LESSONS FROM SURAH YUSUF

Verily, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, we seek His assistance and we ask for His forgiveness.

 Allah says;

لَّقَدْ كَانَ فِي يُوسُفَ وَإِخْوَتِهِ ايَاتٌ لِّلسَّايِلِينَ

Allah says that there are Ayat, lessons and wisdom to learn from the story of Yusuf and his brothers, for those who ask about their story and seek its knowledge. Surely, their story is unique and is worthy of being narrated.

We all know that Prophet Yusuf was one of the twelve (12) sons of Prophet Yaqoub [علیہ السلام]. His ten older brothers felt envious of the love and affection which their father has for him and his younger brother. Yusuf was the 11th child, while Benyamin (Benjamin) was the 12th child.

 The Qur'an says;

إِذْ قَالُواْ لَيُوسُفُ وَأَخُوهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَى أَبِينَا مِنَّا وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّ أَبَانَا لَفِي ضَلاَلٍ مُّبِينٍ

Now [Yusuf’s brothers] spoke [thus to one another:] “Truly, Yusuf and his brother [Benjamin] are dearer to our father than we, even though we are so many. Behold, our father is surely suffering from a clear misguidance!” [Q 12:8].

One day Yusuf had a dream and he narrates to his father, who immediately knew that Yusuf will be a prophet. His father warned him not to tell his brothers to avoid any harm.

 The Qur'an states that;

 قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ لاَ تَقْصُصْ رُؤْيَاكَ عَلَى إِخْوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُواْ لَكَ كَيْدًا إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لِلإِنسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

[Yaqoub] replied: “O my dear son! Do not relate your dream to your brothers lest [out of envy] they devise an evil scheme against you; verily, Satan is man’s open foe! [Q 12:5].

However, Yusuf's brothers felt jealous because of Yaqub's loving treatment towards him.

Out of hatred and envy, so they plotted against him, thrown him into a well along a caravan route. 

Parents need to be very careful when expressing their love towards their children. If they praise one, they should express some form of love or praise for the other children present, within the same time-frame and physical setting, in order to prevent envy from being born in their hearts.

 The Messenger of Allah [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] said;

'Fear Allah and treat your children justly'.

[Sahih Al Bukhari, Muslim].

How perfect You are O Allaah, and I praise You. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.

Our Lord, give us good in this world and in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.

Oh Allah, do not take us to task if we forget or make mistakes. Lord, do not burden us as You burdened those before us.

Oh Allah, do not burden us with more than we have strength to bear. Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our Protector, so help us against the disbelievers.

Oh Allah, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us. Grant us Your mercy: You are the Ever Giving.