Hazart Yousuf (A.S) Part 7
- 8 years ago
Story of Prophet Yusuf (A.S.)
Prophet Yusuf (A) was the son of Prophet Ya'qub (A). In the Bible he is referred to as Joseph son of Jacob. The Holy Qur'an has mentioned his story in a beautiful chapter entitled "Surah Yusuf". Prophet Yusuf (A) had 11 brothers. He was one of the youngest and possessed excellent character and manners. His father loved him dearly.
Prophet Yusuf (A) once dreamt that eleven stars and the sun and moon were prostrating to him. He related the dream to his father. Prophet Ya'qub (A) realised that the dream outlined his son's destiny and greatness and cautioned him not to tell his brothers about the dream.
His brothers were jealous of the favour that he enjoyed in their father's eyes and planned to somehow get rid of him. Whenever they took their goats out for grazing they would ask their father if Yusuf (A) could accompany them. Prophet Ya'qub (A) always refused, saying that the boy was too young. When Prophet Yusuf (A) reached the age of 16, his brothers insisted that he was now old enough to accompany them. With reluctance, their father agreed to let them take him with them.
As soon as they were far enough from home, they began to plot about how to dispose of Prophet Yusuf (A). Then, they came across a dry well. They removed Prophet Yusuf's (A) shirt, and threw him into the well. Ignoring their young brother's pleas, they heartlessly left him to die of hunger. On the way back, they slaughtered a goat and stained Prophet Yusuf's (A) shirt with its blood. They arrived home weeping and told their father that while they were grazing their sheep, a wolf came and ate their brother. He did not believe their story and could do nothing but remain patient and wait for Allah to reunite him with his beloved son.
Meanwhile a caravan of traders passing by the well stopped to draw some water. They were surprised to see Prophet Yusuf (A) come up holding the bucket. They hid him with their merchandise and sold him to some slave traders for a few pieces of silver.
Moral Lessons from the Story of Prophet Yusuf (A)
Allah says the following about the story of Prophet Yusuf (A) in the Holy Qur'an:
We narrate unto you (O Muhammad) the most excellent of the stories (by which) We have revealed unto you this Qur'an; though before this you were of the unaware ones (of its details).
Surah Yusuf, 12:3
Indeed, the adventures and experiences of Prophet Yusuf (A), and his conduct throughout his life, provide us with a wealth of lessons and morals. Some things we may learn from his life are:
1. The belief in the presence of Allah makes a man's troubles easier for him to bear, and as long as he keeps himself away from sins despite temptations, he will ultimately be successful. Prophet Yusuf (A) taught us this by his cheerful conduct throughout his enslavement and imprisonment.
2. In all difficulties and hardships one should seek only Allah's protection. Prophet Yusuf (A) showed his faith by seeking refuge from Allah when faced with the evil intentions of Zuleikha. He was thus saved from committing a terrible sin.
3. One should always remain attached to religion and should take every opportunity to persuade others towards the right path. Prophet Yusuf (A) did not forsake his duty even when in the prison, where he preached against idol worship before interpreting the dreams of his cell-mates.
4. Patience in the face of hardship is the best of qualities and results in reward from Allah in this life and the hereafter. Prophet Yusuf (A) remained calm and resigned to the Will of Allah, despite being abandoned in the well by his brothers.
He also bore the shame of being sold as a slave patiently.
He also accepted his false imprisonment. In return for his forbearance, Allah raised his position till it was the highest in Egypt.
5. It is important to act in such a manner as to preserve your honour and dignity, and these qualities must always be safeguarded. Prophet Yusuf (A) taught us this valuable lesson when he refused to accept his freedom from prison until his innocence was proved to the people.
Thus when he was finally released, he knew he could come in front of the people with his head held high and without any blemish on his record.
6. Above all, this story teaches us that we should forgive and forget the past. When Prophet Yusuf's (A) brothers came to him in Egypt, they were in a pitiable condition and would have been helpless against his great power. If he had wished, Prophet Yusuf (A) could have severely punished them for the heartless treatment they had given him. Instead he forgave their errors and treated them well.
We have listed only a few lessons above, and there is a lot more that one can learn and understand from the story of Prophet Yusuf (A).
Prophet Yusuf (A) was the son of Prophet Ya'qub (A). In the Bible he is referred to as Joseph son of Jacob. The Holy Qur'an has mentioned his story in a beautiful chapter entitled "Surah Yusuf". Prophet Yusuf (A) had 11 brothers. He was one of the youngest and possessed excellent character and manners. His father loved him dearly.
Prophet Yusuf (A) once dreamt that eleven stars and the sun and moon were prostrating to him. He related the dream to his father. Prophet Ya'qub (A) realised that the dream outlined his son's destiny and greatness and cautioned him not to tell his brothers about the dream.
His brothers were jealous of the favour that he enjoyed in their father's eyes and planned to somehow get rid of him. Whenever they took their goats out for grazing they would ask their father if Yusuf (A) could accompany them. Prophet Ya'qub (A) always refused, saying that the boy was too young. When Prophet Yusuf (A) reached the age of 16, his brothers insisted that he was now old enough to accompany them. With reluctance, their father agreed to let them take him with them.
As soon as they were far enough from home, they began to plot about how to dispose of Prophet Yusuf (A). Then, they came across a dry well. They removed Prophet Yusuf's (A) shirt, and threw him into the well. Ignoring their young brother's pleas, they heartlessly left him to die of hunger. On the way back, they slaughtered a goat and stained Prophet Yusuf's (A) shirt with its blood. They arrived home weeping and told their father that while they were grazing their sheep, a wolf came and ate their brother. He did not believe their story and could do nothing but remain patient and wait for Allah to reunite him with his beloved son.
Meanwhile a caravan of traders passing by the well stopped to draw some water. They were surprised to see Prophet Yusuf (A) come up holding the bucket. They hid him with their merchandise and sold him to some slave traders for a few pieces of silver.
Moral Lessons from the Story of Prophet Yusuf (A)
Allah says the following about the story of Prophet Yusuf (A) in the Holy Qur'an:
We narrate unto you (O Muhammad) the most excellent of the stories (by which) We have revealed unto you this Qur'an; though before this you were of the unaware ones (of its details).
Surah Yusuf, 12:3
Indeed, the adventures and experiences of Prophet Yusuf (A), and his conduct throughout his life, provide us with a wealth of lessons and morals. Some things we may learn from his life are:
1. The belief in the presence of Allah makes a man's troubles easier for him to bear, and as long as he keeps himself away from sins despite temptations, he will ultimately be successful. Prophet Yusuf (A) taught us this by his cheerful conduct throughout his enslavement and imprisonment.
2. In all difficulties and hardships one should seek only Allah's protection. Prophet Yusuf (A) showed his faith by seeking refuge from Allah when faced with the evil intentions of Zuleikha. He was thus saved from committing a terrible sin.
3. One should always remain attached to religion and should take every opportunity to persuade others towards the right path. Prophet Yusuf (A) did not forsake his duty even when in the prison, where he preached against idol worship before interpreting the dreams of his cell-mates.
4. Patience in the face of hardship is the best of qualities and results in reward from Allah in this life and the hereafter. Prophet Yusuf (A) remained calm and resigned to the Will of Allah, despite being abandoned in the well by his brothers.
He also bore the shame of being sold as a slave patiently.
He also accepted his false imprisonment. In return for his forbearance, Allah raised his position till it was the highest in Egypt.
5. It is important to act in such a manner as to preserve your honour and dignity, and these qualities must always be safeguarded. Prophet Yusuf (A) taught us this valuable lesson when he refused to accept his freedom from prison until his innocence was proved to the people.
Thus when he was finally released, he knew he could come in front of the people with his head held high and without any blemish on his record.
6. Above all, this story teaches us that we should forgive and forget the past. When Prophet Yusuf's (A) brothers came to him in Egypt, they were in a pitiable condition and would have been helpless against his great power. If he had wished, Prophet Yusuf (A) could have severely punished them for the heartless treatment they had given him. Instead he forgave their errors and treated them well.
We have listed only a few lessons above, and there is a lot more that one can learn and understand from the story of Prophet Yusuf (A).