Prologue
The desert sun cast its golden hues over the undulating sands of ancient Canaan, illuminating a landscape rich with history and divine purpose. Amidst this backdrop, a tale of dreams, betrayal, and unwavering faith unfolded—the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), son of Prophet Ya'qub (Jacob). Yusuf's journey from the depths of a well to the heights of power in Egypt is a testament to resilience and the profound wisdom of Allah's plan. His life, marked by trials and triumphs, offers timeless lessons on patience, integrity, and forgiveness.
Chapter 1: The Favored Son
Yusuf was one of twelve sons of Prophet Ya'qub, and among them, he and his younger brother Binyamin (Benjamin) were born to Ya'qub's beloved wife, Rachel. Yusuf possessed an extraordinary beauty and a gentle demeanor that endeared him to his father.
One night, Yusuf approached Ya'qub with a perplexing dream. "O my father," he began, "indeed I have seen eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me."
Ya'qub sensed the significance of the dream, recognizing it as a sign of Yusuf's future greatness. Concerned for his son's safety, he cautioned, "O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers, or they will contrive against you a plan. Indeed, Satan is a manifest enemy to man."
Ya'qub's favoritism toward Yusuf was evident, and it stirred jealousy among his other sons. They resented the attention Yusuf received, perceiving it as unjust.
Chapter 2: The Brothers' Conspiracy
The brothers convened, voicing their grievances. "Surely, Yusuf and his brother are more beloved to our father than we, while we are a strong group. Indeed, our father is in clear error."
They contemplated drastic measures. "Kill Yusuf or cast him out to another land so that our father's attention will turn to us, and after that, we will be righteous people."
Reuben, the eldest, proposed an alternative. "Do not kill Yusuf but throw him into the bottom of a well; some travelers will pick him up if you are to take action."
Agreeing on the plan, they approached Ya'qub. "O our father, why do you not entrust us with Yusuf while we are his well-wishers? Send him with us tomorrow to enjoy himself and play, and indeed, we will be his guardians."
Ya'qub hesitated. "Indeed, it saddens me that you should take him, and I fear that a wolf would eat him while you are unaware."
They assured him, "If a wolf should eat him while we are a strong group, indeed, we would then be losers."
Reluctantly, Ya'qub agreed, entrusting Yusuf to his brothers.
Chapter 3: The Depths of the Well
The next day, the brothers led Yusuf to a remote area. Seizing the moment, they stripped him of his tunic and cast him into an empty well. As Yusuf clung to hope, the brothers deliberated on how to deceive their father.
They slaughtered a goat and smeared its blood on Yusuf's tunic. Returning home at nightfall, they feigned sorrow. "O our father, indeed we went racing each other and left Yusuf with our possessions, and a wolf ate him. But you will not believe us, even if we are truthful."
Presenting the bloodied tunic, they sought to convince Ya'qub of their fabricated tale.
Ya'qub sensed their deceit. Holding the tunic, he remarked, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something. So patience is most fitting. And Allah is the One sought for help against that which you describe."
Meanwhile, in the well, Yusuf remained steadfast, placing his trust in Allah. A revelation came to him: "And We inspired to him, 'You will surely inform them [someday] about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity].'"
Chapter 4: From Servitude to Stewardship
A caravan passing by sent a water drawer to the well. Upon lowering his bucket, he exclaimed, "Oh, good news! There is a boy." Concealing Yusuf as merchandise, they took him to Egypt.
In Egypt, Yusuf was sold in the marketplace for a modest price. The Aziz (chief minister) of Egypt, impressed by Yusuf's appearance and demeanor, purchased him.
He said to his wife, Zuleikha, "Make his residence comfortable. Perhaps he will benefit us, or we will adopt him as a son."
Thus, Yusuf began his life in Egypt, serving in the household of the Aziz. Allah bestowed upon him wisdom and knowledge, and he matured into a man of remarkable character.
Chapter 5: The Temptation
Yusuf's exceptional beauty did not go unnoticed. Zuleikha, enamored by him, sought to seduce him. One day, she locked the doors and invited him, saying, "Come, you."
Yusuf, fearing Allah, responded, "I seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is my Lord who has made good my residence. Indeed, wrongdoers will not succeed."
She advanced toward him, and in his effort to escape, Yusuf ran toward the door. In the struggle, she tore the back of his shirt.
At that moment, they encountered the Aziz at the doorway. Zuleikha hastily accused Yusuf, "What is the recompense of one who intended evil for your wife but that he be imprisoned or a painful punishment?"
Yusuf defended himself, "It was she who sought to seduce me."
A witness from her household provided counsel, "If his shirt is torn from the front, she has told the truth, and he is of the liars. But if his shirt is torn from the back, she has lied, and he is of the truthful."
Examining the shirt, they found it torn from the back. The Aziz confronted his wife, "Indeed, it is of your women's plan. Indeed, your plan is great. Yusuf, ignore this, and you, [my wife], ask forgiveness for your sin."
Chapter 6: Gossip and Schemes
News of the incident spread among the women of the city. They gossiped, "The wife of the Aziz is seeking to seduce her slave boy. She has become infatuated with love."
Hearing of their talk, Zuleikha devised a plan. She invited the women to a banquet, providing each with a knife. As they reclined, she instructed Yusuf to appear before them.
Upon seeing him, they were so struck by his beauty that they cut their hands, exclaiming, "Perfect is Allah! This is not a man; this is none but a noble angel."
Zuleikha declared, "That is the one about whom you blamed me. I did seek to seduce him, but he refused. If he will not do what I command, he will surely be imprisoned and will be of those debased."
Yusuf prayed, "My Lord, prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me. And if You do not avert from me their plan, I might incline toward them and be of the ignorant."
Allah answered his supplication, averting their schemes. Nevertheless, it was decided that Yusuf would be imprisoned to suppress the scandal.
Chapter 7: Trials in Prison
In prison, Yusuf's noble character shone brightly. Two young men entered alongside him. One said, "Indeed, I have seen myself pressing wine." The other said, "Indeed, I have seen myself carrying bread on my head, from which the birds were eating. Inform us of its interpretation; indeed, we see you as of those who do good."
Yusuf saw an opportunity to share the message of monotheism. "No food will come to you except that I will inform you of its interpretation before it comes to you. That is from what my Lord has taught me. Indeed, I have left the religion of a people who do not believe in Allah and are disbelievers in the Hereafter."
He continued, "O my two companions of prison, are separate lords better or Allah, the One, the Prevailing? You worship not besides Him except [mere] names you have named them—you and your fathers—for which Allah has sent down no authority."
He then provided the interpretations. "O my two companions of prison, as for one of you, he will pour wine for his lord to drink; and as for the other, he will be crucified, and the birds will eat from his head. The matter has been decreed."
Yusuf requested the one who would be released, "Mention me before your lord." However, Satan made him forget, and Yusuf remained in prison for several more years.
Chapter 8: The King's Dream
One night, the king of Egypt experienced a perplexing dream. He said, "Indeed, I have seen seven fat cows being eaten by seven lean ones, and seven green spikes of grain and others dry. O eminent ones, explain to me my vision if you are able to interpret dreams."
The courtiers admitted their inability, saying, "They are but a mixture of false dreams, and we are not learned in the interpretation of dreams."
The former prisoner remembered Yusuf and said, "I will inform you of its interpretation, so send me forth."
He approached Yusuf in prison, "Yusuf, O man of truth, explain to us about seven fat cows eaten by seven lean ones, and seven green spikes of grain and others dry, that I may return to the people; perhaps they will know."
Yusuf provided the interpretation, "You will plant for seven years consecutively; what you harvest, leave in its spikes, except a little from which you will eat. Then will come after that seven difficult [years] which will consume what you saved. Then will come after that a year in which people will be given rain and will press [olives and grapes]."
Chapter 9: Exoneration and Elevation
Impressed by the interpretation, the king ordered Yusuf's release. However, Yusuf refused to leave prison until his innocence was established.
He said, "Return to your lord and ask him, 'What is the case of the women who cut their hands?' Indeed, my Lord is Knowing of their plan."
The king summoned the women, including Zuleikha. They confessed, "Allah forbid! We know about him no evil."
Zuleikha admitted, "Now the truth has become evident. It was I who sought to seduce him, and indeed, he is of the truthful."
With his name cleared, Yusuf was brought before the king. The king said, "Indeed, you are today established [in position] and trusted."
Yusuf requested, "Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian."
Recognizing his wisdom and integrity, the king appointed Yusuf as the minister of finance, granting him authority over the land's resources.
Chapter 10: The Famine and Reunion
As Yusuf had predicted, Egypt experienced seven years of abundance followed by severe famine. His prudent management ensured that Egypt not only survived but became a source of aid for neighboring regions.
In Canaan, Ya'qub's family was affected by the famine. He sent his sons to Egypt to procure grain, keeping Binyamin at home due to his protective nature after losing Yusuf.
Arriving in Egypt, the brothers presented themselves before Yusuf, not recognizing him. Yusuf knew them instantly but concealed his identity.
He provided them with provisions and said, "Bring me a brother of yours from your father. Do you not see that I give full measure and that I am the best of accommodators? But if you do not bring him to me, you will have no measure [of grain] from me, nor will you approach me."
Returning home, they persuaded Ya'qub to send Binyamin, assuring his safety. Reluctantly, Ya'qub agreed, extracting a pledge from them.
Chapter 11: The Silver Cup
Upon their return with Binyamin, Yusuf welcomed them warmly. He privately revealed his identity to Binyamin, comforting him.
As they prepared to depart, Yusuf devised a plan to keep Binyamin with him. He had his silver cup secretly placed in Binyamin's sack.
After they left, a caller announced, "O caravan, indeed you are thieves."
They protested their innocence. The authorities searched their bags and found the cup in Binyamin's sack.
The brothers exclaimed, "If he has stolen, a brother of his has stolen before."
Yusuf concealed his emotions, refraining from revealing himself.
They pleaded, "O Aziz, indeed he has a father who is an old man, so take one of us in his place."
Yusuf responded, "We could not take except him with whom we found our possession."
Disheartened, they deliberated. Reuben decided to stay in Egypt, while the others returned to Ya'qub with the grim news.
Chapter 12: Ya'qub's Enduring Patience
Hearing of Binyamin's detainment, Ya'qub was overwhelmed with grief. He exclaimed, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. Perhaps Allah will bring them to me all together."
He turned away, weeping for Yusuf until he lost his sight. His sons admonished him, "By Allah, you will not cease remembering Yusuf until you become fatally ill or become of those who perish."
He replied, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you do not know."
He urged them, "O my sons, go and find out about Yusuf and his brother and despair not of relief from Allah."
Chapter 13: The Revelation of Yusuf
Returning to Egypt, the brothers appealed to Yusuf, "O Aziz, adversity has touched us and our family, and we have come with goods of little value, but give us full measure and be charitable to us."
Moved by their plight, Yusuf decided to reveal himself. He asked, "Do you know what you did with Yusuf and his brother when you were ignorant?"
They were astonished, "Are you indeed Yusuf?"
He affirmed, "I am Yusuf, and this is my brother. Allah has certainly favored us. Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient, then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good."
Overcome with shame and remorse, they said, "By Allah, certainly Allah has preferred you over us, and indeed, we have been sinners."
Yusuf forgave them graciously, "No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful."
He instructed them, "Take this shirt of mine and cast it over my father's face; he will become seeing. And bring me your family, all together."
Chapter 14: The Joyous Reunion
As the caravan departed Egypt, Ya'qub sensed a change. He declared, "Indeed, I find the smell of Yusuf. If only you did not think me weakened in mind."
Those around him dismissed his words, but when the brothers arrived and cast the shirt over his face, his sight was restored.
Ya'qub exclaimed, "Did I not tell you that I know from Allah that which you do not know?"
They sought forgiveness, "O our father, ask for us forgiveness of our sins; indeed, we have been sinners."
He replied, "I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."
The family journeyed to Egypt, where Yusuf welcomed them with open arms. He raised his parents upon the throne, and they all fell down to him in prostration—a fulfillment of his earlier dream.
Yusuf said, "O my father, this is the explanation of my vision before. My Lord has made it reality. And He was certainly good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you here from the bedouin life after Satan had induced estrangement between me and my brothers."
Chapter 15: Yusuf's Gratitude and Wisdom
Reflecting on his journey, Yusuf expressed gratitude, "My Lord, You have given me of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous."
Yusuf's life had come full circle—from a beloved son betrayed, to a prisoner forgotten, and finally to a leader who saved nations from famine.
His unwavering faith, patience in adversity, and forgiveness exemplified the qualities of a true prophet.
Chapter 16: Lessons from Yusuf's Story
The story of Prophet Yusuf is rich with profound lessons:
- Patience in Adversity: Yusuf endured betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment with steadfast faith, illustrating the virtue of patience.
- Trust in Allah's Plan: Despite hardships, Yusuf trusted that Allah had a purpose, which ultimately led to his elevation.
- Moral Integrity: Yusuf resisted temptation, upholding his principles even when it resulted in personal loss.
- Forgiveness: He forgave his brothers' transgressions, promoting reconciliation and healing.
- Divine Wisdom: Yusuf's ability to interpret dreams was a gift from Allah, used to benefit others.
- Justice and Compassion: As a leader, Yusuf administered resources wisely, ensuring the well-being of all.
Chapter 17: Yusuf in the Qur'an
Surah Yusuf, the 12th chapter of the Qur'an, is dedicated entirely to his story, highlighting its significance.
Allah states:
"We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur'an although you were, before it, among the unaware." (Qur'an 12:3)
The surah emphasizes themes of faith, morality, and the fulfillment of divine promises.
Chapter 18: Modern Reflections
Yusuf's story resonates in contemporary contexts:
- Resilience: Facing personal and professional challenges with perseverance.
- Ethical Leadership: Demonstrating integrity and wisdom in positions of authority.
- Family Dynamics: Addressing jealousy and fostering forgiveness within families.
- Social Justice: Managing resources responsibly for the benefit of society.
Chapter 19: Legacy of Prophet Yusuf
Prophet Yusuf's legacy endures as a symbol of virtue triumphing over vice.
His life inspires individuals to:
- Uphold moral principles despite adversity.
- Trust in Allah's wisdom and timing.
- Practice forgiveness and compassion.
- Seek knowledge and use it for the greater good.
Chapter 20: Conclusion – A Story for All Time
The epic journey of Prophet Yusuf offers timeless guidance.
His narrative teaches that:
- Trials are opportunities for growth.
- Faith and patience lead to ultimate success.
- Good character prevails over deception and malice.
- Divine providence weaves through human affairs, bringing about outcomes that serve a higher purpose.
As we reflect on Yusuf's story, we are reminded of the profound impact one individual's integrity can have on the lives of many.May his example illuminate our paths and strengthen our resolve to live with righteousness and trust in the Divine.
