Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves
By Mufti Jaseemuddin Qasmi
Coordinator Online Darul Ifta and Lecturer
MMERC, Mumba
[Part: 13 / from Surah Yusuf, Ayat: 53 to Hijr, Ayat: 1]
In the first ayah of Part-13, prophet Yusuf’s(as) words are mentioned which he spoke when the Egyptian women gave witness of his chastity, as he said, “I do not acquit myself, in fact, the soul incites towards the evil, unless my Lord shows mercy and my Lord is all-forgiving and the most merciful .”
The great level of humble attitude of prophet Yusuf (as) can be observed here, when these women admitted that he was free from the accusation, he did not show that it was his greatness rather he said that he also had soul the Nafs which always tries to persuade mankind to commit sins but it was the special mercy of Allah (saws) upon him that he was saved from the trap of Nafs.
Later, the king invited him and said to him that he would be greatly honored from now and he would be trusted as well. When prophet Yusuf (as) enlightened the king full plan to save the country from the effects of famine, he questioned that who would manage the situation, he replied offering himself for that service saying “Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I am a skilled custodian.”
It is not allowed in Sharia for anyone to demand any post for himself in normal situation as prophet Muhammad (saws) forbade it but if there is very much chance that the post will be handed over to an unworthy person and the public will be in great trouble due to his decision then only it is allowed for a person to ask for any post to save people from trouble. The narrations tell that the king of Egypt has transferred all his power gradually to prophet Yusuf (as) and thus he became the king of the country.
Famine broke out in Egypt after seven years which affected other nearby counties too. When prophet Yaqub and his sons got to know that the Egyptian king is distributing ration with reasonable rate, all the ten stepbrothers of Prophet Yusuf (as) departed to Egypt to get the ration. When they reached Egypt, prophet Yusuf (as) recognised them, but they did not recognise him. After each of the ten brothers got one-one share by a camel load of grain, they requested him to give one more share for his brother Binyamin who was unable to arrive as he was busy in his old father’s service. But citing the rule of ration distribution, he denied giving ration for one who was not present there.
Prophet Yusuf (as) added, saying to his brothers that if they came next time, they must bring their younger brother too to take his portion’s ration. And if they came without him, they would not get even their own portions. Because it meant that they had lied that they had one more brother just to get more ration. And liar and deceiver could not be given ration. They replied that they would try to convince his father about it.
When they began to return to their country, prophet Yusuf (as) asked his employees to put the money paid by them into their baggage hoping that they would come again being impressed by the favour. He must be deposited such amount of money into the government treasure from his pocket. When they reached their country, they said to their father that they would not be provided ration next time if they did not bring their brother Binyamin with them to Egypt and promised their father to ensure Binyamin’s security and safety. The father replied “Should I entrust you with him as I entrusted you with his brother before? But Allah is the best Protector…”
And when they opened their baggage, they found their money returned to them. They said, “O our father, what more could we desire? This is our money returned to us. And we will obtain provision for our family and protect our brother and obtain an additional camel-load of grain; which is easy to get.”
The father said, “I will never send him with you until give me a promise by Allah that you will surely bring him back to me, unless you are completely yourselves are trapped.” And when they gave him their promise, he said: “Allah, over what we say, is Witness.”
And he said, “O my sons, do not enter (the city) from one gate but enter from different gates; and I cannot help you in any way against Allah at all. The decision is only for Allah …”
So, the brothers of prophet Yusuf (as) entered Egypt as per the suggestion of their father to remain safe from the evil eyes.
When they met Prophet Yusuf (as), he took his brother Binyamin with him to a side and told him that he was his brother. Prophet Yusuf (as) thought of a plan to keep his brother with him. So, he put a bowl in the baggage of Binyamin on the camel and he ordered his servants to announce about the lost bowl. When the search operation started, his brothers said that by Allah, they were neither mischief mongers nor thieves, then the king said that what would be punishment if the bowl was found in baggage of anyone of you. They replied that the thief himself would be the punishment which meant that he should be detained.
Finally, the bowl was found in the baggage of Binyamin. At that time, his brothers reacted over it saying that no wonder if he committed theft as his brother Yusuf (as) also had committed the same crime before him. (Actually, prophet Yusuf’s father’s sister also had played the same trick to keep him with her. )
The brothers of prophet Yusuf (as) said to him that he should detain one of them in the place of Binyamin. But Yusuf (as) excused saying that it would not be justice to punish other than criminal. After they returned to his father Yaqub (as) and told him what had happened, he did not believe and said “Rather, your souls have fabricated an excuse for you. Patience is a virtue. Perhaps God will bring them all back to me. He is the Knowing, the Wise.”
He was so upset that he turned away from them, and said: “My poor Yusuf!” and his eyes turned white because of the grief.
To see the pathetic situation of their father, they said, “By Allah, you will not stop remembering Yusuf until you become fatally ill or until you die.” He said: “I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah what you do not know.” And then he said, “O my sons! Go and inquire about Yusuf and his brother, and do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Surely none despairs of Allah’s mercy except the disbelieving people.”
So, when they again went to Egypt and requested Yusuf (as) for ration as well as they informed him about the pathetic situation of the family, Yusuf (as) asked them that whether they remember what they had done with Yusuf and his brother. They got surprised and asked him “Are you Yusuf.” He replied, “I am Yusuf and this is my brother. Allah has favoured us. Because, whoever fears Allah and keeps patience, surely Allah does not waste the reward of the good-doers.”
They said, “By Allah, certainly Allah has preferred you over us, and indeed, we have been sinners.” But prophet Yusuf (as) said, “There is no reproach on you this day. May Allah forgive you and He is the Most Merciful.”
Prophet Yusuf (as) has given his shirt to his brothers and asked them to put it over the face of their father which would bring his eyesight back, and to bring their entire family members to Egypt. On the other hand, Prophet Yaqub (as) said to the people in Kenyan when the caravan departed from Egypt, “Indeed, I feel the fragrance of Yusuf if you did not think me senile.” They said, “By Allah, you are most surely in your old error.”
When the brothers of prophet Yusuf (as) reached Kenyan city, they put the shirt over the face of prophet Yaqub, suddenly his lost eyesight returned. Prophet Yaqub (as) said: “Did I not say to you! I know from Allah what you do not know?” They, said: “O our father! Ask forgiveness for our sins for us, indeed, we have been sinners.” He said, “Soon I will ask my Lord for forgiveness for you, for he is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
Prophet Yusuf (as) came out of the city to welcome his parents, brothers and other family members. Having met his parents, he gave special respect to them and made them sit with him. He then asked all of the family members to come with him to the capital city in Egypt and stay there comfortably.
Prophet Yusuf (as) made his parents sit on the throne, and at that time, all of them prostrated before him to thank him. At that moment, prophet Yusuf (as) said to his father Yaqub (as), “O my father, this is the interpretation of my dream. My Lord has made it come true! And He was certainly good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you here from bedouin life after Satan had stirred strife. Indeed, my Lord is Subtle in what He wills. Indeed, it is He who is the All-Knowing, the most Wise.”
And then prophet Yusuf (as) prayed to Allah, “My Lord, You have given me power and taught me the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous.”
The last ayah of Surah Yusuf reads, “Verily, there is lesson in their stories for those who posses intellect”
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Angel is appointed with each mankind
Surah Al-Ra’d begins from here. This is Makki surah and it has 43 ayahs. The first ayah says about the Qur’an that it was revealed on Prophet Muhammad (saws) with truth but most of the people do not believe in it. Ayah 11 reads, “For each one there are successive angels before and behind, protecting them by Allah’s command. Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of the people until they change what is in themselves.”
Further, it is mentioned that the thunder of cloud chants Allah’s praises. Ayah 16 condemns the polytheism. Ayah 17 tells that though falsehood looks dominant apparently for sometime but it remains useless and has to fade away like foam but the truth remains useful forever like water. Further it is mentioned that, Allah’s curse is imposed upon those who violate the pledge, break the knots of kinship and spread corruption in the land.
Chanting name of Allah contents the hearts
Ayah 26 reads, “Allah extends the provision of whom he wills and straitens (it for whom He wills).” Ayah 28 talks about those who turn to Allah, as it reads, “Those are the people who believed and whose hearts are contented with remembrance of Allah, Beware! Verily, remembrance of Allah brings comfort to the hearts.” Ayah 41 reads, “Have they not seen that We are reducing their land from its borders.” It means that the control of polytheists and their wrong dogmas is reducing gradually from Arabian Peninsula.
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Prophets were sent with language of their people
Surah Ibrahim begins from here. It is Makki Surah and it has 52 ayahs. Allah says in the first ayah that the purpose of revelation of the Quran is to bring out mankind from the darkness of misguidance.
Ayah 4 says, “And We did not send any Messenger but with language of his people, so that they could make (truth) clear for them”
Aayahs 24 to 26, mentions examples of believers’ steadfastness and weakness of disbelief. Ayah 35 mentions the supplications of prophet Ibrahim (as) in which he condemns polytheism and idol worship, and requests Allah Almighty to protect him and his sons from the idol worship.
Prophet Ibrahim (as) made the supplication about Makkah saying, “O My Lord, I have settled some of my offspring near Your sacred House in a uncultivable valley, O, My Lord, (I did so) so that they may establish salah, so, make the hearts of people incline towards them and provide them with the provision of fruits, so that they might be grateful.”
This supplication of prophet Ibrahim (as) was granted in such a way that till today hearts of Muslims throughout the world are drawn towards the Holy Makka, therefore, the biggest human gathering can be seen at the time of Haj in Makkah. As far as the fruits are concerned, so, the best quality of fruits from the entire world is found there in abundance while the land of Makkah is unfertile.
Ayah 48 says that when this earth and sky will be destroyed on the Day of Judgment, Allah will create another earth and sky. Further, condition of people in Hell is mentioned, “Their garment will be made of pitch and the fire will be coveting their faces, so that Allah will recompense everyone for his deed. Indeed, Allah is swift at reckoning”
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Surah Hijr starts from here. This surah is Makki and it has 99 ayahs. The first ayah of this surah defines the Quran saying it is ayahs of the Book and clear Quran.
Read part 12 on below link
Keep Patience as Allah does not Let Reward of Good Doers Go to Waste
