Prophets Stories In Islam

Part 12: Prophet Yusuf (as) and His plan

The brothers left enough provisions behind for Judah, who stayed at a tavern awaiting the fate of Binyamin. In the meantime, Yusuf kept Binyamin in his house as his personal guest and told him how he had devised the plot to put the king's cup in his bag, in order to keep him behind, so as to protect him. He was also glad that Judah had stayed behind, as he was a good hearted brother. Yusuf secretly arranged to watch over Judah's well being. Yusuf's plan in sending the others back was to test their sincerity, to see if they would come back for the two brothers they had left behind. The Brothers Confront Yaqub When they arrived home, they entered upon their father calling: "O our father! Your son has stolen!"
.
He was puzzled, scarcely believing the news. He was overwhelmed with sorrow and his eyes wept tears. "Patience be with me; perhaps Allah will return all of them to me. He is Most Knowing, Most Wise."
A pal of lonesomeness closed over him, yet he found consolation in patience and trusted in Allah.
.
The father was deeply hurt. Only prayer could comfort him and strengthen his faith and patience. Weeping all those years for his beloved son Yusuf - and now one more of his best sons had been snatched from him - Yaqub almost lost his sight.
The other sons pleaded with him: "O father, you are a noble prophet and a great messenger of Allah. Unto you descended revelation and people received guidance and faith from you. Why are you destroying yourself in this way?"

Yaqub replied: "Rebuking me will not lessen my grief. Only the return of my sons will comfort me. My sons, go in search of Yusuf and his brother; do not despair of Allah's mercy."
.
The caravan set out for Egypt. The brothers - on their way to see the chief minister (Yusuf) - were poor and depressed. On reaching Egypt they collected Judah and called on Yusuf's, to whom they pleaded: "O ruler of the land! A hard time has hit us and our family, and we have brought but poor capital, so pay us full measure and be charitable to us. Truly, Allah does reward the charitable. " (12:88).
.
At the end, they begged Yusuf. They asked alms of him, appealing to his heart, reminding him that Allah rewards alms givers. At this moment, in the midst of their plight, Yusuf spoke to them in their native tongue saying:
"Do you know what you did with Yusuf and his brother when you were ignorant?"
They said: "Are you indeed Yusuf?"
He said: "I am Yusuf, and his is my brother (Binyamin). Allah has indeed been Gracious to us. Verily, he who fears Allah with obedience to Him and is patient, then surely, Allah makes not the reward of the good doers to be lost. "
They said: "By Allah! Indeed Allah has preferred you above us, and we certainly have been sinners." (12:89-91)
.
The brothers began to tremble with fear, but Yusuf comforted them:
"No reproach on you this day, may Allah forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!" (12:92)
.
Yusuf embraced them, and together they wept with joy. It was not possible for Yusuf to leave his responsible office without proper replacement, so he advised his brothers:
"Go with this shirt of mine, and cast it over the face of my father, he will become clear-sighted, and bring to me all your family." (12:93)
.
And so the caravan headed back for Palestine. We leave the scene in Egypt and return to Palestine and the house of Yaqub. The old man is sitting in his room; tears have been flowing down his cheeks. He stands up all of a sudden, dresses and goes out to his son's wives. Then he lifts up his face to Heaven and sniffs the air.
.
The wife of the eldest son remarked: "Yaqub has come out of his room today."
The women inquired about what was amiss. There was a hint of a smile on his face.
The others asked him: "How do you feel today?"
He answered: "I can smell Yusuf in the air."
The wives left him alone, saying to one another that there was no hope for the old man. 'he will die of weeping over Yusuf.'
"Did he talk about Yusuf's shirt?"
"I do not know. He said he could smell him; perhaps he has gone mad."
.
That day the old man wanted a cup of milk to break his fast, for he had been fasting. At night he changed his clothes. The caravan was traveling in the desert with Yusuf's shirt hidden among the grain. It neared the old man's estate. He gesticulated in his room, and then he prayed a long time, lifting his hands to heaven and sniffing the air. He was weeping as the shirt was nearing him. And when the caravan departed, their father said: "I do indeed feel the smell of Yusuf, if only you think me not a dotard (a person who has weakness of mind because of old age). "
They said: "By Allah! Certainly, you are in your old error. "
Then, when the bearer of the glad tidings arrived, he cast the shirt over his face, and he became clear sighted.
He said: "Did I not say to you, I know from Allah that which you know not."
They said: "O our father! Ask Forgiveness from Allah for our sins, indeed we have been sinners." (12:94-97)