Yusuf V.19-35

 

External Character

Student of Al Huda

And the one from Egypt who bought him said to his wife, “Make his residence comfortable. Perhaps he will benefit us, or we will adopt him as a son.” And thus, We established Joseph in the land that We might teach him the interpretation of events. And Allāh is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know. [Yusuf:21]
Although Yusuf (as) was taken out the well and sold as a slave he did not once complain. He could have said he was the son of a prophet and how dare anyone touch him but he was calm. When he was sold his master said to give him a noble place. We can tell from this that his character was so overpowering that although he was a young boy his master could definitely see something in him. We learn from this that our external also plays a role in determining character.

 

Judgement And Knowledge

Student of Al Huda

And when Joseph reached maturity, We gave him judgment and knowledge. And thus We reward the doers of good. [Yusuf:22]
What really made me start thinking is that Yusuf (as) has gone through so much in a short period of time and Allah (swt) says that this was so he may have judgment and knowledge. Many times something happens to me that I do not like I become whiny and ungrateful. However, now I can see that there is always a reason for everything.

 

Remember Allah

And she certainly determined [to seduce] him, and he would have inclined to her had he not seen the proof of his Lord. And thus [it was] that We should avert from him evil and immorality. Indeed, he was of Our chosen servants. [Yusuf:24]
The wife of Yusuf (as) master tries to seduce him. Now when we are presented with the opportunity to do evil our heart inclines toward it. We start thinking of the benefits of it and contemplating, however, we see Yusuf (as) strong trust for Allah (swt) that he thinks of Allah (swt) to give him refuge. What I learnt is that whenever something strikes us we should first turn to Allah (swt) before we start thinking of the sin. Remembering Allah (swt) keeps us away from sin.

 

Imprisonment

Saba Naz (Group Fatima)

He said, “My Lord, prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me. And if You do not avert from me their plan, I might incline toward them and [thus] be of the ignorant.” [Yusuf:33]
Imagine the scene that has been played out in these few verses. Yusuf (as) was almost seduced by his masters wife. She calls over all her friends and when they see Yusuf (as) they cut their hands in awe. Then the wife of Aziz (his master) says she will imprison him if he doesn’t do what she wants. In such a situation we would always be more inclined towards the evil. Prison? No way! But Yusuf (as) turns to Allah to tell Him that he would rather be in prison than in this circle of sin. How sincere are we to Allah (swt)?

Yusuf V.1-18

 

Why Arabic?

Medihah Hussain (Group Ruqayyah)

Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qurān that you might understand. [Yusuf:2]
Something that so many people want to know is why did Allah (swt) reveal the Qur’an in Arabic? I myself did not know the proper answer until today when we read it was so that we may use our intellect or understand. What does this show us? This shows us that Arabic is a profound and explicit language, the way it is used we must use our intellect to understand. Also we see that if we want to increase our knowledge we must read the Qur’an.

 

Best Story

Student of Al Huda

We relate to you, [O Muúammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qurâān although you were, before it, among the unaware. [Yusuf:3]
Allah (swt) calls this surah the best of stories. Usually in stories whether they are good or not there is not much point to them. However, in this story there is mention of admonition, guidance, patience, family affairs, shaitan, courage and righteousness. There are also many other things but this is just the beginning.

 The Domino Effect

Student of Al Huda

They said, “O our father, indeed we went racing each other and left Joseph with our possessions, and a wolf ate him. But you would not believe us, even if we were truthful.” [Yusuf:17]
An important lesson to note from this verse is that when you lie one time it becomes easier to lie for the second time. The brothers of Yusuf (as) lied first about being sincere and taking him out with them when truly they had planned to throw him in a well. We should be careful because when we lie once we have to lie another ten times just to continue covering up that one.

 

 Beautiful Patience

And they brought upon his shirt false blood. [Jacob] said, “Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allāh is the one sought for help against that which you describe.” [Yusuf:18]
The most beautiful thing to me was the beautiful patience of Jacob (as). His sons have thrown Yusuf (as) into a well and he does not know where he is and he says he will seek help from Allah (swt) and be patient. We can not even be patient when our pen has gone missing how would we react if it was our son? Those who are parents can understand the sheer grief they would be in at this time and yet he does not shout at his sons or curse them he is quiet. How can we attain a beautiful patience? When you connect with Allah (swt) and you place nothing before Him then you automatically think of Him in every situation making it easier to be patient. We should analyse ourselves and see how much of a beautiful patience we can muster!

 

Surah Overview

 So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allāh], and do not transgress. Indeed, He is Seeing of what you do. [Hud:12]
In class we learnt that verse 112 was the main verse of the whole surah. The three things we learn from this verse are:
1. Follow the right path
2. Be firm
3. Don’t exceed
To remain on the straight path what is it that we must do?
• Always seek the truth in any situation.
• Do not become angry when someone tells you that you have done something wrong as it is a learning process
• Take the good and leave the bad.
• Have good company. Good company is important as it keeps you on track. Shaitan whispers between people who work for deen so we should be careful we do not allow him to break ties between us.
The main thing we must do to remain on the straight path is to have one hand on knowledge and the other on friends.

Hud V.102-123

 A Terrfiying Day

The Day it comes no soul will speak except by His permission. And among them will be the wretched and the prosperous.
As for those who were [destined to be] wretched, they will be in the Fire. For them therein is [violent] exhaling and inhaling. [Hud:105-106]
I was imagining the Day of Judgment and how it would be that we would all stand before Allah (swt). It is scary to think the whole of mankind from the beginning of time will be collected and made to witness upon what they did. I become scared thinking about whether I will be with those who rejoice or the ones who are crying. My heart trembles. I know where I want to go but what about you? What are you doing to reach your destination?