Bismillah ir Rehman nir Rahim
Assalam -o- Alaikum
Below are some of the verses from juz 13, Al-Yusuf, which inspired me very much. Every time I read it, it gives me a newer perspective.
Surah Al-Yusuf is one the best surahs to be discussed with children as well. It seems to me the best tool for me to handle Conflict Management, Sibling Rivalry and Self Improvement.
Below is the English translation of some of the ayahs and how I perceived them and related it to my day to day life. Oh Allah forgive me if I misunderstood anything.
Aauzo billah i minashaitan ir rajeem
Bismillah ir Rahman ir Rahim
"Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame): the (human) soul is certainly prone to evil, unless my Lord do bestow His Mercy: but surely my Lord is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."
Al-Qur'an, 012.053 (Al-Yusuf [Joseph])
What a great hope and reminder for all of us! Each of us is inclined towards evil and we cannot stop ourselves from doing evil with our own efforts only.Allah's Rahmah is necessary to help us avoid evil. Yusuf (asa) is telling this reality in the above ayah. If we make duaa and seek forgiveness at the time of such inclination, Allah will definitely hear us.
Thus did We give established power to Joseph in the land, to take possession therein as, when, or where he pleased. We bestow of our Mercy on whom We please, and We suffer not, to be lost, the reward of those who do good.
Al-Qur'an, 012.056 (Al-Yusuf [Joseph])
Allah is telling in the above ayah that He gave power to Yusuf (asa) after taking him out of prison. And then Allah reminds at the end that He doesn't waste the reward of Mohsineen. If I ponder at the situation of Yusuf (asa) who was thrown in a well by his brothers out of jealousy and was sold for a little amount and then lived in a house which was not his own and who spent so many years in prison despite the fact that he was innocent, I wonder how he managed this hopeless situation. He could have done this only with Allah's help and with strong trust in Allah. So we should all try to remember the story of Yusuf (asa) in times of hopelessness and distress and how Allah changed Yusuf’s (asa) condition. Allah can change our conditions as well inshaAllah if we have trust in Allah like Yusuf (asa).
Then came Joseph's brethren: they entered his presence, and he knew them, but they knew him not.
Al-Qur'an, 012.058 (Al-Yusuf [Joseph])
Another example of Ihsan of Yusuf (asa) and why he was considered as one of Mohsineen. When at the time of drought, Yusuf's (asa) stepbrothers came, he recognized them. But he didn't start to fight with his brothers. Instead he gave them the provisions and asked his workers to put back their money as well. Can we be a Mohsin like Yusuf (asa)? Can we do good to people who act badly towards us? Oh Allah make us among the Mohsineen. Amen.
They said: "If he steals, there was a brother of his who did steal before (him)." But these things did Joseph keep locked in his heart, revealing not the secrets to them. He (simply) said (to himself): "Ye are the worse situated; and Allah knoweth best the truth of what ye assert!"
Al-Qur'an, 012.077 (Al-Yusuf [Joseph])
This one is super! When the bowl was found in Yusuf's (asa) brother's sack, his stepbrothers said "If he steals, there was a brother of his who did steal before him". Just imagine if anybody tells you that your sibling stole, how would you feel especially if he never stole? I would feel like hitting this person with a hammer :-)
But what did Yusuf (asa) do, he didn't say anything and just remembered Allah. SubhanAllah. Oh Allah give us the courage to be patient in situations when someone talks bad about us or our siblings. Amen. It also reminds us not to pass remarks on people due to apparent situations because we never know the inside story and Allah's wisdom. Yusuf’s (asa) brother was not a thief but was made to look like a thief. But that is how Allah planned the union of the whole family.
They said: "O exalted one! Behold! He has a father, aged and venerable, (who will grieve for him); so take one of us in his place; for we see that thou art (gracious) in doing good."
Al-Qur'an, 012.078 (Al-Yusuf [Joseph])
Note that they still didn't recognize Yusuf (asa) but they acknowledged that they found him a Mohsin. So a Mohsin can be recognized easily. Oh Allah make us among the Mohsineen. Amen.
He said: "I only complain of my distraction and anguish to Allah, and I know from Allah that which ye know not...
"O my sons! Go ye and enquire about Joseph and his brother, and never give up hope of Allah's Soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah's Soothing Mercy, except those who have no faith."
Al-Qur'an, 012.086-087 (Al-Yusuf [Joseph])
This ayah is telling the remarks of Prophet Yaqub (asa) when he heard the news that his sons couldn't bring back Yusuf's brother. He didn't get angry, neither screamed, mocked or threatened his sons but just said "I only complain of my distraction and anguish to Allah"
Can we feel the pain of a father who is losing his second son? Oh Allah give us the patience like Yaqub (asa) who turned to Allah only, in such a difficult time. Amen.
Also he reminded his sons to go back and find Yusuf (asa) and his brother and reminded them not to lose hope. And a reminder that only disbelievers lose hope. We should note that losing hope can put us in the category of disbelievers. Oh Allah make us among those who never lose hope. Amen.
Then, when they came (back) into (Joseph's) presence they said: "O exalted one! Distress has seized us and our family: we have (now) brought but scanty capital: so pay us full measure, (we pray thee), and treat it as charity to us: for Allah doth reward the charitable."
Al-Qur'an, 012.088 (Al-Yusuf [Joseph])
This ayah tells us the event when Yusuf’s (asa) brothers came back to him requesting for provisions when they didn't have enough money.
He said: "Know ye how ye dealt with Joseph and his brother, not knowing (what ye were doing)?"
Al-Qur'an, 012.089 (Al-Yusuf [Joseph])
And look at Yusuf’s (asa) reply who reminded them how they dealt with Yusuf (asa) but without putting them in an embarrassing situation by saying "you did it not knowing". Can we also save our enemies from embarrassment like this?
They said: "Art thou indeed Joseph?" He said, "I am Joseph, and this is my brother: Allah has indeed been gracious to us (all): behold, he that is righteous and patient,- never will Allah suffer the reward to be lost, of those who do right."
Al-Qur'an, 012.090 (Al-Yusuf [Joseph])
Here Yusuf (asa) is reminding his brothers that Allah never wastes the reward of those who are patient. Oh Allah make us among those who are patient. Amen.
They said: "By Allah! Indeed has Allah preferred thee above us, and we certainly have been guilty of sin!"
The stepbrothers admit their sin. It teaches us that the guilty should admit their sin but we should not embarrass them. Oh Allah give us the courage to save the guilty ones from embarrassment. Amen.
He said: "This day let no reproach be (cast) on you: Allah will forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!
Al-Qur'an, 012.091-092 (Al-Yusuf [Joseph])
And look at Yusuf's (asa) response. He forgave his stepbrothers right away and also reminded them that Allah is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy. So we should also show mercy to each other.
And he raised his parents high on the throne (of dignity), and they fell down in prostration, (all) before him. He said: "O my father! this is the fulfilment of my vision of old! Allah hath made it come true! He was indeed good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you (all here) out of the desert, (even) after Satan had sown enmity between me and my brothers. Verily my Lord understandeth best the mysteries of all that He planneth to do, for verily He is full of knowledge and wisdom.
Al-Qur'an, 012.100 (Al-Yusuf [Joseph])
Yusuf (asa) is thanking Allah. He never said that his brothers were of a bad character; instead he blames Satan as the main cause of conflict. How good his brothers must have felt after hearing this? Oh Allah help us to avoid blaming each other in case of conflicts. This ayah explains the reason of conflicts between humans. No human is bad by character but it is Satan who sows enmity between us. If every Muslim understands the main cause of conflict from this ayah, all the conflicts will be resolved between Muslims in general. It also gives hope that conflicts can be solved if we become Mohsineen like Yusuf (asa).
"O my Lord! Thou hast indeed bestowed on me some power, and taught me something of the interpretation of dreams and events, - O Thou Creator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art my Protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Take Thou my soul (at death) as one submitting to Thy will (as a Muslim), and unite me with the righteous."
Al-Qur'an, 012.101 (Al-Yusuf [Joseph])
Yusuf (asa) is making this duaa when he is united with his family. Do we remember Allah like this when we are with our loved ones especially when we are meeting after a long time? Do we really ask to unite us with the righteous at that time?
