Aziz, the minister, and his wife realised that in order to stop the rumours and perhaps stop others seeing the beauty of Joseph they would put him in prison - although they had proved his innocence. If they imprisoned him, the rumours would stop as it would seem he was in the wrong, not the minister's wife. So, through the wisdom of Allah, he was unjustly prisoned - safe from their evil plots.

In prison, Joseph met two men; one a cupbearer for the king and the other a baker. Both were shocked and impressed by his character and prayers. They both wanted their dreams to be interpreted; this was what was bestowed upon him by Allah. It is said that the cupbearer dreamt of three vines with lots of grapes which he turned into a drink for the king. The baker dreamt three baskets of bread were on his head and being eaten by birds.

And two other servants went to jail with Joseph. One of them said, “I dreamt I was pressing wine.” The other said, “I dreamt I was carrying ˹some˺ bread on my head, from which birds were eating.” ˹Then both said,˺ “Tell us their interpretation, for we surely see you as one of the good-doers.”12:36

Joseph replied, “I can even tell you what kind of meal you will be served before you receive it. This ˹knowledge˺ is from what my Lord has taught me. I have shunned the faith of a people who disbelieve in Allah and deny the Hereafter.12:37

It is narrated that, the meaning of “I can even tell you what kind of meal you will be served before you receive it." is that Joseph can interpret dreams before they happen. Others suggest this meant "I can even tell you what you are going to eat before you eat it". He then explained this was a gift Allah had given to him and called them to believe in Allah alone, without the association of any other, and he did not attribute the knowledge to himself or called the prisoners to him, instead He attributed it to Allah the All knowing (Al Aleem)

I follow the faith of my fathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is not ˹right˺ for us to associate anything with Allah ˹in worship˺. This is part of Allah’s grace upon us and humanity, but most people are not grateful.12:38

O  my fellow-prisoners! Which is far better: many different lords or Allah—the One, the Supreme?12:39

Whatever ˹idols˺ you worship instead of Him are mere names which you and your forefathers have made up—a practice Allah has never authorized. It is only Allah Who decides. He has commanded that you worship none but Him. That is the upright faith, but most people do not know.12:40

Then he interpreted the dream of the cupbearer and the baker, saying they will come true for certain.

“O my fellow-prisoners! ˹The first˺ one of you will serve wine to his master, and the other will be crucified and the birds will eat from his head. The matter about which you inquired has been decided.”12:41

The cupbearer was going to be set free, as per his dream, so Joseph told him to tell the king about Joseph wrongly being in prison. However, Satan made the cupbearer forget.

Then he said to the one he knew would survive, “Mention me in the presence of your master.” But Satan made him forget to mention Joseph to his master, so he remained in prison for several years.12:42