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

by Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi

When a man has comfort and love inside his home, he can face anything in the world outside.

One of the fundamental lessons from the story of Yusuf is that evil can never succeed, and righteousness will always prevail.

‘Beware of envy, for it devours good deeds just as fire devours wood or grass.’

An important lesson we derive from the story of the brothers of Yusuf is that we should not resort to ignoble means to achieve a noble goal.

‘Whoever does not show mercy to our young ones, or acknowledge the rights of our elders, is not one of us.’

The instantaneous response of Yusuf, when faced with the trial of temptation, was to turn to Allah, something all Muslims should do when tempted by sin. We will never be able to overcome evil by ourselves because we do not have the strength to fight on our own. We need Allah to protect us in a moment of weakness. He is the Only One who will give us the strength to fight off temptation. Allah says in the Qur’an, ‘And if you are tempted by Shaytan, then seek refuge with Allah. Indeed, He ‘alone’ is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.’

When Allah is on your side, miracles occur, and protection is given, and change happens from sources no one could have predicted.

“Young man, I will teach you some words. Be mindful of Allah, and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him before you. If you ask, ask from Allah. If you seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that if the nations gathered together to benefit you, they would not benefit you unless Allah has decreed it for you. And if the nations gathered together to harm you, they will not harm you unless Allah has decreed it for you. The pens have been lifted, and the pages have dried.”

At the pinnacle of his f prophetic mission, when he f finally conquered Makkah, whose people had forced him to leave, he f recited this verse from Surah Yusuf. He f stood at the Ka[bah and asked the nervous people who had gathered around him, ‘O Quraysh, how do you think I should treat you?’

‘If Allah intends good for someone, He gives to him the understanding of the religion.’