Allah Gave the Prophet Yusuf (AS) Power Over the Treasure of Egypt
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Right from early childhood the Prophet Yusuf (as) was
tested with all sorts of troubles, but displayed the most exemplary
patience in the face of these, thus earning the approval of Allah, the
infinitely compassionate and loving. This holy individual was exposed to
many difficulties during the course of his life but never despaired and
always trusted in and gave thanks to Allah. At a very early age the
Prophet Yusuf (as) fell into a trap set for him by his brothers. Their
first intention was to kill him outright, but at the suggestion of one
of the brothers they cast him into a well instead. At that most
difficult moment a miracle took place and Allah gave him knowledge of
the future, revealing that He would foil all the snares set for him;
These tidings imparted to the Prophet Yusuf (as) by
Allah soon came true. A group passing by the well found the prophet,
although as they rescued him their real intention was to enslave and
sell him instead;
Slavery was widespread in Egypt at that time. Child
slaves in particular were highly valued. His rescuers achieved their aim
and sold him to the Egyptians for a very low price.
When the Prophet Yusuf (as) reached adulthood his
physical beauty began attracting the attention of a great many women.
First among these was the lady of the house he served, the wife of the
Egyptian governor. Before long the governor’s wife made an improper
suggestion to him, though the Prophet Yusuf (as) rejected this outright.
Instead, he sought refuge in Allah as he knew that such a course of
action would be sinful. This is how the Prophet Yusuf’s (as) behaviour
in the face of that suggestion is described in the Qur’an:
However, even though he was totally free of guilt,
the governor’s wife began slandering him. She told her husband that the
Prophet Yusuf (as) had been making advances to her. And she demanded
that he be punished.
The Qur’an goes on to say:
This reply was an indication of the Prophet Yusuf’s
(as) innocence. The woman had torn the back of the prophet’s shirt, and
the significance of this became apparent. As the Prophet Yusuf (as)
approached the door the woman had come up behind him. The governor
realised that the Prophet Yusuf (as) was innocent and that his wife had
made the whole story up. Yet matters did not end there. People began
gossiping about what had taken place between the prophet and the
governor’s wife. This made her exceedingly uncomfortable. So she began
preparing another plan. Her plan was to prove that her improper
suggestion to the Prophet Yusuf (as) was justified, because his
extraordinary beauty attracted the admiration of large numbers of women.
Despite all the Prophet Yusuf’s (as) determination,
Aziz’s wife renewed her proposition in full public gaze. She said that
if he refused her she would have him imprisoned. But the Prophet Yusuf
(as) was utterly determined. He immediately sought refuge in Allah and
sought His help in all sincerity:
Although the Prophet Yusuf’s (as) innocence was
obvious, they took a ruthless decision and cast him into a dungeon,
where he spent the next several years.
Following the long years of imprisonment, a lot of
auspicious events determined by Allah in the destiny He had determined
took place. Eventually the country’s ruler learned of the Prophet
Yusuf’s (as) moral virtues, trustworthiness and learning, and gave him
an important post in the running of the country, appointing him head of
the Egyptian Treasury. This is described as follows in the verses of the
Qur’an.
The Prophet Yusuf (as), whose moral virtues right
from childhood are a role model for all believers and who scrupulously
abided by the limits set by Allah under all circumstances, was rewarded
for these virtues and takwa with Allah’s mercy, becoming very wealthy.
Allah brought about a change that appeared ‘impossible’ on the surface
and suddenly made him a powerful figure in the Egyptian administration.
This, bringing about things that on the surface appear to be impossible,
is Allah’s wisdom and artistry. As we are told in the Qur’an; “How many a small force has triumphed over a much greater one by Allah’s permission!”
(Surat al-Baqara, 249), Allah rescues people from the most difficult
and impossible-seeming situations and grants them victory over the
deniers, all as a sign leading to faith. A believer’s only duty is never
to renounce his faith in Allah’s promise and always to submit to Him.
This is very definitely a sign of Allah’s compassion
for the Prophet Yusuf (as). It was his fear of Allah, fortitude, and
patience that bestowed such value on him, not his economic knowledge and
expertise in Treasury matters. He never made any concessions regarding
Islamic moral values. As a result of these virtues, our Lord bestowed
wealth and rank on him in this world:
The Prophet Yusuf (as) was aware that everything he
possessed (his material wealth, knowledge and intelligence) had all been
given him by Allah. Deniers, on the other hand, imagine they come into
possession of all they own through their own efforts, become swollen up
with pride and are ungrateful for Allah’s blessings. But despite being a
prophet chosen by Allah, the Prophet Yusuf (as) still wished to be a
Muslim and join the ranks of the pure. He was not certain of his place
in the hereafter, but genuinely feared Allah and prayed to him humbly
out of need.
This is the behaviour and mindset that befits a
believer. By Allah’s will, it is those who possess such moral values who
will attain salvation in the hereafter.
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