Introduction
One of the prophets whose story was revealed in-depth in a single chapter was Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام). In Surah Yusuf, Allah ﷻ opens the Surah by mentioning that it contains the best of stories related to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:
“We relate unto you the best of stories through Our revelations unto you, of this Qur’an” [Quran 12:3].
The story of Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام) is among the most powerful examples of patience and trust in Allah ﷻ. It also demonstrates how a believer can go through the deepest hardships and still reach the highest honor. Although prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام) experienced various challenges and hardships, he eventually became a chosen leader and ruler in Egypt. The story starts by revealing the dream of Yusuf (عليه السلام):
“(Remember) when Yusuf said to his father: ‘O my father! Verily, I saw (in a dream) eleven stars and the sun and the moon – I saw them prostrating themselves to me.’” [Qur’an 12:4].
Here is the turning point of Yusuf’s (عليه السلام) life.
Thrown into a Well
Yaqub’s (عليه السلام) affections toward Yusuf (عليه السلام) and his younger brother, Benjamin, grew stronger, which led the other brothers to plot against him. They believed that Yusuf (عليه السلام) and Benjamin had deprived them of their father’s love. They sat down and started questioning their father’s affection for Yusuf (عليه السلام).
“When they said: “Truly, Yusuf and his brother are dearer to our father than we, while we are ‘Usbah (a group). Really, our father is in a plain error.” [Qur’an 12:8].
At that moment, they started their evil plot against Yusuf (عليه السلام) either to kill him or banish him to a distant land so that they would get rid of him; thus, they will gain their father’s affections. [Qur’an 12:9].
However, Judah (Yahudh), the eldest and most intelligent among them, said,
“There is no need to kill him when all you want is to get rid of him. Look here, let us throw him into a well, and he will be picked up by a passing caravan. They will take him with them to a distant land. He will disappear from your father’s sight, and our purpose will be served with his exile. Then after that we shall repent for our crime and become good people once again.” (Al-Imam Ibn Kathir, n.d. p. 71-72).
They agreed to throw him into the well and went to Yaqub (عليه السلام) to convince him to let them take Yusuf (عليه السلام) with them and that they would safeguard him from any danger. However, Yaqub (عليه السلام) was initially unwilling to let Yusuf (عليه السلام) go with his brothers and argued that they might neglect him and that a wolf might come and eat him while they were unaware. Unfortunately, by the end of their discussion, Yaqub (عليه السلام) agreed to allow them to take Yusuf (عليه السلام) with them. And, when they took Yusuf (عليه السلام) away from his father, they betrayed him and agreed to execute their evil plot.
“They said: “O our father! Why do you not trust us with Yusuf though we are indeed his well-wishers?” …… So, when they took him away, they all agreed to throw him down to the bottom of the well…” [Qur’an 12:11 – 15].
Allah ﷻ consoled Yusuf (عليه السلام) during that distressful moment, reassuring him that he shouldn’t be saddened by what he had suffered and He will remind them of what they have done to him.
“and We revealed to him: ‘Indeed, you shall (one day) inform them of this their affair, when they know (you) not.’” [Qur’an 12: 15].
Ibn Abbas may (Allah be pleased with him) commented on this Ayah,
“You will remind them of this evil action against you, while they are unaware of your identity and unable to recognize you.” (Kathīr, 2003 p: 145).
Sold Into Slavery
After Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام) was thrown into the well by his brothers, a travelling caravan passed by and sent someone to draw water from the well. Instead of finding only water, they found Yusuf (عليه السلام) in the well. Allah ﷻ described that moment in the Qur’an:
“And there came a caravan of travelers and they sent their water-drawer, and he let down his bucket (into the well). He said: ‘What good news! Here is a boy.’ So they hid him as merchandise (a slave). And Allah was All-Knower of what they did.” [Qur’an 12:19]
When they rescued Yusuf (عليه السلام) from the well, nothing came to their mind except to take him as merchandise to be sold as a slave. They took him with them to Egypt to the slave market where people gathered to buy slaves. Some came merely to watch, while others arrived ready to purchase the products. Wealthy nobles and influential people crowded around, stretching to catch a glimpse of the remarkably handsome youth. The auctioneer delighted in the fierce competition as the offers kept rising, each bidder determined to surpass the rest. In the end, Al-Aziz, the chief minister of Egypt, offered the highest price and brought Yusuf (عليه السلام) to his palace. (Al-Imam Ibn Kathir n.d.).
Allah ﷻ said:
“And they sold him for a Bakhs price, for a few Dirhams. And they were of those who regarded him insignificant.” [Qur’an 12:20].
Finally, Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام) was sold to Aziz of Egypt, who took him to his wife so that he could be treated well. Though outwardly painful and humiliating, this move became the beginning of Yusuf’s (عليه السلام) rise to honor and authority.
Imprisoned Unjustly
Although Aziz ordered his wife to take good care of Yusuf (عليه السلام), his early time in the palace passed without incident, and he was treated well. However, when he reached manhood, wisdom and knowledge were bestowed upon him. Allah ﷻ said:
“And when he [Yusuf] attained his full manhood, We gave him wisdom and knowledge (the prophethood) …” [Qur’an 12:22].
At that stage of his life, he became known for his beauty, wisdom, and noble character. Therefore, Aziz’s wife fell in love with Yusuf (عليه السلام) and attempted to seduce him. However, Yusuf (عليه السلام) refused out of fear of Allah ﷻ. When he attempted to escape, she falsely accused him, although evidence proved his innocence. Describing this scene, Allah ﷻ said:
“And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him (to do an evil act), and she closed the doors and said: ‘Come on, O you.’…… ‘And now if he refuses to obey my order, he shall certainly be cast into prison …’” [Qur’an 12:23 – 32].
Despite his innocence, he was wrongfully imprisoned. This was another trial that Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام) had to face.
Raised To a Position of Authority and Honor in Egypt
After being imprisoned unjustly for several years. Yusuf (عليه السلام) spent his time interpreting the dreams of his fellow two inmates and preaching them to Tawheed. It was about time for Yusuf (عليه السلام) to be released from prison. The king of Egypt saw a dream and sought its interpretation; however, none of his royal advisers could explain its meaning. At that moment, the man whose dream Yusuf (عليه السلام) had interpreted in prison — one of the two fellow inmates — asked for permission to visit Yusuf (عليه السلام) so that he could interpret the king’s dream. Yusuf (عليه السلام) interpreted the dream and advised the king on the best steps to be taken during the famine. Allah ﷻ mentioned these dreams and their interpretations in the Qur’an: [12:43 – 49].
The king was amazed with the interpretation and asked for the immediate release of Yusuf (عليه السلام) from the prison; however, Yusuf (عليه السلام) refused to leave the prison until the king and his subjects declared his innocence and the integrity of his honor, denouncing the false accusation that Aziz’s wife made against him. When his innocence was established, Yusuf (عليه السلام) was released from prison, and the king appointed him as minister of finance for Egypt, responsible for the harvest storehouses, in which they would collect produce for the years of drought that he told them would come (Kathīr, 2003, p. 145).
“The King then said, ‘Bring him to me.’ When the messenger came to him, Joseph said, ‘Go back to your master and ask him about the case of the women who cut their hands. Surely my Lord has full knowledge of their cunning.’ The King asked the women, ‘What did you get when you tried to seduce Joseph?’ They replied, ‘Allah forbid! We know nothing indecent about him.’ Then the Chief Minister’s wife admitted, ‘Now the truth has come to light. It was I who tried to seduce him, and he is surely truthful. From this, Joseph should know that I did not speak dishonestly about him in his absence, for Allah certainly does not guide the scheming of the dishonest. And I do not seek to free myself from blame, for indeed the soul is ever inclined to evil, except those shown mercy by my Lord. Surely my Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’” [Quran 12:50 – 53].
Conclusion
In conclusion, the story of Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام) is a remarkable example of patience, faith, and trust in Allah ﷻ. Despite being betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and imprisoned unjustly, Yusuf (عليه السلام) remained steadfast and righteous throughout the trials. In the end, Allah ﷻ raised him from hardship and humiliation to honor and authority in Egypt. His story teaches believers that patience during difficulties and reliance upon Allah ﷻ always lead to success, dignity, and reward.
Written by: Isatou Ceesay
Edited by: The Editorial Team
© The Islamic Reflections Blog
References
Al-Imam Ibn Kathir. (n.d.). Stories of the Prophets (Peace be upon them). https://www.kalamullah.com/Books/Stories%20Of%20The%20Prophets%20By%20Ibn%20Kathir.pdf
Kathīr, I. I. ʻ. I. (2003). المصباح المنير في تهذيب تفسير ابن كثير. Darussalam.