YUSUF AS – PART 2

Thus vindicated in the eyes of her peers, the proud lady of the house declared:

“This is he (the young man) about whom you did blame me, and I did seek to seduce him, but he refused. And now, if he refuses to obey my order, he shall certainly be case into prison, and will be one of those who is disgraced.” (Qur’an 12:32)

This was a corrupt company, for now, the women, realising the extent of his physical attributes, understood what fuelled her passion. In her support, used all means of pressure and persuasion, from every angle, for Yusuf AS to follow the command of the mistress, promising him numerous favours and rewards for agreeing to provide her with sexual favours.

A Prison or an Asylum?

Prophets and Messengers are not as supremely vulnerable as normal human beings. However, Yusuf AS was also of normal flesh and blood. He turned to Allah to save him from this situation, where if left to continue, he might feel inclined to give in to their desires and indulge in their wrongdoing.

He said: “O my Lord! Prison is dearer to me than that to which they invite me. Unless You turn away their plot from me, I will feel inclined towards them and be on (of those who commit sin and deserve blame or those who do deeds) of the ignorant.” (Qur’an 12:33)

Therefore, even with proof of his innocence apparent, he was imprisoned. This is reminiscent of society throughout the ages, where the innocent, at the order of the powerful, can be incarcerated indefinitely and for no justification. However, Yusuf AS preferred jail to committing a major sin such as the one asked for by the women.

Life in a Prison Cell

All Prophets and Messengers have to undergo calamities, a timing for preparation of revelation. Also, Messengers and Prophets need some time by themselves to worship and meditate alone, and think and wonder about Allah. Such isolation from the enticements of the material world generates patience and sincerity with Allah, and cannot be gained by mixing with other people.

The signs of Yusuf’s AS prophethood began to manifest themselves. He started inviting others towards Allah, and it is said that he was the only Muslim in this society at the time.

People around him recognized the signs of his piety. Narrated by Abu Hurairah that the Messenger SAW said that “The good dream of a man who is salih is a forty-sixth part of prophecy.” (Malik’s Muwatta). This is in respect of a clear dream from Allah, not the normal jumbled imaginings and fantasies that most of us have. In respect of Prophets and Messengers, their dreams are prophetic visions. Thus his reputation as the interpreter of signs and dreams spread.

And when Joseph reached maturity, We gave him judgment and knowledge. And thus We reward the doers of good. (Qur’an 12:22)

One day, he was met by two young prisoners, a baker and a cupbearer (a bartender or mixer of drinks) who wanted to consult him on their dreams.

One of them said, “Indeed, I have seen myself [in a dream] pressing wine.” The other said, “Indeed, I have seen myself carrying upon my head [some] bread, from which the birds were eating. Inform us of its interpretation; indeed, we see you to be of those who do good.” (Qur’an 12:36)

With the will of Allah, Yusuf could predict the food that would arrive for them. He tried to give them da’wah, calling upon others to follow the religion of his forefathers in ancestry and prophethood – Ibrahim AS, Ishaq AS and Yaqub AS. He asked them not to associate anything with Allah, and to worship one single God. He asked them to only obey Allah’s laws, and to worship none but Him.

In response to their initial question, Yusuf AS said:

O two companions of prison, as for one of you, he will give drink to his master of wine; but as for the other, he will be crucified, and the birds will eat from his head. The matter has been decreed about which you both inquire. (Qur’an 12:41)

The baker was to be executed and the cupbearer was to be released into the king’s employment. The matter had already been ordained and the topic was closed. There was no changing what had already been ordained – their fates were sealed.

Very soon, his prediction came to pass. The baker was crucified and the cupbearer was set free. Before the cupbearer was released from prison, Yusuf AS asked him to mention his case before his master. Yusuf AS wanted the cupbearer to remind the authorities of his wrongful imprisonment. However, Shaitan made the cupbearer forget to make this mention, resulting in Yusuf AS being imprisoned for a few more years.

Time to Reflect

The Power of Lust

In this story we see the shocking effects of uncontrollable lust. The wife of Yusuf’s AS master was so dominated by desire that she lost all reason, behaving in irrationally and shamefully, just to satisfy the cravings of the flesh. This is reminiscent of the people of Lut AS, whose desires drove them into a frenzied mob.

By the same token, Yusuf AS, realised his fallibility. After all, the incident happened when he was at his physical prime. To save himself from immoral acts, he turned to Allah for help and protection. This is a lesson for all of us. In the time of weakness and temptation, we should turn to Allah for strength and fortification against such desires.