(al-Baqarah, 214)—that is, Our help came to the messengers. (1)

“Then We save whomever We will.” The majority recited it with two n’s, meaning: “We save whomever We will.” (2) Ibn Amir, Hamzah, Asim, and Yaqub recited it with a single n bearing a u-vowel, a doubled j, and an a-vowel on the y, in the passive form, because it is written with a single n in the Quranic codex. According to this recitation, “whomever” is in the nominative case; according to the first recitation, it is in the accusative case. Thus, We save whomever We will when the punishment descends—namely, the obedient believers.

“And Our might is not repelled from the guilty people”—that is, Our punishment—from the polytheists.

“Certainly, in their stories there was a lesson for people of understanding. It was not a tale invented, but a confirmation of what came before it, a detailed explanation of all things, and guidance and mercy for a people who believe.” (111)

“Certainly, in their stories” ⦗188/a⦘—that is, in the account of Joseph and his brothers—“there was a lesson”: an admonition for people of understanding. “It was not”—that is, the Quran was not—“a tale invented,” meaning fabricated. “But a confirmation of what came before it”—that is, rather, it was a confirmation of the Torah and the Gospel that came before it—“and a detailed explanation of all things” that people need regarding what is lawful and unlawful, commands and prohibitions; “and guidance and mercy”: clarification and blessing for a people who believe.