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The Story of Joseph (part 1 of 7): The Tale Begins
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Description: Joseph receives a prophecy, and jealousy takes the better of his brothers.
By Aisha Stacey (© 2008 IslamReligion.com)
Published on 06 Oct 2008 - Last modified on 26 Oct 2008
Viewed: 4333 (daily average: 11) - Rating: 4.7 out of 5 - Rated by: 3
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Category: Articles
> Beliefs of Islam
> Stories of the Prophets
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_-_The_Story_Begins_001.jpg) This is a tale of intrigue and deception, of jealousy,
pride, and passion… and it is not The Bold and the Beautiful. It is a saga of
patience, loyalty, bravery and compassion… and it is not Dr Phil or Oprah. It
is the story of Prophet Joseph, may God shower him with His praises. The same
Joseph known from the Andrew Lloyd Webber production of Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat, and the same Prophet Joseph known in Christian and
Jewish traditions. God revealed this story to Prophet Muhammad when an Israelite
asked him to tell him what he knew about Joseph.
Stories in Quran are usually told in small bit and made known over several chapters;
the story of Joseph however, is unique. It was revealed in one chapter, from
the beginning to the end. It is the complete story and experience of Prophet
Joseph. We learn about Joseph’s joys, troubles and sorrows, and move with him
through the years of his life as he arms himself with piety and patience, and
in the end emerges victorious. The story of Joseph begins with a dream, and
ends with the dream’s interpretation.
“We relate unto you (Muhammad) the best of stories through Our
Revelations unto you, of this Quran. And before this (i.e. before the coming
of Divine Inspiration to you), you were among those who knew nothing about it.”
(Quran 12:3)
Joseph’s Childhood
Joseph was young boy, handsome, happy and very much
loved by his father. He awoke one morning excited about a dream and ran
straight to his father happily explaining what he had seen in his dream.
Joseph’s father listened attentively to his beloved son and his face shone with
joy, for Joseph related a dream that spoke of the fulfilment of a prophecy. Joseph
said,
“O my father! Verily, I saw (in a dream) eleven stars and the
sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating themselves to me.” (Quran 12:4)
Joseph was one of 12 brothers whose father was Prophet
Jacob and whose great grandfather was Prophet Abraham. This prophecy spoke of
keeping Abraham’s message to worship One True God alive. Prophet Abraham’s
grandson Jacob interpreted the dream to mean that Joseph would be the one to
carry the ‘Light of God’s house”
However as quickly as the joy had sprung into Jacob’s face, it vanished, and
he implored his son not to relate his dream to his brothers. Jacob said,
“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, teach you the interpretation of dreams (and other
things), and perfect His Favour 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.” (Quran 12:5-6)
Jacob knew that his sons (Joseph’s brothers) would not
accept the interpretation of this dream or the advancement of Joseph over
themselves. Jacob was filled with fear. The ten older brothers were already
jealous of their younger brother. They recognised their father’s particular
affection for him. Jacob was a prophet, a man dedicated to submission to One
True God and he treated his family and his community with fairness, respect and
equitable love; however his heart was drawn to the gentle qualities evident in
his son Joseph. Joseph also had a younger brother named Benjamin, who, at this
stage of the story, was too young to be involved in any of the trickery and
deception brewing.
While Prophets and righteous men are eager to spread the
message of submission to God, Satan is waiting to entice and incite mankind. He
loves trickery and deception and was now sewing the seeds of discord between
Jacob and his elder sons. The jealousy the brothers felt toward Joseph blinded
their hearts, disoriented their thinking and made small things seem
insurmountable, large things seeming insignificant. Joseph heeded his father’s
warning and did not speak of his dream to his brothers; but even so, they
became obsessed and overwhelmed by their jealousy. Without knowing about
Joseph’s dream, they hatched a plan to kill him.
Joseph and Benjamin were the sons of Jacob’s second wife.
The older boys considered themselves men. They were older, they were stronger
and saw in themselves many good qualities. Blinded by jealousy, they perceived
Joseph and Benjamin as too young and without consequence in the life of the
family. They refused to understand why their father doted on them. The older boy’s
crooked thinking made them accuse their father of being misguided which, in
reality, was far from the truth. Satan made their thoughts fair seeming to
them and their utter misguidance was shown clearly, when they spoke of killing
Joseph and immediately repenting to God for this despicable act.
“They said, "Truly, Joseph and his brother are loved more
by our father than we, but we are a strong group. Really, our father is in a
plain error. Kill Joseph or cast him out to some (other) land, so that the
favour of your father may be given to you alone, and after that you will be
righteous folk (by intending to repent).” (Quran 12:8-9)
One amongst them felt the error of their ways and
suggested that rather than killing Joseph, they should drop him into a well. When
found by some passing traveller he would be sold into slavery, thus rendering
him as good as dead to the family. They believed, in their blindness, that the
absence of Joseph would remove him from their father’s thoughts. The brothers
continued to hatch their evil plan. Satan was toying with them, casting
thoughts into their minds and whispering misguidance into their ears. The
brothers finished their discussion pleased with themselves and believing they
had drafted a clever plan. They approached Jacob with a plan to take Joseph
into the desert with them, on the pretext of letting him play and enjoy
himself. Fear leapt into Jacob’s heart.
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The Story of Joseph (part 2 of 7): Treachery and Deception
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Description: Joseph’s brothers betray him, and Jacob turns to God with patience and humility.
By Aisha Stacey (© 2008 IslamReligion.com)
Published on 06 Oct 2008 - Last modified on 26 Oct 2008
Viewed: 3529 (daily average: 9) - Rating: 4 out of 5 - Rated by: 4
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“And Allah has full power and control over His Affairs, but
most of men know not.” (Quran 12:21)
The story of Joseph confirms unconditionally that God
has total control over all affairs. The treachery and deception of Joseph’s
brothers succeeded only in preparing Joseph for the great position he would
eventually attain. Joseph’s story describes God’s omnipotence and gives an
accurate account of His power and supremacy. The story begins with deception
but ends with comfort and joy. A fitting reward for the patience and total
submission to God’s will, Joseph exhibits throughout his long journey
confronting the schemes and treachery of those around him.
The patience Joseph learned from his ordeal made him
amongst the most righteous of men. His lineage was impeccable, his great
grandfather, grandfather and father were also Prophets. In Christian and Jewish
tradition, these men are known as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Deception and Treachery
When Jacob’s older sons sought permission to take Joseph
with them deep into the desert to play, fear leapt into Jacob’s heart. From
their first words, he suspected treachery and expressed his fear that a wolf
would take Joseph. Jacob said,
“Truly, it saddens me that you should take him away. I fear
lest a wolf should devour him, whilst you are careless of him.” (Quran 12:13)
Satan works in subtle and deceitful ways, and with his words,
Jacob unwittingly supplied his sons with the perfect reason for Joseph’s
disappearance. The brothers immediately knew they would blame Joseph’s
disappearance on a wolf, and this became part of their dastardly plan. Eventually
Jacob agreed and Joseph left with his brothers on their journey into the
desert.
They went directly to the well and without remorse,
picked up Joseph and threw him down into the well. Joseph cried out in fear
but their cruel hearts felt no pity for their young brother. The brothers felt
secure in their plan that a traveller would find Joseph and sell him into
slavery. While Joseph called out in terror, the brothers took a small goat or
sheep from their flock, slaughtered it and wiped the blood over one of Joseph’s
garments. Completely consumed by their jealousy, the brothers took an oath to
keep their foul deed secret and walked away pleased with themselves. Terrified
Joseph clung to a ledge in the well, and God made known to him that one day he
would confront his brothers. He told Joseph the day would come when he would
speak to his brothers about this dastardly event, but the brothers would not
know they were talking to Joseph.
“Indeed, you shall (one day) inform them of this their affair,
when they know (you) not.” (Quran 12:15)
Crying is not Evidence of Truth.
The brothers returned to their father weeping. By this time
it was dark, and Jacob was sitting in his house anxiously awaiting the return
of Joseph. The sound of ten men crying confirmed his deepest fear. The
darkness of the night was matched only be the darkness in their hearts. The
lies rolled easily from their tongues and Jacob’s heart constricted in fear.
“They said, ‘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.’ And they brought his shirt stained
with false blood.” (Quran 12:17-18)
In a story from the righteous men that came after
Prophet Muhammad comes a tale of a Muslim judge who was deciding the case of an
old woman. The details of the case are not important; however, the old woman
was crying and crying. Based on the evidence the judge ruled against her. A
friend of the judge said, “She was crying and crying, she is old, why didn’t
you believe her?” The judge said “Don’t you know from Quran that crying is not
evidence of the truth, the brothers of Joseph went to their father crying.” They
were crying but they committed the crime.
Both Jacob and Joseph were among the most noble of men.
Prophet Muhammad described Joseph as the most dignified and generous of men.
When asked who was the most God fearing man he replied, “The most honourable
person is Joseph, God’s prophet, the son of God’s prophet, the son of the beloved
servant of God (Abraham).”
While Joseph sat in the well, terrified, yet secure in his submission to God,
Jacob, many miles way, felt his heart constricted by fear and pain yet knew his
sons were lying. As befitting a Prophet of God, with tears streaming down his
face, Jacob said,
“Nay, but your own selves have made up a tale. So (for me)
patience is most fitting. And it is God (Alone) Whose help can be sought
against that which you assert.” (Quran 12:18)
This was a dilemma for Jacob, what was he to do? He
knew his sons were lying, but what were his options? To kill his sons? Due to
his complete submission to God, Jacob knew that this affair was out of his
hands. He had no option but to trust God and turn to Him with hope and
patience.
Deep in the well, Joseph prayed. Father and son turned
to God in the deep darkness of the night. A mixture of fear and hope filled
their hearts, and the night gave way to the new day. For Jacob, the day dawned
on the beginning of many years to be filled with trust in God and patience. For
Joseph, the sunrays of dawn shone down on the edges of the well. If he could
have scanned the horizon, he would have seen a caravan approaching. Minutes
later a man lowered his bucket into its depths of the well expecting to find
cool clear water.
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The Story of Joseph (part 3 of 7): Sold into Slavery
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Description: Joseph is rescued from the well, sold into slavery, and is established in one of the greatest houses of Egypt.
By Aisha Stacey (© 2008 IslamReligion.com)
Published on 13 Oct 2008 - Last modified on 26 Oct 2008
Viewed: 3655 (daily average: 9) - Rating: 4 out of 5 - Rated by: 4
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Category: Articles
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_-_Sold_into_Slavery_001.jpg) Lead astray by the whisperings of Satan and filled with
jealousy and pride, the brothers deceived their father Jacob and betrayed their
young brother. Thrown deep into a well by his older brothers, Joseph the
beloved son of Prophet Jacob, clung throughout the long night to a ledge and
tried to put his trust in God. The time passed slowly and the heat of the
morning sun beat down heavily on the scorched earth. Later that day a caravan
travelling to Egypt approached the well.
When the caravan arrived. the travellers went about
their business, some tethering camels, others tending to the horses, some
unpacking, and others preparing food. The water drawer went to the well and
lowered his bucket, happy in anticipation of cool, clear water. Joseph was
startled as the bucket hurtled towards him. but before it hit the water, he
reached out and clung to the rope. Surprised by the weight of the bucket, the
man peered over the edge of the well. He was shocked and excited when he saw a
child clinging to the rope. The man called his companions to help him draw the
child from the well and all were amazed at the sight of this beautiful child,
not quite a youth, who stood before them.
Looking at the boy, the water bearer could not hide his
excitement and cried aloud, “What good news!” (Quran 12:19) The
man was overjoyed; he immediately decided to sell Joseph, knowing that he stood
to make a lot of money in the slave market. Just as the brothers had predicted,
the men of the caravan took Joseph to Egypt expecting to sell him for a
handsome price. The slave markets of Egypt were teeming with people, some
buying, and some selling, others just watching the proceedings. The beautiful
boy found in the well attracted many onlookers, and bidding for him was swift.
The price continued to rise beyond their expectations, and Joseph was
eventually purchased by Azeez, the Chief Minister of Egypt.
However, God tells us in the Quran that they sold him
for a low price. (12:20) This does not seem to make sense since the men
of the caravan were jubilant by the price they received. God described the
price as low because Joseph was actually worth more then they could ever have
imagined. The men did not realise just who this child would grow up to be. They
believed that although beautiful, Joseph was insignificant. Nothing could have
been further from the truth, if they had of sold him for his weight in gold, it
would have been a cheap price for the man who would grow up to be Joseph,
Prophet of God.
In the House of Azeez
The Chief Minister, Azeez, sensed immediately that this
was no ordinary child. He took him to his home, one of the great mansions of Egypt, and 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.” (Quran12:21)
God placed Joseph into the home of the second most
important person in Egypt. Chief Minister Azeez was more then just a prime
minister, he was also the treasurer of Egypt. God established Joseph in the
land in order to teach him wisdom and understanding. The struggling and
striving required by Joseph to overcome the separation from his father and
family, the difficulty of being betrayed by your older presumably protective
brothers, the ordeal in the well and the humiliation of being sold into slavery
were all trials designed to mould Joseph’s character. They were the first
steps on the ladder to greatness. God used the treachery of Joseph’s brothers
to fulfil His plan for Joseph’s establishment as a Prophet of God.
The brothers of Joseph believed they had matters under
control when they put their brother in the well, but in reality, the matter was
out of their hands. God is the one in control of all affairs. God was
decisive in His action, and His plan was carried out despite the treachery,
jealousy and pride of others. Joseph found himself in the decision making
centre of Egypt with a man who seemed kind and somehow aware of Joseph’s
special qualities. While longing for his father and brother Benjamin, Joseph
was well taken care, and lived in luxurious surroundings. Joseph grew to
manhood in the house of Azeez and God bestowed on him good judgement and
knowledge.
“And when he (Joseph) attained his full manhood, We gave him
wisdom and knowledge (the Prophethood), thus We reward the doers of good.” (Quran12:22)
God granted Joseph both knowledge and wisdom. Not one just
one, but both qualities. He was given the ability to understand and the
ability to use good judgement when applying his knowledge. This is not always
the case. There are many people throughout the history of the world, up to and
including the present day, who have knowledge but do not have the ability or
judgement to apply that knowledge in an effective way.
One of the great scholars of Islam, Imam Abu Haneefa,
held regular learning circles in which presented a topic for debate. The topic
would be discussed and opinions given, then Imam Abu Haneefa would give a final
verdict. This way of teaching was unique at that time. There was amongst this
circle of learning a scholar of the narrations of Prophet Muhammad; he recited one
that Imam Hanifa had never heard before. Just at that time, a woman
approached the circle and asked a question. The scholar replied that he did
not know the answer, but Imam Abu Hanifa was able to answer her question.
He then turned to the members of the learning circle and said. “I know the
answer to this question from the hadeeth our brother had just mentioned”.
Thus, it is possible to have the knowledge but not know how to apply it.
Prophet Joseph, as with all the Prophets of God was given the knowledge and the
wisdom to understand and apply it.
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The Story of Joseph (part 4 of 7): Beauty and a Test
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Description: Joseph faces a great trial of seduction and seeks refuge with God.
By Aisha Stacey (© 2008 IslamReligion.com)
Published on 20 Oct 2008 - Last modified on 26 Oct 2008
Viewed: 3367 (daily average: 8) - Rating: 3 out of 5 - Rated by: 2
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Category: Articles
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_-_Beauty_and_Seduction_001.jpg) Although betrayed and sold into slavery, Joseph, the son
of Prophet Jacob, settled into one of the great houses of Egypt. His master, Al Azeez, Chief Minister of Egypt vowed to treat Joseph kindly, and Joseph,
who was grateful for the relative safety, replied that he would be loyal to his
new master. He thanked God for rectifying his situation and placing him
in a place devoid of maltreatment and abuse. Joseph went from the
position of beloved son to the dark depths of the well, from iron shackles to a
position of ease. Joseph’s life twisted and turned, but the house of Al
Aziz was where he grew into manhood.
The scholars of Islam have estimated that Joseph was
around 14 years old when betrayed by his brothers. Imam Ibn Katheer, one of
the most respected Quran scholars, explained in his work, “Stories of the Prophets”,
that Joseph was most probably the personal attendant of Al Aziz’s wife. Ibn
Katheer described Joseph as obedient, polite and exceedingly handsome. Prophet
Muhammad also described Joseph, and called him “The embodiment of half of
all beauty”.
As Joseph grew, God gave him wisdom and good judgement, and Chief Minister Al Aziz
recognised these qualities in his loyal servant and therefore put him in charge
of all household affairs. All who knew him, including the wife of Al Aziz,
acknowledged Joseph’s beauty, honesty, and nobility. She watched Joseph grow
into a handsome man and became more attracted to him as each day passed.
The Trial
“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.’” (Quran 12:23)
The beautiful wife of Al Aziz closed the doors and tried
to seduce the slave Joseph, but he resisted her advances and sought refuge with
God. He sought help in God. Joseph told her he would not betray her husband.
Joseph said, “He has been good to me and treated me with respect.” Joseph knew
that those who commit evil acts will never be successful. The wife of al Aziz
had an evil desire and tried to act upon it; Joseph however resisted the temptation
and tried to escape. Prophet Muhammad tells us that if you make the intention
to commit an evil act and actually carry out that act, God will have it written
against you as one evil act. However if you think about committing an evil act
and then do not do it, God will have it written as a good act.
Joseph drove any thoughts of sleeping with the wife of
his master from his mind, sought refuge with God and attempted to remove
himself from the complicated situation. Perhaps Joseph had been resisting her
advances for many years. A rich beautiful woman from the highest echelons of
Egyptian society would not stoop immediately to such behaviour. Her beauty,
status and wealth meant that most men or boys would succumb to her desires
easily. Joseph however was no ordinary man, and when he immediately turned to
God for help, God rescued him.
“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.” (Quran 12:24)
Joseph is one of the leaders of those who will be shaded
by God on the Day of Judgement. Prophet Muhammad explained that the heat of the
Day of Judgment would be fierce, and people will be mingling with fear as they
wait to be judged by God. There will be however, certain categories of people
shaded from this brutal heat. One of them is a man who resisted the
temptations of a beautiful, desirable woman by seeking refuge with God.
Joseph’s refusal only increased her passion. He tried
to flee and they raced with each other to the door. The wife of Al Aziz
reached for Joseph’s shirt and tore it from his back. At that moment, the door
opened and her husband walked in. Immediately, with out even one second’s
hesitation, the wife of al Aziz attempted to turn the situation around. She
cried out to her husband, “What is the punishment for one who had an evil
design against your wife?” This was a clear lie, yet she pronounced it
easily and suggested that Joseph be put in prison. Joseph tried to defend
himself and said, “No, it was she that sought to seduce me”. (Quran 12:25
– 26) One of their relatives suddenly appeared and offered a way to solve
this dilemma. He said,
“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!” (Quran 12:27 – 28)
If his shirt was torn from the back, which it was, it
meant that he was trying to escape and she was running after him, tearing the
shirt from his back. The proof was unmistakeable. The Chief Minister,
although clearly upset, was more concerned with covering up this affair. He
did not want his good name and position to be sullied by a scandal. He asked
Joseph to be silent about the situation and told his wife to ask forgiveness
from God. This should have been an end to the matter, but as is common in more
wealthy societies, people have a lot of time on their hands. Many hours are
wasted having meals and gossiping about the affairs of their friends,
neighbours and relatives.
The Women
The women of the city began to talk about the wife of Al
Aziz and her infatuation with her slave Joseph. The news was spreading and the
women asked themselves how she could desire a slave and put her reputation in
jeopardy. The wife of Al Aziz thought she would teach these women a lesson and
show them just how beautiful and desirable Joseph was. She invited them to
have lunch with her, laid a beautiful table before them and handed them knives
to cut the food. The room was probably full of tension and silent looks as the
women hoped for a glimpse of this slave, while at the same time considering
themselves better then the wife of Al Aziz. The women started eating, and at
that moment, Joseph walked into the room. They looked up, saw his beauty and
forgot that they had knives in their hands. The women were so entranced by his
shape and form that they cut clear through their own flesh. They described
Joseph as a noble angel. The wife of Al Aziz, confident and haughty said to
her guests,
“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.” Quran 12:32)
What was to become of Joseph? Once again, with total
humility, he turned to God saying that prison was preferable to succumbing the
women’s desires. Therefore, his Lord answered his invocation.
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The Story of Joseph (part 5 of 7): From Prison to Palace
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Description: Joseph is sentenced to prison, interprets dreams, and is summoned to the palace.
By Aisha Stacey (© 2008 IslamReligion.com)
Published on 27 Oct 2008 - Last modified on 23 Jun 2009
Viewed: 3286 (daily average: 8) - Rating: 3.7 out of 5 - Rated by: 3
Printed: 264 - Emailed: 0 - Commented on: 0
Category: Articles
> Beliefs of Islam
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_001.jpg) The story of Joseph is an example of patience in the face
of adversity. Throughout his life so far, Joseph faced trials and tribulations
with complete trust in God. Yet once again, he was in an extremely difficult
situation. Once more, he was forced to fend off the advances of the wife of Al
Aziz, this time in front of her associates. Joseph called out to God for help.
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 the deeds of the ignorant.” (Quran 12:33)
Joseph believed living in prison was preferable to
living in the house of Al Aziz. The environment was filled with lust and greed,
and with unlawful beauty and seduction, perhaps similar to many societies today.
He believed prison would be preferable to succumbing to the fitnah around him. God
answered Joseph’s supplication and rescued him.
“So his Lord answered his invocation and turned away from him
their plot. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. Then it appeared to
them, after they had seen the proofs (of his innocence) to imprison him for a
time.” (Quran 12:34-35)
Although convinced of Joseph’s innocence, Al Aziz, chief
Minister of Egypt put Joseph in prison. He could see no other way of
safeguarding the reputation of his name and position.
Joseph in Prison
Imprisoned with Joseph, were two men who recognised his
piety and righteousness. Both had been plagued by vivid dreams and now hoped
Joseph would be able to interpret the dreams for them. One man saw a dream in
which he was pressing wine, the other; saw a dream in which birds were eating
bread from his head. Joseph said, “I will inform you of the meaning of these
dreams before your next meal is served”.
“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 God 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 God. This is from the Grace of Allah to us and to mankind, but
most men think not (i.e. they neither believe in Allah nor worship Him).’” (Quran
12:37-38)
Notice the demeanor of Joseph. When they ask him a
question about dreams he immediately reminds them that it is God who provides
their sustenance, as well as his own knowledge of dream interpretation. Joseph
is very careful to make a distinction between what is from God and what is from
himself. He makes his religion clear. He does not believe the religion being
practiced around him but believes in the true religion that includes belief in
the Hereafter. Joseph asserts that his family, the family of Abraham, hold the
knowledge of the Oneness of God, and that his religion and family do not
attribute partners to God. Although the people of Egypt knew about God they choose
to worship other deities as partners or intercessors.
After informing his companions that false gods have no
substance and explaining the Omnipotence of God, Joseph interprets the dreams.
He says, one of you will become a close associate of the King, the other will
be crucified and birds will eat from his head.
“As for one of you, he (as a servant) will pour out wine for
his lord 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.” (Quran 12:41)
Joseph approached the companion who destined to be close
to the King and said “please remember me to your King”. He hoped that the King
would look into his case, see his oppression and free him. However, the
whisperings and subterfuge of Satan, caused the companion to forget to mention Joseph
and consequently he remained in prison for a few more years. The scholars of
Islam hold two different opinions about the nature of the forgetfulness. Ibn
Katheer mentions that the companion forgot to mention Joseph, whereas other
scholars focus on the possibility that Joseph forgot to seek the help of God,
and thus the companion forgot to mention him. Whatever the case, Joseph
remained in prison and continued to trust in God with patience and fortitude.
The King’s Dream
The King dreamed he was standing on the banks of the Nile watching seven fat cows emerge from the river, followed by seven lean ones. The seven
lean cows devoured the fat ones. Next, the dream changed and he watched seven
green ears of grain growing on the banks of the Nile. They disappeared into
the mud and on the same spot grew seven dry ears of grain. The King awoke
shocked and frightened, and sent for his sorcerers, priests and ministers. They
failed to interpret the dream and reached the unanimous conclusion that it was just
a nightmare. Joseph’s companion from the prison came to hear of the dream and
remembered Joseph. With the King’s permission, he rushed to the prison and
asked Joseph to interpret the dream.
“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.’” (Quran 12:47-49)
The King was astonished at this interpretation, not only
did Joseph give the meaning but also recommended a course of action. The King
demanded Joseph be bought before him. However, Joseph refused to leave prison and
insisted the messenger return to the King and ask him, “What happened to the
women who cut their hands?” (Quran 12:50) Joseph did not want to leave the
prison until his innocence was established.
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The Story of Joseph (part 6 of 7): The Importance of Dreams
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Description: Newly released from prison Joseph takes up a high position in the Egyptian government, and then comes face to face with surprise.
By Aisha Stacey (© 2008 IslamReligion.com)
Published on 03 Nov 2008 - Last modified on 03 Nov 2008
Viewed: 3471 (daily average: 9) - Rating: 3.7 out of 5 - Rated by: 3
Printed: 266 - Emailed: 0 - Commented on: 0
Category: Articles
> Beliefs of Islam
> Stories of the Prophets
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_-_The_Importance_of_Dreams_001.jpg) Prophet Mohammad said: “Every Prophet was sent to his
nation exclusively, but I was sent to all mankind.” God sent Joseph,
son of Jacob, to the people of Egypt and supported him with abilities that were
observable and made sense to the people the Joseph had been sent to guide. At
the time of Joseph, dreams and dream interpretation were very important, and
this is clear throughout the story of Joseph. Prophet Jacob (Joseph’s father),
the companions of the prison and the King of Egypt all have dreams.
When the King heard Joseph’s interpretation of his dream,
he was astonished, and set Joseph free. However, Joseph refused to leave the
prison with out clearing his name of any wrongdoing. He wanted his master Al
Aziz to be completely sure that he (Joseph) had not betrayed his trust. Joseph
respectfully demanded that the King investigate the affair of the women who cut
their hands. The King became curious and called for the wife of Al Aziz and
her associates.
“(The King) said (to the women), ‘What was your affair when
you did seek to seduce Joseph?’ The women said, ‘God 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.’” (Quran
12:51)
Once his innocence was established, Joseph appeared
before the King. After hearing, Joseph’s words the King became even more
impressed and entrusted him to a position of high rank. Joseph said, “Set
me over the storehouses of the land; I will indeed guard them with full
knowledge.” (Quran 12:55) In the religion of Islam, it is not permissible
for one to ask for a position of authority or two talk about oneself in a
boastful manner. However when Joseph asked the King to put him in charge of
the storehouses he did both of those things.
The scholars of Islam explain that when you are the only
person fit for that position then it is permissible to ask for it, and if you
are new to a community, it is permissible to introduce yourself. Joseph knew
the trials about to face Egypt and he knew he was capable of averting the
danger inherent in a time of famine. For Joseph, not asking for this position
would have been irresponsible. The young boy betrayed and thrown into the well
was now established as the finance Minister of Egypt. His patience and
perseverance, and above all his total submission to the will of God had already
resulted in great reward. Joseph knew however that the greatest reward for
patience and righteousness would be in the hereafter.
Joseph Meets His Brothers
The time passed. During the seven good years, Joseph prepared
for the time of famine to come. The drought and famine correctly prophesized by
Joseph did not only affect Egypt, but also the surrounding lands including the
place where Jacob and his sons were living. Joseph managed the affairs of Egypt so well there was enough grain to feed the people of Egypt and those in the surrounding areas.
As life became difficult and food scarce, people began to flock to Egypt to buy the grain Joseph was selling at a fair price.
Among those seeking provisions were Joseph’s ten older
brothers. When the brothers were ushered into Joseph’s presence, they did not
recognise him. Joseph looked at his brothers and his heart filled with longing
for his father and his young brother Benjamin. He greeted them respectfully,
asked questions about their family and homeland, and explained that the rations
of grain would be distributed per head; therefore, if they had bought their younger
brother they would have received more rations. Joseph was hoping to encourage
them to bring Benjamin, in fact Joseph went far as to say that without their
young brother they would receive no provision at all.
“But if you bring him not to me, there shall be no measure (of
grain) for you with me, nor shall you come near me.” (Quran 12:60)
When they returned to their father, Prophet Jacob, they
explained to him that no more grain would be provided to them unless they
travelled with their young brother. Benjamin had become very close to his
father, especially after Joseph’s disappearance. Remembering his previous loss,
Jacob did not want to part with his young son. Once again, the brothers
promised to safeguard their youngest brother, and once again Jacob felt his
heart constrict with fear. The brothers then found that the money they paid
for the grain had been secretly returned to them.
Jacob had complete trust in God and gave them permission
to take Benjamin only after they had sworn an oath in God’s name to protect him.
Although Prophet Jacob was particularly close to his sons Joseph and Benjamin,
he loved all his sons dearly. They were strong, handsome, capable men, and
Jacob was afraid that some harm might befall them on yet another trip to Egypt. To minimise the risks, he made his sons promise to enter the city by different
gates. Jacob said to them,
“O my sons! Do not enter by one gate, but enter by different
gates, and I cannot avail you against God at all. Verily! The decision rests
only with God. In Him, I put my trust and let all those that trust, put their
trust in Him.” (Quran 12:67)
The brothers returned to Egypt, entered by different
gates and went to Joseph for the promised provisions. During this meeting,
Joseph took Benjamin aside and revealed that he was his long lost brother. The
two embraced and their hearts were filled with joy. Joseph, however, asked
Benjamin to keep their meeting a secret for the time being. After providing
the brothers with their rations of grain, Joseph arranged for golden bowl to be
covertly placed in Benjamin’s bag, then according to Joseph’s arrangements
someone cried out, “O you in the caravan, surely you are thieves.” (Quran
12:70)
The brothers were astonished because they were not
thieves. They inquired about the stolen item, and were astounded to hear it
was a golden bowl belonging to the King. Whoever returned it, they were told,
would be rewarded with camel’s load of grain. The brothers of Joseph claimed
to have no knowledge of this theft. They asserted that they were not thieves
and did not come to Egypt to create mischief. One of Joseph’s men asked, “What
is your punishment for one who steals?” The brothers replied that under the
law of Prophet Jacob, the one who steals is taken as a slave. Joseph did not
want his brother punished under the laws of Egypt but wanted the opportunity to
keep his brother with him while the others retuned to their father Jacob. The
bags were searched, and the golden bowl was found amongst Benjamin’s
possessions.
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The Story of Joseph (part 7 of 7): Patience Rewarded
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Description: A stolen child, Joseph revealed and the fulfilment of a dream.
By Aisha Stacey (© 2008 IslamReligion.com)
Published on 03 Nov 2008 - Last modified on 23 Jun 2009
Viewed: 3402 (daily average: 9) - Rating: 4.3 out of 5 - Rated by: 3
Printed: 255 - Emailed: 7 - Commented on: 0
Category: Articles
> Beliefs of Islam
> Stories of the Prophets
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The golden bowl was found in Benjamin’s belongings and his
brothers were astonished. They quickly realised the Chief Minister (Joseph) would
follow their own law and keep Benjamin as a slave. This upset them greatly. They
were afraid of returning to their father without his beloved youngest son. One
of the brothers offered to accept the punishment on Benjamin’s behalf, but the
offer was refused. Another brother, probably the eldest, chose to stay in Egypt while the others returned to their homeland to face their father Jacob. When the
brothers arrived home they went immediately to their father and said,
“O our father! Verily, your son (Benjamin) has stolen, 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.” (Quran 12:81-82)
Prophet Jacob had heard this all before. When the
brothers betrayed Joseph and threw him in the well, they went to their father
pleading and crying yet their words were nothing but lies. This time Jacob
refused to believe them. He turned away from them saying, “Nay, but your own
selves have beguiled you into something. So patience is most fitting (for me).”
(Quran 12:83) Jacob had spent years grieving for Joseph and trusting in
God. When this new sorrow overwhelmed him, his first reaction was to be patient.
He knew, without a shred of doubt, that the affairs of his beloved youngest
sons were controlled by God.
Even though he trusted God completely, Jacob behaved as
any father would in the same circumstances. He was overcome with grief and
wept uncontrollably. He remembered Joseph, and wept until he became ill and
lost his sight. The brothers were concerned about his pain and sorrow and
questioned his constant grief. They asked him, “Will you cry until the day you
die?” Jacob answered that he only complained of his grief and sorrow to God
and that he (Jacob) knew, from God, things that they did not. (Quran 12:86)
Though many years had passed, Jacob had not forgotten
his son Joseph. Jacob reflected on Joseph’s dream and understood God’s plan
would come to fruition. Jacob was deeply hurt by the loss of his sons, but his
faith in God sustained him, and he ordered his sons to go back to Egypt in search of Joseph and Benjamin.
Joseph revealed
The brothers once again set off on the long journey to
Egypt. The famine had taken its toll on the surrounding areas and people were
poor and weak. When the brothers stood before Joseph, they too were amongst
the poor. Their level of weakness forced them to ask for charity. They said:
“O ruler of the land! A hard time has hit our family, and we
have brought but poor capital, so pay us full measure and be charitable to us.
Truly, God does reward the charitable.” (Quran 12:88)
Joseph could not bear to see his family in this
position, even though these were the men who had betrayed him. He looked at
his family and could keep his secret no longer, he said,
“Do you know what you did with Joseph and his brother, when
you were ignorant?” (Quran 12:89)
The brothers recognised Joseph immediately, not because of
his looks, for they had seen him many times before, however who else could know
the true story of Joseph, but Joseph himself.
“I am Joseph, and this is my brother (Benjamin). God has
indeed been Gracious to us. Verily, he who fears God with obedience to Him (by
abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by performing righteous good deeds),
and is patient, then surely, God makes not the reward of the good doers to be
lost.” (Quran 12:90)
The brothers were afraid, their past deeds were grave
sins, and they were now in a position of weakness. They stood in fear before
the Chief Minister of Egypt no longer a small, beautiful boy named Joseph. Through
his trials and tribulations, Joseph, like his father, found comfort in
submission to the One God. He understood patience and the qualities of mercy
and piety imbedded in true patience. He looked down at his brothers who were
trembling in fear and said, “No reproach of you this day, May God forgive
you.” (Quran 12:91)
Joseph immediately made plans to reunite his family. He
requested the brothers return to their father and cast an old shirt of his
(Joseph’s) over his face. This, he said, would cause him to become clear
sighted. Immediately, although the old man was so far away he turned his face
towards the heavens and sniffed, believing that he could smell Joseph in the
air. This is one of the miracles, made possible by God, of Prophet Joseph. When
the brothers arrived, they cast the shirt over Jacob’s face and he became clear
sighted. He cried out, “Did I not say to you, I know from God, that which
you know not.” (Quran 12: 96)
The family of Prophet Jacob gathered their belongings together
and travelled to Egypt. Jacob was eager to be reunited with his sons. They
went straight to Joseph and found him sitting on an elevated throne. Joseph
spoke to his family saying, enter Egypt, if God wills, in security.
The beginning of chapter 12 of the Quran, Joseph,
began with the young boy Joseph describing his dream to his beloved father
Jacob. He said, “Verily, I saw (in a dream) eleven stars and the sun
and the moon, I saw them prostrating themselves to me.” (Quran 12:4) Quran
concludes the story of Joseph in the same way as it began, with the
interpretation of the dream. The eleven stars were his brothers, the sun his
father and the moon was his mother.
“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 prison, and brought you all here out of the Bedouin
life, after Satan had sown enmity between my brothers and me. Certainly, my
Lord is the Most Courteous and Kind unto whom He will. Truly He! Only He is
the All Knowing, the All-Wise.” (Quran 12:98-100)
The essence of the story of Joseph is patience in the
face of adversity and sorrow. Joseph faced every trial with patience and
complete trust in God. His father Jacob bore his grief and misery with
patience and submission. All the chapters of Quran were revealed at particular
times, in response to particular situations. This chapter was revealed to
Prophet Muhammad in a time of great sorrow. In fact, the year of its
revelation is known as “the year of sorrow’. Prophet Muhammad had to bear the
death of his beloved first wife Khadijah and his Uncle Abu Talib. Both had
provided him with comfort and support. God was advising Prophet Muhammad that
the road may be long and difficult but the ultimate victory belongs to those with
God consciousness and patience. The story of Joseph is a lesson for us all.
True patience, what the scholars of Islam call beautiful patience is a key to
the gate of Paradise.
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