42 “He said to the one whom he believed would be saved of the two, ‘Mention me to your master.’ But Satan caused him to forget the remembrance of his Lord, so he remained in prison for several years.”

⦗399⦘ That is, Joseph, peace be upon him, “said to the one whom he believed would be saved of the two”—the one who had dreamed that he was pressing wine—“Mention me to your master.” In other words: Tell him about my circumstances and my story, so that he might take pity on me and release me from my present plight. “But Satan caused him to forget the remembrance of his Lord.” That is, Satan caused the man who was saved to forget the remembrance of Allah Most High and those things that draw one nearer to Him. Among these was his forgetting to mention Joseph, who deserved to be repaid with the fullest kindness. This was so that Allah’s purpose and decree might be fulfilled.

“So he remained in prison for several years.” The Arabic word translated as “several” denotes a number from three to nine. It has therefore been said that he remained there for seven years. When Allah willed to fulfill His purpose and permit Joseph’s release from prison, He ordained a means by which Joseph would be released, his standing elevated, and his rank exalted: the king’s dream.