The Best of Stories: Lessons from Surah Yusuf in the Quran
Without a doubt, Allah Almighty has narrated the best and most instructive stories in His Book (the Qur’an). Among these stories, the tale of Yusuf (Joseph) Alayhis Salam holds a unique and captivating status, which Allah Himself has declared in His Book as “Ahsan al-Qasas” (the best of stories). As Allah Almighty says:
{نَحۡنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيۡكَ اَحۡسَنَ الۡقَصَصِ بِمَاۤ اَوۡحَيۡنَاۤ اِلَيۡكَ هٰذَا الۡقُرۡاٰنَ ۖ وَاِنۡ كُنۡتَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِهٖ لَمِنَ الۡغٰفِلِيۡنَ} – [Yusuf : 3]
Translation: "We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur'an, although you were, before it, among the unaware."
A surprising characteristic of this story is that it is not repeated in the Qur’an. Instead, it is narrated completely in just one Surah (Surah Yusuf). In contrast, the stories of other noble Prophets are generally repeated multiple times in various Surahs. The reason for this is that the enmity in the story of Yusuf Alayhis Salam was based on worldly envy; that is, the enmity and jealousy of Yusuf’s brothers towards him were worldly. On the other hand, the enmity between other Prophets and their people was due to religious and ideological differences. This is why the accounts of these religious struggles have been repeatedly narrated with different wording but the same meaning for the purpose of emphasis and admonition.
📍 A Few Benefits Derived from the Story of Yusuf Alayhis Salam:
(1) The Virtue and Loftiness of Knowledge:
In this story, the eminence and virtue of knowledge and wisdom are highlighted with great beauty. Knowledge is the light that bestows elevation upon a person in both this world and the Hereafter. Allah Almighty has said:
{وَكَذٰلِكَ يَجۡتَبِيۡكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِنۡ تَاۡوِيۡلِ الۡاَحَادِيۡثِ} – [Yusuf : 6]
Translation: "And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of narratives."
And He also said:
{ذٰلِكُمَا مِمَّا عَلَّمَنِىۡ رَبِّىۡ} – [Yusuf : 37]
Translation: "That is from what my Lord has taught me."
Indeed, the honor and eminence that Yusuf Alayhis Salam received were due to knowledge. His prudent thinking, wise opinions, and sound advice led him to the throne of Egypt. And this knowledge of interpreting dreams became a source of great benefit not only for Egypt but for the entire region.
(2) The Knowledge of Interpreting Dreams:
The knowledge of interpreting dreams is also a great and rare science among the sciences bestowed by Allah Almighty. It is a special favor and selection from Allah, which He grants to His chosen servants. Allah Almighty states:
{وَكَذٰلِكَ يَجۡتَبِيۡكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِنۡ تَاۡوِيۡلِ الۡاَحَادِيۡثِ} – [Yusuf : 6]
Translation: "And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of narratives."
This knowledge is not merely coincidental but is a great art based on deep insight, recognition of words and signs, the context of situations and times, and understanding the hidden meanings in the context of people and places. It is a special choosing and selection from Allah for those to whom He grants understanding and perception.
(3) The Meaning of “Burhan” (Proof):
The meaning of “Burhan” in this statement of Allah Almighty: {وَلَـقَدۡ هَمَّتۡ بِهٖۚ وَهَمَّ بِهَا لَوۡلَاۤ اَنۡ رَّاٰ بُرۡهَانَ رَبِّهٖؕ} – [Yusuf : 24]
Translation: "And she certainly determined [to seduce] him, and he would have inclined to her had he not seen the proof of his Lord."
Here, “Burhan” does not merely refer to some external sign, but to the state of the heart that prevented Yusuf Alayhis Salam from committing the sin. It was the fear of Allah embedded in his heart, the realization of the ugliness of sin, and the intense awareness of accountability in the Hereafter that overcame carnal desire. That is, “Burhan” actually means to resist the desires of the self and to abandon the intention of sinning due to faith and the fear of Allah. The reward for this piety and fear of Allah is Jannah (Paradise). Allah Almighty has said:
{وَلِمَنۡ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهٖ جَنَّتٰنِۚ} – [Ar-Rahman : 46]
Translation: "But for him who fears the standing before his Lord are two gardens."
(4) The Importance of the Outcome, Not the Beginning:
This instructive story teaches the lesson that one should not judge a matter or a person based solely on initial circumstances or difficulties. The real importance lies in the conclusion and the final outcome. At the end of Yusuf Alayhis Salam’s life, Allah blessed him with immense honor, authority, and success. His brothers were also granted the ability to repent, forgiveness, and then honor and dignity. This is a clear example of the best outcome for those who are patient in the face of trials. Just as Ya’qub (Jacob) Alayhis Salam demonstrated beautiful patience (Sabr Jameel) in the separation from his beloved son Yusuf Alayhis Salam. He said:
{فَصَبۡرٌ جَمِيۡلٌؕ وَاللّٰهُ الۡمُسۡتَعَانُ عَلٰى مَا تَصِفُوۡنَ} – [Yusuf : 18]
Translation: "So patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe."
And when the calamity intensified and Yusuf’s brother Binyamin (Benjamin) was also taken, he said:
{فَصَبۡرٌ جَمِيۡلٌؕ عَسَى اللّٰهُ اَنۡ يَّاۡتِيَنِىۡ بِهِمۡ جَمِيۡعًاؕ} – [Yusuf : 83]
Translation: "So patience is most fitting. Perhaps Allah will bring them to me all together."
(5) Taqwa and Sabr; Both are Guarantees of Success:
This entire story firmly establishes the fundamental principle that Taqwa (fear of Allah and adherence to His commands) and Sabr (steadfastness in all kinds of trials) are the everlasting means to felicity, salvation, success, and exaltation in both this world and the Hereafter. Allah Almighty says:
{اِنَّهٗ مَنۡ يَّتَّقِ وَيَصۡبِرۡ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُضِيۡعُ اَجۡرَ الۡمُحۡسِنِيۡنَ} – [Yusuf : 90]
Translation: "Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient, then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good."
Every turn in the life of Yusuf Alayhis Salam is a witness to the fact that holding fast to Taqwa and Sabr is the highway that lifts a person from humiliation to the heights of honor, and after the darkness of tribulations, it brings him to the bright dawn of success and triumph.
Umm Muhammad Khushnuma Muslehuddin
Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah Al-Mukarramah