Prophet Yusuf (A.S.)
Quran References:
Prophet Yusuf (AS) is mentioned 27 times in the Quran throughout the 12th Surah, Surah Yusuf and the following Ayat:
(Quran, 40:34)
Yusuf (AS) is one of the six Prophets to have a Surah named after them.
Prophet Yusuf’s Dream and His Early Life:
Yusuf (AS) had a dream and out of his excitement, he ran to his father and told him: ’O my father. Verily I saw in a dream eleven stars, the sun and the moon. I seen them prostrating themselves to me’ (Quran, 12:4).
Prophet Ya’qub’s face lit up with happiness as he knew Yusuf (AS) would be the child that would receive prophethood from Allah SWT.
However, Ya’qub warned Yusuf (AS) not to tell his brothers because he had a feeling that they would arrange an evil plot against him.
Yusuf did not tell his brothers as he knew that they hated him.
Prophet Ya’qub loved Yusuf (AS) and his brother Binyamin more than the rest of his children. Because of his love for them, he would never let them out of his sight.
Betrayal of His Brothers:
The brothers planned a plot to kill Yusuf (AS) but then, the eldest brother decided instead of killing him, to throw him in a well.
The brothers then went to their father and asked him to let them take care of Yusuf for the day.
Prophet Ya’qub (AS) didn’t want them to take Yusuf (AS) and he feared that a wolf would devour him. Eventually, under the pressure of the brothers, he agreed to let Yusuf go with them.
Yusuf (AS) Thrown Down a Well:
The brothers then removed his shirt and threw Yusuf (AS) into a well.
Yusuf would plead with his brothers to not go ahead with this evil plan but his attempts were unsuccessful.
Allah SWT then revealed to Yusuf (AS) that he was safe and should not fear, as he would meet his brothers again and remind them of what they had done.
The brothers then killed a sheep and soaked Yusuf’s shirt in blood.
After doing this, they went to their father crying. Ya’qub (AS) asked them why they were crying and the brothers replied: O our father, we went racing with one another and left Yusuf with our belongings and a wolf devoured him.
A Father’s Suspicion and Pain:
When Prophet Ya’qub heard this, he knew that Yusuf (AS) was still alive and his sons were lying.
After observing Yusuf’s shirt, Ya’qub questioned how the wolf had eaten his son without tearing his shirt and he demanded more information, but the brothers took an oath to keep what happened a secret.
Yusuf in Egypt:
Prophet Yusuf (AS) began to pray to Allah SWT for protection in the dark well.
A caravan on its way to Egypt then stopped by to get water from the well and when they lowered down the bucket, they realised that a man was clinging to the rope.
They saw a handsome young man with a beautiful smile and they put shackles on his feet and took him to Egypt.
At the slave market, the chief minister of Egypt, the Aziz, outbid everybody and took Yusuf (AS) to his mansion. The Aziz then ordered his men to remove the shackles of the feet of Yusuf.
The Aziz’ Treatment of Yusuf (AS):
The Aziz told Yusuf (AS) that if he did not betray his trust, he would not be treated badly. Prophet Yusuf promised to be loyal, thanking the Aziz and Allah SWT.
Yusuf (AS) was made the personal slave of the Aziz’ wife and because of his manners and behaviour, he became well-known in the town.
Yusuf – The Most Beautiful Man:
People would refer to him as the most attractive man they’d ever seen. Despite this title given to him, Yusuf remained humble and polite.
The chief minister knew that Yusuf (AS) was the most honest and noble person he ever met and because of this, he honoured him and treated him as if he was his own son.
Temptation of The Aziz’ Wife:
The Aziz’ wife, Zulaikha, fell in love with Yusuf, she wanted him and tried to seduce him.
One day, as Prophet Yusuf (AS) went closer to the door to escape, she ran after him, grabbed his shirt and tore it
The door opened and there stood her husband (the Aziz) and one of her relatives.
The chief minister was angry, and his wife accused Yusuf (AS) of molesting her.
However, Zulaikha’s relative realised that the shirt was torn from the back which was enough evidence to show she was guilty.
The chief minister (Aziz) apologised to Yusuf (AS) for his wife’s indecency and he instructed his wife to beg for Yusuf’s forgiveness.
Zulaikha’s Plan:
Zulaikha began to get mocked by the people of the city. Because of this, she planned to place the women in the same temptation that she faced.
She invited them to a fancy banquet and then she called for Prophet Yusuf (AS).
At this point, the women were cutting fruit but when they saw Yusuf, all their attention was on him and they even cut themselves when staring at his beauty.
Yusuf’s Imprisonment:
Zulaikha then announced: I have tempted him and if he does not do what I want, he shall be imprisoned.
That evening, Zulaikha convinced her husband that the only way to save her honour was to put Yusuf (AS) in prison.
The Aziz knew Yusuf was innocent and he loved him. However, he was left with no choice and with a heavy heart, he sent Yusuf (AS) to prison.
Interpreting Dreams in Prison:
When he was in prison, Allah SWT blessed Yusuf (AS) with the ability to interpret dreams.
He met two men, the king’s cook and the cupbearer, who both had dreams.
The king’s cook had a dream that he stood in a place with bread on his head and two birds were eating the bread. The cupbearer had a dream, where he was serving the king wine.
Yusuf (AS) told the cook that he would be crucified and informed the cupbearer that he would return to the service of the king.
Prophet Yusuf (AS) then told the cupbearer to remember to tell the king that a wronged soul called Yusuf was in prison.
What Yusuf (AS) had explained to the two men came true, the cook was crucified, and the cupbearer returned to the palace.
After the cupbearer returned to the palace, Shaytan made him forget to mention Yusuf’s name to the King.
Yusuf’s Patience:
Yusuf (AS) remained in prison for a few years, but he stayed patient and prayed to Allah SWT.
The King’s Dream:
The king then had a dream where he saw seven lean cows eat seven fat cows and he then sent seven green ears of corn and seven others dry.
After having this dream, the king told the sorcerers, priests and ministers about it.
The cupbearer then remembered Prophet Yusuf (AS), who had interpreted his dream in jail, and told the king: he had asked me to remember him to you, but I forgot.
The king then told the cupbearer to ask Yusuf (AS) about the dream.
Yusuf’s Interpretation of the King’s Dream:
Prophet Yusuf told the cupbearer that there will be seven years of abundance and if they cultivate the land properly, there will be an excess of harvest which should be stored. He then said after seven years, famine will follow where the excess harvest can then be used.
Prophet Yusuf (AS) told them that during the famine, they should save some grain for the next harvest. He then said after seven years of drought, there will be a year in which there will be plenty of water. So, if the water is properly used, grapevines and olive trees will be able to grow a large amount of crops.
The cupbearer then informed the king of what Prophet Yusuf had advised, who was shocked by this and told the cupbearer to free Yusuf (AS) from prison.
Yusuf’s Innocence Proven:
However, Prophet Yusuf (AS) refused to be freed from prison until his innocence was proven. The king then ordered for the wives of the ministers and the Aziz to be brought in front of him.
The Aziz’ wife, Zulaikha was very upset and remorseful over what happened with Yusuf (AS). She told the king: I tempted him, but he refused.
Zulaikha’s wife confirmed his innocence and the king informed Prophet Yusuf (AS) that his innocence was proven and ordered him to come to the palace.
Yusuf (AS) in Charge of the Harvest:
Yusuf then advised the king to start planning for the years of famine ahead and he asked to be made controller of the grains so that he could look after the harvest during the anticipated drought.
During the seven good years, Yusuf (AS) had control of the harvesting.
During the following seven years, a drought occurred, and famine spread through Canaan, the homeland of Yusuf.
Yusuf (AS) then told the king to sell grain to the nations that needed it at a fair price and the king agreed with this suggestion.
Meanwhile in Canaan, Ya’qub (AS) sent ten of his sons except Binyamin to Egypt.
Prophet Yusuf (AS) Face to Face with his Brothers:
Yusuf (AS) immediately recognised his brothers, but they did not recognise him.
Yusuf asked where they had come from and the brothers explained: we are eleven brothers, the children of a noble prophet. The youngest is at home looking after our father
After listening to his brothers, Yusuf (AS) had tears in his eyes and he asked the brothers: Are you truthful people? The brothers replied: what reason do we have to be untrue?
Yusuf then told the brothers: if what you are saying is true, bring your brother and I will reward you with double rations.
The Returned Money and the Request for Binyamin:
Yusuf (AS) ordered his servant to secretly place the purse, with the money they had paid, into one of their grain sacks.
The brothers returned to Canaan to speak to their father Ya’qub and they informed him that they were denied supplies because Binyamin was not present and they asked their father to let him come with them.
Response of Ya’qub (AS):
Ya’qub was upset by this and told them: I will not let you take Binyamin, because I trusted you with Yusuf and you failed me.
The brothers then opened the grain sacks and were surprised to see the purse, which still had money inside it, returned.
They rushed to Ya’qub (AS) and said: this is surely proof that they will not harm Binyamin and it will only benefit us.
Ya’qub again refused to let his youngest son go and after some time, when they ran out of grain, Ya’qub asked his sons to travel to Egypt.
The Brothers Oath to Protect Binyamin:
Ya’qub (AS) told his sons: I will not send Binyamin with you, unless you give me a pledge in Allah’s name that you will bring him back to me safely.
The brothers then took this oath in Allah’s name and Ya’qub (AS) advised his sons to enter the city through several gates.
The brothers looked after of Binyamin and arrived in Egypt, where Yusuf (AS) welcomed his brothers and organised a feast for them.
Prophet Yusuf’s Interaction with Binyamin:
When Yusuf sat next to his brother, Binyamin started to cry.
Yusuf asked him: why are you crying? Binyamin replied: if my brother Yusuf was here, I’d be sitting next to him.
Later on that night, Yusuf (AS) asked Binyamin whether he would have him as a brother, but Binyamin told him that he could never take the place of his brother (referring to the loss of Yusuf).
Yusuf (AS) then cried and said: My loving brother, I am the brother who was listening to and whose name you keep repeating. Fate has brought us together after many years of separation. This is Allah’s favour, but let it be a secret between us.
Binyamin then hugged Yusuf (AS) and they both shed tears of joy.
Yusuf’s Final Test:
Yusuf (AS) then ordered one of his attendants to place the king’s gold-cup into Binyamin’s bag.
When the brothers were ready to leave, the gates had been locked because of the king’s gold-cup that was misplaced.
The brothers asked: What have you lost? A soldier said: The king’s golden cup, whoever can trace it, we will give a beast load of grain.
Yusuf’s officers then asked the brothers: What punishment should you choose for the thief?
The brothers answered: whoever steals has to become a slave to the owner of the property.
The officer then ordered his soldiers to start searching the caravan and Prophet Yusuf (AS) told the soldiers to search for Binyamin’s bag last.
Yusuf (AS) then informed the soldiers that there was no need to search for Binyamin’s bag as he did not look like a thief.
However, the brothers said: we will not move an inch unless his saddle is searched as well. We are sons of a noble prophet, not thieves.
The soldiers then pulled out the king’s cup from Binyamin’s bag.
The Brothers Plead for Binyamin:
The brothers were shocked by this and said: if he steals now, a brother of his has stolen before. They began to beg Yusuf (AS) because they remembered their oath to their father Ya’qub.
They said: Take one of us instead, he is the son of a good man, and we can see you are a good man.
However, despite their desperate attempts, the king had already made his decision.
Then Judah, the oldest of Ya’qub’s children told the rest of his brothers: we promised our father in the name of Allah not to fail him so I will stay behind and will return once my father permits me to do so.
Yusuf Informs Binyamin of the Test:
Yusuf (AS) kept Binyamin in his house and informed him about the plan to put the king’s cup in his bag to protect him.
Yusuf (AS) wanted to test his brothers to see if they would come back for the Binyamin and himself.
A Father’s Pain and Trust in Allah:
When the brothers arrived home, they told Ya’qub that Binyamin remained behind because he had stolen.
Prophet Ya’qub (AS) replied: Patience be with me, perhaps Allah will return them all to me, he is the Most Knowing, Most Wise.
Impact of Yusuf’s Departure on Ya’qub:
Ya’qub was deeply affected by this and only prayer could comfort him.
He would cry for many years because of his missing son Yusuf (AS) and now his other beloved son Binyamin was also taken away from him. Due to the amount he cried, he became blind.
The brothers said to him: O father, you are a noble prophet and a great Messenger of Allah. Why are you destroying yourself in this way?
Ya’qub replied: Only the return of my sons will comfort me, now go in search of Yusuf and his brother and not despair of Allah’s mercy.
Yusuf’s Reunion with His Brothers:
The brothers then went back to Egypt and collected their brother Judah, and they all begged Yusuf (AS) to let Binyamin return to them.
Prophet Yusuf (AS) then said: Do you know what you did with Yusuf and his brother when you were ignorant? The brothers replied: Are you Yusuf?
Yusuf replied: I am, and Binyamin is my brother. Allah has been gracious to us. Verily, he who feared Allah with obedience to Him and is patient, then surely Allah makes not the reward of the good doers to be lost.
The brothers replied: By Allah! Indeed, He has preferred you above us, and we have certainly been sinners.
Yusuf Forgives His Brothers:
The brothers were scared, but Yusuf (AS) then said: No reproach on you this day, may Allah forgive you and He is the most merciful of those who show mercy.
Yusuf then embraced with this brothers, and they all cried with tears of joy.
The Shirt of Yusuf:
After uniting with his brothers, Yusuf said to them: Go with this shirt of mine and cast it over the face of my father, he will become clear sighted and bring to me all your family.
Ya’qub (AS) could smell Yusuf in the air and his wives thought there was no hope for him and believed that he had become crazy.
The brothers then placed the shirt over Ya’qub’s face, and from the grace of Allah SWT, he became clear sighted.
Prophet Ya’qub (AS) then said: Did I not say to you, I know from Allah that which you know not.
The brothers said: O our father. Ask forgiveness from Allah for our sins, indeed we have been sinners.
Prophet Ya’qub and his sons all set off to Egypt to meet with Yusuf (AS).
Explanation of Yusuf’s Dream:
Prophet Yusuf (AS) welcomed them and placed his father on the throne and said: O my father, this is the explanation of the dream I had before. My Lord has made it a reality. He was certainly good to me when he took me out of prison and brought you here, from the Bedouin life after Shaytan 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.
Yusuf Reunited with His Father:
After a long time of hardship and difficulty, Allah SWT had reunited Prophet Yusuf with his father Ya’qub.
The Status of Prophet Yusuf (AS) in the Quran:
Prophet Yusuf (AS) has the honour of having a whole entire Surah dedicated to One Prophet – Surah Yusuf.