Story Of Prophet Yusuf ✔

PART 19:YUSUF GIVES DAWAH [Surah Yusuf 12:37-40]

37. “No food will come to you as a provision except that I will inform you of its interpretation before it comes to you. That is because of what my Rabb has taught me. Surely I have forsaken the religion of a people who do not believe in Allah and who are disbelievers in the Hereafter”.

38. And I have followed the religion of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And it was not for us to associate anything with Allah. That is from the favor of Allah upon us and upon the people, but most of the people are not grateful.

39. O my companions of the prison, are many arguing lords better or Allah, the One, the Conqueror.

40. You worship not besides Him except [mere] names you have named them, you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. The legislation is not but for Allah. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.

Yusuf here was informing these youth that Allah has blessed him with the knowledge of dream interpretation and he is able to tell them the interpretation before their food arrives.

This is the first time in the entire Surah that we hear Yusuf (AS) speaking for an extended period of time. Before this Yusuf (AS) was mostly silent. Not only was he (AS) silent but he (AS) was also passive. Yusuf did not do much but rather others did things to him. However now when the time comes for calling the people to Allah (swt), then we see Yusuf (As) speak. So Yusuf (AS) shows them that this religion that he (AS) follows is the same religion of this great messenger Abraham. It is not a new creed but it was what Abraham (AS) believed in and what he (AS) taught his children. This is a religion that has been practiced and established for generations. Today many people view Islam as something strange and something new. They do not realize that this is way of life has been practiced by the people for thousands and thousands of years.

Yusuf (AS) then admits that this was only from the bounty of Allah (swt) upon him and his fathers. It was only from the bounty of Allah (swt) that they were able worship Allah alone. Were it not for Allah (swt) then they would not be able to worship Allah alone.

Then Yusuf (AS) presents two alternatives for these prisoners. He asks them if many different lords arguing with each other are better or Allah (swt). Would you rather have many different masters
arguing with each other or would you rather have Allah (swt) as your Master? Then he describes for them two of Allah (swt)’s most Majestic Names "the One" and "the Conqueror".

Allah (swt) is the One in that He (swt) is the only One like Him (swt). Who else is there who is like Allah (swt)? Is there anyone else who is the Creator? Is there anyone else who is the Sustainer? Is there anyone else with all of the Names of Perfection? Is there anyone else who is the source of everything?

Allah (swt) is also the Conqueror. Allah (swt) is the One Who defeats and overpowers all else. There is no one who can defeat Allah (swt). There is no one who can even try and take His (swt)’s Sovereignty from Him (swt). There is no might nor power except with Allah (swt), so how then can anyone stand a chance against Him (swt)? Once you realize that Allah (swt) is One and that He (swt) conquers and subdues all else, how then can you ever desire a lord besides He (swt)?

In verse 40 Yusuf AS summarizes the tenets of this religion. First of all to believe that there is no one worthy of worship and servitude except God. To make Him (swt) as the purpose of one’s existence. To not associate any partners with Him (swt) in this whatsoever. To always show gratitude and thanks for Him (swt). To make Him (swt) as the Lord to be served by all of the creation and to know that this is a right that He (swt) has over us because He (swt) is the One and the Conqueror. This is Who Allah (swt) IS. This is the right that He (swt) has over us.

LESSONS

1. Yusuf (AS) lived most of his life among non-Muslims as people of Egypt worshipped sun and other idols. He was seven years old when his brothers put him in that well so at what age must his father have taught him (AS) about this religion? Thus one lesson that we can take from above verses is to realize how important it is to teach our children about our religion from an early age.

2. Allah (swt) is the reason behind every single good that we do. The fact that we are able to pray and fast and worship Him is a gift from Allah. The fact that we are able to stay away from the major sins is a
gift from Him (swt). This is something that we must always be reminding ourselves of.

3. Allah (swt) does not tell us in any way how the two prisoners responded to the dawah that Yusuf (AS) carried to them. Did at least one of the prisoners accept the dawah? Did both of them accept it? Did they both reject it? Allah (swt) does not say. This serves to remind us that we should not be looking for the results in our actions. All that should matter for us is that we make a sincere intention for Allah (swt) and that we try our best.

3. The Best place for you - There are two ways Allah wants us to enjoy the best in life. First way is by giving us better things to enjoy and the second way by us learning to be content and thankful for what Allah already gave us. It is not a matter of where you were born and where you live that makes you enjoy life more. It’s about HOW you live that makes a difference on whether you can enjoy your life or not. Allah is AlHakeem and Allah is AlKhabeer. He is All Wise and All Aware. If Allah has put you in a certain situation it is because this is the BEST place for you to be at this time and at this hour of your life! When you learn to relax and take this truth into your heart, then you can begin to enjoy the things and people around you. Yusuf knew this secret and that is how he was able to enjoy his life even in a foreign land of Egypt. Allah only wants the best for you … whether you understand it or not. When you realize that Allah is not some kind of a policeman who is waiting for you to make a mistake so that He can punish you, and also when you realize that Allah wants you to know that He is willing to give you all His best whenever He believes you are ready for it, only then you can truly enjoy every bit of your life on earth.