Yusuf (AS) – 7B

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Allah forbid! No evil know we against him!” (TMQ, 12:51)[1].  These words were uttered by the women, about whom Allah (SWT) says, in a previous ayah (verse), that which can be translated as, “Then, when they saw him, they exalted him (at his beauty).” (TMQ, 12:31).

These women changed; they became pious whereas before they were heedless and fascinated by Yusuf's (AS) (Joseph) beauty.  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And (in their astonishment) cut their hands. They said, ‘How perfect is Allah (or Allah forbid)! No man is this!’” (TMQ, 12:31).  They tried to seduce him just as the wife of al-Aziz tried, and this is clear given Yusuf's supplication – as stated in the following ayah that can be translated as, “Unless You turn away their plot from me, I will feel inclined towards them.” (33) So his Lord answered his invocation and turned away from him their plot.” (TMQ, 12:33-34).

What is the secret behind the women's change of heart?

Moreover, the following ayah shows that the wife of al-Aziz also changed, “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.’” (TMQ, 12:51).  She, therefore, confessed her sin, as shown in this ayah in which Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “In order that he (al-Aziz) may know that I betrayed him not in (his) absence.  And, verily! Allah guides not the plot of the betrayer.  And I free not myself (from the blame).  Verily, the (human) self is inclined to evil, except when my Lord bestows His Mercy (upon whom He wills).  Verily, my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (TMQ, 12:52-53).

She was the same woman whom Allah (SWT) talked about in a previous ayah that can be translated as, “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.” (TMQ, 12:32).  She ordered him to commit adultery with her.  She was proud of this deed as indicated in the ayah, which can be translated as, “I did seek to seduce him.” (TMQ, 12:32).  She closed the doors and invited him to commit adultery, in what can be translated as, “Come on, O you.” (TMQ, 12:23).  When listening to these events, you may hate such a woman and hold her in contempt; a woman who let him spend nine years in prison for something he did not do.

What is it that made these women and the wife of al-Aziz change? 

Notice here how Allah (SWT) forgives, accepts repentance and bestows mercy!  All those who do not believe that Allah (SWT) forgives sins, such as adultery, drinking alcohol and so on, should be aware of this fact.  Don’t you know that Allah (SWT), who forgave the women and the wife of al-Aziz, can forgive your sins?  Why don’t you turn to Allah (SWT) in repentance?  I cannot stress this enough; Allah (SWT) accepts the repentance of any disobedient person.

Over the six episodes dedicated to the story of Yusuf (AS), we have hated the wife of al-Aziz and were disgusted with her.  However, she repented and Allah (SWT) accepted her repentance.  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Then He forgave them (accepted their repentance), that they might beg for His pardon (repent (unto Him)).” (TMQ, 9:118).

Brothers and sisters! Do not despair!  What is the greatest sin you have committed? How long have you been disobedient?  Don’t you realize that Allah (SWT) forgives sins?  Don’t you believe, as the wife of al-Aziz believed, that Allah (SWT) is “Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”?  You must trust in Allah's mercy.  I am sure that the previous sins of every attendant will be forgiven, if only he were honest with Allah (SWT).  This act of forgiveness is best manifested in Hajj (pilgrimage).  Millions of pilgrims climb up to Mount Arafat in the morning and descend it before sunset, with all their sins forgiven.

Do you know which sin that Allah (SWT) dislikes the most?  It is your assumption that Allah's mercy does not extend to your wrong deeds.  You, I, and everyone listening to us commit wrong deeds and evil acts.  If such deeds are exposed, we will not endure each other.  The only One to endure these deeds is Allah (SWT).

Muhammad Ibn-Wasi, one of the pious people, said, “If sins had any odor, we would not sit with each other.”  On the other hand, Allah (SWT) endures your deeds, conceals your sins from people and preserves you while you are asleep.  During the day, you commit evil deeds and at night while you are asleep, Allah (SWT) takes your soul (which is full of sins) and returns it in the morning.  Allah (SWT) does this, daily, as long as you live.  Hence, Allah (SWT), Who forgave the wife of al-Aziz, can forgive your sins, if only you begged for His forgiveness.  It was narrated by al-Albany that, “The Prophet (SAWS[2]) told us of a western door - its width equivalent to seventy years of travel - left open by Allah (SWT) the day he created the heavens and the earth.  The door will remain open until the Day of Judgment. The Prophet (SAWS) said, “Do you know what that door is?” They said, “No, Prophet of Allah (SAWS).”  He said, “Repentance.”[3]

Why don’t you enter from that door which is as wide as seventy years (of travel)?  How can you fall asleep without turning to Allah (SWT) in repentance? There are three conditions to achieve repentance:

1.      Regret: ‘My heart aches and I am overwhelmed with tears for sinning for years.  I cannot bear the thought of standing before Allah (SWT) on the Day of Judgment carrying my sins of drinking alcohol, fornication and drug abuse!  How can I stand before him after disobeying His Commands, after accepting unlawful money and harming other people?’ This is how you must feel.

2.      Giving up those sins.

3.      Asserting never to recommit those sins.

One of the attendants could now have developed a particular bond with Allah (SWT), so that his heart is exclusively directed towards His love.  I repeat again that there are three conditions for repentance: regretting the sins committed, giving them up and being committed not to go back to them again.  We all have hidden sins.  If I express my repentance to all of them, would Allah (SWT) forgive me?  Yes, you would go out of that door with a clean sheet just as you would descend from Mount Arafat.  Complete repentance is not just confined to pilgrimage, for Allah's Mercy is as wide as heaven.  I will now stop talking for 15 seconds so that we all reconsider our actions.

(Pause for thought).

Shall I now turn to Allah (SWT) in repentance or am I still not capable of doing so?  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Say: “O ‘Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: verily, Allah forgives all sins.  Truly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (TMQ, 39:53).

In fact, the story of the wife of al-Aziz is not the only example of repentance.  There are many more difficult situations in the Prophet's biography.  A clear example is Hind Bint-Utbah and the wrongful things she did to the Prophet (SAWS) and his companions.  The Prophet (SAWS) named her the liver-eater.  She hired someone to kill Hamza (the Prophet's uncle); after which she cut his abdomen open with a dagger, took his liver out and chewed it.  In another narration, it was said that Hind Bint-Utbah and her husband Abu-Sufyan brought a spear and smashed Hamzah's mouth with it.  Nonetheless, on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, the Prophet (SAWS) said, “Whoever enters the house of Abu-Sufyan will be safe, whoever lays down arms will be safe, whoever locks his door will be safe.”[4]  Abu-Sufyan appreciated this (and called on people not to fight the Prophet (SAWS)).  Nevertheless, his wife Hind stood against him and asked the people of Makkah to pay no attention to Abu-Sufyan and to get ready to fight the Prophet (SAWS).

Fifteen years later, Hind Bint-Utbah played a major role in the battle of al-Yarmuk.  It was a decisive battle between the Muslims and the Romans, because the triumphant side would have great dominance on earth.  The Roman army consisted of 240,000 soldiers while the Muslim’s had only 36,000. When the Muslims saw the number of Romans, they were panic-stricken and started to withdraw from the battlefield.  Do you know who encouraged the Muslims to hold on firmly in the battlefield?  It was Hind Bint-Utbah.  She took a tent pole and used it to hit the horse of any Muslim trying to withdraw from the battlefield, crying out, “Where are you going, defenders of Islam?  Where are you going, seekers of martyrdom?”  She then added, “Are you running away from (meeting) Allah (SWT) or are you defeated before the gates of paradise?  Do not disgrace the Muslims, for Allah's sake!”  Seeing Abu-Sufyan withdrawing, she hit his horse with the pole and said to him, “Stand firm son of Sakhr.  Isn’t it enough that we long fought against the Prophet (SAWS)?  Atone for the wrong we caused the Prophet (SAWS) in the past and die while he is pleased with you!”  Can any devout person nowadays say what the ‘the liver-eater’ said?  Don’t despair and never give up on people. 

Abu-Sufyan, for example, fought against the Muslims in the Battle of Uhud and al-Khandaq (the trench).  Actually, he was the commander of the disbelievers’ troops for many years.  However, in the Battle of al-Yarmuk, the few Muslim fighters heard a strong voice breaking the silence, “Oh, Muslims, stand firm!  Oh, seekers of Jannah (paradise), hold your ground!  Come to everlasting paradise!”  To their surprise, the Muslims found the caller to be Abu-Sufyan.  In the battlefield, Abu-Sufyan lost his right eye then he lost his left one in the battle of al-Qadisiyyah.  Thus, he lost both eyes and died fighting for the sake of Allah (SWT).

Ikrimah Ibn-Abu-Jahl, who was known as ‘The Pharaoh of this Nation,’ was martyred in the Battle of al-Yarmuk.  In that battle, he called, “Who can pledge to fight with me until death?”  Four hundred men responded to his call.  They fought with him until they all died for the sake of Allah (SWT).

The meanings I am trying to convey are: first, you must be sure of Allah's mercy, through which He accepted the repentance of those people.  Second, don’t give up on people.  Don’t you see that the wife of al-Aziz, the other women, Hind Bint-Utbah, and Ikrimah Ibn-Abu-Jahl did repent?  Don’t despair of guiding people to the right path; have faith in them.  People in our country in particular truly love Islam.  Actually, the Egyptians are devout by nature; it is in their blood.  I don’t say this merely because I am Egyptian, but from direct contact with people.  Love of religion fills the Egyptians' hearts; all they need is to be led gently to the straight path with love and compassion.

Sometimes, a young man would come to me saying, “I am striving in vain with my friends.  I made many attempts to guide them gently to the Straight Path.  I prayed for them, I did so and so, but to no avail.  What is wrong with them?”  I would then advise him, “Be patient, for time is part of the remedy.”

What is the main reason that made the wife of al-Aziz and the other women turn to Allah (SWT) in repentance?  Time is what makes people change.  The majority of the young attendants today were definitely different three or four years ago; so were all of us.  The wife of al-Aziz changed for the same reason that makes young people here change: being disgusted with sin and sick of following one's desires on the one hand, and longing for Allah (SWT) on the other hand.  This is the explanation of what the wife of al-Aziz experienced.

Therefore, I always repeat that the glorious future will be for Islam. People are disgusted with the many widespread desires.  They are fed up.  Man is composed of body and soul.  The body finds sins abhorrent.   As the body has an appetite for food, the soul longs for Allah (SWT).  As long as man is hungry, he feels something like a stomach ache.  Likewise, when the soul longs for Allah (SWT), one feels agony until one returns to Him.  This is why the wife of al-Aziz repented.  This is why the glorious future will be for Islam.  Humanity is fed up with the prevalent concept of materialism.  Do people in the West sleep soundly?  Did the rate of crimes drop?  Have money and modern technology brought comfort to people?  Is there no depression anymore or has it just increased?  Has the number of psychiatrists decreased or is it on the increase?  Actually, people all over the world are tired.  They are in dire need for Islam and their hearts are filled with longing for Allah (SWT).  That is why many people – young and old – have returned to the Straight Path and have turned towards Allah (SWT).

Do not feel embarrassed of your religion, for the glorious future will indeed be for Islam.  Do not think that it is difficult or even impossible to come closer to Allah (SWT).  The seeds of goodness are dormant inside people.  They only need someone to bring them close to Allah (SWT).  Hence, it is your role to awaken those around you.  Do not alienate yourselves from people, but try to follow their style of dressing, greet them with a smile, adhere to good manners and distinguished qualities and lead a successful life.

Back to the ayat, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “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.’” (TMQ, 12:51).  This ayah refers to a very fine trait: the courage of the wife of al-Aziz.  What do we learn from her?  She turned to Allah (SWT) in full repentance and honestly wanted to get Yusuf (AS) out of jail.  She courageously admitted the whole truth without hesitation.  We learn from her to be resolute.  A young man may decide to put an end to his relationship with his girlfriend, agreeing to limit it to phone calls.  This is the work of Satan to keep things going until a moment of weakness comes, then the relationship will be revived.  The same goes for people who decide to repent of earning unlawful money.  Nevertheless, they do not cease the dealings that lead to it but wait for them to subside on their own.

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance!” (TMQ, 18:8).  “Sincere repentance” means full repentance.  You shouldn’t leave room for any eventualities of going back on your word.  It is not enough to say that you have repented while keeping the girls’ telephone numbers.  There is a possibility that you may change your mind and regret it afterwards.  It is not enough to put the telephone numbers in a place you do not know.

In another ayah, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “[Then Yusuf said, ‘I asked for this enquiry] in order that he (al-Aziz) may know that I betrayed him not in (his) absence.’” (TMQ, 12:52).  Who is the one meant in the ayah? Is it Yusuf (AS), al-Aziz, or the king (of Egypt)?  In fact, this is a manifestation of the eloquence of the Qur’an, for Allah (SWT) gives a word “him” that can have two meanings.  This word is suitable for both meanings.  It can indicate Yusuf (AS) who got out of jail (when the wife of al-Aziz confessed the truth).  It can also refer to al-Aziz whose wife sought to seduce Yusuf (AS), but did not commit adultery.

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And, verily! Allah guides not the plot of the betrayers.” (TMQ, 12:52).  The person who betrays another person, showing good intentions while harboring malice, will be humiliated by Allah (SWT) in the end.  Such rules are stated in the Holy Qur’an.  The opportunist, who plans his promotion at the expense of his colleague, will eventually be dishonored by Allah (SWT) – as stated in the Holy Qur’an.  Hence, never resort to such methods in your working life, but write down these precious principles and values and know them by heart.

There may be someone among you who knows a girl behind her family’s back, even if her mother knows, as we see today.  A mother, hoping to see her daughter married, may permit the girl to go out with her boyfriend provided she (the daughter) lets her (the mother) meet him.  If the mother finds her daughter's boyfriend cute, she blesses their relationship without telling the father.  If the boyfriend gives the daughter a midnight call and it happens that her father answers the phone, he would simply hang up.  Thus, any girl who has a boyfriend without her family’s knowledge is betraying them.  She is being disrespectful after all they have done for her.

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And I free not myself (from the blame). Verily, the (human) self is inclined to evil, except when my Lord bestows His Mercy (upon whom He wills). Verily, my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (TMQ, 12:53).  Allah (SWT) also says what can be translated as, “And the king said, ‘Bring him to me that I may attach him to my person.’” (TMQ, 12:54).  It is the same comment that the king (of Egypt) uttered before, but this time this sentence was added, “I may attach him to my person”.  This is because Yusuf (AS) did not seek any fame and wealth.  Therefore, Allah (SWT) rewarded him with high standing and the king highly respected him.   One moral of the story is not to flatter your boss at work in order to gain an advantage.  Instead you should behave naturally with dignity and good manners.  Only then will you reach higher positions.  Yusuf (AS) refused to get out of jail unless he was proven innocent.  Hence, never use hypocrisy as a means to acquire higher positions.

“…that I may attach him to my person” means that Yusuf (AS) became the king’s right hand because he did not seek to flatter him.  From now on, never flatter your professor by telling him that his unclear scribbling is some sort of planning for your future.  Sometimes, we do not utter a falsehood, but we do it in one way or another.  Take for example, you may say to your professor, “Life stops on the day you do not come,” while you know that you are lying!

We notice that some words and sentences are repeated throughout the Surah (chapter), “I seek refuge in Allah (or Allah forbid)”, “Bring him to me”, “wife”, “shirt” and “and I did seek to seduce him.”  What is the reason behind such repetition?  It is for impact.  Unfortunately, films as well as TV series resort to one actor playing a major role to affect the viewers.  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And they brought his shirt stained with false blood” (TMQ, 12:18), “And she tore his shirt from the back” (TMQ, 12:25) and “If it be that his shirt is torn from the back” (TMQ, 12:27).  In these three ayahs, the word “shirt” is repeated in order to emphasize that it was the reason behind his imprisonment as well as the return of his father’s eyesight.  Thus, true are the words, “We relate unto you (Muhammad) the best of stories.” (TMQ, 12:3).

You might watch an old movie in which a girl wears a red coat that attracts attention.  The movie then ends with a scene of many dead and amongst them you see the red coat.  This has an immense effect on the viewers.  Can you imagine that this method is resorted to in the 20^th century, while the Holy Qur’an used it 1,400 years ago?

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Then, when he spoke to him, he said, ‘Verily, this day, you are with us high in rank and fully trusted.’” (TMQ, 12:54).  We understand from this ayah that the king sensed eloquence and valiance in Yusuf (AS).  “High in rank” means that Yusuf (AS) was given the authority to do whatever he wanted.

Allah (SWT) also says what can be translated as, “Yusuf said, ‘Set me over the store-houses of the land; I will indeed guard them with full knowledge (as a minister of finance in Egypt).’” (TMQ, 12:55).  These are the characteristics of anyone whom you could trust with a business.  Therefore, there are three essential characteristics man has to possess in order to succeed in his work: trustworthiness, integrity and knowledge.  Trustworthiness and integrity mean the same thing in this context, so there are two characteristics the good person should possess: trustworthiness and knowledge.  If you are looking for a good employee, a suitor for your daughter or a servant, choose a trustworthy and knowledgeable person.  Such a person can manage his work and his life well. 

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Thus did We give full authority to Yusuf in the land, to take possession therein, when or where he likes. We bestow of Our Mercy on whom We will, and We make not to be lost the reward of al-Muhsinun.” (TMQ, 12:56).

Think about the ups and downs in the life of Yusuf (AS).  He was thrown into a narrow well, then sold into humiliating slavery and finally thrown in a narrow prison cell.  At the end, he achieved steady progress and was given full authority throughout the Middle East.  Who saved, released and gave Yusuf (AS) such authority?  Indeed, the answer is Allah (SWT).  The lesson we learn from this ayah is to have ultimate trust in Allah (SWT).

If we contemplate Surat Yusuf, we will find that he experienced a contradictory series of events, each one leading to the next.  His father loved him very much (a good thing), but he was thrown into the well as a consequence of this love (an unfortunate event).  The well brought him to the palace of al-Aziz (a good event) from where he was taken to prison (an unfortunate event).  Finally, he got out of prison to become al-Aziz of Egypt. 

If you are poor, cannot afford marriage or if you are weak, do not disobey your Lord or neglect your relation with Him out of desperation.  Actually, everything in the universe belongs to Allah (SWT) alone (Glorified and Exalted be He).  Therefore, seek His help, worship Him, pray to Him, and adhere to good manners.  Undoubtedly, Allah (SWT) will then honor you as He honored Yusuf (AS). 

This point in the story signals a turn of events; from now on, Yusuf (AS) would obtain high standing.  His troubles were at an end.  Nevertheless, a new temptation will begin: the temptation of worldly life.  Yusuf's life then took a completely different turn.  Suddenly, after being confined to a very small prison cell, he became in charge of all treasures.  Will he stand firm against these worldly pleasures?  There are people who stay pious as long as they are in need, but as soon as their situation changes they change too.

The companions of the Prophet (SAWS) used to say, “When we were afflicted with tribulations, we armed ourselves with patience.  However, when we experienced prosperity, impatience ruled us.”  Thus, the one who is in distress is blessed, for there is no fear on the poor.  The ones prone to stray from the right path are those afflicted with a great deal of money and enjoy a high rank.  This is because the temptations in adversity are apparent, whereas those of the worldly life and its abundance are hidden.  We should learn that the endurance we need when we live in prosperity requires more strength and is more difficult to maintain than the endurance we need in adversity.  Accordingly, one should not be sad when one is in adversity.

This clarifies the following Hadith, which the Prophet (SAWS) said on his deathbed.

Narrated by Amr Ibn-Auf al-Ansari, who was an ally of Bam Amr Ibn-Lu'ai and one of those who had taken part in the Battle of Badr), “Rejoice and hope for what will please you! By Allah (SWT), I am not afraid of your poverty but I am afraid that you will lead a life of luxury as past nations did, whereupon you will compete with each other for it, as they competed for it, and it will destroy you as it destroyed them.” [5]

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And verily, the reward of the Hereafter is better for those who believe and used to fear Allah and keep their duty to Him (by abstaining from all kinds of sins and evil deeds and by performing all kinds of righteous good deeds).” (TMQ, 12:57).  This is the last ayah we are going to recite in this episode.  In the next episode, we will start from the following ayah in which Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And Yusuf’s brethren came and they entered unto him, and he recognized them, but they recognized him not.” (TMQ, 12:58).  This took place after the end of the seven prosperous years and the passing of the first year or six months of the sterile years.

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And Yusuf’s brethren came.” (TMQ, 12:58).  This ayah marks the eloquence of the Holy Qur’an, as it sums up the eight years in one phrase.  Their arrival meant that the dream came true and so did the plan for Egypt to export food to the whole world.  What a magnificent ayah that asserts the utmost eloquence of the Holy Qur’an!  It is also a great proof that Allah (SWT), Almighty, revealed the Holy Qur’an.  Allah (SWT) is the Only One capable of summing up the events that took place in seven years in such a way, to prove that such events mentioned in the Holy Qur’an did take place.

Glory be to Allah (SWT)!  The Holy Qur’an has to fill our hearts and never leave our minds.  We have to trust in the Holy Qur’an and completely adhere to it.

In the next episode, we are going to talk about the development of Yusuf’s relation with his brothers until he meets his father. Until then, let us think about repentance and remember the meanings we have discussed.

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