Surah Yusuf : its key Insights

Surah Yusuf is one of the Qur’an’s most revered and beloved surahs. It tells the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) and his journey from being sold into slavery to becoming a leader in Egypt. It is full of lessons that are applicable to everyday life, and it contains many valuable spiritual insights. This article will explore what makes Surah Yusuf so special and why it is important for Muslims to read and understand it.

Who was Prophet Yusuf (Joseph)?

Prophet Yusuf (or Joseph) was the son of the prophet Jacob and Rachel, who were among the descendants of Abraham. He was born in what is now known as Palestine. At a young age, he showed signs of excellence; his father gave him a cloak that had been passed down from his grandfather Abraham. His brothers, driven by jealousy, sold him into slavery in Egypt when he was only 17 years old. Consequently, Yusuf was separated from his family and thrust into a foreign land. Despite this betrayal, he continued to demonstrate patience and integrity.

The Trials and Tribulations of Prophet Yusuf (joseph)

Prophet Yusuf faced numerous trials during his time in Egypt. For instance, he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife after she attempted to seduce him. Despite these challenges, Yusuf remained steadfast in his faith. Consequently, he rose to become an advisor to Pharaoh. With his wisdom, he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams and, in turn, saved Egypt from famine.

Later on, his brothers, having realized their mistakes, came to him seeking forgiveness. As a result, they were reunited after many years apart. Remarkably, despite their previous wrongdoings, Prophet Yusuf granted them mercy.

A Summary of  first 20 Ayahs of Surah Yusuf

AYAH 1-3

Ayah 4

Ayah 5 of Surah Yusuf

Ayah 6 of Surah Yusuf

Ayah 7

Allah crafted the story of Yusuf and his brothers for those who inquire about its wisdom, as it contains truly incomparable lessons. This remarkable tale is a testament to Allah’s power, meant to provoke thoughtfulness in all believers.

Ayah 8 of Surah Yusuf

Joseph’s brethren are jealous of him and Benjamin (his full brother)

Ayah 9

Together, they deliberated on whether to murder or exile him. Subsequently, they weighed their options and considered the consequences of each action. Consequently, they made a collective decision on how to proceed with Yusuf.

Ayah 10

One of them suggests them throw him into a well.

(He was the oldest among them, according to Qatadah and Muhammad bin Ishaq, and his name was Rubil (Reuben). His name, according to As-Suddi, is Yahudha (Judah). According to Mujahid, it was Sham’un. )

Ayah 11-12 of surah yusuf

The brothers of Yusuf seek their father for permission to accompany Yusuf and ensure Yusuf’s safety.

Ayah 13-14

Allah tells us that His Prophet Ya’qub responded to his children’s desire to send Yusuf with them to the desert to manage their animals by saying,

• He expressed that staying apart from Yusuf for the entire duration of their journey was difficult for him. Furthermore, Prophet Ya’qub voiced his concern by saying, “I fear that while you are busy tending the livestock and shooting, you might become negligent. Consequently, a wolf might come and eat hi

They acted on his words by incorporating his advice into their subsequent actions. Furthermore, they reacted impulsively to their father’s concerns, asserting, “If a wolf were to attack and consume him while we are all surrounding him in a strong group, then indeed we would be the losers.” Consequently, they dismissed his worries and remained confident in their ability to protect Yusuf.

Ayah 15

yousuf’s brothers thrown him in the well

وَأَجْمَعُواْ أَن يَجْعَلُوهُ فِى غَيَابَةِ الْجُبِّ

Ya`qub, peace be upon him, embraced Yusuf and kissed him before sending him off with his brothers. However, the brothers, who feigned well-wishing, actually harbored malicious intentions toward Yusuf.

As they traveled away from their father’s sight, they verbally abused and cursed Yusuf while also beating him. Consequently, when they reached the well they had agreed upon, they tied Yusuf with a rope and lowered him halfway down before severing the rope, causing him to fall into the water below.

Despite being submerged, Yusuf managed to climb onto a stone in the well, which allowed him to stand on top of it.

وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْهِ لَتُنَبِّئَنَّهُمْ بِأَمْرِهِمْ هَـذَا وَهُمْ لاَ يَشْعُرُونَ

Allah mentions His mercy, compassion, and relief during times of distress. Additionally, Allah comforted Yusuf by reassuring him not to be saddened by his suffering. Furthermore, Almighty Allah promised that Yusuf would find a way out and experience a favorable outcome due to divine support against his enemies.

Moreover, this promise included the elevation of Yusuf’s rank and status. Consequently, in the future, Yusuf would remind his brothers of their actions during his period of hardship.

Ayah 16-17

The brothers of Yusuf attempt to trick their father.

Allah tells us of the trickery Yusuf’s brothers used after they had dumped him at the bottom of the well. In the pitch-black of the night, they returned to their father, wailing and expressing their sadness and anguish about losing Yusuf. They began offering their father justifications for what had happened to Yusuf, falsely claiming that wolves devoured Joseph.

AYAH 18 of Surah Yusuf

Jacob did not believe the false plot

Ayah 19-20 of Surah Yusuf

According to Abu Bakr bin Ayyash, Allah tells us what happened to Yusuf, peace be upon him after his brothers threw him down the well and left him alone for three days. According to Muhammad bin Ishaq, “They remained around the well for the rest of the day to see what he might do and what would happen to him after Yusuf’s brothers threw him down the well.” Allah sent a caravan of travellers who camped near that well, and the person in charge of drawing water for them went there. He lowered his bucket into the well as he approached, Yusuf held onto it, and the man was happy to have saved him.

Joseph is bought by an Egyptian, who offers to adopt him.

The Egyptian’s wife tries to seduce Joseph, by God’s favour, he is protected from her enticement. God gives him insight and understanding.

AYAH 25

She charges Joseph of trying to defame her

AYAH  26–27
The tear in his clothing demonstrates Joseph’s innocence.

AYAH 28-29

Azeez accepts Joseph’s testimony and abhors his wife  30 The city learns of Azeez’s wife’s wrongdoing  31 The spouses of other nobility refer to Joseph as an angel  32
The wife of Azeez claims that she intends to put Joseph in prison if he doesn’t comply with her demands.

AYAH 33

Joseph asks God for protection

AYAH 34

God hears his supplication, and He removes their traps.

AYAH 35

Joseph was imprisoned despite being innocent.

AYAH  36-37

AYAH 38-40

AYAH 41

 He interprets the dreams of the two servants

AYAH42

Joseph requests that the king remember him, but he is forgotten

AYAH 43

The Egyptian king’s dreams

AYAH 44

The king’s interpreters cannot understand the king’s dream.

AYAH 45-49

Joseph recalls the king’s dream and deciphers it 50
The king releases Joseph from custody.

AYAH 51

The palace women confess their transgression in attempting to seduce Joseph into illicit love.

AYAH 52-53

Joseph was made right.
Azeez’s wife does not absolve herself of responsibility.

AYAH 54-55

The king reinstated Joseph and made him among his close aid and associates. Joseph requested the king to make him minister of finance for the land. The king accepted his request

AYAH 56-57

Yusuf AS ruled Egypt

Ayah 58-62 of  Surah Yusuf

Yusuf’s Brothers travel to Egypt

AYAH 63-64

AYAH 65-66

AYAH 67-68

AYAH 69

AYAH 70-76

Binyamin’s bag was filled with Yusuf’s golden bowl as part of a scheme to keep him in Egypt

Ayah 77

Ayah 78-79

Ayah 80-86