Key Themes of Surah Yusuf
Surah Yusuf is rich in profound meanings and important themes that hold significance for every Muslim. It encapsulates human experiences of trials, relief, abundance, poverty, confusion, and security. As a Meccan surah, this article aims to elucidate the various themes presented within it.
The Dream Vision
The initial theme of Surah Yusuf revolves around Yusuf’s dream. Almighty Allah states: “When Yusuf said to his father, ‘O my father, indeed I have seen [in a dream] eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me.'” This indicates that Allah is instructing Prophet Muhammad to inform his people of Yusuf’s story, reflecting on his communication with his father regarding his dream.
It is narrated by Ibn Abbas, from Ibn Umar, that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The dreams of the prophets are revelations.” In this dream, the eleven stars symbolize Yusuf’s brothers, as he had ten sibling brothers, while the sun and moon represent his father and mother.
The Brothers’ Conspiracy
Yusuf’s brothers harbored jealousy and resentment stemming from their father’s affection for him. This emotional turmoil led them to discuss ways to eliminate him and create a rift between him and their father. Some suggested killing him, while others proposed casting him into a distant land, believing that starving him or allowing a beast to consume him would be a softer fate than murder.
Subsequently, they intended to deceive their father by claiming that a wolf had devoured Yusuf. Their actions are regarded as one of the gravest injustices, motivated by envy, and representing a profound violation of moral boundaries, particularly as they hailed from a prophetic family. Allah mentions: “Kill Yusuf or cast him out to another land; your father’s face will be free for you, and you will be a righteous people afterward.”
The Chastity of Yusuf
After overcoming the first trial, Yusuf faced a new challenge involving the wife of his benefactor, who had taken him into her household and honored him. As she began to admire him after he matured, her name was never mentioned in the Quran, as a sign of her repentance from her previous actions.
She attempted to seduce him through various means, but Yusuf remained steadfast, fearing Allah. Allah states: “And she caused him great desire. And she locked the doors and said, ‘Come, you.’ He said, ‘I seek refuge in Allah! Indeed, he is my lord. He has made good my residence. Indeed, the wrongdoers do not succeed.’
The Imprisonment Trial
Yusuf, peace be upon him, was thrown into prison, where he encountered two of the king’s servants. After befriending each other in confinement, both men shared their dreams with Yusuf, believing he could interpret them correctly.
This demonstrates Yusuf’s approachable nature, as he interpreted each dream and privately advised the one he believed would be released to mention him to the king when he regained his freedom.
Allah says: “And entered with him the prison two young men. One of them said, ‘Indeed, I have seen myself pressing wine.’ The other said, ‘Indeed, I have seen myself carrying bread on my head, from which the birds were eating. Inform us of its interpretation; indeed, we see you to be among the doers of good.’
Justice and Leadership
Once Yusuf had proven his innocence, he sought a position that would enable him to serve the interests of the community. He did not ask for personal gain but requested the role of overseeing the treasury to distribute resources with fairness and wisdom. He stated: “Set me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian.”
Family Reunion
After numerous events unfolded, Yusuf’s justice became evident when he reunited with his brothers. The dream he had shared with his father at the beginning of the Surah was fulfilled. During that time, prostration was a gesture of respect toward royalty, not prohibited, and thus his father, mother, and brothers prostrated before him. He indicated to his parents, symbolized as the sun and moon in the verse, that Allah had indeed fulfilled his earlier vision.
Allah states: “And he raised his parents upon the throne, and they fell down in prostration to him. And he said, ‘O my father, this is the interpretation of my vision of old. My Lord has made it happen, and He was good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you from the bedouins after Satan had induced discord between me and my brothers. Indeed, my Lord is Subtle in what He wills. Indeed, He is the Knowing, the Wise.’