12:43 The king said, “I see seven fat cows that seven lean ones are eating.”
The beginning of Joseph’s trial was the dream concerning which he said, “I saw eleven stars” [12:4]. The cause of his deliverance was also a dream, that was seen by the king of Egypt, who said, “I see seven fat cows.” This is so that you will know that things are done by the predetermination and governance of God and that He is one in driving things and taking care of things. Even though the causes are apparent, remaining with the causes is an error.
The Pir of the Tariqah said, “Not seeing the cause is ignorance, but staying with the cause is associationism. Pass beyond the cause and reach the Causer. Do not close the door of causes lest you not reach yourself. “The recognizer’s eyes are not on the Tablet, nor on the Pen. He is not bound to Eve, nor in prison to Adam. He has a constant thirst, even though he has a cup again and again. O most generous Guardian, O most merciful fount of Bounty! Take back the cup once so that this poor wretch may breathe!”
It has been said that Joseph was perfect in two things: one was the beauty of created nature, the other knowledge, and astuteness. The beauty of created nature is the perfection of form, and knowledge and astuteness are the perfections of meaning. The Exalted Lord predetermined that his beauty would be the cause of trial and his knowledge the cause of deliverance. Thus the world’s folk may know that beautiful knowledge is better than a beautiful form. As the proverb says, “Knowledge bestows, though it be slow.” Since Joseph’s knowledge of visions was the cause of his kingdom in this world, why is it surprising that knowledge of the Patron’s attributes is the cause of the recognizer’s kingdom in the afterworld? God says, “When thou seest it, thou wilt see the bliss and a great kingdom” [76:20].
12:52-53 That, so that he may know that I did not betray him secretly… But I do not acquit my own soul. Surely the soul commands to ugliness.
When [the governor’s wife] said, “That, so that he may know that I did not betray him secretly,” she saw the success-giving and protection of the Real. When she said, “I do not acquit my soul; surely the soul commands to ugliness,” she saw the shortcoming of her own service. The first clarifies gratitude for God’s success-giving, the second clarifies apology for the shortcoming. The servant must always be passing back and forth between gratitude and apology. Whenever he looks at the Real, he should see blessings, take delight, and increase in gratitude. Whenever he looks at himself, he should see sin. He should burn and come forth in apology. Through gratitude, he becomes worthy of an increase, and through the apology, he becomes deserving of forgiveness.
