YUSUF AS – PART 3

True to their nature, the brothers, instead of defending their brother, told Yusuf AS:

“If he steals – a brother of his has stolen before.” But Yusuf kept it within himself and did not reveal it to them. He said, “You are worse in position, and Allah is most knowing of what you describe.” (Al Qur’an 12:77)

Imagine their audacity – not only to leave Bin Yamin defenceless, but also to make false accusations against Yusuf AS right to his face!

But they had a bigger problem on their hands. According to what was agreed, and also the law of the land, Bin Yamin would have to be detained in Egypt. How were they to explain to their father that they had broken their pledge and had lost another brother? They even offered Yusuf AS for one of them to trade places with Ben Yamin on the pretext of seeking clemency because of their elderly father, but Yusuf AS said that it would be unjust to arrest anyone apart from the person on whom they had found holding the measuring bowl.

The brothers consulted with each other in private. This incident was catastrophic. What were they to do?

The eldest of them said, “Do you not know that your father has taken upon you an oath by Allah and [that] before you failed in [your duty to] Yusuf? So I will never leave [this] land until my father permits me or Allah decides for me, and He is the best of judges. (Al Qur’an 12:80)

By the power of Allah, events had been engineered that by the own agreement of the brothers, they were forced to leave Bin Yamin behind. All but the eldest brother returned to Jerusalem to break this shocking news to their father.

Yaqub AS he remained patient when he heard. Something about their story was fishy even though this time they were telling the truth! Bin Yamin accused of stealing? This was difficult for Yaqub AS to swallow, especially in light of how they had taken Yusuf AS away all those years ago under another pretext.

[Yaqub] said, “Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. Perhaps Allah will bring them to me all together. Indeed it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise.” (Al Qur’an 12:83)

He then turned away from them and cried so much from grief, including his long held pain of losing Yusuf AS that he almost lost his vision from crying. His sons, probably not without any trace of envy, said: “By Allah, you will not cease remembering Yusuf until you become fatally ill or become of those who perish.” (Al Qur’an 12:85) To this, Yaqub AS gave his famous reply:

He said, “I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you do not know. (Al Qur’an 12:86)

Despite his sorrow, he knew that Allah would open the door of His mercy and grant him relief. He believed in the promise of Allah and asked his sons not to lose hope in the mercy of Allah, for only the disbelievers would despair in the mercy of Allah. At their father’s request, they returned to Egypt to claim back their little brother.

When they arrived in Egypt and appealed to him, Yusuf AS finally revealed his true identity:

He said “I am Yusuf, and this is my brother. Allah has certainly favored us. Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient, then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.” (Al Qur’an 12:90)

There was nowhere to hide. This powerful man whom they were appealing to was the same one whom they had wronged – the truth, hidden all those decades, finally came to light, and the guilt of the brothers exposed. What more was there left to do but for them to admit:

“By Allah, certainly has Allah preferred you over us, and indeed, we have been sinners.” (Al Qur’an 12:91)

Yusuf AS told them that he bore no animosity for them in his heart. These were the words similar to those used by Rasulullah SAW to his people after decades of oppression towards him. It was also the same thing that Yusuf AS said about the lady who had earlier falsely accused him. He said:

“No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful.” (Al Qur’an 12:92)

He then set them free. Here, he demonstrated the true forgiving nature of Messengers and Prophets. He forgave them, despite their unforgiveable behaviour towards him.

Then he handed them his shirt and asked them to cast it over their father’s face to restore his vision, and then to gather the entire family and bring them back to Egypt. When the caravan departed from Egypt, Yaqub AS could detect the scent of Yusuf AS, and he told his family that Yusuf AS was coming. His family was scornful – the caravan was about a month’s journey away, he was turning blind from sadness and now he was losing his mind too?

When the caravan arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers cast Yusuf’s AS shirt over his father’s face, and his vision was restored. He said, “Did I not tell you that I know from Allah that which you do not know?” (Al Qur’an 12:96)

Now that the truth was out in the open, his sons asked for his forgiveness. True to the nature of a Prophet and Messenger, Yaqub AS did not berate his sons or curse them for the years of grief they had caused. Instead:

He said, “I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (Al Qur’an 12:98)

The entire family then travelled to Egypt, including his father and almost seventy other family members.

The Dream Comes True

When the contingent arrived, Yusuf AS was sitting at the throne of the King with the key to Egypt’s treasury in his hand. He received his parents with full honour, and he raised them high on the throne.

All of his family, including his parents, prostrated before him. At this time, it was permitted for people to prostrate to each other as a token of respect and honour, although this practice was later abrogated by Islam.

And he said, “O my father, this is the explanation of my vision of before. My Lord has made it reality. And He was certainly good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you [here] from bedouin life after Satan had induced [estrangement] between me and my brothers. Indeed, my Lord is Subtle in what He wills. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise. (Al Qur’an 12:100)

Now that the favours of Allah had been completed upon him in such a wonderful way – the joyful reunion with his long lost parents and family, and the fulfillment of the prophecy, Yusuf AS made this beautiful supplication to thank Allah:

My Lord, You have given me [something] of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous.” (Al Qur’an 12:101)

The above du’a is the etiquette of a Messenger and Prophet – not taking credit for all the glory of success, but humbly attributing them to Allah. Even as a Prophet, he prayed to be resurrected amongst the good people instead of assuming that he was one of them.

According to reports, Yaqub AS was only reunited with his son after three or four decades of separation. Can you imagine the kind of grief, uncertainty and heartbreak we would feel if our own children went missing, without any news from them whatsoever? Can you imagine the outpouring of emotions when Allah reunited all of them? It was certainly a beautiful reward for all the trials and suffering that Yusuf AS and his father had endured with beautiful patience.

Yusuf AS died at the age of 120. He was buried next to his father and close to his forefather, Ibrahim AS.