Educational Lessons from Surat Yusuf (Part 5)

(Verses 35-54)

(Verse 35)

ثُمَّ بَدَا لَهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا رَأَوُاْ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لَيَسۡجُنُنَّهُۥ حَتَّىٰ حِينٖ

Then it appeared to them, after they had seen the proofs (of his innocence) to imprison him for a time.

1) Each slave thinks that he is planning but the real planner is Allaah (Azza wa Jall), Who plans his destiny. They thought that they imprisoned Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam), when in reality, it was as an acceptance of his supplication to Allaah. So, when you do something, know that nothing happens without the Decree of Allaah.

2 ) The time to release Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) from prison was not decided. Allaah took him out of jail at the time that He decreed. So, each Muslim should trust Allaah Alone, He is the One Who will remove your difficulties.

3) Affliction and trial is a Sunnah in this world. Allaah tests His slaves, even Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam), who was a prophet, was imprisoned.

(Verse 36)

وَدَخَلَ مَعَهُ ٱلسِّجۡنَ فَتَيَانِۖ قَالَ أَحَدُهُمَآ إِنِّيٓ أَرَىٰنِيٓ أَعۡصِرُ خَمۡرٗاۖ وَقَالَ ٱلۡأٓخَرُ إِنِّيٓ أَرَىٰنِيٓ أَحۡمِلُ فَوۡقَ رَأۡسِي خُبۡزٗا تَأۡكُلُ ٱلطَّيۡرُ مِنۡهُۖ نَبِّئۡنَا بِتَأۡوِيلِهِۦٓۖ إِنَّا نَرَىٰكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ

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 Muhsinun (doers of good – see Surat Al-Baqarah (2:112).”

4) Each slave can turn his difficulties and afflictions into favors and bounties. Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) was thrown in a prison. This was a difficulty, but he benefitted from it by doing good to the people around him, so he turned the difficulty or trial into a favor. So, every trial you face in your life is in your hands, you can turn it into a blessing.

5) The Muslim takes his power from his Faith, not from his place, time or situations. That’s why Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) didn’t change even inside the prison. He was a Muhsin (a good doer) outside as well as inside the prison.

Verse 37

قَالَ لَا يَأۡتِيكُمَا طَعَامٞ تُرۡزَقَانِهِۦٓ إِلَّا نَبَّأۡتُكُمَا بِتَأۡوِيلِهِۦ قَبۡلَ أَن يَأۡتِيَكُمَاۚ ذَٰلِكُمَا مِمَّا عَلَّمَنِي رَبِّيٓۚ إِنِّي تَرَكۡتُ مِلَّةَ قَوۡمٖ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَهُم بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ هُمۡ كَٰفِرُونَ

He said: “No food will come to you (in wakefulness or in a 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 Allaah and are disbelievers in the Hereafter (i.e. the Kan’aniun of Egypt who were polytheists and used to worship the sun and other false deities).”

6) We should attribute all favors, blessings and bounties to Allaah. Beware of being ungrateful and attributing a blessing to yourself or to other people.

Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) admitted that the knowledge he was given was from Allaah.

(Verse 38)

وَٱتَّبَعۡتُ مِلَّةَ ءَابَآءِيٓ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسۡحَٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَۚ مَا كَانَ لَنَآ أَن نُّشۡرِكَ بِٱللَّهِ مِن شَيۡءٖۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِن فَضۡلِ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡنَا وَعَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَشۡكُرُونَ

“And I have followed the religion of my fathers, – Ibraheem [Abraham (‘Alayhis-salaam)], Ishaque [Isaac (‘Alayhis-salaam)] and Ya’qub [Jacob (‘Alayhis-salaam)], and never could we attribute any partners whatsoever to Allaah. This is from the Grace of Allaah to us and to mankind, but most men thank not Allaah (i.e. they neither believe in Allaah, nor worship Him).”

The best favor and blessing from Allaah is Tawheed. We should know its value and guard it. Knowing that it is the most important and valuable thing we have, one must protect his Tawheed from Shirk.

(Verses 39-41)

يَٰصَٰحِبَيِ ٱلسِّجۡنِ ءَأَرۡبَابٞ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيۡرٌ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡوَٰحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّارُ

“O two companions of the prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or Allaah, the One, the Irresistible?

مَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَسۡمَآءٗ سَمَّيۡتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمۡ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلۡطَٰنٍۚ إِنِ ٱلۡحُكۡمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ

“You do not worship besides Him, but only names which you have named (forged), you and your fathers, for which Allaah has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgment) is for none but Allaah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not.”

يَٰصَٰحِبَيِ ٱلسِّجۡنِ أَمَّآ أَحَدُكُمَا فَيَسۡقِي رَبَّهُۥ خَمۡرٗاۖ وَأَمَّا ٱلۡأٓخَرُ فَيُصۡلَبُ فَتَأۡكُلُ ٱلطَّيۡرُ مِن رَّأۡسِهِۦۚ قُضِيَ ٱلۡأَمۡرُ ٱلَّذِي فِيهِ تَسۡتَفۡتِيَانِ

“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.”

8) People need to be reminded of the perfect Attributes of Allaah. Especially in times of difficulties, like the pandemic that the people are living through now. When preaching to his companions, Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) didn’t say only Allaah, rather, he said الواحد القهار,  “Al-Waahid, Al-Qahhaar” the One, the Irresistible.

9) Every creed or belief that wasn’t revealed by Wahi (revelation) is falsehood. So, we should be proud of our ‘Aqeedah because it is correct, and it is a revelation that was revealed.

10) The religion of Islam is the true religion that will lead a person to the good, while other religions are incorrect and will lead to evil.

11) Most of the people don’t know the difference between worshipping Allaah Alone and associating others with Him, that is why they fall into Shirk.

And that is why it is very important to learn about Tawheed and Shirk and to teach our children the dangers of Shirk and how to be away from it.

12) A Dai’yah should benefit from the way Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) gave Da’wah (an invitation) to these two men in the prison. We should follow his steps:

• -He did good (Ihsaan) to these men
• -Showed them that he has knowledge
• -Attributed this knowledge to Allaah and that only Allaah deserves to be worshipped because He gave us everything
• -Talked about his religion and called them to Tawheed
• -Talked about Ruboobiyah and that no one runs our affairs, sustains us, gives us every good and removes and that we shouldn’t worship except Allaah Alone
• -Interpreted a dream for them or gave them their need.

(Verse 42)

وَقَالَ لِلَّذِي ظَنَّ أَنَّهُۥ نَاجٖ مِّنۡهُمَا ٱذۡكُرۡنِي عِندَ رَبِّكَ فَأَنسَىٰهُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ ذِكۡرَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلَبِثَ فِي ٱلسِّجۡنِ بِضۡعَ سِنِينَ

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 Shaytaan (Satan) made him forget to mention it to his Lord [or Satan made Yusuf (Joseph (‘Alayhis-salaam))] to forget the remembrance of his Lord (Allaah) as to ask for His Help, instead of others]. So [Yusuf (Joseph (‘Alayhis-salaam))] stayed in prison a few (more) years.

13) The Decree of Allaah for the slaves is better than what they plan for themselves. Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) wanted to get out of the jail but Allaah wanted him to stay longer, until there was a need for Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) by the king, and he came out of the jail honored, innocent and praised with a high rank.

(Verse 44)

قَالُوٓاْ أَضۡغَٰثُ أَحۡلَٰمٖۖ وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِتَأۡوِيلِ ٱلۡأَحۡلَٰمِ بِعَٰلِمِينَ

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

14) Beware of admiring yourself. When the king asked the people around him about the interpretation of his dream, instead of saying that they didn’t have knowledge about it, they called it ‘mixed dreams.’

(Verses 45-49)

وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِي نَجَا مِنۡهُمَا وَٱدَّكَرَ بَعۡدَ أُمَّةٍ أَنَا۠ أُنَبِّئُكُم بِتَأۡوِيلِهِۦ فَأَرۡسِلُونِ

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

يُوسُفُ أَيُّهَا ٱلصِّدِّيقُ أَفۡتِنَا فِي سَبۡعِ بَقَرَٰتٖ سِمَانٖ يَأۡكُلُهُنَّ سَبۡعٌ عِجَافٞ وَسَبۡعِ سُنۢبُلَٰتٍ خُضۡرٖ وَأُخَرَ يَابِسَٰتٖ لَّعَلِّيٓ أَرۡجِعُ إِلَى ٱلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ

(He said): “O Yusuf [Joseph (‘Alayhis-salaam)], 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.”

قَالَ تَزۡرَعُونَ سَبۡعَ سِنِينَ دَأَبٗا فَمَا حَصَدتُّمۡ فَذَرُوهُ فِي سُنۢبُلِهِۦٓ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا مِّمَّا تَأۡكُلُونَ

[(Yusuf (Joseph (‘Alayhis-salaam))] 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.”

ثُمَّ يَأۡتِي مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ذَٰلِكَ سَبۡعٞ شِدَادٞ يَأۡكُلۡنَ مَا قَدَّمۡتُمۡ لَهُنَّ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا مِّمَّا تُحۡصِنُونَ

“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).”

ثُمَّ يَأۡتِي مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ذَٰلِكَ عَامٞ فِيهِ يُغَاثُ ٱلنَّاسُ وَفِيهِ يَعۡصِرُونَ

“Then thereafter will come a year in which people will have abundant rain and in which they will press (wine and oil).”

15) We can learn from the good manners of Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam). He was honorable because he didn’t blame the man for forgetting him and he didn’t set it as a condition that if he interprets the dream, the companion should get him out from the prison. We benefit from this knowing that we should not blame the people because Allaah is the One Who is running all our affairs and if Allaah doesn’t want something to happen, it will never happen.

16) The dream interpretation is ‘Futyaa’, it’s like asking for a verdict; so, no one should interpret a dream except who has the knowledge. If you don’t have knowledge, do not interpret any dream.

(Verse 50)

وَقَالَ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱئۡتُونِي بِهِۦۖ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُ ٱلرَّسُولُ قَالَ ٱرۡجِعۡ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَسۡـَٔلۡهُ مَا بَالُ ٱلنِّسۡوَةِ ٱلَّٰتِي قَطَّعۡنَ أَيۡدِيَهُنَّۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي بِكَيۡدِهِنَّ عَلِيمٞ

And the king said: “Bring him to me.” But when the messenger came to him, [Yusuf (Joseph (‘Alayhis-salaam))] said: “Return to your lord and ask him, ‘What happened to the women who cut their hands? Surely, my Lord (Allaah) is Well-Aware of their plot.'”

17) We should not hasten.

 

*****

 

Educational lessons from Surat Yusuf (Part 4)

(Verses 55-77)

(Verse 55)

قَالَ ٱجۡعَلۡنِي عَلَىٰ خَزَآئِنِ ٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ إِنِّي حَفِيظٌ عَلِيمٞ

[Yusuf [Joseph (‘Alayhis-salaam)] said: “Set me over the storehouses 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).

1) It is allowed to ask for a specific job if the person knows that he is able to carry out this task and his real intention is the general benefit of the people, not only himself.

(Verse 59)

وَلَمَّا جَهَّزَهُم بِجَهَازِهِمۡ قَالَ ٱئۡتُونِي بِأَخٖ لَّكُم مِّنۡ أَبِيكُمۡۚ أَلَا تَرَوۡنَ أَنِّيٓ أُوفِي ٱلۡكَيۡلَ وَأَنَا۠ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡمُنزِلِينَ

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?”

2) If you have a guest, it is from our Deen and Iman to honor the guest, give him the best food that you have, sit with them, talk with them until they are pleased and when they finish, go out with them until they leave the house.

(Verse 62)

وَقَالَ لِفِتۡيَٰنِهِ ٱجۡعَلُواْ بِضَٰعَتَهُمۡ فِي رِحَالِهِمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَعۡرِفُونَهَآ إِذَا ٱنقَلَبُوٓاْ إِلَىٰٓ أَهۡلِهِمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ

And [Yusuf (Joseph (‘Alayhis-salaam))] 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.

3) It is allowed to make a plot to reach something that is allowed, because here Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) put the goods in their bags so that when they go back to their country, they find it inside their bags and return.

(Verse 64)

قَالَ هَلۡ ءَامَنُكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ إِلَّا كَمَآ أَمِنتُكُمۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَخِيهِ مِن قَبۡلُ فَٱللَّهُ خَيۡرٌ حَٰفِظٗاۖ وَهُوَ أَرۡحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ

He said: “Can I entrust him to you except as I entrusted his brother [Yusuf (Joseph (‘Alayhis-salaam))] to you aforetime? But Allaah is the Best to guard, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.”

4) The believer is not bitten in the same place twice.

So, if something happens to you, for example, if you have fallen into a sin because of a reason, do not allow the same reason to lead you to fall into the same sin again.

5) Reliance upon Allaah is the real means to drive away every harm from you. Allaah is the real Protector, that’s why you should trust and rely upon Him, think good about Him, and know that all the means are from Allaah and He is the One Who will benefit you of these means. So, let your heart be attached to Allaah and not to the means.

(Verse 65)

وَلَمَّا فَتَحُواْ مَتَٰعَهُمۡ وَجَدُواْ بِضَٰعَتَهُمۡ رُدَّتۡ إِلَيۡهِمۡۖ قَالُواْ يَٰٓأَبَانَا مَا نَبۡغِيۖ هَٰذِهِۦ بِضَٰعَتُنَا رُدَّتۡ إِلَيۡنَاۖ وَنَمِيرُ أَهۡلَنَا وَنَحۡفَظُ أَخَانَا وَنَزۡدَادُ كَيۡلَ بَعِيرٖۖ ذَٰلِكَ كَيۡلٞ يَسِيرٞ

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).”

6) Honoring people is a way to make them love you and be attracted to you. When the brothers found their goods returned back to them, they felt happy and trusted Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) and returned.

(Verses 66-67)

قَالَ لَنۡ أُرۡسِلَهُۥ مَعَكُمۡ حَتَّىٰ تُؤۡتُونِ مَوۡثِقٗا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لَتَأۡتُنَّنِي بِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن يُحَاطَ بِكُمۡۖ فَلَمَّآ ءَاتَوۡهُ مَوۡثِقَهُمۡ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَا نَقُولُ وَكِيلٞ

He [Ya’qub (Jacob (‘Alayhis-salaam))] said: “I will not send him with you until you swear a solemn oath to me in Allaah’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: “Allaah is the Witness over what we have said.”

وَقَالَ يَٰبَنِيَّ لَا تَدۡخُلُواْ مِنۢ بَابٖ وَٰحِدٖ وَٱدۡخُلُواْ مِنۡ أَبۡوَٰبٖ مُّتَفَرِّقَةٖۖ وَمَآ أُغۡنِي عَنكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَيۡءٍۖ إِنِ ٱلۡحُكۡمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِۖ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلۡتُۖ وَعَلَيۡهِ فَلۡيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلۡمُتَوَكِّلُونَ

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

7) When you write a contract, there is something that will increase this contract in goodness and Barakah, and that is, announcing Tawakkul upon Allaah.

8) When you have given an oath to do something and want to do it, but something prevents you from it, you are excused.

9) It is allowed to take the means to prevent yourself from the evil eye, but don’t cross the limit to Waswas.

10) A Muslim should drive away suspicion from himself. Because another interpretation of this verse is that Ya’qub (‘Alayhis-salaam) was afraid that if they all entered from the same gate, they will be mistaken as spies entering the country.

11) Tawakkul is one of the acts of worship of the heart that should accompany the slave in all his situations.

(Verse 68)

وَلَمَّا دَخَلُواْ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ أَمَرَهُمۡ أَبُوهُم مَّا كَانَ يُغۡنِي عَنۡهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَيۡءٍ إِلَّا حَاجَةٗ فِي نَفۡسِ يَعۡقُوبَ قَضَىٰهَاۚ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَذُو عِلۡمٖ لِّمَا عَلَّمۡنَٰهُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ

And when they entered according to their father’s advice, it did not avail them in the least against (the Will of) Allaah, it was but a need of Ya’qub’s (Jacob (‘Alayhis-salaam)) inner-self which he discharged. And verily, he was endowed with knowledge because We had taught him, but most men know not.

12) Allaah is the One Who teaches. That’s why the first step when you want to gain beneficial knowledge is to ask Allaah to teach you and benefit you with it.

13) The means do not benefit except with the Decree of Allaah.

(Verse 70)

فَلَمَّا جَهَّزَهُم بِجَهَازِهِمۡ جَعَلَ ٱلسِّقَايَةَ فِي رَحۡلِ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ أَذَّنَ مُؤَذِّنٌ أَيَّتُهَا ٱلۡعِيرُ إِنَّكُمۡ لَسَٰرِقُونَ

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!”

14) Plotting can be forbidden or allowed.

In this Surah there are 3 kinds of plots:

• The forbidden plot that the brothers of Yusuf made to trick their father and take Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) away from him
• The forbidden plot of the women of the town to see Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam)
• The allowed plot of Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) to take away his brother Benjamin from the brothers by putting the vessel in his bag.

(Verses 72-73)

قَالُواْ نَفۡقِدُ صُوَاعَ ٱلۡمَلِكِ وَلِمَن جَآءَ بِهِۦ حِمۡلُ بَعِيرٖ وَأَنَا۠ بِهِۦ زَعِيمٞ

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.”

قَالُواْ تَٱللَّهِ لَقَدۡ عَلِمۡتُم مَّا جِئۡنَا لِنُفۡسِدَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا كُنَّا سَٰرِقِينَ

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

15) Every sin that is committed is a mischief in the land.

16) One of the ways in education is to give the wrongdoer a chance to turn back from his mistake and repent, like giving him a chance by announcing an award.

(Verse 77)

قالُوٓاْ إِن يَسۡرِقۡ فَقَدۡ سَرَقَ أَخٞ لَّهُۥ مِن قَبۡلُۚ فَأَسَرَّهَا يُوسُفُ فِي نَفۡسِهِۦ وَلَمۡ يُبۡدِهَا لَهُمۡۚ قَالَ أَنتُمۡ شَرّٞ مَّكَانٗاۖ وَٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا تَصِفُونَ

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

17) To be forbearing (حليم) if you are insulted by someone or you hear something that you do not like. Try to hold yourself and do not say or do anything bad. Beware of your tongue and guard it from saying something you will regret later.

 

******

 

Educational lessons from Surat Yusuf (Part 3)

(Verses 23-34)

(Verse 23)

وَرَٰوَدَتۡهُ ٱلَّتِي هُوَ فِي بَيۡتِهَا عَن نَّفۡسِهِۦ وَغَلَّقَتِ ٱلۡأَبۡوَٰبَ وَقَالَتۡ هَيۡتَ لَكَۚ قَالَ مَعَاذَ ٱللَّهِۖ إِنَّهُۥ رَبِّيٓ أَحۡسَنَ مَثۡوَايَۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفۡلِحُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ

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 Allaah (or Allaah forbid)! Truly, he (your husband) is my master! He made my stay agreeable! (So, I will never betray him). Verily, the Dhaalimun (wrong and evil-doers) will never be successful.”

1) Beware of mixing or staying alone with non-Mahrams in family gatherings or schools. It is dangerous because it could lead to sins that we can’t imagine.

2) The Shaytaan is active behind closed doors, so beware of letting your children stay alone in their rooms, exposed to his whispers.

3) Be strict on desires before they swallow you. Don’t hesitate or wait to think. Instead, stop at once and run away from the sins, as Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) said immediately: “I seek refuge in Allaah (or Allaah forbid)!”

(Verse 24)

وَلَقَدۡ هَمَّتۡ بِهِۦۖ وَهَمَّ بِهَا لَوۡلَآ أَن رَّءَا بُرۡهَٰنَ رَبِّهِۦۚ كَذَٰلِكَ لِنَصۡرِفَ عَنۡهُ ٱلسُّوٓءَ وَٱلۡفَحۡشَآءَۚ إِنَّهُۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَ

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.

4) Listen to the advice (inspiration) of the angel (that he inspires) in your heart and do not silence him, as Allaah says in the verse: “had he not seen the evidence of his Lord.”

5) If you worship Allaah (Azza wa Jall) by turning away from sins all the time, then Allaah will make your road to Him safe from sins. He will move the sins away from you, like He did for Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) “Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse.“

6) Sincerity is a means to save you in times of afflictions. Take care of sincerity in every deed that you do. Because Allaah says in the verse: “Surely, he was one of Our chosen, guided slaves.”

(Verse 25)

وَٱسۡتَبَقَا ٱلۡبَابَ وَقَدَّتۡ قَمِيصَهُۥ مِن دُبُرٖ وَأَلۡفَيَا سَيِّدَهَا لَدَا ٱلۡبَابِۚ قَالَتۡ مَا جَزَآءُ مَنۡ أَرَادَ بِأَهۡلِكَ سُوٓءًا إِلَّآ أَن يُسۡجَنَ أَوۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ

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. She said: “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?”

7) Running away from Fitan is an appropriate solution. The Fitnah is like a high wave. If you stand in front of it, it will take you away with it. Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) did not think that he was a Prophet and could stand in front of the Fitnah. Rather, when he heard what the woman said, he ran to the door to get out from that place. And that is why the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) told us to run away if we hear of the coming of ad-Dajjal from a place.

(Verse 26-27)

قَالَ هِيَ رَٰوَدَتۡنِي عَن نَّفۡسِيۚ وَشَهِدَ شَاهِدٞ مِّنۡ أَهۡلِهَآ إِن كَانَ قَمِيصُهُۥ قُدَّ مِن قُبُلٖ فَصَدَقَتۡ وَهُوَ مِنَ ٱلۡكَٰذِبِينَ

He [Yusuf (Joseph (‘Alayhis-salaam))] 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!

وَإِن كَانَ قَمِيصُهُۥ قُدَّ مِن دُبُرٖ فَكَذَبَتۡ وَهُوَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ

“But if it be that his shirt is torn from the back, then she has told a lie and he is speaking the truth!”

8) If a slave has Taqwa, Allaah will make his matters easy and Allaah will give him solutions for every calamity that he faces, like how Allaah let one witness from the relatives of the woman to witness for Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam).

(Verse 30)

وَقَالَ نِسۡوَةٞ فِي ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ ٱمۡرَأَتُ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ تُرَٰوِدُ فَتَىٰهَا عَن نَّفۡسِهِۦۖ قَدۡ شَغَفَهَا حُبًّاۖ إِنَّا لَنَرَىٰهَا فِي ضَلَٰلٖ مُّبِينٖ

And women in the city said: “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.”

9) Beware of violent love. Because if love exceeds the limit, it could harm a person and affect his worship.

10) From plotting, is to pretend that you are giving advice and forbidding the evil when in fact, you are really mocking or showing that you are better than the one who is in front of you. Here, the women pretended that they were surprised about the wife of Al-‘Azeez loving her boy slave. They said: “Verily we see her in plain error,” and that it was a plot from them to meet Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) and see his beauty.

(Verse 31)

فَلَمَّا سَمِعَتۡ بِمَكۡرِهِنَّ أَرۡسَلَتۡ إِلَيۡهِنَّ وَأَعۡتَدَتۡ لَهُنَّ مُتَّكَـٔٗا وَءَاتَتۡ كُلَّ وَٰحِدَةٖ مِّنۡهُنَّ سِكِّينٗا وَقَالَتِ ٱخۡرُجۡ عَلَيۡهِنَّۖ فَلَمَّا رَأَيۡنَهُۥٓ أَكۡبَرۡنَهُۥ وَقَطَّعۡنَ أَيۡدِيَهُنَّ وَقُلۡنَ حَٰشَ لِلَّهِ مَا هَٰذَا بَشَرًا إِنۡ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا مَلَكٞ كَرِيمٞ

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 Yusuf (Joseph (‘Alayhis-salaam))]: “Come out before them.” Then, when they saw him, they admired him (at his beauty) and (in their astonishment) cut their hands. They said: “How perfect is Allaah (or Allaah forbid)! No man is this! This is none other than a noble angel!”

11) Mocking at people who commit a sin is reason for you to fall into the same sin. [Always ask Allaah for al-Afiyah (safety) when you hear about any Fitnah, and don’t ascribe purity to yourself. Allaah may test you with same Fitnah.]

(Verse 33-34)

قَالَ رَبِّ ٱلسِّجۡنُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا يَدۡعُونَنِيٓ إِلَيۡهِۖ وَإِلَّا تَصۡرِفۡ عَنِّي كَيۡدَهُنَّ أَصۡبُ إِلَيۡهِنَّ وَأَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡجَٰهِلِينَ

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 ignorant.”

فَٱسۡتَجَابَ لَهُۥ رَبُّهُۥ فَصَرَفَ عَنۡهُ كَيۡدَهُنَّۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ

So his Lord answered his invocation and turned away from him, their plot. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

12) Don’t bow down to the force of the community. Don’t listen to the people when they blame you for doing a worship. Here, all the women were inviting Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) to commit a sin, but he said: “O my Lord! Prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me.”

13) If you are afflicted with an affliction or a sin, invoke Allaah. Make Tawassul, a strong invocation (implore Allaah) that Allaah will remove it from your heart. Prostrate in front of the door of Allaah. Tell Him that you are weak and unable to face this sin. Here, Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) made Tawassul to Allaah when he said: “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 ignorant.”

14) You should know that when you invoke Allaah (Azza wa Jall), He hears your invocation. Allaah knows about your situation. He will give you what you are asking for, and no one can do that except Allaah.

 

*****

 

Educational lessons from Surat Yusuf (Part 2)

(Verse 12)

أَرۡسِلۡهُ مَعَنَا غَدٗا يَرۡتَعۡ وَيَلۡعَبۡ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَٰفِظُونَ

“Send him with us tomorrow to enjoy himself and play, and verily, we will take care of him.”

(Verse 15)

فَلَمَّا ذَهَبُواْ بِهِۦ وَأَجۡمَعُوٓاْ أَن يَجۡعَلُوهُ فِي غَيَٰبَتِ ٱلۡجُبِّۚ وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِ لَتُنَبِّئَنَّهُم بِأَمۡرِهِمۡ هَٰذَا وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

So, when they took him away, they all agreed to throw him down into the bottom of the well, and We inspired in him: “Indeed, you shall (one day) inform them of this their affair, when they know (you) not.”

2) We should ask Allaah (Azza wa Jall) to give us firmness and tranquility in times of affliction because that is what will keep us firm on the religion.

(Verse 17-18)

قَالُواْ يَٰٓأَبَانَآ إِنَّا ذَهَبۡنَا نَسۡتَبِقُ وَتَرَكۡنَا يُوسُفَ عِندَ مَتَٰعِنَا فَأَكَلَهُ ٱلذِّئۡبُۖ وَمَآ أَنتَ بِمُؤۡمِنٖ لَّنَا وَلَوۡ كُنَّا صَٰدِقِينَ

They said: “O our father! We went racing with one another, and left Yusuf [Joseph (‘Alayhis-salaam)] by our belongings and a wolf devoured him; but you will never believe us even when we speak the truth.”

وَجَآءُو عَلَىٰ قَمِيصِهِۦ بِدَمٖ كَذِبٖۚ قَالَ بَلۡ سَوَّلَتۡ لَكُمۡ أَنفُسُكُمۡ أَمۡرٗاۖ فَصَبۡرٞ جَمِيلٞۖ وَٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُسۡتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ

And they brought his shirt stained with false blood. He said: “Nay, but your own selves have made up a tale. So (for me) patience is most fitting. And it is Allaah (Alone) Whose help can be sought against that which you assert.”

Educational lessons from Surat Yusuf (Part 1)

إِنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ قُرۡءَٰنًا عَرَبِيّٗا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ (Verse 2)

“Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an in order that you may understand.”

1) Appreciate the Arabic language:

Learn it, teach it to your children and be proud of it. If it is difficult for you, at least intend to learn it and ask Allaah (Azza wa Jall) to make it easy for you. It is of great importance that we learn the Arabic language, because Allaah revealed the Qur‘an in Arabic. He (Azza wa Jall) says in the verse: قُرۡءَٰنًا عَرَبِيّٗا ’Qur’an in Arabic.’

2) Thinking (use of the mind) is praised in Islam, and the act of thinking (pondering) is what guides a person to what expands his mind.

There are four important things that expand the mind:

• Knowledge
• Experience
• Consultation
• Age

(Verse 4)

إِذۡ قَالَ يُوسُفُ لِأَبِيهِ يَٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّي رَأَيۡتُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوۡكَبٗا وَٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ رَأَيۡتُهُمۡ لِي سَٰجِدِينَ

(Remember) when Yusuf [Joseph (‘Alayhis-salaam)] said to his father: “O my father! Verily, I saw (in a dream) eleven stars and the sun and the moon, I saw them prostrating themselves to me.”

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Here’s a list of the attributes of the successful ones with evidences from the Qur’an and the Sunnah all summed up into a video.

🔗 https://goo.gl/yCPQVm

 

Feeling Delightful When Remembering Allah: Sunday 23rd Muharram 1436 (16th November 2014)

Ibn Qayyim said, “Feeling Lonely is one of the evil consequences of committing sins.”

Some people don’t feel delightful or joyful when remembering Allah etc.

When they finish the prayer their Tasbeeh is quick and they only give lip service to it.

We should feel tranquil when we remember Allah.

The Qur’an becomes the spring of your heart, when you know Allah by His names and attributes.

The heart that doesn’t see the impact of Allah’s kindness and mercy will never feel joy.

It is preferred for one to isolate himself for some time from the people and remember Allah’s mercy, kindness, beneficence etc.

Even when the true believer socializes with people, his heart is with Allah. They feel more joyful when they worship and remember Allah.

This is a healthy sign as this indicates that the person is reaching that state of devotion with Allah.

If a person feels more joy with people than when alone remembering Allah, then there is something wrong with her faith.

What can help one feel joyful and delightful with Allah?