159 – ʿAbdullāh narrated to us; and Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥusayn and Muḥammad ibn al-ʿAbbās also related to me. They said: ʿUbaydullāh ibn Muḥammad al-Taymī narrated to us; he said: Muʿādh ibn Ziyād, the client of Banū Tamīm, narrated to us; he said:

⦗109⦘ When Joseph said, “Mention me in the presence of your lord” (Q 12:42), Allah sent Gabriel down to him. Gabriel said, “O Joseph, Allah says to you:

• Who made your father love you?” He replied, “He did.”
• “Who granted you kindness from the people into whose hands you fell?” He replied, “He did.”
• “Who protected you from them?” He replied, “He did.”
• “Who directed the passing caravan to you?” He replied, “It was He who wished good for me.”
• “And who turned away from you the burden of sin after you had inclined toward it?” He replied, “He did.”

Then the earth was opened for him and his sight was strengthened until he was led to a rock. He was asked, “What do you see?” He said, “I see a rock, and I see a pearl.” He was asked, “What do you see beside it?” He said, “I see nourishment of its own kind.” Gabriel said, “My Lord has sent me to you with this message: ‘Did I not safeguard this creature in just such a place when I provided foliage for it? Do you think I would neglect you so that you must seek assistance in your affair from anyone but Me? You shall therefore remain in prison for a few years.’”

This is the wording reported by Ibn ʿAbbās.