Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (part 57)
Freedom and Governance
But when Allah Almighty wills something, He also provides the means. A king had a dream, and no one could interpret it. At that moment, the one who had been saved remembered Yusuf (Joseph) ʿalayhi al-salām and told the king about him, saying that Yusuf could interpret dreams. The king sent someone to Yusuf ʿalayhi al-salām to interpret his dream. Yusuf interpreted the dream, which led to his release from prison, although he first asked the king to prove his innocence. His innocence was confirmed by the confession of the woman who had accused him [1].
After his release, Yusuf asked the king to make him “trustee over the treasures of the land” (responsible for the country’s finances) because he was knowledgeable and wise. The king accepted his request and placed him in charge of the treasury so that he could personally oversee financial and economic affairs. In this way, Egypt entrusted its affairs to Yusuf ʿalayhi al-salām freely and willingly, not by deception or force.
“وَكَذَلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَتَبَوَّأُ مِنْهَا حَيْثُ يَشَاءُ نُصِيبُ بِرَحْمَتِنَا مَن نَّشَاءُ وَلَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ* وَلَأَجْرُ الْآخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُونَ” [1] Translation: “And thus we established Yusuf in the land so that he could settle wherever he willed. We bestow Our mercy upon whomever We choose, and We do not let the reward of the righteous be lost. Indeed, the reward of the Hereafter is better for those who believe and are conscious of Allah.”
Yusuf (PBUH) Recognizes His Brothers and the Family Reunion
Yusuf ʿalayhi al-salām, as he requested from the nobleman of Egypt, took charge of Egypt’s finances and economy. During his administration, the king’s dream was realized: seven prosperous years came, during which Yusuf stored the surplus grains; afterward, seven years of famine and drought followed, causing hunger and hardship, especially in nearby regions such as Palestine and Sham, where people were unprepared for such conditions.
Yaʿqūb ʿalayhi al-salām and his children, like others, faced severe food shortages. News of Egypt’s provisions, as a center of civilization and progress at the time, spread widely. People from various regions came to obtain grain and food, including Yusuf’s brothers, who came from Sham to procure supplies.
They entered Yusuf ʿalayhi al-salām’s presence. Yusuf recognized them, but they did not recognize him because much time had passed, his appearance had changed, and he was dressed in his ministerial attire [2].
Yusuf treated his brothers with generosity, hosted them, and provided for their needs. When they were ready to leave, Yusuf said, “ائْتُونِي بِأَخٍ لَّكُم مِّنْ أَبِيكُمْ أَلاَ تَرَوْنَ أَنِّي أُوفِي الْكَيْلَ وَأَنَاْ خَيْرُ الْمُنزِلِينَ* فَإِن لَّمْ تَأْتُونِي بِهِ فَلَا كَيْلَ لَكُمْ عِندِي وَلَا تَقْرَبُونِ* قَالُوا سَنُرَاوِدُ عَنْهُ أَبَاهُ وَإِنَّا لَفَاعِلُونَ” [3] Translation: “Bring to me your only brother from your father. Do you not see that I give full measure and that I am the best of hosts? If you do not bring him to me, there will be no measure for you with me, and you shall not come near me. They said, “We will persuade his father, and we are certainly capable of doing so.”
Before they left, Yusuf instructed his servants to secretly place the money they had brought into their sacks to demonstrate generosity and encourage them to return [4].
When Yusuf’s brothers returned to their father and recounted the story, they requested to take their brother Benjamin with them to fulfill Yusuf’s wish and facilitate food procurement. They promised to protect him. Yaʿqūb replied: “هَلْ آمَنُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا كَمَا أَمِنتُكُمْ عَلَى أَخِيهِ مِن قَبْلُ فَاللَّهُ خَيْرٌ حَافِظًا وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ” [5] Translation: “Should I entrust him to you except as I entrusted his brother before? Allah is the best guardian, and He is the most merciful of those who show mercy.”
Then Yaʿqūb advised them, upon entering Egypt, not to enter through the same gate: “وَقَالَ يَا بَنِيَّ لَا تَدْخُلُوا مِن بَابٍ وَاحِدٍ وَادْخُلُوا مِنْ أَبْوَابٍ مُّتَفَرِّقَةٍ وَمَا أُغْنِي عَنكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ مِن شَيْءٍ إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَعَلَيْهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ” [8]. Translation: “O my sons! Do not enter from one gate but enter from different gates. Nothing of Allah’s decree can I avert from you. The command belongs only to Allah; I place my trust in Him, and all who trust should rely upon Him.”
The majority of scholars explain that Yaʿqūb’s advice was due to the evil eye, because his sons were handsome and strong [9].
“وَمَا أُغْنِي عَنكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ مِن شَيْءٍ إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ” [10] Translation: “Nothing from Allah’s decree can I avert from you; the command belongs only to Allah.”
Continues…
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References:
[1] Yusuf: 56–57
[2] Yusuf: 58
[3] Yusuf: 59–61
[4] Yusuf: 62
[5] Yusuf: 64
[6] Yusuf: 65
[7] Yusuf: 66
[8] Yusuf: 67
[9] Tafsir al-Qurtubi, Vol. 9, p. 227
[10] Yusuf: 67
