the two inmates

When two young men enter prison alongside Joseph, they bring with them unsettling nighttime visions that prompt an intense, focused theological exchange. The men approach him together with highly specific imagery: one describes dreaming of pressing grapes, while the other recounts carrying bread on his head as birds eat directly from it (12:36). They do not turn to him by chance. They explicitly ask him to tell them what these visions mean because they have already observed his character, stating clearly that they can see he is a knowledgeable man.

How does Joseph use the dreams to teach faith?

Recognizing their anxiety, Joseph immediately assures the men that he will provide the interpretation before any meal arrives for them, establishing a firm timeline that puts them at ease (12:37). However, he uses this guaranteed window of attention to clarify exactly where his knowledge comes from. He tells them his ability is part of what his Lord has taught him, making a sharp distinction between his own beliefs and the beliefs of those around him. He explicitly rejects the faith of those who disbelieve in God and who deny the reality of the life to come.

Instead, Joseph aligns himself with a specific prophetic lineage. He states that he follows the faith of his forefathers—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (12:38). He explains that their strict adherence to worshipping nothing beside God is a direct result of God’s grace, a grace extended not just to his family but to all mankind, even though most people remain ungrateful for it. Addressing the two men directly as "fellow prisoners," he challenges their worldview with a pointed question: would having many diverse, fragmented gods be better than God the One, the All Powerful? (12:39). He breaks down their polytheism logically, arguing that the entities they worship instead of God are nothing more than mere names invented by them and their forefathers, completely lacking any divine sanction (12:40). True authority, he insists, belongs to God alone, who has ordered that none but Him should be worshipped.

What fates are predicted for the two men?

After delivering this unbroken explanation of the true faith, Joseph addresses the original reason the men approached him. He speaks to them again as "fellow prisoners" and delivers the stark reality of their impending futures. For the inmate who dreamed of pressing grapes, Joseph predicts a return to his previous life, stating that he will soon serve his master with wine (12:41).

For the second inmate, the interpretation is lethal. Joseph informs him that he will be crucified, and in a grim realization of the imagery he saw while sleeping, the birds will peck at his head. Joseph leaves no room for the men to argue or hope for an alternate reading, firmly declaring that the end of the matter on which they sought his opinion is entirely decided.

Knowing precisely which of the two men would survive, Joseph makes a single practical request to the inmate he knew would be saved: to mention his name to his master once he is free (12:42). Yet the Quran notes that Satan caused the man to forget to do this. Because of this forgotten instruction, the saved cupbearer departed to serve wine, and Joseph remained in prison for a number of years.