Real-Life Lessons from the Story of Prophet Yusuf (2/5)

Real-Life Lesson # 6:

Allah works in mysterious ways to bring His blessings to those who stayed truthful to their faith in times of hardship. Who would have thought that a boy thrown in a well in the middle of the desert would survive, let alone become the finance minister of one of the greatest civilizations of mankind (don't worry we'll get to that part soon)? So the next time you worry about losing a job or a friend because of your faith, remember, 'Allah has full power and control over His Affairs' and trust Allah when He says 'most of men know not'.

And remind yourself that you are in fact reading the story of a boy thrown in a well left to be forgotten forever that took place over fifteen hundred years ago. Allah found a way to give even that boy hope, so never lose your hope in Allah.

(22) And when he [Yusuf (Joseph)] attained his full manhood, We gave him wisdom and knowledge (the Prophethood), thus We reward the Muhsinun (doers of good - see V. 2:112).

(23)  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." He said: "I seek refuge in Allah (or Allah forbid)! Truly, he (your husband) is my master! He made my stay agreeable! (So I will never betray him). Verily, the Zalimun (wrong and evil-doers) will never be successful."

Real-Life Lesson # 7:

In this Verse Allah teaches us how to deal with the temptations of this life, as when Prophet Yusuf (Peace be upon him) is being tempted to commit a sin he says 'I seek refuge in Allah (or Allah forbid)!' So now you know what to say whenever you are tempted by Shaitan to commit a sin.

Real-Life Lesson # 8:

The single largest reason for Muslims today turning into hypocrites and 'western wanna-bes' is the 'success factor' which they associate with one being 'not Muslim'. Allah categorically rejects that fallacy here when he says 'Verily, the Zalimun (wrong and evil-doers) will never be successful'. So please stop acting like you're someone that you're obviously not. Not only does it not look good, but it's not going to get you anywhere in this life or the Hereafter.

(24) And 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.

(25) So they raced with one another to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back. They both found her lord (i.e. her husband) at the door. She said: "What is the recompense (punishment) for him who intended an evil design against your wife, except that he be put in prison or a painful torment?"

(26) He [Yusuf (Joseph)] said: "It was she that sought to seduce me," - and a witness of her household bore witness (saying): "If it be that his shirt is torn from the front, then her tale is true and he is a liar!

(27) "But if it be that his shirt is torn from the back, then she has told a lie and he is speaking the truth!"

(28) So when he (her husband) saw his [(Yusuf's (Joseph)] shirt torn at the back; (her husband) said: "Surely, it is a plot of you women! Certainly mighty is your plot!

(29) "O Yusuf (Joseph)! Turn away from this! (O woman!) Ask forgiveness for your sin. Verily, you were of the sinful."

(30) And women in the city said: "The wife of Al-'Aziz is seeking to seduce her (slave) young man, indeed she loves him violently; verily we see her in plain error."

(31) So when she heard of their accusation, she sent for them and prepared a banquet for them; she gave each one of them a knife (to cut the foodstuff with), and she said [(to Yusuf (Joseph)]: "Come out before them." Then, when they saw him, they exalted him (at his beauty) and (in their astonishment) cut their hands. They said: "How perfect is Allah (or Allah forbid)! No man is this! This is none other than a noble angel!"

(32) She said: "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."

Real-Life Lesson # 9:

Being abused by a person of authority, your desires chasing you to be fulfilled, mindless, gossiping by women-sound familiar?

Well this is the story of our lives too isn't it? And now Allah teaches us how to deal with it by revealing to us a story of a Prophet who faced the same difficulties in life and you will learn how he dealt with them in the pages ahead. So the next time you feel like saying, 'Oh if I lived in the time of the Prophets, it would be very easy to be a good Muslim because I wouldn't have to face the problems that I do today' ... think again!

Real-Life Lesson # 10:

(33) 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 deeds) of the ignorants."

(34) So his Lord answered his invocation and turned away from him their plot. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.   

In Verse no. 33, Allah teaches us the Ultimate method of eliminating sin from our lives, and that is by avoiding the opportunity to commit sin itself. The Prophet here is willingly asking to be sent to prison, instead of being in a position where he may be inclined to sin. In Verse no. 34, Allah gives this method of eliminating sin the thumbs up. So remember to use this piece of advice in your life, always try to avoid an opportunity to commit sin itself, rather than allowing your faith to be tested in the battlefield of your desires.

(35) Then it appeared to them, after they had seen the proofs (of his innocence) to imprison him for a time.

(36)  And there entered with him two young men in the prison. One of them said: "Verily, I saw myself (in a dream) pressing wine." The other said: "Verily, I saw myself (in a dream) carrying bread on my head and birds were eating thereof." (They said): "Inform us of the interpretation of this. Verily, we think you are one of the Muhsinun (doers of good" – see V. 2:112).

(37) 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 Allah and are disbelievers in the Hereafter (i.e. the Kan'aniun of Egypt who were polytheists and used to worship sun and other false deities).

Note: Verses 38-40 have been omitted as they do not relate directly to the flow of the story.

(41) "O two companions of the prison! As for one of you, he (as a servant) will pour out wine for his lord (king or master) 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."

(42) And he said to the one whom he knew to be saved: "Mention me to your lord (i.e. your king, so as to get me out of the prison)." But Shaitan (Satan) made him forget to mention it to his Lord [or Satan made [(Yusuf (Joseph)] to forget the remembrance of his Lord (Allah) as to ask for His Help, instead of others]. So [Yusuf (Joseph)] stayed in prison a few (more) years.

(Continued)