Lessons from Surah Yusuf (Pearls from the Qur'an)

by Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi

Notice that Allah did not explicitly criticize the brothers, despite their cruel act. Centuries later, when we think about it, our hearts still shudder, thinking, ‘How could they have done that to a little brother?’ Yet, Allah does not use a single negative adjective in the surah to describe the brothers of Yusuf, even though they were every bit worthy of criticism. Why? One of the main reasons is that it is not befitting for the Qur’an’s nobility to mention gore and evil, except in briefest terms. For example, to describe the factors that break one’s ablution Allah says in the Qur’an, ‘…or have relieved yourselves…,’41 rather than ‘if one of you urinates or defecates.’ In yet another place, He says, ‘…if you have touched your wives…’42 to describe marital relations. The words the Qur’an uses are most dignifed and cultured.