The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (part 61)

Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan

The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (part 61)

The revealing of the identity of Prophet Yusuf (PBUH) to his brothers

When the brothers reached such a level of humility and submission before Yusuf (PBUH), and when the sorrow and grief of Ya‘qub (PBUH) had reached their peak, Yusuf (PBUH) decided to reveal the truth of the matter and his hidden identity to them. He first prepared them for this great news by posing a question: “قال هَلْ عَلِمْتُمْ مَّا فَعَلْتُم بِیوسُفَ وَأَخِیهِ إِذْ أَنتُمْ جَاهِلُونَ”[1] Translation: “(Brotherly affection stirred in the heart of Yusuf and he wished to make himself known to them. Rebuking their wrongdoing) he said: Do you know what (ugly and inappropriate act) you committed toward Yusuf and his brother at the time when you were ignorant (in youth)?”

Upon hearing this statement, the brothers became aware and alert, looked closely at his face, and asked with astonishment and hesitation: “أَإِنَّكَ لَأَنتَ یوسُفُ”[2] Translation: “Are you truly Yusuf?”

Yusuf (PBUH) replied: “قَالَ أَنَا یوسُفُ وَهَذَا أَخِی قَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَینَا”[3] Translation: “He said: I am Yusuf, and this is my brother. Indeed, Allah has bestowed His favor upon us (for He delivered us from hardships, reunited us, and granted us safety, strength, and honor).”

Then he explained the reason for this relief: “إِنَّهُ مَن یتَّقِ وَیصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا یضِیعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِینَ”[4] Translation: “Surely whoever practices piety and is patient (in the face of trials and hardships), then Allah does not let the reward of the doers of good go to waste.”

At that moment, the brothers of Yusuf (PBUH) confessed their wrongdoing toward him, and from their own words addressed to Yusuf (PBUH) it is stated: “قَالُوا تَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ آثَرَكَ اللَّهُ عَلَینَا وَإِن كُنَّا لَخَاطِئِینَ”[5] Translation: “They said: By Allah! Certainly Allah has favored you above us, and we were indeed among the wrongdoers.”

When the brothers confessed their mistake, Yusuf (PBUH) responded to them with the generosity and purity of a believer: “قال لَا تَثْرِیبَ عَلَیكُمُ الْیوْمَ یغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِینَ”[6] Translation: “(Yusuf replied and) said: There shall be no reproach upon you today. May Allah forgive you, for He is the Most Merciful of the merciful.”

Then he gave them his shirt and instructed them to take it to their father and cast it over his face so that his sight would be restored, and afterward to bring all the family with them to Egypt. It is stated in the Qur’an from the words of Yusuf (PBUH): “اذْهَبُوا بِقَمِیصِی هَذَا فَأَلْقُوهُ عَلَى وَجْهِ أَبِی یأْتِ بَصِیرًا وَأْتُونِی بِأَهْلِكُمْ أَجْمَعِینَ”[7] Translation: “(Then, after that, Yusuf asked about his father. When he became aware of his condition, he said to them: Take this shirt of mine and carry it to (Canaan) and cast it over the face of my father so that he may become seeing again (and so that the dark veil of grief and sorrow may be lifted from his eyes, bringing him joy and brightness), and bring me all your family together.”

The end of the hardship of Ya‘qub (PBUH) and the fulfillment of the dream of Yusuf (PBUH)

When the caravan carrying the provisions (the camels that were transporting the food) departed from Egypt, their father (Ya‘qub) said: “إِنِّی لَأَجِدُ رِیحَ یوسُفَ لَوْلَا أَن تُفَنِّدُونِ”[8] Translation: “If you do not call me foolish and mindless, (I will tell you that) I truly smell the scent of Yusuf!”

But those who were with him (from his grandchildren and others), with doubt, said: “تَاللَّهِ إِنَّكَ لَفِی ضَلَالِكَ الْقَدِیمِ”[9] Translation: “By Allah! Indeed, you are in your old misguidance (lost in your long-cherished imaginings and fancies).”

They only spoke this way to their father because they believed that Yusuf (PBUH) had already died.[10] But the bearer of good news came quickly. Allah had already prepared the situation, and Ya‘qub (PBUH) had sensed the scent of Yusuf (PBUH). Then the bearer of good news cast the shirt of Yusuf (PBUH) over the face of Ya‘qub (PBUH): “فَارْتَدَّ بَصِیراً”[11] Translation: “Then his sight returned.”

At that moment, Ya‘qub (PBUH) said to his children and those present: “أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ إِنِّی أَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ”[12] Translation: “Did I not tell you that I know from Allah that which you do not know?”

When the truths became clear, the brothers came to their father confessing their sin: “قَالُوا یا أَبَانَا اسْتَغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا خَاطِئِینَ”[13] Translation: “(The sons of Ya‘qub) said: O our father! (Forgive us and) ask forgiveness for our sins. Truly, we were sinners.”

Ya‘qub (PBUH) accepted their request and said: “قَالَ سَوْفَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ رَبِّی إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِیمُ”[14] Translation: “He said: I will certainly seek forgiveness for you from my Lord. Indeed, He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.”

To be continued…

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References:

1. Yusuf: 89
2. Yusuf: 90)
3. Yusuf: 90)
4. Yusuf: 90)
5. Yusuf: 91)
6. Yusuf: 92)
7. Yusuf: 93)
8. Yusuf: 94)
9. Yusuf: 95)
10. Muhammad ibn Umar ibn Husayn, Fakhr al-Razi, Mafatih al-Ghayb (Al-Tafsir al-Kabir), vol. 18, p. 208)
11. Yusuf: 96)
12. Yusuf: 96)
13. Yusuf: 97)
14. Yusuf: 98)