Real-Life Lessons from the Story of Prophet Yusuf (3/5)

Real-Life Lesson # 11:

What is said in Verse no. 42, makes a person who has gone through this world’s trials and troubles go!

We all go through problems in our lives, but who do we ask for help?

When you want help in getting a job in a company, you ask a cousin who works there.

When you want anything in general, you ask someone for a favor.

When Prophet Yusuf (Peace be upon him) needed help to get out of jail, what did he do?

He asked somebody to help him out instead of asking Allah:

"(Shaitan made Yusuf to forget the remembrance of his Lord - Allah as to ask for His Help, instead of others)."

What was the result of doing that?

"So (Yusuf) stayed in prison a few (more) years,"

I don't need to say anymore.

(43) And the king (of Egypt) said: "Verily, I saw (in a dream) seven fat cows, whom seven lean ones were devouring - and of seven green ears of corn, and (seven) others dry. O notables! Explain to me my dream, if it be that you can interpret dreams."

(44) They said: "Mixed up false dreams and we are not skilled in the interpretation of dreams."

(45) Then the man who was released (one of the two who were in prison), now at length remembered and said: "I will tell you its interpretation, so send me forth."

(46) (He said): "O Yusuf (Joseph), the man of truth! Explain to us (the dream) of seven fat cows whom seven lean ones were devouring, and of seven green ears of corn, and (seven) others dry, that I may return to the people, and that they may know."

(47) [(Yusuf (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.

(48) "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).

(49) "Then thereafter will come a year in which people will have abundant rain and in which they will press (wine and oil)."

Real-Life Lesson # 12:

In the Verses above the cyclic nature of life is established as a confirmed fact, when 7 years of abundance are followed by the seven years of pain. This should help us in our lives as our fortunes in life are also therefore cyclic. So remember Prophet Yusuf's advice for dealing with the cyclic nature of life. Save your wealth in the years of abundance for the years when you will not be as fortunate. And remember after every hardship, comes ease.

(50) And the king said: "Bring him to me." But when the messenger came to him, [Yusuf (Joseph)] said: "Return to your lord and ask him, 'What happened to the women who cut their hands? Surely, my Lord (Allah) is Well-Aware of their plot.'"

(51) (The King) said (to the women): "What was your affair when you did seek to seduce Yusuf (Joseph)?" The women said: "Allah 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."

Real-Life Lesson # 13:

In this Verse we are assured by Allah that truth does always prevail over falsehood no matter how impossible it may seem at a time when one's faith is being tested. So for all of you being tested by Allah currently, hang in there and remember that truth will prevail no matter what, period.

(52) [Then Yusuf (Joseph) said: "I asked for this enquiry] in order that he (Al-'Aziz) may know that I betrayed him not in secret. And, verily! Allah guides not the plot of the betrayers.

(53) "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."

Real-Life Lesson# 14:

Allah informs you in His Own Book here that all humans are inclined to evil and the only ones who escape this inclination are those upon whom Allah has bestowed His mercy. So how do you become one of those whom He bestows His mercy upon?

By sincerely becoming a faithful believer in your heart and proving it by your actions.

(54) And the king said: "Bring him to me that I may attach him to my person." Then, when he spoke to him, he said: "Verily, this day, you are with us high in rank and fully trusted."

Real-Life Lesson # 15:

Who knew that a boy thrown in a well by his own brothers, and then sent to prison when he was innocent, would one day have one of the most powerful men on earth at the time (the king of the Egyptian civilization) say to him: "Verily, this day, you are with us high in rank and fully trusted."

That my friends, is the Power of Faith in Allah. So never lose your hope in Allah's Power no matter how hard things may seem at the moment.

(55) [Yusuf (Joseph)] said: "Set me over the storehouses of the land; I will indeed guard them with full knowledge" (as a minister of finance in Egypt, in place of Al-'Aziz who was dead at that time).

(56) Thus did We give full authority to Yusuf (Joseph) in the land, to take possession therein, as when or where he likes. We bestow of Our Mercy on whom We please, and We make not to be lost the reward of Al-Muhsinun (the good doers – see V.2:112).

(Continued)