1 therein as, when, or where he pleased. We bestow of our Mercy on whom We please, and We suffer not, to be lost, the reward of those who do good.What a wonderful example of the working of divine Providence ! The boy whom his jealous brothers got rid of by throwing him down into a well, and late was sold into slavery for a miserable price becomes the most trusted dignitary in a foreign land, chief minister in one of the greatest empires of the world of that day. And this not for himself only, but for his family, for the world at large, and for that noble example of righteousness and strenuous service, which he was to set for all time. According to tradition, Joseph’s age was barely 30 at that time! As, when, or where he pleased: haythu refers to manner, time, or place. He had almost absolute powers, but as his fidelity was fully proved (12:53) these powers were for service rather than for self. (R).