Month: June 2019

Posted in Surah Yusuf

Scene 2 – The Plot

Posted on by Zahra

The brothers approached Yaqub عليه السلام. You know how emotional blackmail is a very powerful tool? That’s what they used.

They wondered why their father didn’t trust them with Yusuf. They wanted to take Yusuf out with them the next day to have some fun. They would take care of him.

But Yaqub was hesitant. What if a wolf attacked Yusuf while they were off guard?

They insisted and were eventually able to convince Yaqub عليه السلام.

The brothers took Yusuf away and abandoned him in a dark well.

But in the well, in his loneliness, Allah gave Yusuf عليه السلام hope.

وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْهِ لَتُنَبِّئَنَّهُم بِأَمْرِهِمْ هَٰذَا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
“But We inspired to him, “You will surely inform them [someday] about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity].”

( Yusuf : 15 )

That night, the brothers returned to their father crying. They told him about how they had left Yusuf with their belongings while they were racing, and that a wolf had eaten him. They even had a shirt with false blood as “proof”.

Yaqub عليه السلام saw through the lie.

قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ
“He [Yaqub] said, “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.”

( Yusuf : 18 )

Lessons

  • The danger of jealousy and envy. Protect yourself from it and work to remove it from your heart.

The Prophet ﷺ said, “Beware of envy because envy consumes (destroys) the virtues just as the fire consumes the firewood,” or he said “grass.”

[Abu Dawud]
  • Your greatest achievements could begin from your greatest pain. There is a reason behind every event that happens in your life. Allah is the Best Planner. He is preparing you for a much greater responsibility.
  • It doesn’t matter how much you try to predict what will happen and try to stop it from happening, you can’t stop Qadr. If Allah willed something, there is a wisdom and goodness in it for you.
  • Place your hope only in Allah. Seek only from Him, not from people. Seek His Pleasure, and He will give you success with people too.
  • The brothers hoped to win their father’s love, but they didn’t. Sometimes we think that doing something bad will solve a problem, but it won’t. It will only make it worse.
  • The blessings and beauty of patience.
Posted in Surah Yusuf

Scene 1 – The Dream

Posted on by Zahra

It all began with a dream.

About 1800 years before Isa عليه السلام, in Kan’aan, Palestine, a young Yusuf عليه السلام went to his father and told him about an unusual dream he had. He had seen the sun, the moon and 11 stars prostrating to him.

His father was Yaqub عليه السلام, a Prophet. He understood that this was a true dream and interpreted it. The sun and moon symbolized Yusuf’s parents. The stars were his 11 brothers. Yusuf عليه السلام had 1 full brother, Benyamin, and 10 paternal half-brothers.

Yaqub عليه السلام realized that this dream meant that Allah ﷻ was going to choose Yusuf and take him to great heights. It meant that Yusuf was going to rise to such a level that all these people would become submissive to him.

Parents are aware of their kids’ weaknesses right? So Yaqub warned Yusuf to not mention the dream to his brothers. He feared that the brothers would try to hurt him out of jealousy.

قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تَقْصُصْ رُؤْيَاكَ عَلَىٰ إِخْوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُوا لَكَ كَيْدًا إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لِلْإِنسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
“He said, “O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers or they will contrive against you a plan. Indeed Satan, to man, is a manifest enemy.”

( Yusuf : 5 )

And Yaqub was right to fear. Yusuf’s brothers felt that their father loved Yusuf and Benyamin more than them. “Our father is making a mistake.” They felt the solution was to get rid of Yusuf. So they made a plan.

اقْتُلُوا يُوسُفَ أَوِ اطْرَحُوهُ أَرْضًا يَخْلُ لَكُمْ وَجْهُ أَبِيكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا مِن بَعْدِهِ قَوْمًا صَالِحِينَ
“Kill Yusuf (Joseph) or cast him out to [another] land; the countenance of your father will [then] be only for you, and you will be after that a righteous people.”

( Yusuf : 9 )

Lessons

  • Build a strong connection with your children, so that they will trust you with their concerns. Speak to them with love and kindness.
  • Only tell your dreams to people you trust.
  • Don’t make problems for yourself. Avoid boasting about your blessings.

Prophet ﷺ said, “Seek help for fulfilling needs by being discrete [i.e., when you make plans, do not announce it to everyone], for every owner of a blessing is envied.

[Sahih al-Jami’]
  • Shaytan is a clear and open enemy to you. He wants separation between people. Be on guard from his attacks.
  • Yaqub was concerned with maintaining peace between his sons. Take an active role to make sure that problems are avoided within family and friendships. Work to resolve conflicts.
  • The brothers intended to do Tawbah even before committing the sin. People do this to make it easier for them to do the sin. Stay away from this behavior!
  • The brothers blamed Yusuf for the poor relationship they had with their father. They didn’t stop to think that maybe they were doing something wrong. Maybe it was their own bad behavior. We must reflect on our self before blaming others for our problems.
Posted in Surah Yusuf

Surah Yusuf – The Best of Stories

Posted on by Zahra

Allah subahaana wa ta’ala tells us:

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.

( Surah Yusuf : 3 )

 What makes Surah Yusuf the best of stories? Let’s try to understand:

  • Who’s telling the story? Allah ﷻ ! Is there any one truer than Him?
  • It’s a true story based on facts.
  • It’s in Arabic, which is the most powerful and moving language.
  • It has everything a good story needs – it’s captivating, persuasive, has a strong theme, an appealing style, unforgettable characters
  • It’s about one of the best people:

The people said, “O Allah’s Messenger ﷺ ! Who is the most honorable amongst the people (in Allah’s Sight)?” He said, “The most righteous amongst them.” They said, “We do not ask you, about this.” He said, “Then Yusuf, Allah’s Prophet, the son of Allah’s Prophet, the son of Allah’s Prophet the son of Allah’s Khalil (i.e. Ibrahim).”

[al-Bukhari]
  • It has a purpose, which is to take a lesson.
  • It covers many important topics including – the prophets, the righteous, sinners, angels, satans, kings, slaves, business, dreams, knowledge, men and women interactions, fiqh, politics, prison, patience, even gossip!
Posted in Surah Yusuf

Surah Yusuf – Introduction and Context

Posted on by Zahra

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Each chapter of the Quran, each letter even, is special and miraculous. Surah Yusuf is unique compared to the other surahs for two reasons.

  • The only time the story of Yusuf عليه السلام (Prophet Joseph peace be upon him) is mentioned in the Quran is in this surah. The stories of the other prophets are scattered in various surahs but Prophet Yusuf’s story is only here.
  • This is the only surah which discusses one entire story from beginning to end.

When you read Surah Yusuf, you will see that the narrative is very straight forward and simple. Allah ﷻ tells us stories of the past in the Quran to teach us. Surah Yusuf is full of proofs of Allah’s wisdom and ability. Just from the surface you will be able to derive many lessons. Imagine how much benefit can be gained from a deeper reflection!

لَّقَدْ كَانَ فِي يُوسُفَ وَإِخْوَتِهِ آيَاتٌ لِّلسَّائِلِينَ
“Certainly were there in Yusuf (Joseph) and his brothers signs for those who ask.”

( Yusuf : 7 )

So let’s journey through this Surah. Let’s try to understand the story of Yusuf عليه السلام and extract lessons for our own lives.

Let’s learn, implement and share for the pleasure of Allah subahaana wa ta’la, in shaa Allah!

Background of Surah

This surah was revealed before Hijrah after the Year of Grief (Aamul Huzn). In that year, three things happened one after the other which were painful for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and there was no time in his life where the Prophet ﷺ was more demoralized than this period.

( 1 ) The death of his dear wife, Khadeejah رضي الله عنه. Whenever anything happened and even when the wahy came down and he was scared, he went to her to be calmed down. She was his source of comfort and support.

( 2 ) The death of his uncle and guardian, Abu Talib, who supported him outside the house. The Quraysh couldn’t harm the Prophet ﷺ much as long as Abu Talib was alive. After Abu Talib’s death, the opposition and persecution of the pagans reached its peak.

( 3 ) The difficult and painful incident of Taif happened.

Aisha رضي الله عنه said, “Oh Messenger of Allah ﷺ, was there any day that was more difficult for you to bear than the Day of Uhud?” He ﷺ said, “Yes. “The most difficult day for me was the day when I was rejected by the chieftains of Ta’if.” (Bukhari)

So you can see how difficult the time was for our beloved Prophet ﷺ. In this critical time in his life – he needed comfort. Surah Yusuf was meant to uplift his spirits and to console and strengthen him at a time of such trials. We see the importance of Surah Yusuf.

This is hope for us when we are feeling down and suffering from any problems of society. This is the surah that we can turn to for some solace and comfort.

Another direct cause of revelation: it is said that the Quraysh wanted to try to outwit the Prophet ﷺ and show that he was not truly a prophet. They went to the Jews of Medina and asked for something they could ask the Prophetﷺ through which they could “test” his Prophethood. The Jews said, “Ask him about the story of Yusuf and his brothers. Nobody knows this.” There would be no other way for the Prophetﷺ to know this story except through Divine Revelation.

And Allah ﷻ answered their question by revealing Surah Yusuf.