A long time ago, in a land full of palm trees and wide, sunny skies, there lived a boy named Yusuf. He had eleven brothers, and their father was a wise man named Yaqub. Yusuf was very special and his father loved him dearly.
Yusuf's Special Dream
One night, Yusuf had an extraordinary dream. The stars, the sun, and the moon bowed down to him! He couldn't wait to tell his father. Yaqub listened carefully and gently said, “My dear son, do not tell your brothers about this dream. They might become jealous.”
Yusuf nodded, not understanding completely, but he trusted his father's wisdom.
Brothers' Jealousy
Yusuf’s brothers noticed how their father adored him. They became very jealous, and their hearts were not happy. They decided to do something unkind. They planned to take Yusuf away and leave him far from home.
One day, with heavy hearts but determined to carry out their plan, they took Yusuf out to the fields. When no one was looking, they lowered him into a deep, dark well. Then, feeling guilty but relieved, they went home and told their father a false story.
Yaqub was heartbroken, but he trusted Allah. He believed that one day he would see Yusuf again.
Yusuf's Journey
In the deep well, Yusuf felt alone, but he prayed to Allah and felt peaceful inside. Soon, some travelers passing by the well found him! They pulled him out and took him with them to Egypt, a faraway place full of new sights and sounds.
Over time, Yusuf grew up in Egypt. Allah blessed him with wisdom and kindness. Eventually, he became a trusted advisor to the king.
A Family Reunited
Years passed, and a great hunger spread across the land. Yusuf’s brothers traveled to Egypt in search of food. They did not recognize Yusuf, but Yusuf knew who they were.
With a kind heart, Yusuf forgave his brothers when he revealed who he was. He hugged them warmly. “Do not worry,” he told them. “Allah has brought us together again.” They were amazed by his forgiveness and kindness.
Finally, Yaqub and his entire family moved to Egypt. Their hearts were filled with joy and gratitude as they lived together in peace under the vast, starry skies.
Questions to ponder
- What did Yusuf dream about?
- Why did his brothers feel jealous?
- How did Yusuf treat his brothers when they met him in Egypt?
The message of the story
Yusuf's story shows us the power of patience and forgiveness. Even in the darkest moments, when things seem hard, we must trust that Allah has a plan for us. Allah loves those who forgive and keep kindness in their hearts.
Verses from the Quran
Surah Yusuf (12:4-102)
"˹Remember˺ when Joseph said to his father, “O my dear father! Indeed I dreamt of eleven stars, and the sun, and the moon—I saw them prostrating to me!"
"He replied, “O my dear son! Do not relate your vision to your brothers, or they will devise a plot against you. Surely Satan is a sworn enemy to humankind."
"And so will your Lord choose you ˹O Joseph˺, and teach you the interpretation of dreams, and perfect His favour upon you and the descendants of Jacob—˹just˺ as He once perfected it upon your forefathers, Abraham and Isaac. Surely your Lord is All-Knowing, All-Wise."
"Indeed, in the story of Joseph and his brothers there are lessons for all who ask."
"˹Remember˺ when they said ˹to one another˺, “Surely Joseph and his brother ˹Benjamin˺ are more beloved to our father than we, even though we are a group of so many. Indeed, our father is clearly mistaken."
"Kill Joseph or cast him out to some ˹distant˺ land so that our father’s attention will be only ours, then after that you may ˹repent and˺ become righteous people!"
"One of them said, “Do not kill Joseph. But if you must do something, throw him into the bottom of a well so perhaps he may be picked up by some travellers."
[The verses continue with the narrative of how Joseph was cast into the well, discovered, sold into slavery, and eventually becomes the trusted official in Egypt after interpreting the dream of the king.]
[The surah elaborates on Joseph's rise to power, his reunion with his family, and the realization of his initial dream.]
"Then he raised his parents to the throne, and they all fell down in prostration to Joseph, who then said, “O my dear father! This is the interpretation of my old dream. My Lord has made it come true. He was truly kind to me when He freed me from prison, and brought you all from the desert after Satan had ignited rivalry between me and my siblings. Indeed my Lord is subtle in fulfilling what He wills. Surely He ˹alone˺ is the All-Knowing, All-Wise.”"
[Overall, Surah Yusuf (12:4-102) covers the full account of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), detailing his trials, interpretations of dreams, patience, and eventual family reconciliation.]
