Lessons from Surah Yusuf
Here we are: the first two online sessions discussing Surat Yusuf, the first one of our Qur’an challenge in preparation for Ramadan, took place yesterday and went incredibly well Alhamdulillah! Having this kind of space and time to connect and meditate on the Holy Book is not only an incredible opportunity to come together as muslims, but also a beautiful sign of Allah Subhanu wa Ta’ala’s guidance.
While this exercise does not replace Tafsir or the work of scholars in any way, it still allows to take a dive into the wonder that is the Qur’an, build a bond with it and open your heart to the messages our Creator wanted us to get from it. Here are a few teachings we were able to discuss and take from reflecting upon the surah.
1. It is our hearts that get blind, not our eyes
Our egos lead us to be focussed on this dunya and Sheytan really makes the most of this, whether it is through envy and jealousy, through temptation and desire or through lying because we care more about what people will think more than Allah SWT. While Yaqub (AS) lost his sight and went through the terrible hardship of losing his son, he never forgot about patience and trust in his Creator. On the other hand, Yusuf’s (AS) brothers and the wife of his master were blinded by their jealousy and desire. But the ego is a disease of the heart and when you take a step back, you realize that 1. What you envy/desire (beauty, wealth…) might not make the other person happy (and might even be a test from Allah SWT for them) and 2. That the closer you are to your Creator, the less likely you are to be biased by all of this. The quote that you see on the image is an analogy I used during the second session. I thought it was a really easy way to picture how the ego (and of course, the influence of Sheytan) can leave us astray.
"And I do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy."
[12:53]
2. Be careful, even with your closest ones
Unfortunately, faith, love and kindness do not always win in this dunya. The surat shows we can get attached to things like being our parents’ favorite or to people’s looks, leading to act crazy and far from what Allah SWT asked from us. Therefore, you should be careful to what you expose, because as much as people should behave, we should also not be a source of temptation or envy. This point, added to the previous, are lessons that are very much applicable to today’s social media: with people exposing their beauty and wealth, the followers (including friends and family) can easily start comparing, judging and being blinded by their ego/Sheytan, even if the initial intention was not bad.
3. Despite their special “status”, the prophets were humans too
Yusuf (AS) felt desire and would have committed zina if he didn’t have faith in Allah SWT. Yaqub (AS) knew what his sons did, was heartbroken about losing Yusuf (AS), yet still forgave them. Yes, they are prophets and ultimately they will hold on to their faith better than we ever will. But they still have weaknesses, they still learn through the hardships and overcame their tests thank to their trust in Him. While Allah SWT sent many surat about His qualities, He also sent us (and Prophet Muhammad – SAWS) stories of “normal” beings for us to relate, reflect and learn.
"There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding."
[12:111]
4. Tawakkul, forgiveness and sabr are the key to embrace the Qadr of Allah (swt)
Losing a child, being disliked and betrayed by your family, being punished when you’re innocent, losing your sight… These are terrible hardships that make us feel incredibly miserable and could easily make us resentful towards our Creator. However through them all, the prophets were always patient and trusted Allah SWT with His plan.
"Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe."
[12:18]
