THE PROPHET DAWUD (peace be upon him)

Dawud (David) was not only an illustrious Prophet of the Israelites but he was also their king.  The Holy Qur’an affirms:

“And Allah gave him the kingdom! and wisdom and taught him of that which He willed.” (2: 251).

“(And it was said unto him) 0′ Dawud!To! We have set you as a vicegerent in the earth, therefore, judge aright between mankind and follow not desire.” (38:26)

The Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) had an ancestral link with the Prophet Ya’qub (peace be upon him).  He lived in Bait-ul-Lahm which was situated at the distance of ten miles from Jerusalem.  The Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) was the youngest of his eight brothers. The Prophet Samuel  (peace be upon him) had received an indication that the Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) would become king after Jalut (Goliath).  He went to Baitul-Lahm to cast a glance at Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him).  He was much impressed at his attractive and angelic sight.

The Prophet Dawud Adopts the Companionship of Talut:

According to the Torah Talut (Saul)was in quest of a man who could play on a harp.  As the Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) was well versed in this art, he was asked to come to Talut and stay with him.  The Prophet Dawud  (peace be upon him) passed most of the time in the companionship of his master and visited his father off and on.  He helped him in tending the sheep.  Thus he got an opportunity to hunt wild beasts.  The Holy Qur’an, makes mention of Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) at many places.

Heroic Deeds of Prophet Dawud:

The Bible relates an incident which throws a light on the heroic deeds of Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him).  Once a war broke out between the Israelites and the Philistines.  The army of the Philistines was commanded by Jalut who was a man of lofty stature.  He put on a shining armour.  The Israelites were overawed to see Jalut’s army which was well accoutred.  He called out his opponents to combat but none of the Israelites had the courage to accept the challenge.  He declared: In case any one of the Israelites overpowered me, I would surrender to him but if I gained the upper hand, the opponents would have to become under the sway of the servitude of the Philistines.  The Israelites were terror-stricken.  They had lost their courage and self respect.  The Prophet could not bear this disgrace.  So  he decided to face Jalut for the sake of truth, honour and dignity.  The king Talut advised him to refrain from fighting with an experienced warrior.  The Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) did not budge an inch from his decision.  He took his cudgel and proceeded towards the battle-field to fight with Jalut.  When they faced each other, Jalut disdained his adversary and cursed him by taking the name of some deities.  He threatened Talut that his flesh would be thrown before the wild beasts and birds.  The Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) did not care for such warnings and marched forward.  He prayed:

 

“Our Lord! Pour out constancy on us and make our steps firm and help us against those who are disbelievers.” (2:249)

By God’s will Jalut was killed by Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) and his army was put to rout.  The Philistines took to their heels.  The Israelites chased them and came by an enormous booty.  The Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) won a good deal of appreciation and popularity because he rescued his people from those grave dangers which prevailed over them.

The Prophet Dawud is Raised to Eminence:

Talut (Saul) enriched Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) with valuable rewards and gave his daughter in marriage to him.  He appointed him as the Supreme Commander of his army because of his valour.  When he saw that Prophet Dawud’s influence was increasing rapidly, he began to feel jealous of him.  He nursed enmity against his son-in-law.  The son of Talut was very kind to Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him).  He informed him of the real position.  The Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) tried his best to clear the mind of his father-in-law but in vain.  Accidentally Taint was killed by his enemies and his son committed suicide.  The Israelites unanimously acknowledged the Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) as their king.  He managed the administration of the country efficiently.  He conquered vast areas of land.  The people prospered during his reign.  They became morally strong, just, fair-minded and God-fearing

They worshipped one God.  Their minds were illuminated with the light of true guidance.

Revelation of Zabur:

Allah revealed the Zabur (Book of Psalms) to Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him).  It contains lessons for the guidance of Israelites.  The Holy Qur’an says:

We gave to Dawud Zabur.  (4: 163)

Whenever he recited the verses of the Zabur  in a sweet melodious tone, the listeners began to dance in a fit of religious frenzy.  They Rocked around him and eulogised God in the accompaniment of Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him).  Above all the beasts.  birds, creeping insects and even mountains were fascinated on hearing the recitation of the hymns from the Zabur.  The Holy Qur’an affirms:

“We bestowed grace aforetime on Dawud from Ourselves.  O  ye mountains! Sing you back the praises of Allah with him and you birds also.” (34:10)

It was We that made the hills declare in union with him Our praises at eventide and the break of day and the birds all with him turned to Allah.” (38:18,19)

The Prophet Dawud as an Adept Craftsman:

Iron is hard stuff but in the hands of Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) it became soft and pliable to be turned into any shape.  As an adept craftsman he made coats of mail.  Thus the manufacture of this defensive armour is traditionally attributed to the Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him).  The Holy Qur’an says:

“It was We who taught him the making of coats of mail for your benefit, to guard you from each other’s violence.  Will you then be grateful.” (11:80)

“And We made the iron soft  for him (commanding) make thou coats of mail balancing well the rings of chain armour and work ye righteousness.” (34:10)

 

The Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) was endowed with the knowledge of understanding the tones of the bird.  He could talk and listen to the birds just like human beings.

Death and Burial:

The Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) passed away at the age of 70 years.  He was buried in Jerusalem.

The Story of the Prophet David (Dawud)

(Peace be upon him)

When the two armies faced each other, Goliath challenged any soldier from King Saul’s army to single combat, as was the custom of battle in those days. Goliath also wanted to show off his strength. The men were terrorised, and no one had enough courage to volunteer. The king offered the hand of his pretty daughter in marriage to the man who would fight Goliath, but even this tempting offer did not change the deadly silence among his soldiers.

Then, to everyone’s surprise, a youth stepped forward. A roar of laughter echoed from the enemy’s side, and even Saul’s men shook their heads.

The young man was David (Dawud), from the city of Bethlehem. His elderly father had chosen three of his sons to join Saul’s army. He had instructed the youngest one, David, not to take part in the fighting but to help the army in other ways and to report to his father daily on what was happening on the war front.

Although Saul was very impressed by the youth’s courage, he said: “I admire your courage, but you are no match for that mighty warrior. Let the strong men come forward.” David, however, had already decided and was willing to meet the challenge. Proudly, he told the king that only the day before he had killed a lion which had threatened his father’s sheep, and on another occasion he had killed a bear. He asked Saul not to judge him by his appearance, for he feared no man or wild beast. Saul, surprised by young David’s brave stance, agreed: “My brave soldier, if you are willing, then may Allah guard you and grant you strength!”

The king dressed David in battle armor and handed him a sword, but David was not used to wearing battle dress, He felt uncomfortable in it, and it obstructed his movements. He removed the armor, then collected a few pebbles and filled his leather pouch with them, He slung it over his shoulder next to his sling. With his wooden staff in hand, he began to walk towards the enemy. Saul was worried and asked him how on earth, with a sling and a couple of stones, was he going to defend himself against the giant? David replied: “Allah Who protected me from the claws of the bear and the fangs of the lion will certainly protect me from this brute!”

When Goliath set eyes on the lean young man who looked like a boy, he laughed loudly and roared: “Are you out to play war with one of your playmates, or are you tired of your life? I will simply cut off your head with one swipe of my sword!”

David shouted back: “You may have armor, shield, and sword, but I face you in the name of Allah, the Lord of the Israelites, Whose laws you have mocked. Today you will see that it is not the sword that kills but the will and power of Allah!”

So saying, he took his sling and placed in it a pebble from his pouch. He swung and aimed it at Goliath. The pebble shot from the whirling sling with the speed of an arrow and hit Goliath’s head with great force. Blood gushed out, and Goliath thumped to the ground, lifeless, before he had a chance to draw his sword. When the rest of his men saw their mighty hero slain, they took to their heels. The Israelites followed in hot pursuit, taking revenge for their years of suffering at the hands of their enemy, killing every soldier they could lay hands on. In this battle the Israelites regained the glory and honour that had been lost for a long time.

David became a hero overnight. Saul kept his word and married his daughter Michal (Miqel) to the young warrior and took him under his wing as one of his chief advisers.

Almighty Allah declared: «So they routed them by Allah’s Leave and David killed Goliath, and Allah gave him (David) the kingdom [after the death of Saul and Samuel] and wisdom, and taught him of that which He willed. And if Allah did not check one set of people by means of another, the earth would in deed be full of mischief But Allah is full of Bounty to the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exist).» Surah 2: 251

David became the most famous man among the Israelites. However, he was not inveigled by this; he was not a prisoner of fame or leadership but a prisoner of Allah’s love.

Therefore, after killing Goliath he went out into the desert in the company of nature, glorifying Almighty Allah and contemplating His favours.

«Verily, We made the mountains to glorify Our Praises with him (David) in the ‘Ashi (i.e. after the mid-day till sunset) and Ishraq (after the sunrise till mid-day). And (so did) the birds assembled: all with him (David) did turn (to Allah i.e. glorified His Praises). We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and so and judgement in speech and decision.» Surah 38: 18-20

Creatures such as the plants, birds, beasts, and even the mountains responded to his voice glorifying Allah. Allah had chosen David to be a prophet and revealed the Psalms to him. As He the Almighty said: «. . . and to David We gave the Psalms.» Surah 17: 55

David recited his scripture and glorified Allah while the mountains joined him in praise and the birds rallied around him. Almighty Allah directed: «Be patient (O Muhammad) of what they say, and remember Our slave David, endued with power. Verily, he was ever oft-returning in all matters and in repentance (to ward Allah.) » Surah 38: 17

David’s sincerity was not the only factor responsible for the birds and beasts joining with him in glorifying Allah, nor was the sweetness of his voice. It was a miracle from Allah. This was not his only miracle, for Allah also endowed him with the faculty of understanding the languages of birds and animals.

David (PBUH) fasted every other day. ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr Ibn Al-‘As narrated: “Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) said to me: ‘The most beloved fasting to Allah was the fasting of (the Prophet) David, who used to fast alternate days. And the most beloved prayer to Allah was the prayer of David, who used to sleep for (the first) half of the night and pray for one third of it and (again) sleep for a sixth of it.” Sahih Al-Bukhari

‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr Ibn Al-‘As also narrated: “The Prophet (PBUH) said to me: ‘I have been informed that you pray all the nights and observe fast all the days; is this true?’ I replied: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘If you do so, your eyes will be weak and you will get bored. So fast three days a month, for this will be the fasting of a whole year. (Or equal to the fasting of a whole year).’ I said: ‘I find myself able to fast more.’ He said: ‘Then fast like the fasting of (the Prophet) David (PBUH) who used to fast on alternate days and would not flee on facing the enemy.” Sahih Al-Bukhari

Allah granted David great influence. His people had a great number of wars in their time, but they had a problem in that the iron armor was too heavy for the fighter to move and fight as he wished. It is said that David was sitting one day, contemplating this problem while toying with a piece of iron. Suddenly, he found his hand sinking in the iron. Almighty Allah had made it flexible for him: «And We made the iron soft for him.» Surah 34: 10

The people praised and loved David. However, the hearts of men are fickle and their memories short. Even great men can feel insecure and become petty-minded. One day David found Saul in a worried state. He sensed something strange in Saul’s attitude towards him. That night, when he shared his feeling with his wife, she started to weep bitterly and said: “O David, I will never keep any secrets from you.” She told him that her father had become jealous of his popularity and feared that he would lose his kingdom to him. She advised him to be on his guard.

This information shocked David very much. He prayed and hoped that Saul’s good nature would overcome the darker side of his character. The following day, Saul summoned David to inform him that Canaan had gathered its forces and would march on the kingdom. He ordered David to advance on them with the army and not to return unless victory was gained.

David sensed that this was an excuse to get rid of him: either the enemy would kill him, or in the thick of battle, Saul’s henchmen might stab him in the back. Yet he hastened with his troops to meet the army of Canaan. They fought the Canaanites bravely, without thinking of their own safety. Allah granted them victory, and David lived to return to Saul.

Unfortunately, this only increased Saul’s fear, so he plotted to kill David. Such is jealousy that not even a daughter’s well-being mattered. Michal learned of her father’s plan and hurried to warn her husband. David gathered some food and things, mounted his camel, and fled. He found a cave in which he remained hidden for many days.

After a time, David’s brothers and some citizens joined forces with him. Saul’s position became very weak, for he began to rule with a heavy hand. He ill-treated the learned, tortured the reciters of the Talmud, and terrorised his soldiers. This worsened his position, and his subjects began to turn against him. He decided to go to war against David. Hearing this news, David marched to confront Saul’s army.

The king’s army had travelled a great distance and was overcome by fatigue, so they decided to rest in a valley, where they fell asleep. Quietly, David crept up to the sleeping Saul, removed his spear and cut off a piece of his garment with the sword. David then awakened the king and told him: “Oh king, you come out seeking me, but I do not hate you, and I do not want to kill you. If I did, I would have killed you when you were asleep. Here is a piece of your garment. I could have hacked your neck instead, but I did not. My mission is that of love, not malice.” The king realized his mistake and begged for forgiveness.

Time passed and Saul was killed in a battle in which David did not take part.

David succeeded Saul, for the people remembered what he had done for them and elected him king. So it was that David the Prophet was also a king.

Allah strengthened the dominion of David and made him victorious. His kingdom was strong and great; his enemies feared him without engaging in war with him.

David had a son named Solomon (Sulaiman), who was intelligent and wise from childhood. When the following story took place, Solomon was eleven years old.

One day, David was sitting, as usual, solving the problems of his people when two men, one of whom had a field, came to him. The owner of the field said: “O dear Prophet! This man’s sheep came to my field at night and ate up the grapes and I have come to ask for compensation.” David asked the owner of the sheep: “Is this true?” He said: “Yes, sir.” David said: “I have decided that you give him your sheep in exchange for the field.” Solomon, to whom Allah had given wisdom in addition to what he had inherited from his father, spoke up: “I have another opinion. The owner of the sheep should take the field to cultivate until the grapes grow, while the other man should take the sheep and make use of their wool and milk until his field is repaired. If the grapes grow, and the field returns to its former state, then the field owner should take his field and give back the sheep to their owner.”

David responded: “This is a sound judgment. Praise be to Allah for gifting you with wisdom. You are truly Solomon the Wise.”

Prophet David was a just and righteous ruler who brought peace and prosperity to his people, and whom Allah honoured as a messenger. He delivered Allah’s message to the people through the precious gift of his melodious voice. When he recited the Psalms (Zaboor), it was as if the rest of creation chanted with him; people listened as if in a trance. The messages David delivered are famous and well remembered. They are known in the Bible as the Psalms or Songs of David.

David divided his working day into four parts: one to earn a living and to rest, one to pray to his Lord, one to listen to the complaints of his people, and the last part to deliver his sermons. He also appointed deputies to listen to his subjects’ complaints so that in his absence people’s problems might not be neglected.

Although a king, he did not live on the income of his kingdom. Being well-experienced in the craft of weapon-making, he made and sold weapons and lived on that income.

One day, as David was praying in his prayer niche, he ordered his guards not to allow anyone to interrupt him, but two men managed to enter and disturb him. “Who are you?” he asked. One of the men said: “Do not be frightened. We have a dispute and have come for your judgment.” David said: “What is it?” The first man said: “This my brother, has ninety-nine sheep, and I have one. He gave it to me but took it back.” David, without hearing from the other party, said: “He did you wrong by taking the sheep back, and many partners oppress one another, except for those who are believers.”

The two men vanished like a cloud, and David realized that they were two angels sent to him to teach him a lesson. He should not have passed a judgment without hearing from the opposing party.

Almighty Allah told us of this incident: «And has the news of the litigants reached you? When they climbed over the wall into (his) Mihrab (a praying place or a private room). When they entered in upon David, he was terrified of them, they said: ‘Fear not! (We are,) two litigants, one of whom has wronged the other, therefore judge between us with truth, and treat us not with injustice, and guide us to the Right Way.”

“Verily, this my brother (in religion) has ninety-nine ewes, while I have (only) one ewe, and he says: ‘Hand it over to me,’ and he overpowered me in speech.”

(David) said (immediately without listening to the opponent): “He has wronged you in demanding your ewe in addition to his ewes. And, verily, many partners oppress one another, except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and they are few.”

And David guessed that We have tried him and he sought Forgiveness of his Lord, and he fell down prostrate and turned (to Allah) in repentance. So We forgave him that, and verily, for him is a near access to Us, and as good place of (final) return (Paradise).

O David! Verily! We have placed you as a successor on earth, so judge you between men in truth (and justice) and follow not your desire – for it will mislead you from the Path of Allah. Verily! Those who wander astray from the Path of Allah (shall) have a severe torment, because they forgot the Day of Reckoning.» Surah 38: 21-26

David worshiped Allah, glorified Him and sang His praise until he died. According to traditions, David died suddenly and was mourned by four thousand priests as well as thousands of people.

It was so hot that people suffered from the intensity of the sun. Solomon called the birds to protect David and the people from the sun, and they did so until he was buried. This was the first sign of his dominion to be witnessed by the people.

THE PROPHET YUSUF (peace be upon him)

The Prophet Ya’qub (peace be upon him) had twelve sons and one of them was called Yusuf (Joseph) whose life is full of many interesting: happenings.  He was a handsome and smart boy with polite habits and polished manners.  He bore a sound character.  He had an attractive personality.  The Prophet Ya’qub (peace be upon him) had a deep affection for his son, Yusuf who occupied a rank of remarkable distinction among his brothers.  His brothers began to Feel jealous of him.  They became united against Yusuf and hatched a plan to do away.  with him.

Vision of Prophet Yusuf and its Interpretation:

When the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) became a teenager, he had a special vision.  He rushed towards his father to inform him about it.  He dreamt that there were eleven stars with the moon and the sun kneeling in front of him.  The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) was much excited to see this fantastic dream.  His heart was beating fast while he was breaking the news to his father.  The Holy Qur’an describes:

“Yusuf said to his father: 0′ my father! I have indeed seen in a dream eleven stars and the sun and moon making obeisance to me.” (12: 4)

On hearing about this vision the Prophet Ya’qub (peace be upon him) whisperingly advised his son not to divulge it to his brothers lest their jealousy should be excited.  He had sound reasons to Fear that they would plot against him.  The Prophet Ya’qub (peace be upon him) interpreted that Yusuf was destined to become a great personality.  God would give him wisdom, grace and honour.  He would enable him to read into the future.  To crown all he would become a Prophet.  His eleven brothers (the stars) and his father and mother (the sun and moon) would stand in need of him and bow to his dignified position.  The Holy Qur’an relates:

“He (Ya’qub) said: O’ my dear son! Tell not your brethren of your vision lest they should plot against you because surely Satan is the manifest enemy of man.  So your Lord shall prefer you and will teach you the interpretations of dreams and will perfect His favours upon you and upon the family of Ya’qub as He perfected it upon your forefather Ibrahim and Ishaq.  The Lord is Knowing, Wise.” (7:5, 6)

Plot against the Prophet Yusuf:

The brothers of Prophet Yusuf did not like that he should become the only centre of their paternal love.  The sentiments of jealousy burnt them inside.  They decided to get rid of him.  One of them suggested that he should be put to death but the others did not agree with him -because it was a terrible thing.  Then another brother proposed to throw him into a pit.  All of them I unanimously voted in favour of this scheme.  The Holy Qur’an says:

“One said: Slay Yusuf or drive him some other land so that your father’s favours may be exclusively for you and after that you shall live as upright persons.  One among them said: Kill not Yusuf but cast him down into the bottom of a pit if you must do it so that some wayfarers may pick him up.” (12: 7-10))

The Plan is put into Practice:

In order to put their plan into practice the mischievous brothers of the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) approached their father.  They persuaded the Prophet Ya’qub (peace be upon him) to allow his affectionate son, Yusuf to accompany them for tending the sheep.  They insisted so much that their father became quite suspicious.  He feared lest the jealous brothers should do some harm to Yusuf.  The Prophet Ya’qub (peace be upon him) was hesitant in parting with his son but his other sons went on insisting and trying to satisfy him.  They assured their father that they would look after their younger brother even at the risk of their own lives.  As the Prophet Ya’qub (peace be upon him) did not wish to compel Yusuf to avoid his brothers he granted his permission hesitatingly.  So the brothers got an opportunity of carrying out their evil design of casting him into the pit.  The Holy Qur’an says:

“They said: O’ our father! Why do you not entrust us with Yusuf though we, indeed, mean him well.  Send him with us tomorrow that he may enjoy himself and sport and surely we shall take good care of him.  He said: It grieves me that the wolf should devour him while you are heedless of him.  They said: Surely if the wolf should devour him notwithstanding we are so strong a band, then we shall be in that case justly blamed for losing him.” (12: 11-15)

They proceeded towards the hills.  All of them were nervous except the unsuspecting Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him).  When they were enjoying a trip, they pushed the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) sharply towards the waterless well He fell down with a thud and became sore all over.  There was no food to eat and no water to drink.  It was dark and scary.  ‘He screamed at the top of his voice but he could hear nothing except the echoes of his voice.  He realised that a clever trick had been played upon him.

Father is Informed:

The brothers of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) were feeling guilty inside because they had committed a shameful act.  They walked back slowly with dejected faces.  They approached their father crying and sobbing.  They were shedding crocodile tears while they were informing their father that the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him)had been devoured by the wolf.  They produced the blood smeared shirt of the Prophet Yusuf(peace be upon him) as an evidence.  The Holy Qur’an says:

“And they came back weeping to their father at night fall and said: O’ our father! of a truth, we went racing with one another and left Yusuf to loot after clothes and the wolf devoured him; but we art afraid you will not believe us though we speak the truth.  And they brought his shirt with false blood upon it.” (12: 16-18)

The Prophet Yusuf is Delivered out of Well and Sold:

The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) was quite vigorous.  He tried many times to climb out of the deep well but he could not.  Finally he sat down in utter despair beseeching Allah’s help.  After some time a caravan happened to pass by the well.  Some men needed water to quench their thirst.  One of them lowered his bucket into the well but he could not hear the splash of water.  The well was dry and there was nothing except the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) who was waiting anxiously for some one to come and rescue him.  When the bucket came down, it touched the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him).  He clung  to it with his dear life.  The man pulled hard at the bucket and the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) came out of the well.  He felt a great pleasure and expressed a deep sense of gratitude to Allah Who had bestowed favour upon him.  He dusted himself off and told the man all about what had happened to him.  The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) was taken to Egypt where he was sold as a slave.  The Holy Qur’an states:

“And there came a wayfarer and they sent down a water drawer.  He let down his pail into the pit.  He said: What a good luck, here is a youth.  And they kept his case secret to make merchandise of him and Allah knew what they did, and they sold him for a petty price, a few dirhams and they attached little value to him.” (12:1,0, 21)

The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) was purchased by a famous rich man.  He rendered services to him and his family.

The Prophet Yusuf Overpowers Temptation:

The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) was a handsome and an attractive young man.  He was extremely charming and irresistible.  He was a perfect gentleman whom Allah had honoured with His love, grace and protection.  He was held in high esteem in the house of his master.  As the time passed the lady of the house put him in an awkward position.  She fell in love with him.  She could hardly shake him out of her mind.  One day in the absence of her husband she approached him and desired to be very close to him.  The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) refrained from even casting a glance at her.  He tried to get rid of her but she chased him.  She grabbed hard at the back of his shirt and it was torn apart.  Just at that time the master appeared on the scene.  He saw what was going on, He flew into a rage.  The master’s wife was embarrassed beyond all limits.  She cried out after absolute frustration in her evil designs and levelled false accusations against Yusuf, the innocent.  The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) clarified his position with the moral support of one of the maid-servants who bore witness by saying: Look at the shirt.  If it is torn at the back, the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) will be quite innocent.  He should not be blamed.  In case it is rent from the front the accused will be one of the liars.  When the shirt was examined it was torn at the back and the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) was found truthful.  The master was fully convinced of the innocence of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him).  He appealed to him to keep the matter in secret lest it should become a scandal.  Moreover he admonished his wife to beg pardon of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him).

Banquet is Arranged:

Many people got wind of this incident.  They starred to talk about the master’s wife who had been deeply affected with the love of her slave.  She wished to seduce him.  The whole town kept on talking maliciously about her.

When the master’s wife heard about it, she made a special plan.  She wished to show the people that it was very hard to resist the charm of Prophet Yusuf(peace be upon him) and his lovely youth.  She arranged a grand banquet and invited most of the women in the town.  They were talking and enjoying themselves.  The most delicious food and fruit were served before the guests.  The master’s wife gave a sharp knife to every lady to peel off the fruit.  When the ladies were busy with using the knives, the  master’s wife asked the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) to enter the room.  As the door opened with a squeak, there prevailed a pen-drop silence for a few second and the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) stood calmly.  The ladies looked at him constantly and got stunned at his beauty.  He was so attractive that many of them were taken by a great surprise.  They forgot that they were using the knives.  They cut their fingers in utter amazement.  The Holy Qur’an says:

“When they saw him, they exalted him? and (in their amazement) cut their hands exclaiming: Remote is Allah from imperfection.  This is not a mortal but is a noble angel.  She said: It is he about whom you blamed me Certainly I wished him to yield to my desires but he stood firm.” (12:31,3?)

The Prophet Yusuf in the Prison:

The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) found himself in a great trouble.  As the time passed by, the Problems became more complicated.  The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) prayed to Almighty Allah to grant him protection from those ladies.  He wished to be in prison rather than being indecent.  He desired to escape from the temptations of sexual instinct.  The Holy Qur’an says:

“He said: MY Lord! I Prefer the Prison to compliance with their bidding: and if you turn not away their snares from me, I may perchance yearn towards them (out of youthful folly) and become one of the unwise.” (7: 33)

Allah accepted his prayer to shield him from evil temptations.  The elite of the town noticed that their females were becoming ardent lovers of the Prophet Yusuf (peace  be upon him).  Although they knew that he had committed no crime yet they decided to imprison the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) to avoid disturbance in their society.  He remained in the prison for several years and developed friendly relations with many prisoners.  There he preached the religion of Allah and tried to reform the prisoners who were greatly impressed by his personality.  One day two prisoners saw strange dreams.  They came to the Prophet Yusuf(peace be upon him) for asking the Interpretations of those dreams.  One of them said: I saw in a dream that I was pressing wine.  The other prisoner said: I saw in my dream that I was carrying a basket of bread on my head and the birds were eating from it.  The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) asked them to wait until lunch time so that they might become anxious and listen to him attentively.  At the appointed time the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) said: The one who was pressing wine, will be set at liberty and he will serve wine to his master.  The other will be crucified for the crime, he had committed. The Holy Qur’an affirms:

“O’ my two fellow prisoners! As for one of you he shall Pour out wine for his lord to drink and as for the other, he shall be executed and the birds shall eat from off his head.  The matter is decreed concerning which you inquired.” (11:40)

Soon after the interpretations of those dreams turned out to be true.  When the first man was about to leave the prison, the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) asked to remember him to the master.  He did so as a self-respecting man without adopting a supplicative attitude.  The man who found deliverance forgot mentioning all about the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) to his lord.  So he had to linger in the prison for a few more years.  He continued praying and teaching goodness in the prison.  One day, the king of Egypt dreamt that seven fat cows were eaten by seven thin cows and he also saw seven preen ears of corn and seven others that withered.  The king wished to know the interpretation of that strange dream.  Every one was puzzled because no one could really say what it meant.  Some of them thought that it was a passing dream.  The ex-prisoner informed the king about the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) who was well versed in the art of explaining the dreams accurately.  The king became quite curious and sent the man to see the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) in the prison.  The man rushed towards him and tendered an apology for not speaking to the master about him.  Then he asked him about the fantastic dream of the king.  The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) said: You will sow for seven years diligently.  There will be seven years of rich harvest in the country.  It is better to store as much of the food stuff as possible because there will be a famine lasting for seven years.  During this period of hardships the preserved stores of grain shall be consumed except a little quantity.  Afterwards there will be a year in which the people shall have heavy rains and bumper crops.  They shall press grapes.

The Prophet Yusuf’s Innocence is Established:

The man sought permission of leave from the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) and proceeded towards the king.  He told him the interpretation of his dream in the presence of many courtiers.  They were much surprised.  The king was greatly impressed and expressed a keen desire to see him in person.  He issued an immediate order to release the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) from the prison but he refused to leave it until he had his innocence established beyond all doubts.  He told the king about the cruelty and injustice inflicted upon him without any fault.  He wished to clear the blot of crime on his fair name.  The king summoned the women who put the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) to inconvenience.  They all confessed that he was quite innocent.  The Holy Qur’an affirms: “They (women) said: Allah Blameless! We knew of no evil on his part.  Thereupon the Chief’s wife said:  Now the truth has become established.  I asked of him an evil act and he is surely of the truthful.” (7: 50)

The Prophet Yusuf as Director of Stores:

The king was much impressed with his nobility and intelligence.  He therefore, offered him an important position in the Government.  He was appointed as the Director of Stores.  The Holy Qur’an says:

“He (the king) said: Surely from this day you shall be with us invested with rank and trust.  Then he (Yusuf) said: Set me over the store houses of the land.  Surely I am a skilled custodian (knowing well my duties).  (1:54, 55)

The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) worked efficiently and managed the affairs.  he won a good name as an officer and became powerful in the land.

The Prophet Ya’qub (peace be upon him)was awfully unhappy.  He missed the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) very much.  He was assured by Almighty Allah that he would see his son again.  The brothers of the Prophet Yusuf(peace be upon him) grew in age and kept remembering the mischievous trick which they had played upon him.  It was highly shameful act.  Now Palestine was also in the grip of dreadful famine.  There was an acute dearth of food.  The family of the Prophet Ya’qub (peace be upon him) was passing through the most straitened circumstances.  They heard that Egyptians had huge stock of food stuff.  They sold it at reasonable rates.  The sons of the Prophet Ya’qub (peace be upon him) prepared a caravan and went to Egypt to purchase grain.

The Prophet Yusuf’s Brothers go to Egypt and buy Food Conditionally:

When they reached Egypt the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) recognised his brothers immediately and his heart was beating violently.  He did not remind them of the cruelty inflicted upon him.  He did not disclose his identity.  He showed kindness to them and furnished them with provision at a very fair price.  They felt highly obliged because of his noble behaviour.  Before their departure the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) said: If you come back, bring with you a younger brother of yours from your father’s side.  If my request is not complied with, I shall sell you no more grain.

They came back home after a tiresome journey.  They told their father that the custodian of the food stores in Egypt had expressed a keen desire to see their younger brother.  On hearing this the Prophet Ya’qub’s face became tense and worried.  He did not like the same thing happen to his other son.  He hesitated to allow Yusuf’s brother to accompany them.  Because of his previous bitter experience he could not trust them.  They in the long run  convinced him after giving him a firm covenant in Allah’s name that they would bring back the brother of Yusuf.  When they opened the sacks of grain and were much surprised to find their money in it.

After many weeks their second caravan reached Egypt and went directly to the main store-house.  The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) greeted them with open arms.  Every one was much pleased.  There was a lot of hustle and bustle.  The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) took his younger brother aside and told him that he was Yusuf who was thrown into the well.  His brother was much surprised and his joy knew no bounds.  The Holy Qur’an says:

“And when they came into Yusuf’s presence, he took his own brother aside with him saying: LO I am your brother.  Therefore grieve not at what they do.” (7:69)

Younger Brother is Detained:

The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) had certain plans in his mind.  He furnished them with their provisions and asked one of his servants to put a drinking cup in their bag.  As the caravan was about to depart, some one shouted! The king’s silver drinking cup is missing.  Every one got puzzled.  The brother of the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) said: We are not thieves and we have not come here to make mischief.  One of the Egyptians said: He who is found guilty, shall be detained here as penalty.  All of them agreed upon the awarding of this punishment.  They began to search out the sacks of the customers.  They found the missing drinking cup in the sack of the younger brother of the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him).  It followed a great deal of excitement.  The brothers tried very hard to convince the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) not to detain their brother but he flatly refused.  He asked them not to back out of their promise.  They became upset.  Their eldest brother decided not to go back to the Prophet Ya’qub (peace be upon him) again and face him with heart breaking news.  He stayed there and sent back his other brothers to inform the care-worn father of the whole situation.  They went back and conveyed the most shocking news to their father.  He displayed unshakeable patience and said:

“So patience is most fitting for me.  May Allah restore them all to me.  Surely, He is the Knowing, the Wise.” (12: 83)

Any how he directed his sons to go and seek tidings of the Prophet Yusuf(peace be upon him) and his younger brother for whom he used to yearn day and night.  They went to Egypt again after a few weeks.  This time they had scanty money.  They requested the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) to help them in charity.  They were dressed in rags.  They looked pathetic due to poverty.  The Holy Qur’an states:

“And when they came back into the presence of Yusuf, they said: O’ chief! Misfortune has afflicted us and our family and we have brought a small amount, so give us full measure and be charitable to us; Surely  Allah will requite charitable.” (12: 88)

The Prophet Yusuf Helps his Brothers and Discloses his Identity:

The Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) was well known for his generosity.  He had a tender and sympathetic heart.  He took pity on them.  He helped them from the core of his heart.  They had also sinking feelings inside.  Soon after he disclosed his identity to his brothers.  The Holy Qur’an affirms:

“He (Yusuf) said: I am Yusuf and this is my brother.  Allah has shown us favour.  Surely who fears Allah and endures, is rewarded for surely Allah does not waste the reward of those who do good.” (12:90)

Now every one wished to go immediately to their father to inform him of the happy news that the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) was alive.  At the time of departure the Prophet Yusuf(peace be upon him) gave them his shirt and said:

“Cast it on my father’s face and he will recover his sight and come to me with all your family.” (12: 93)

The brothers came home with happy spirit.  They put the shirt of the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) on the face of the Prophet Ya’qub (peace be upon him).  He regained his eye sight in the twinkling of an eye.  He took a sigh of relief when he smelt the sweet perfume of the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) from his shirt.  The brothers of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) begged pardon of their father and he forgave them with an open heart.

The Prophet Ya’qub Meets the Prophet Yusuf:

They decided to settle in Egypt.  They took their bag and baggage and set out on a long journey.  They were given a warm reception when they reached Egypt.  The father, Ya’qub, met his son Yusuf after a long separation.  He said:

“O’ my father! This is the interpretation of my old vision.  My Lord has indeed made it to be true and He has shown me kindness.  When He brought me forth from prison and brought you all from the desert even after Satan has sown (seeds of) dissension between me and my brothers.  Surely my Lord is tender to whom He wills.  Surely He is the Knowing, the Wise.  O’ my Lord! You have indeed given me (something) of the sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams–Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Protecting friend in this world and the Hereafter.  Make me die submissive (unto You) and join me with the righteous”.  (12: 100, 101)

The Story of Joseph (Yusuf): Part 1

(Peace be upon him)

This is the most detailed and fascinating story in the Qur’an, involving both human weaknesses such as jealousy, hatred, pride, passion, deception, intrigue, cruelty, terror as well as noble qualities such as patience, loyalty, bravery, nobility, and compassion.

It is related that among the reasons for its revelation is that the Jews asked the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to tell them about Joseph (PBUH), who was one of their old prophets. His story had been distorted in parts and marred in others with interpolations and exclusions. Therefore it was revealed in the Book of Allah (Qur’an), complete in its minute and careful details.

Allah the Almighty declared: «We relate unto you (Muhammad) the best of stories through Our Revelations unto you, of this Qur’an. And before this (i.e. before the coming of Divine Inspiration to you), you were among those who knew nothing about it (the Qur’an).» Surah 12:3

Almighty Allah also decreed: «Thus We relate to you (O Muhammad) some information of what happened before. And indeed We have given you from Us a Reminder (this Qur’an). Whoever turns away from it (this Qur’an – i.e. does not believe in it, nor acts on its orders), verily, they will bear a heavy burden (of sins) on the Day of Resurrection. They will abide in that (state in the Fire of Hell), and evil indeed will it be that load for them on the Day of Resurrection.» Surah 20: 99-101

The story of Joseph (PBUH) moves in a stream from beginning to end; its substance and form are equally coherent. It inspires you with a feeling for the depth of Allah’s power and supremacy and the execution of His rulings despite the challenge of human intervention, «And Allah has full power and control over His Affairs, but most of men know not.» Surah 12:21

This is what the story of Joseph (PBUH), confirms categorically, for it ends with comfort and marvels.

Joseph lived all his life confronting schemes made by the people closest to him. His brothers plotted to kill him, but they amended it to exiling him. This happened to him while he was a boy. He was sold into the slave market in Egypt, where he was bought for a nominal sum. Then he fell victim to the attempted seduction by a great man’s wife who, when her wish was foiled, sent him to prison, where he remained for some time. In spite of all this, he at length approached close to the Egyptian throne and became the king’s chief minister. He then began his call to Allah from the position of the ruling authority.

Allah’s plans were carried out, and the matter ended. This is the substance (theme) of the story. As for the form (style) in which it is presented, it is a landmark of wonder.

The story is presented in a sequence of episodes. It gives you scene after scene and the transition is inspiring, informative, and stirring to the imagination. There are also artistic loopholes which leave it to the imagination of the reader to complete the sense, as well as the depth of the picture, the like of which no human artist can bring forth.

The story begins with a dream and ends with its interpretation. As the sun appeared over the horizon, bathing the earth in its morning glory, Joseph (PBUH), son of the Prophet Jacob (PBUH), awoke from his sleep, delighted by a pleasant dream he had had. Filled with excitement, he ran to his father and related it. «”O my father! Verily, I saw (in a dream) eleven stars and the sun and the moon, I saw them prostrating themselves to me.”» Surah 12:4

His father’s face lit up. He foresaw that Joseph would be the one through whom the prophecy of his grandfather, Prophet Abraham (PBUH), would be fulfilled, in that his offspring would keep the light of Abraham’s house alive and spread Allah’s message to mankind.

Therefore, it was narrated that Allah’s Messenger Muhammad (PBUH) was asked: “Who is the most honorable amongst the people?” He replied: “The most God-fearing.” The people said: “We do not want to ask you about this.” He said: “The most honorable person is Joseph Allah’s prophet, the son of Allah’s prophet, the son of the faithful friend of Allah (Abraham).” Sahih Al-Bukhari

However, the father was well aware of the jealousy of Joseph’s brothers, so he warned him against telling his dream to his brothers: «”O my son! Relate not your vision to your brothers, lest they arrange a plot against you. Verily! Satan is to man an open enemy! Thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of dreams (and other things) and perfect His Favor on you and on the offspring of Jacob, as He perfected it on your fathers, Abraham and Isaac aforetime! Verily, your Lord is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”» Surah 12: 5-6

Joseph heeded is father’s warning. He did not tell his brothers what he had seen. It is well known that they hated him so much that it was difficult for him to feel secure telling them what was in his heart and in his dreams.

Joseph was eighteen years old, very handsome and robust, with a gentle temperament. He was respectful, kind, and considerate. His brother Benjamin was equally pleasant. Both were from one mother, Rachel. Because of their refined qualities, the father loved the two more than his other children, and would not let them out of his sight. To protect them, he kept them busy with work in the house garden.

The scene of Jacob and his son closes. Another opens on Joseph’s brothers plotting against him. «”Truly, Joseph and his brother (Benjamin) are loved more by our father than we, but we are ‘Usbah (a strong group). Really, our father is in a plain error. Kill Joseph or cast him out to some (other) land, so that the favor of your father may be given to you alone, and after that you will be righteous folk (by intending repentance before committing the sin).”

One from among them said: “Kill not Joseph, but if you must do something, throw him down to the bottom of a well, he will be picked up by some caravan of travellers.”» Surah 12: 8-10

The pages of the Old Testament say that Joseph told them his dream, whereas the Qur’an does not say that that happened. Had it been so, the brothers would have said so themselves. The Old Testament claims they had lost their own rights by him, and so they would kill him. Indeed Joseph kept his father’s order and did not tell his brothers about his vision.

In spite of this, his brothers sat down to conspire against him. One of them asked: “Why does our father love Joseph more than us?”

Another answered: “Perhaps because of his beauty.”

A third said: “Joseph and his brother occupied our father’s heart.”

The first complained: “Our father has gone all astray.”

One of them suggested a solution to the matter: kill Joseph.

“Where should we kill him?”

“We should banish him away from these grounds.”

“We will send him to a distant land.”

“Why should we not kill him and have rest so that the favor of your father may be given to you alone?”

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.”

The discussion continued on the idea of dropping Joseph into a well, as it was seen as the safest solution. The plan to kill him was defeated; kidnap into a distant land was approved. It was the cleverest of ideas.

Their next movement opened the scene between them and their father Jacob (PBUH): «They said: “O our father! Why do you not trust us with Joseph, – when we are indeed his well-wishers? Send him with us tomorrow to enjoy himself and play, and verily, we will take care of him.”

He (Jacob) said: “Truly, it saddens me that you should take him away. I fear lest a wolf should devour him, while you are careless of him.”

They said: “If a wolf devours him, while we are ‘Usbah (a strong group) (to guard him), then surely, we are the losers.”»Surah 12: 11-14

Jacob suggested a point which had not occurred to them in their discussion: he feared that desert wolves would eat him! Did he imply the wolves within them, or did he mean the wild wolves? No one but Allah knows. They coaxed their father to send Joseph with them.; he agreed under their pressure.

They were excited that they could now get rid of Joseph for after this they could stand a better chance of receiving their father’s affection. On leaving home, they went directly to the well, as they had planned, on the pretext of drinking water. One of them put his arms around Joseph and held him tightly. Startled by this unusual behavior, Joseph struggled to free himself. More brothers rushed to hold him. One of them removed his shirt. Some more joined in to lift Joseph up and cast him into the deep well. Joseph’s piteous pleas made no difference to their cruel hearts.

Then Allah revealed to Joseph that he was safe and should not fear, for he would meet them again some day to remind them of what they had done.

There was water in the well which buoyed Joseph’s body, so he was not harmed. He sat lonely in the water, then clung to a rock ledge overhead and climbed on top of it. His brothers left him in this desolate place.

Then they killed a sheep and soaked Joseph’s shirt in its blood. One brother said that they should swear to keep their deed a close secret. All of them took the oath. «And they came to their father in the early part of the night weeping.» Surah 12:16

The scene here is dark night, broken by the crying of ten men. The father is sitting in his house when the sons enter, the darkness of night covering the darkness of their hearts and the darkness of their lies struggling to come out. Jacob wondered aloud: “Why this weeping? Has anything happened to the flock?” They answered crying: «”O our father! We went racing with one another, and left Joseph by our belongings and a wolf devoured him; but you will never believe us even when we speak the truth.» Surah 12:17

“We were surprised after returning from the race that Joseph was in the belly of the wolf.”

“We did not see him!”

“You will not believe us even though we are truthful, but we are telling you what happened!”

“The wolf has eaten Joseph!”

“This is Joseph’s shirt. We found it soiled with blood, and did not find Joseph!”

«And they brought his shirt stained with false blood.» Surah 12:18

Deep down in his heart Jacob knew that his beloved son was still alive and that his other sons were lying. He held the blood-stained shirt in his hands, spread it out and remarked: “What a merciful wolf! He ate up my beloved son without tearing his shirt!” Their faces turned red when he demanded more information, but each one swore by Allah that he was telling the truth. The broken hearted father burst into tears: «”Nay, but your own selves have made up a tale. So (for me) patience is most fitting. And it is Allah (Alone) whose Help can be sought against that which you assert.”»Surah 12:18

The father acted wisely by praying for mighty patience which is free of doubt and by trusting in Allah for help against what they had plotted against him and his son. This scene dims, and the scene opens in the well with which Joseph had been thrown.

In the dark well Joseph managed to find a stone ledge to hold onto. Around him was total darkness and an eerie silence. Fearful thoughts entered his mind: what would happen to him? where would he find food? why had his own brothers turned against him? would his father know of his plight? His father’s smile flashed before him, recalling the love and affection he had always shown him. Joseph began to pray earnestly, pleading to Allah for salvation. Gradually his fear began to subside. His Creator was testing the young man with a great misfortune in order to infuse in him a spirit of patience and courage. Joseph surrendered himself to the will of his Lord.

The next scene shows the wide desert. At the horizon is a long line of camels, horses, and men: a caravan on its way to Egypt. The caravan of merchants halted at this famous well for water. A man lowered in his bucket. Joseph was startled by the bucket hurtling down and grabbed hold of it before it could land in the water. As the man began to haul he felt the load unusually heavy, so he peeped into the well. What he saw shocked him: a man was clinging to the rope! He held the rope tightly and shouted to his friends: “Better give me a hand fellows! Looks like I found real treasure in the well!”

His companions rushed to the well and helped him to pull out the stranger holding onto the rope. Standing before them was a healthy, handsome youth, beaming with an angelic smile. They saw in him a handsome prize, for money was all that mattered to them. Immediately, they clapped iron shackles on his feet and took him along to Egypt, far away from his beloved homeland of Canaan.

All over the Egyptian city the news spread that an unusually handsome, robust young slave was on sale. People gathered by the hundreds at the slave market. Some were spectators, others were bidders the elite and the rich, each one craning his neck to view the handsome specimen. The auctioneer had a field day as the bidding went wild, each buyer trying to outbid the other. Eventually, the ‘Aziz, the chief minister of Egypt, outbid all the others and took Joseph to his mansion.

The Qur’an describes this scene as follows: «And there came a caravan of travellers, they sent their water-drawer, and he let down his bucket (into the well). He said: “What a good news! Here is a boy.” So they hid him as merchandise (a slave). And Allah was the All-Knower of what they did.

And they sold him for a low price, – for a few Dirhams (i.e. for a few silver coins). And they were of those who regarded him insignificant.

And he (the man) from Egypt who bought him, said to his wife: “Make his stay comfortable, may be he will profit us or we shall adopt him as a son.” Thus did We establish Joseph in the land, that We might teach him the interpretation of events. » Surah 12: 19-21

See how Allah the Almighty reveals the substance of this long story from its beginning: «And Allah has full power and control over His Affairs, but most of men know not.» Surah 12: 21

The chains of slavery have closed on Joseph. He was cast into the well, deprived of his father, picked from the well, made a slave, sold at the market, and made the property of this man, the ‘Aziz, the chief minister. The hazards followed in quick succession, leaving Joseph helpless.

What we see as hazards and slander is the first step of the ladder on Joseph’s way to greatness. Allah is decisive in His action. His plan is carried out despite the plans of others and while theirs are still being made. So He spoils their plan, and Allah’s promise is realised. Allah had promised Joseph Prophethood. Love for Joseph was thrust into the heart of the man who bought him, and he was a man of no mean position. He was an important personage, one of the ruling class of Egypt.

Therefore, Joseph was pleasantly surprised when the chief minister of Egypt ordered his men to remove the heavy shackles from his swollen feet. He was also surprised when he told Joseph not to betray his trust; he would not be ill-treated if he behaved himself. Joseph smiled at his benefactor, thanked him, and promised to be loyal.

Joseph felt at ease, for at last he was sheltered and would be well cared for. He thanked Allah over and over and wondered at the mysteries of life. Not so long ago he had been cast into a deep, dark well with no hope of ever coming out alive. Next he was rescued, then enslaved in iron shackles, and now he was moving freely in a luxurious mansion, with enough food to enjoy. However, his heart ached with longing for his parents and brother Benjamin, and he shed tears daily.

Joseph was made the personal attendant of the chief minister’s wife. He was obedient and ever-obliging. With his pleasant manners and charming behavior, he won everybody’s heart.

Joseph’s handsomeness became the talk of the town. People referred to him as the most attractive man they had ever seen and wrote poetry about him. His face carried immaculate beauty. The purity of his inner soul and his heart showed in his face, increasing his beauty. People from afar came to the city to have a glimpse of him. The prettiest of maidens and the richest of ladies nursed the desire to possess him, but not once did he show haughtiness or conceit. He was always humble and polite.

The days passed and Joseph grew. Almighty Allah said: «And when he (Joseph) attained his full manhood, We gave him wisdom and knowledge (the Prophethood), thus We reward the doers of good.» Surah 12:22

He was given wisdom in affairs and knowledge of life and its conditions. He was given the art of conversation, captivating those who heard him. He was given nobility and self-restraint, which made him an irresistible personality. His master soon knew that Allah had graced him with Joseph. He understood that Joseph was the most honest, straightforward and noble person he had met in his life. Therefore, he put Joseph in charge of his household, honored him, and treated him as a son.

The wife of the chief minister, Zulaikha, watched Joseph from day to day. She sat with him, talked with him, listened to him, and her wonder increased over the passage of time.

Joseph was soon confronted (with his second trial). The chief minister’s wife, Zulaikha, could not resist the handsome Joseph, and her obsession with him caused her sleepless nights. She fell in love with him, and it was painful for her to be so close to a man, yet be unable to hold him. Yet, she was not a wayward woman, for in her position she could get any man she desired. By all accounts she must have been a very pretty and intelligent lady, or why would the chief minister have chosen her of all the pretty women in the kingdom? Although she bore him no child, he would not take another wife, as he loved her passionately.

The Qur’an raises the curtain on the scene of this fierce and devouring love on the part of the lady. Allah the Almighty told us: «And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him (to do an evil act), she closed the doors and said: “Come on, O you.” He said: “I seek refuge in Allah (or Allah forbid)! Truly, he (your husband) is my master! He made my stay agreeable! (So I will never betray him). Verily, the Zalimun (wrong – and evil-doers) will never be successful.” And indeed she did desire him and he would have inclined to her desire, had he not seen the evidence of his Lord. Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen, guided slaves.» Surah 12:23-24

Commentators are unanimous about her intention of disobedience but disagree about his own intention. There are those who say that she tempted him and he tempted her to sin, although he did not follow through with his intent. Others say that she merely wanted him to kiss her, and he attempted to strike her. Yet others say that this anxiety had been there before this incident. There was a psychological disturbance in Joseph when he reached adolescence, which Almighty Allah rid him of.

The safest commentary for us is that there is temptation and resistance in the verse, for He Most High stated: «And indeed she did desire him and he would have inclined to her desire. . .» Surah 12: 24

Abu ‘Ubaidah said that this is a temptation and resistance meaning that she had tried to seduce him; had he not seen the proof of Allah, he would have been seduced. This is in keeping with the infallibility of prophets, as it suits the words which immediately follow: «Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen, guided slaves.» Surah 12: 24

This verse proves that Joseph was an upright worshiper of Allah; it also testifies to his rescue from the authority of Satan. The Almighty said to the devil (Iblis) on the Day of Creation, «”Certainly, you shall have no authority over My slaves, except those who follow you of the Ghawin (Mushrikeen and those who go astray, criminals, polytheists, and evil-doers, etc.)”»Surah 15: 42

Joseph’s refusal only heightened her passion. As he moved to the door to escape, she ran after him and caught hold of his shirt, like a drowning person clinging to the boat. In her tugging she tore his shirt and held the torn piece in her hand. They reached the door together. It opened suddenly; there stood her husband and a relative of hers.

Almighty Allah said: «So they raced with one another to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back. They both found her lord (i.e. her husband) at the door.» Surah 12: 25

As he opened the door, he saw her husband standing in front of him. The sly woman immediately changed her tone to anger and, showing the torn piece of the shirt in her hand, asked her husband: «”What is the recompense (punishment) for him who intended an evil design against your wife, except that he be put in prison or a painful torment?”» Surah 12: 25

She was now accusing Joseph of molesting her, to give the impression that she was innocent and a victim of Joseph’s sexual desire. Though bewildered Joseph denied it: «”It was she that sought to seduce me.”»Surah 12: 26

After the husband had questioned his wife and Joseph, he consulted Zulaikha’s cousin. He was an honest, wise man who listened to both accounts and gave his opinion. He said the proof was in the shirt. If it was torn at the front it meant that he had tried to seduce her, as the torn shirt would then be a proof of self-defense. The husband asked: “And if the shirt is torn at the back?” The relative said: “Then it would mean that she was the one who tempted him.”

The shirt was passed from hand to hand, while she watched. The witness (her cousin) looked at it and found that it was torn at the back. The evidence clearly showed that she was guilty. The disappointed husband remarked to his wife: «”Surely, it is a plot of you women! Certainly mighty is you plot!”»Surah 12: 28

The wise and just ‘Aziz apologised to Joseph for his wife’s indecency. He also instructed her to beg Joseph’s forgiveness for accusing him falsely. Allah the Almighty narrated this incident thus: «He (Joseph) said: “It was she that sought to seduce me,”- and a witness of her household bore witness (saying): “If it be that his shirt is torn from the front, then her tale is true and he is a liar! But if it be that his shirt is torn from the back, then she has told a lie and he is speaking the truth!”

So when he (her husband) saw his (Joseph’s) shirt torn at the back; (her husband) said: “Surely, it is a plot of you women! Certainly mighty is your plot! O Joseph! Turn away from this! (O woman!) Ask forgiveness for your sin. Verily, you were of the sinful.”» Surah 12: 26-29

An incident like this cannot remain a secret in a house filled with servants, and the story spread. Women began to see her behavior as scandalous. They remarked: «”The wife of Al-‘Aziz is seeking to seduce her (slave) young man, indeed she loves him violently; verily, we see her in plain error.”» Surah 12: 30

Naturally their gossip distressed Zulaikha. She honestly believed that it was not easy for any woman to resist a man as handsome as Joseph. To prove her helplessness, she planned to subject the women to the same temptation she faced. She invited them to a lavish banquet. No one so invited would want to miss the honor of dining with the chief minister’s wife; besides, they secretly harbored the desire to meet the handsome Joseph face to face. Some of her close friends jokingly said they would come only if she introduced them to Joseph.

The invitation was restricted to ladies. The banquet began, laughter and mirth abounded. Etiquette dictated that the ladies not mention the topic of Joseph. They were shocked, therefore, when Zulaikha opened the topic. “I have heard of those who say I have fallen in love with the young Hebrew man, Joseph.” Silence fell upon the banquet. At once all the guests’ hands stopped, and all eyes fell on the chief minister’s wife. She said, while giving orders for the fruit to be served: “I admit that he is a charming fellow. I do not deny that I love him. I have loved him for a long time.”

The confession of the chief minister’s wife removed the tension among the ladies. After finishing their dinner, the guests began cutting their fruit. At that very moment she summoned Joseph to make his appearance. He entered the hail gracefully, his gaze lowered. Zulaikha called him by his name and he raised his head. The guests were astonished and dumbfounded. His face was shining and full of manliness and angelic beauty. It reflected complete innocence, so much so that one could feel the peace of mind in the depth of his soul.

They exclaimed in astonishment while continuing to cut the fruit. All their eyes were on Joseph. So it was that the women began to cut their palms absent-mindedly without feeling that they had cut them.

The presence of Joseph at the scene of drama was so effective that blood flowed without their feeling pain. One of the ladies gasped: “Good gracious!” Another whispered: “This is not a mortal being!” Another stammered, patting her hair: “This is but a noble angel.”

Then the chief minister’s wife stood up and announced: “This is the one for whom I have been blamed. I do not deny that I tempted him. You have been enchanted by Joseph, and see what has happened to your hands. I have tempted him, and if he does not do what I want of him he shall be imprisoned.”

Almighty Allah related the scene of the banquet in His words: «So when she heard of their accusation, she sent for them and prepared a banquet for them; she gave each one of them a knife (to cut the foodstuff with), and she said (to Joseph): “Come out before them.” Then, when they saw him, they exalted him (at his beauty) and (in their astonishment) cut their hands. They said: “How perfect is Allah (or Allah forbid)! No man is this! This is none other than a noble angel!”

She said: “This is he (the young man) about whom you did blame me (for his love), and I did seek to seduce him, but he refused. And now if he refuses to obey my order, he shall certainly be cast into prison, and will be one of those who are disgraced.”

He said: “O my Lord! Prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me. Unless You turn away their plot from me, I will feel inclined towards them and be one (of those who commit sin and deserve blame or those who do deeds) of the ignorants.”

So his Lord answered his invocation and turned away from him their plot. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.» Surah 12: 31-34

That evening, Zulaikha convinced her husband that the only way to save her honor was to put Joseph in prison; otherwise she would not be able to control herself or to safeguard his prestige. The chief minister knew Joseph was absolutely innocent, that he was a young man of honor, a loyal servant, and he loved him for these reasons. It was not an easy decision for him to put an innocent man behind bars. However, he was left with no choice. He reasoned that Joseph’s honor would also be safeguarded if he was kept out of Zulaikha’s sight. That night, with a heavy heart, the chief minister sent Joseph to prison.

The Story of Joseph (Yusuf): Part 2

(Peace be upon him)

Prison was Joseph’s third test. During this period Allah blessed him with an extraordinary gift: the ability to interpret dreams. At about the same time two other men landed in the prison. One was the cupbearer of the king; the other was the king’s cook. The two men sensed that Joseph was not a common criminal, for an aura of piety glowed on his face. Both men had vivid dreams, and they were anxious to have them explained. The king’s cook dreamed that he stood in a place with bread on his head, and two birds were eating the bread. The cupbearer dreamed that he was serving the king wine. The two went to Joseph and told him their dreams, asking him to give them their meaning.

First, Joseph called them to Allah. Then he said that the cook would be crucified until he died and that the cupbearer would return to the service of the king. Joseph told the cupbearer to remember him to the king and to say that there was a wronged soul called Joseph in the prison. What Joseph predicted did happen; the cook was crucified and the cupbearer returned to the palace.

After the cupbearer returned to service, Satan made him forget to mention Joseph’s name to the king. Therefore, Joseph remained in prison for a few years, but he made patience his own, praying to Allah.

Almighty Allah narrated: «And there entered with him two young men in the prison, One of them said: “Verily, I saw myself (in a dream) pressing wine.” The other said: “Verily, I saw myself (in a dream) carrying bread on my head and birds were eating thereof.” (They said): “Inform us of the interpretation of this. Verily, we think you are one of the Muhsineen (doers of good).”

He said: “No food will come to you (in wakefulness or in dream) as your provision, but I will inform (in wakefulness) its interpretation before it (the food) comes. This is of that which my Lord has taught me. Verily, I have abandoned the religion of a people that believe not in Allah and are disbelievers in the Hereafter. And I have followed the religion of my fathers, – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and never could we attribute any partners whatsoever to Allah. This is from the Grace of Allah to us and to mankind, but most men thank not (i.e. they neither believe in Allah, nor worship Him).

“O two companions of the prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, the Irresistible? You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged), you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgment) is for none but Allah. He has commanded (i.e. His Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not.

“O two companions of the prison! As for one of you, he (as a servant) will pour out wine for his lord (King or master) to drink; and as for the other, he will be crucified and birds will eat from his head. Thus is the case judged concerning which you both did inquire.”

And he said to the one whom he knew to be saved: ‘Mention me to your lord (i.e. your King, so as to get me out of the prison).” But Satan made him forget to mention it to his lord [or Satan made (Joseph) to forget the remembrance of his Lord (Allah) as to ask for His Help, instead of others]. So (Joseph) stayed in prison a few (more) years.» Surah 12: 36-42

The scene in the prison closes; a new scene opens in the bed chamber of the king. The king is asleep. He sees himself on the banks of the Nile river. The water is receding before him, becoming mere mud. The fish begin to skip and jump in the mud. Seven fat cows come out of the river followed by seven lean cows. The seven lean ones devour the seven fat ones. The king is terrified. Then seven ears of green grain grow on the river banks and disappear in the mud. On the same spot grow seven dry ears of grain.

The king awoke frightened, shocked, and depressed, not knowing what all this meant. He sent for the sorcerers, priests and ministers, and told them his dream.

The sorcerers said: “This is a mixed up dream. How can any of that be? It is a nightmare.”

The priests said: “Perhaps his majesty had a heavy supper.”

The chief minister said: “Could it be that his majesty was exposed and did not draw the blanket up at night?”

The king’s jester said, jokingly: “His majesty is beginning to grow old, and so his dreams are confused.”

They reached a unanimous conclusion that it was only a nightmare.

The news reached the cupbearer. He recollected the dream he had had in prison and compared it to the king’s dream, and, therefore Joseph came to mind. He ran to the king to tell him about Joseph, who was the only one capable of interpreting the dream. The cupbearer said: “He had asked me to remember him to you, but I forgot.” The king sent the cupbearer to ask Joseph about the dream.

Joseph interpreted it to him: “There will be seven years of abundance. If the land is properly cultivated, there will be an excess of good harvest, more than the people will need. This should be stored. Thereafter, seven years of famine will follow, during which time the excess grain could be used.”

He also advised that during the famine they should save some grain to be used for seed for the next harvest. Joseph then added: “After seven years of drought, there will be a year during which water will be plentiful. If the water is properly used, grapevines and olive trees will grow in abundance, providing plenty of grapes and olive oil.”

The cupbearer hurried back with the good news. The king was fascinated by Joseph’s interpretation. Almighty Allah narrated this incident thus: «And the king (of Egypt) said: “Verily, I saw (in a dream) seven fat cows, whom seven lean cows were devouring and (seven) green ears of corn, and seven others dry. O notables! Explain to me my dream, if it be that you can interpret dreams.”

They said: “Mixed up false dreams and we are not skilled in the interpretation of dreams.”

Then the man who was released (one of the two who were in prison), now at length remembered and said: “I will tell you its interpretation, so send me forth.”

(He said): “O Joseph, the man of truth! Explain to us (the dream) of seven fat cows whom seven lean ones were devouring, and of seven green ears of corn, and (seven) others dry, that I may return to the people, and that they may know.” (Joseph) said: “For seven consecutive years, you shall sow as usual and that (the harvest) which you reap you shall leave in ears, (all) – except a little of it which you may eat. Then will come after that seven hard (years), which will devour what you have laid by in advance for them, (all) except a little of that which you have guarded (stored). Then thereafter will come a year in which people will have abundant rain and in which they will press (wine and oil).”» Surah 12: 43-49

The king was greatly astonished. Who could this person be? He commanded that Joseph to be set free from prison and presented to him at once. The king’s envoy went to fetch him immediately, but Joseph refused to leave the prison unless his innocence was proven. Perhaps they accused him of cutting the ladies’ hands, or of trying to rape them. Perhaps any other false accusation was made.

We do not know exactly what was said to the people to justify Joseph’s sentence to prison. The envoy returned to the king. The kings asked him: “Where is Joseph? Did I not command you to fetch him?”

The envoy replied: “He refused to leave until his innocence is established regarding the ladies who cut their hands.”

The king ordered: “Bring the wives of the ministers and the wife of the chief minister at once.” The king felt that Joseph had been harmed unfairly but he did not know exactly how.

The wife of the chief minister came with the other ministers’ wives. The king asked: “What is the story of Joseph? What do you know about him? Is it true that. . . ?

One of the ladies interrupted the king exclaiming: “Allah forbid!”

A second said: “We know of no evil he has done.”

A third said: “He enjoys the innocence of angels.”

The eyes of everyone turned to the wife of the chief minister. She now wore a wrinkled face and had lost weight. She had been overwhelmed by sorrow over Joseph while he was in prison. She boldly confessed that she had lied and he had told the truth. “I tempted him; but he refused.” She confirmed what she said, not out of fear of the king or the other ladies, but for Joseph to know that she had never betrayed him during his absence, for he was still in her mind and soul. Of all creation he was the only one she cared for, so she confirmed his innocence before all.

Almighty Allah said: «And the king said: “Bring him to me.” But when the messenger came to him (Joseph) said: “Return to your lord and ask him, What happened to the women who cut their hands? Surely, my Lord (Allah) is Well-Aware of their plot.”

(The king) said (to the women): “What was your affair when you did seek to seduce Joseph?” The women said: “Allah forbid! No evil know we against him!” The wife of Al- ‘Aziz said: “Now the truth is manifest (to all), it was I who sought to seduce him, and he is surely of the truthful.”

(Then Joseph said: “I asked for this enquiry) in order that he (Al- ‘Aziz) may know that I betrayed him not in secret. And, verily! Allah guides not the plot of the betrayers. And I free not myself (from the blame). Verily, the (human) self is inclined to evil, except when my Lord bestows His Mercy (upon whom He wills). Verily, my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”» Surah 12: 50-51

Reflecting on these verses suggests that she had turned to Joseph’s religion, monotheism. His imprisonment was a great turning point in her life.

After this, the Qur’anic style neglects the story of the chief minister’s wife completely. We do not know what happened to her after she gave her clear evidence. Yet still, there are legends about her. It has been said that after her husband died she married Joseph, and, behold, she was a virgin. She confessed that her husband had been old and had never touched women. Other legends said that she lost her sight, weeping for Joseph. She abandoned her palace and wandered in the streets of the city.

However, the lady disappeared from the Qur’anic narrative at a suitable stage, at the climax of her trouble. Perhaps she lingers in memory longer than if we had known the ending.

The king informed Joseph that his innocence was established and ordered him to come to the palace for an interview. The king recognised his noble qualities. When Joseph came, the king spoke to him in his tongue. Joseph’s replies astonished the king with his cultural refinement and wide knowledge.

Then the conversation turned to the dream. Joseph advised the king to start planning for years of famine ahead. He informed him that the famine would affect not only Egypt but the neighbouring countries as well. The king offered him a high position. Joseph asked to be made controller of the granaries, so that he could guard the nation’s harvest and thereby safeguard it during the anticipated drought. By this Joseph did not mean to seize an opportunity or personal gain; he merely wanted to rescue hungry nations for a period of seven years. It was a sheer self-sacrifice on his part.

Almighty Allah said: «And the king said: “Bring him to me that I may attach him to my person.” Then, when he spoke to him, he said: “Verily, this day, you are with us high in rank and fully trusted.”

(Joseph) said: “Set me over the store-houses of the land; I will indeed guard them with full knowledge” (as a minister of finance in Egypt, in place of Al- ‘Aziz who was dead at that time).

Thus did We give full authority to Joseph in the land, to take possession therein, as when or where he likes. We bestow of Our Mercy on whom We please, and We make not to be lost the reward of Al-Muhsineen (the good-doers).» Surah 12: 54-57

The wheels of time turned. During the seven good years, Joseph had full control over the cultivation, harvesting, and storage of crops. During the following seven years, drought followed and famine spread throughout the region, including Canaan, the homeland of Joseph. Joseph advised the king that as his kingdom was blessed with reserved grain, he should sell grain to the needy nations at a fair price. The king agreed, and the good news spread all over the region.

Jacob sent ten of his sons, all except Benjamin, to Egypt to purchase provisions. Joseph heard of the ten brothers who had come from afar and who could not speak the language of the Egyptians. When they called on him to purchase their needs, Joseph immediately recognised his brothers, but they did not know him. How could they? To them Joseph no longer existed; he had been thrown into the deep, dark well many years ago!

Joseph received them warmly. After supplying them with provisions, he asked where they had come from. They explained: “We are eleven brothers, the children of a noble prophet. The youngest is at home tending to the needs of our aging father.”

On hearing this, Joseph’s eyes filled with tears; his longing for home swelled up in his heart, as well as his longing for his beloved parents and his loving brother Benjamin. “Are you truthful people?” Joseph asked them.

Perturbed, they replied: “What reason should we have to state an untruth?”

“If what you say is true then bring your brother as proof and I will reward you with double rations. But if you do not bring him to me, it would be better if you did not return,” Joseph warned them.

They assured him that they would gladly fulfill his command but that they would have to get their father’s permission. As an inducement to return with their brother, Joseph ordered his servant to secretly place the purse, with the money they had paid, into one of their grain sacks.

Allah the Almighty said: «And Joseph’s brethren came and they entered unto him, and he recognised them, but they recognised him not. And when he had furnished them forth with provisions (according to their need), he said: “Bring me a brother of yours from your father; (he meant Benjamin). See you not that I give full measure, and that I am the best of the hosts? But if you bring him not to me, there shall be no measure (of corn) for you with me, nor shall you come near me.”

They said: “We shall try to get permission (for him) from his father, and verily, we shall do it.”

And (Joseph) told his servants to put their money (with which they had bought the corn) into their bags, so that they might know it when they go back to their people, in order that they might come back.» Surah 12: 58-62

The scene dims in Egypt and lights in Canaan. The brothers returned to their father. Before they could unload the camels, they greeted him, then reproved him: “We were denied some supplies because you did not let your son go with us. They would not give us food for absentees. Why would you not entrust him with us? Please, send him with us, and we shall take care of him.”

Jacob became sad and told them: “I will not permit Benjamin to travel with you. I will not part with him, for I entrusted Joseph to you and you failed me.”

Later, when they opened their grain sacks, they were surprised to find the money purse returned intact. They rushed to their father: “Look, father! The noble official has returned our money; this is surely proof that he would not harm our brother and it can only benefit us.” But Jacob refused to send Benjamin with them.

After some time, when they had no more grain, Jacob asked them to travel to Egypt for more. They reminded him of the warning the Egyptian official had given them. They could not return without Benjamin. Jacob agreed, but not before he extracted a pledge from them. “I will not send him with you unless you give me a pledge in Allah’s name that you shall bring him back to me as safely as you take him.” They gave their solemn pledge. He reminded them: “Allah is witness to your pledge.” He then advised them to enter the city through several different gates.

Almighty Allah narrated: «So, when they returned to their father, they said: “O our father! No more measure of grain shall we get (unless we take our brother). So send our brother with us, and we shall get our measure and truly we will guard him.”

He said: “Can I entrust him to you except as I entrusted his brother (Joseph) to you aforetime? But Allah is the best to guard, and He is the Most Merciful of those Who show mercy.”

And when they opened their bags, they found their money had been returned to them. They said: “O our father! What (more) can we desire? This, our money has been returned to us, so we shall get (more) food for our family, and we shall guard our brother and add one more measure of a camel’s load. This quantity is easy (for the king to give).”

He (Jacob) said: “I will not send him with you until you swear a solemn oath to me in Allah’s Name, that you will bring him back to me unless you are yourselves surrounded (by enemies, etc.).” And when they had sworn their solemn oath, he said: “Allah is the Witness over what we have said.”

And he said: “O my sons! Do not enter by one gate, but by different gates, and I cannot avail you against Allah at all. Verily! The decision rests only with Allah. In Him, I put my trust and let all those that trust, put their trust in Him.”» Surah 12: 63-67

Jacob blessed them on their departure and prayed to Allah for their protection. The brothers undertook the long journey to Egypt, taking good care of Benjamin.

Joseph welcomed them heartily, although, with difficulty, he suppressed the desire to embrace Benjamin that arose within him. He prepared a feast for them and seated them in pairs. Joseph arranged to sit next to his beloved brother Benjamin, who began to weep. Joseph asked him why he was crying. He replied: “If my brother Joseph had been here, I would have sat next to him.”

That night, when Joseph and Benjamin were alone in a room, Joseph asked whether he would have him for a brother. Benjamin respectfully answered that he regarded his host as a wonderful person, but he could never take the place of his brother. Joseph broke down, and amidst flowing tears, said: “My loving brother, I am the brother who was lost and whose name you are constantly repeating. Fate has brought us together after many years of separation. This is Allah’s favor. But let it be a secret between us for the time being.” Benjamin flung his arms around Joseph and both brothers shed tears of joy.

The next day, while their bags were being filled with grain to load onto the camels, Joseph ordered one of his attendants to place the king’s gold cup which was used for measuring the grain into Benjamin’s saddlebag. When the brothers were ready to set out, the gates were locked, and the court crier shouted: “O you travellers, you are thieves!” The accusation was most unusual, and the people gathered around Joseph’s brothers.

“What have you lost?” his brothers inquired.

A soldier said: “The king’s golden cup. Whoever can trace it we will give a beast-load of grain.”

Joseph’s brothers said with all innocence: “We have not come here to corrupt the land and steal.”

Joseph’s officers said (as he had instructed them): “What punishment should you choose for the thief?”

The brothers answered: “According to our law, whoever steals becomes a slave to the owner of the property.”

The officers agreed: “We shall apply your law instead of the Egyptian law, which provides for imprisonment.”

The chief officer ordered his soldiers to start searching the caravan. Joseph was watching the incident from high upon his throne. He had given instructions for Benjamin’s bag to be the last to be searched. When they did not find the cup in the bags of the ten older brothers, the brothers sighed in relief. There remained only the bag of their youngest brother.

Joseph said, intervening for the first time, that there was no need to search his saddle, as he did not look like a thief.

His brothers affirmed: “We will not move an inch unless his saddle is searched as well. We are the sons of a noble man, not thieves.”

The soldiers reached in their hands and pulled out the king’s cup. The brothers exclaimed: “If he steals now, a brother of his has stolen before.” They strayed from the present issue in order to blame a particular group of the children of Jacob.

Joseph heard their resentment with his own ears and was filled with regret. Yet, he swallowed his own resentment, keeping it within. He said to himself: “You went further and fared worse; it shall go bad with you and worse hereafter, and Allah knows your intention.”

Silence fell upon them after these remarks by the brothers. Then they forgot their secret satisfaction and thought of Jacob; they had taken an oath with him that they would not betray his son.

They began to beg Joseph for mercy. “Joseph, O minister! Take one of us in his stead. He is the son of a good man, and we can see you are a good man.”

Joseph answered calmly: “How can you want to set free the man who has stolen the king’s cup? It would be sinful.”

The brothers went on pleading for mercy. However, the guards said that the king had spoken and his word was law.

Judah, the eldest, was much worried and told the others: “We promised our father in the name of Allah not to fail him. I will, therefore, stay behind and will only return if my father permits me to do so.”

Regarding this scene, Almighty Allah said: «And when they entered according to their father’s advice, it did not avail them in the least against (the Will of) Allah, it was but a need of Jacob’s inner-self which he discharged. And verily, he was endowed with knowledge because We had taught him, but most men know not.

And when they went in before Joseph, he betook his brother (Benjamin) to himself and said: “Verily! I am your brother, so grieve not for what they used to do.”

So when he had furnished them forth with their provisions, he put the (golden) bowl into his brother’s bag. Then a crier cried: “O you (in) the caravan! Surely, you are thieves!”

They, turning towards them, said: ‘What is it that you have missed?”

They said: “We have missed the (golden) bowl of the king and for him who produces it is (the reward of) a camel load; I will be bound by it.”

They said: “By Allah! Indeed you know that we came not to make mischief in the land, and we are no thieves!”

They (Joseph’s brothers) said: “The penalty should be that he, in whose bag it is found, should be held for the punishment (of the crime). Thus we punish the Zalimeen (wrong-doers, etc.)!”

So he (Joseph) began (the search) in their bags before the bag of his brother. Then he brought it out of his brother’s bag. Thus did We plan for Joseph. He could not take his brother by the law of the king (as a slave), except that Allah willed it. (So Allah made the brothers to bind themselves with their way of “punishment, i.e. enslaving of a thief.”) We raise to degrees whom We please, but over all those endowed with knowledge is the All-Knowing (Allah).

They (Joseph’s brothers) said: “If he steals, there was a brother of his (Joseph) who did steal before (him).” But these things did Joseph keep in himself, revealing not the secrets to them. He said (within himself): “You are in worst case, and Allah knows best the truth of what you assert!”

They said: “O ruler of the land! Verily, he has an old father (who will grieve for him); so take one of us in his place. Indeed we think that you are one of the good-doers.”

He said: “Allah forbid, that we should take anyone but him with whom we found our property. Indeed (if we did so), we shall be Zalimun (wrong-doers).”

So, when they despaired of him, they held a conference in private. The eldest among them said: “Know you not that you father did take an oath from you in Allah’s name, and before this you did fail in your duty with Joseph? Therefore I will not leave this land until my father permits me, or Allah decides my case (by releasing Benjamin) and He is the Best of the judges.”» Surah 12: 68-80

The brothers left enough provisions behind for Judah, who stayed at a tavern awaiting the fate of Benjamin. In the meantime, Joseph kept Benjamin in his house as his personal guest and told him how he had devised the plot to put the king’s cup in his bag, in order to keep him behind, so as to protect him. He was also glad that Judah had stayed behind, as he was a good-hearted brother. Joseph secretly arranged to watch over Judah’s well-being.

Joseph’s plan in sending the others back was to test their sincerity, to see if they would come back for the two brothers they had left behind.

When they arrived home, they entered upon their father, calling: “O our father! Your son has stolen!”

He was puzzled, scarcely believing the news. He was overwhelmed with sorrow and his eyes wept tears. “Patience be with me; perhaps Allah will return all of them to me. He is Most Knowing, Most Wise.” A pall of lonesomeness closed over him, yet he found consolation in patience and trusted in Allah.

Allah revealed to us what happened at their meeting with their father: [Judah said:] «”Return to your father and say: ‘O our father! Verily, your son (Benjamin) has stolen, and we testify not except according to what we know, and we could not know the unseen! And ask (the people of) the town where we have been, and the caravan in which we returned and indeed we are telling the truth.”

He (Jacob) said: “Nay, but your own-selves have beguiled you into something. So patience is most fitting (for me). May be Allah will bring them (back) all to me. Truly He! Only He is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”

And he turned away from them and said: “Alas, my grief for Joseph!” And he lost his sight because of the sorrow that he was suppressing. » Surah 12: 81-84

The father was deeply hurt. Only prayer could comfort him and strengthen his faith and patience. Weeping all those years for his beloved son Joseph – and now one more of his best sons had been snatched from him – Jacob almost lost his sight.

The other sons pleaded with him: “O father, you are a noble prophet and a great messenger of Allah. Unto you descended revelation and people received guidance and faith from you. Why are you destroying yourself in this way?”

Jacob replied: “Rebuking me will not lessen my grief. Only the return of my sons will comfort me. My sons, go in search of Joseph and his brother; do not despair of Allah’s mercy.”

Allah, the Almighty told us: «They said: “By Allah! You will never cease remembering Joseph until you become weak with old age, or until you be of the dead.”

He said: “I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you know not. O my Sons! Go you and enquire about Joseph and his brother, and never give up hope of Allah’s Mercy. Certainly no one despairs of Allah’s Mercy, except the people who disbelieve.”» Surah 12: 85-87

The caravan set out for Egypt. The brothers – on their way to see the chief minister (Joseph) – were poor and depressed.

On reaching Egypt they collected Judah and called on Joseph, to whom they pleaded: «”O ruler of the land! A hard time has hit us and our family, and we have brought but poor capital, so pay us full measure and be charitable to us. Truly, Allah does reward the charitable.”» Surah 12: 88

At the end, they begged Joseph. They asked alms of him, appealing to his heart, reminding him that Allah rewards alms givers. At this moment, in the midst of their plight, Joseph spoke to them in their native tongue saying: «”Do you know what you did with Joseph and his brother, when you were ignorant?”

They said: “Are you indeed Joseph ?”

He said: “I am Joseph, and this is my brother (Benjamin). Allah has indeed been Gracious to us. Verily, he who fears Allah with obedience to Him (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by performing righteous good deeds), and is patient, then surely, Allah makes not the reward of the good-doers to be lost.”

They said: “By Allah! Indeed Allah has preferred you above us, and we certainly have been sinners.”» Surah 12: 89-91

The brothers began to tremble with fear, but Joseph comforted them: «”No reproach on you this day, may Allah forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!”» Surah 12: 92

Joseph embraced them, and together they wept with joy. It was not possible for Joseph to leave his responsible office without proper replacement, so he advised his brothers: «”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.”» Surah 12: 93

And so the caravan headed back for Palestine. We leave the scene in Egypt and return to Palestine and the house of Jacob. The old man is sitting in his room; tears have been flowing down his cheeks. He stands up all of a sudden, dresses and goes out to his sons’ wives. Then he lifts up his face to Heaven and sniffs the air.

The wife of the eldest son remarked: “Jacob has come out of his room today.” The women inquired about what was amiss. There was a hint of a smile on his face. The others asked him: “How do you feel today?”

He answered: “I can smell Joseph in the air.”

The wives left him alone, saying to one another that there was no hope for the old man. “He will die of weeping over Joseph.”

“Did he talk about Joseph’s shirt?”

“I do not know. He said he could smell him; perhaps he has gone mad.”

That day the old man wanted a cup of milk to break his fast, for he had been fasting. At night he changed his clothes. The caravan was travelling in the desert with Joseph’s shirt hidden among the grain. It neared the old man’s estate. He gesticulated in his room, and then he prayed a long time, lifting his hands to heaven and sniffing the air. He was weeping as the shirt was nearing him.

«And when the caravan departed, their father said: “I do indeed feel the smell of Joseph, if only you think me not a dotard (a person who has weakness of mind because of old age).”

They said: “By Allah! Certainly, you are in your old error.”

Then, when the bearer of the glad tidings arrived, he cast it (the shirt) over his face, and he became clear-sighted. He said: “Did I not say to you, ‘I know from Allah that which you know not.”

They said: “O our father! Ask Forgiveness (from Allah) for our sins, indeed we have been sinners.”» Surah 12: 94-97

The story began with a dream and it ends with the interpretation of the dream. Almighty Allah narrated: «He said: “I will ask my Lord for forgiveness for you, verily He! Only He is the Oft-forgiving, the Most Merciful.”

Then, when they entered unto Joseph, he betook his parents to himself and said: “Enter Egypt, if Allah will, in security.”

And he raised his parents to the throne and they fell down before him prostrate. And he said: “O my father! This is the interpretation of my dream of old! My Lord has made it come true! He was indeed good to me, when He took me out of the prison, and brought you (all here) out of the bedouin-life, after Satan had sown enmity between me and my brothers. Certainly, my Lord is the Most Courteous and Kind unto whom He will. Truly He! Only He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”» Surah 12: 98-100

Consider his feelings now that his dream has come true. He prays to Allah: «”My Lord! You have indeed bestowed on me of the sovereignty, and taught me the interpretation of dreams; The (only) Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Wali (Protector, Helper, Supporter, Guardian, etc.) in this world and in the Hereafter, cause me to die as a Muslim (the one submitting to Your Will), and join me with the righteous.”» Surah 12: 101

Joseph arranged an audience with the king for himself and his family, to ask the king’s permission for them to settle in Egypt. Joseph was an asset to the kingdom, and the king was happy to have him remain with his household. Joseph prostrated to Allah in gratitude.

Before he died, Jacob (PBUH) advised his children to adhere to the teachings of Islam, the religion of all of Allah’s prophets. Allah the Almighty revealed: «Or were you witnesses when death approached Jacob? When he said unto his sons: “What will you worship after me?” They said: “We shall worship your Ilah (God-Allah) the Ilah (God) of your fathers. Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, One Ilah (God), and to Him we submit (in Islam).”» Surah 2: 133

Joseph (PBUH), at the moment of his death, asked his brothers to bury him beside his forefathers if they were to leave Egypt. So when Joseph (PBUH) passed away, he was mummified and placed in a coffin until such a time as he could be taken out of Egypt and buried beside his forefathers, as he had requested. It was said that he died at the age of one hundred ten.