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Prophet #10 · c. 1700 BCE traditional

Yūsuf

يوسف

Commonly rendered in English as Joseph.

Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, imprisoned falsely, elevated to the highest office in Egypt through a dream interpretation. The most complete prophetic biography in the Qurʾan, told in a single surah.

Era
c. 1700 BCE traditional
Region
Canaan → Egypt
Sent to
Egypt under Pharaoh
References in the library

Passages that mention Yūsuf

  1. "Thugariyah, Al-Dhiyah, and Al-Nur. The Jew confirmed, By God, those are their names. The story of Joseph and his brothers contains signs for those who ask. When they said, Joseph and his brother are more beloved to our father than we while we are a clan, they believed their father was in error. They plotted to kill Joseph or cast him out so their father's attention would be solely on them. However, one of them suggested, Do not kill Joseph but throw him into the bottom of the well. Some travelers will pick him up if you must do something. Allah highlights the lessons in this story, including the jealousy of Joseph's brothers due to"

  2. "him while you are unaware of him. They insisted, If a wolf were to eat him while we are a group, then we would surely be losers. Their father was reluctant to part with Yusuf, fearing for his safety. However, they assured him that if anything happened to Yusuf while they were with him, they would be at fault. According to the people of the book, it is said that Yusuf's father sent him to follow his brothers, but he lost his way until a man guided him to them. However, Jacob, peace be upon him, was more cautious than to send Yusuf alone. When they took Yusuf and placed him at the bottom of the well, Allah revealed to him,"

  3. "he could not have taken his brother under the king's law. except that Allah willed, we raise in degrees whom we will, and above every possessor of knowledge is one more knowing." Joseph's knowledge and insight were greater than theirs, and his actions were by Allah's command, leading to a greater benefit later. When the goblet was found in Benjamin's sack, the brother said, if he has stolen, a brother of his has stolen before, referring to Joseph. Various accounts suggest Joseph had taken an idol from his grandfather or a belt from his aunt, or given food to the poor. Joseph kept his thoughts to himself, thinking, you are in a worse position, and Allah is most knowing of"

  4. "their own integrity and competence. According to the people of the book, Pharaoh held Yusuf in high esteem, granting him authority over all of Egypt, adorning him with his ring, clothing him in silk and gold chains, and carrying him in his secondary chariot. He announced before him, You are lord and leader, and said, I am not greater than you except by the throne. They said Yusuf was thirty years old at the time and married him to a noble woman of great standing. Athalibi narrated that Yusuf deposed Qitfir from his position and was appointed in his place. It is said that when Qitfir died, Yusuf married his wife Zuleikha, finding her a virgin, and she bore him two sons,"

  5. "during the years of famine. This advice reflects his wisdom and understanding. The king then said bring him to me. When the messenger came to Joseph he replied return to your lord and ask him about the affair of the women who cut their hands. Surely my lord is well aware of their scheme. Joseph wanted the truth about the incident with the women to be revealed. When questioned the women confessed to Joseph's commendable conduct saying by Allah we do not know any evil The wife of Al-Aziz Zulaikha admitted now the truth has come to light I tried to seduce him and indeed he is of the truthful. Joseph's statement that he may know that I did"

  6. "earning the love of the people. It is also narrated that Joseph was 30 years old when he entered upon the king, who addressed him in 70 languages. Joseph responded in each of them, which amazed the king given his young age, God knows best. Allah Almighty states in Surah Yusuf, And thus we established Yusuf in the land to settle therein wherever he willed, meaning after imprisonment and constraint he became free to move throughout Egypt."

  7. "It is also said that when Potiphar died, Joseph married his wife Zulekha, who was found to be a virgin because her husband did not approach women. She bore Joseph two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Joseph's rule over Egypt was secure, and he governed with justice, earning the love of the people. It is also narrated that Joseph was 30 years old when he entered upon the king, who addressed him in 70 languages."

  8. "him as Yusuf. He said, Are you indeed Yusuf? He replied, I am Yusuf, and this is my brother, meaning I am the Yusuf with whom you did what you did, and regarding whom you acted without prior thought. His statement, and this is my brother, is an affirmation of what he said, and a reminder of the envy they harbored for them and their scheming against them."

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Ibn Kathir's Stories of the Prophets, narrated chapter by chapter in the Joyful Muslims app.

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