Hazrat Yusuf (A.S)
Story Of Prophet Yusuf in Islam
Hazrat Yusuf (A.S) is a revered figure in Islamic tradition, known for his righteousness, beauty, and wisdom. He was the son of Prophet Yaqub (Jacob), and his mother was Rachel. Yusuf was one of the twelve sons of Yaqub, and he was particularly beloved by his father. His story is detailed in the Quran in Surah Yusuf, highlighting his trials and triumphs.
Yusuf’s life was marked by challenges, beginning with his brothers’ jealousy and betrayal, which led to his being sold into slavery. Despite these hardships, Yusuf remained steadfast in his faith and maintained his moral integrity. He was eventually imprisoned on false charges but continued to trust in Allah’s plan for him.
The Beloved Son’s Dream
Hazrat Yusuf (Joseph) was the beloved son of Prophet Yaqub (Jacob), with 11 other sons. The youngest Binyamin shared the same mother as Yusuf, while the rest were older half-brothers.
The Envious Plot
Still a young boy, Yusuf awoke one glorious morning delighted by a pleasant dream. He ran to his father excitedly and said, “O my father, indeed I have seen eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me.”
Yaqub was overjoyed, realizing that Allah had chosen his son for Prophethood. However, he was concerned about his older sons’ jealousy towards Yusuf. He warned Yusuf not to relate his dream to his brothers lest they plot against him.
The Devious Scheme
As time passed, the malice in the hearts of Hazrat Yusuf brothers grew. They envied him, feeling he was special, while they were not. Unable to handle their emotions, they devised a plan to eliminate Yusuf by throwing him into a well.
They approached their father one day and suggested taking Yusuf on an outing. A reluctant Yaqub expressed his fear that a wolf might eat Yusuf. The brothers assured him they would take good care of Yusuf and that he would enjoy himself.
The Betrayal
The next day, Yusuf set off with his brothers. They traveled far in search of a deep well to throw him into. When they reached the well, they led him to it under the pretext of drinking water, grabbed him, removed his shirt, and threw him down the well. Yusuf struggled and pleaded with them to let go, but they overpowered him and left him in the well, then rushed back home.
The False Tale
The brothers ran to their father carrying Yusuf’s shirt smeared with sheep’s blood. They cried, “O our father, indeed we went racing with each other and left Yusuf with our possessions, and a wolf ate him.” Yaqub was suspicious of their story.
He believed in his heart that his son was still alive and that the brothers had been enticed by Shaitan (Satan) to do evil. He remarked that the wolf was merciful to have eaten his son without tearing his shirt. He bore the grief with patience and prayed for Yusuf’s safe return.
Yusuf’s Rescue and Slavery
Meanwhile, Hazrat Yusuf clipped onto a stone ledge in the well. He prayed fervently to Allah for salvation. Soon, a caravan bound for Egypt stopped at the well to fetch water. The water drawer was shocked to see the handsome boy clinging to the rope.
The caravan people shackled Yusuf and took him to Egypt, where he was auctioned and sold as a slave to the treasurer, Al-Azeez, who had no children.
Hazrat Yusuf Rise in Egypt
Hazrat Yusuf grew up to be a handsome young man blessed with exceptional knowledge and wisdom by Allah. His honesty won the heart of Al-Azeez, who placed him in charge of his household. During this time, Yusuf faced a trial when Zulaika, Al-Azeez’s wife, became passionately attracted to him.
Zulaika’s Obsession
Zulaika, unable to control her desire, closed the doors one day when her husband was away and invited Yusuf to her. Yusuf, fearing Allah, refused and sought refuge in Him. Zulaika grabbed his shirt from the back, causing it to rip as Yusuf tried to escape. Al-Azeez entered, and Zulaika accused Yusuf of trying to seduce her.
Yusuf’s Innocence
Al-Azeez consulted his wife’s cousin, who advised that if Yusuf’s shirt was torn from the front, Zulaika was telling the truth. Yusuf’s shirt was torn from the back, proving his innocence. Al-Azeez apologized to Yusuf and swore him to secrecy.
Zulaika’s Scheme
Distressed by ridicule, Zulaika planned to prove her helplessness in resisting Yusuf’s beauty. She invited other women to a banquet and had Yusuf brought before them. The women, mesmerized by Yusuf’s beauty, cut their hands while slicing fruits. Zulaika used this incident to accuse Yusuf further and convinced her husband to imprison him to protect their honor.
Yusuf’s Ability to Interpret Dreams
During Yusuf’s time in jail, he was bestowed with the ability to interpret dreams. Two of Yusuf’s cellmates, mesmerized by his holiness, sought him to have their dreams explained. One dreamt that he was serving the king wine, and the other was carrying bread on his head, which two birds were eating.
Hazrat Yusuf initially called them to Allah, then interpreted, “O two companions of prison, as for one of you, he will give drink to his master of wine; but as for the other, he will be crucified, and the birds will eat from his head. The matter has been decreed about which you both inquire.” And he said to the one he knew would go free, “Mention me before your master.” But Shaitan made him forget the mention to his master, and Yaqub remained in prison for several years.
The King’s Peculiar Dream
One day, the King of Egypt had an odd dream. He summoned his men and said, “Indeed, I have seen seven fat cows eaten by seven leans and seven green spikes and others dry. O eminent ones, explain my vision if you should interpret visions.”
The cupbearer, who immediately remembered his companion in prison, informed the King of Yusuf and his impeccable dream interpretations. The King sent his cupbearer to prison to meet with Yusuf and inquire about the peculiar dream.
Yusuf’s Interpretation and Request
Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) was overjoyed at the sight of his companion and knew that this was indeed the plan of Allah. He told him, “You will plant for seven years consecutively, and what you harvest leaves in its spikes, except a little from which you will eat. Then will come after that seven difficult years consuming what you advanced for them, except a little from which you will store. Then will come after that a year in which the people will be given rain and in which they will press.
Yusuf’s Release from Prison
Amazed, the King ordered Yusuf to be presented before him. Yusuf, however, refused to leave prison until his innocence was proved. The King thus summoned the women relating to Yusuf’s incident. The women who had their hands cut spoke of Yusuf’s innocence before the King, “Allah forbid! We know about him no evil.” The wife of Al-Azeez was trapped.
She confessed to the King, “Now the truth has become evident. It was I who sought to seduce him, and indeed, he is truthful.” Thus, Yusuf’s innocence was proven. Released from prison, Yusuf stood before the King to thank him for his generosity. The King, greatly impressed by Yusuf’s honest mannerisms and pleasant personality, led him to be appointed as the storekeeper over the storehouses across his land.
The Years of Famine and Reunion with Brothers
Prophet Yusuf harvested and stored crops during the seven years of fertility. Then, the years of famine approached, reaching Yaqub’s household in Canaan. Yaqub sent all his sons except Binyamin to Egypt to purchase provisions. Yusuf immediately recognized and provided for his brothers but kept his identity disguised.
He casually inquired about their family. The brothers informed the storekeeper of their house back in Canaan and their father and brother back home. Yusuf informed them to bring their younger brother along next time or they shall receive no further provisions. He also placed the money they had paid with their supplies as an incentive to return.
The Test of Binyamin
The brothers returned home and said, “O our father, measure has been denied to us, so send with us our brother [that] we will be given measure. And indeed, we will be his guardians.” Yaqub was enraged. How could he trust them when they had failed him terribly with Yusuf?
After some time, however, their needs pressed Yaqub to send Binyamin with them for more provisions. He took their solemn oath to safeguard him. When they reached Egypt, Yusuf drew Binyamin aside and whispered, “Indeed, I am your brother, so do not despair over what they used to do.”
The Scheme with the Golden Bowl
The following day, Yusuf filled his brothers’ bags with grain. He then secretly planted the King’s golden bowl in Binyamin’s bag. On departing, the King’s soldiers stopped the brothers, looking for the King’s missing cup. The brothers’ bags were searched, and the missing cup was retrieved from the bag of the youngest brother, Binyamin.
The soldiers cried, “O caravan, indeed you are thieves.” The brothers were shocked. The brothers immediately remembered their sick father back home and their vow to safeguard Binyamin at all costs. They begged the soldiers to release their younger brother and take one of them instead, but the soldiers refused. The eldest among the brothers said,
“I will never leave this land until my father permits me or Allah decides for me.” So, the rest of the brothers left Egypt, leaving the eldest behind.
Yaqub’s Grief and Prayer
When Yaqub learned of his youngest son’s predicament, he wept until he became blind. He resorted to prayer for comfort, knowing that only Allah could ease his pain. Soon, he instructed his sons to return to the King’s land and inquire about their brother.
Yusuf’s Revelation and Forgiveness
The sons returned to Egypt once again. They met with Yusuf and pleaded that tragedy had befallen them. Yusuf spoke to them in their native language, “Do you know what you did with Yusuf and his brother when you were ignorant?”
It didn’t take long for the brothers to realize that this was indeed their long-lost brother, and they began to tremble in fear. But Yusuf comforted them, saying, “No reproach on you this day, may Allah forgive you.” He said, “Take this, my shirt, and cast it over my father’s face; his eyesight will return.”
As instructed, the brothers cast Yusuf’s shirt over their father’s face, and Allah miraculously restored his eyesight. They prayed to their father to seek Allah’s forgiveness for them. Together, they set off to Egypt, where Yusuf warmly welcomed them. Yusuf raised his father upon the throne and said, “O my father, this is the explanation of my vision of before.
My Lord has made it a reality. And He was certainly good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you from bedouin life after Satan had induced between me and my brothers. Indeed, my Lord is Subtle in what He wills. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise.” Thus, Allah reunited father and son.
Lesson from Prophet Yusuf’s Story
From his dream, Prophet Yusuf knew he was destined for greatness, but he was met with difficulties and adversity at every turn of his life. His brothers betrayed him, sold him as an enslaved person, and unjustly imprisoned him. Yusuf could have chosen to be bitter and question Allah by saying, “I thought you had ordained for me greatness.”
He could have easily complained and asked, “Why do these things keep happening to me?”. But he knew better; Allah had a plan for him, and he had to keep faith. Yusuf knew that Allah would take care of him by focusing on being the best he could, treating people with respect, and doing more than requested.
FAQs
What is the significance of Prophet Yusuf’s dreams prostrating to him?
The dream symbolizes Yusuf’s future greatness and prophethood. The stars, sun, and moon represent his family members who will one day bow to him in submission.
Why did Yusuf’s brothers betray him and throw him into a well?
Yusuf’s brothers were jealous of him because of their father’s special affection towards him and his dream indicating his future greatness. They plotted against him out of envy and to get rid of him.
How did Yusuf end up in Egypt and become a slave?
Hazrat Yusuf was sold into slavery by his brothers to a caravan passing by the well where they had thrown him. He was then sold to a high-ranking official in Egypt.
What was the trial Yusuf faced with Zulaika?
Zulaika, the wife of Yusuf’s master, tried to seduce Yusuf, but he refused her advances out of fear of Allah. She falsely accused him of trying to seduce her, leading to his imprisonment.
How did Yusuf interpret the dreams of the King and his fellow prisoners?
Prophet Yusuf interpreted the King’s dream about the seven fat and lean cows as seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. He interpreted the prisoners’ dreams about serving wine and carrying bread as one being freed and the other being executed.
Conclusion
The story of Prophet Hazrat Yusuf is a powerful narrative that teaches us important lessons about patience, perseverance, and trust in Allah’s plan. Despite facing numerous trials and betrayals, Yusuf remained steadfast in his faith and never wavered from doing what was right.
His story reminds us that even in adversity, we should trust Allah’s wisdom and strive for goodness. Additionally, the story emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation, as Yusuf forgave his brothers and was reunited with his family.
