Aslam

Allah calls the story of Yusuf "the best of stories." It begins with a dream: the young Yusuf told his father Yaqub that he saw eleven stars, the sun, and the moon all prostrating to him. His father recognised the significance — this boy would be chosen by Allah. But he warned Yusuf not to tell his brothers, for Shaytan is a clear enemy to man.

Yusuf's brothers, consumed by jealousy that their father loved him more, plotted to get rid of him. They convinced Yaqub to let them take Yusuf out to play, then threw him into the depths of a well. They returned to their father at night, weeping crocodile tears, with Yusuf's shirt stained in false blood, claiming a wolf had eaten him. But Yaqub knew. He said: "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something. So patience is beautiful. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe."

A caravan passing by sent their water-drawer to the well, and he pulled up Yusuf instead. They sold him as a slave in Egypt, where the minister Al-Aziz purchased him. As Yusuf grew, the minister's wife tried to seduce him. She locked the doors and said: "Come to me." He said: "I seek refuge in Allah. He is my Lord who has made my stay good. Indeed, wrongdoers will not succeed." She pursued him, tearing his shirt from behind, and they found her husband at the door. She accused Yusuf, but a witness from her own household pointed out that his shirt was torn from behind, proving his innocence.

Despite this, Yusuf was imprisoned to avoid scandal. In prison, he interpreted dreams for two fellow inmates. One would serve wine to the king, the other would be crucified. Both came to pass. Yusuf asked the one who was freed to mention his case to the king, but the man forgot — and Yusuf remained in prison for several more years.

Then the king of Egypt had a dream: seven fat cows eaten by seven lean ones, and seven green ears of grain and seven dry. No one could interpret it — until the freed prisoner remembered Yusuf. Yusuf interpreted the dream as seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, and advised the king to store grain during the good years.

Impressed, the king summoned Yusuf and offered him a position. Yusuf said: "Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian." And so Allah established Yusuf in the land of Egypt with authority.

When the famine struck, Yusuf's brothers came to Egypt seeking grain, not recognising him. Yusuf recognised them but did not reveal himself. Through a series of events, he eventually revealed his identity. They said: "Are you indeed Yusuf?" He said: "I am Yusuf, and this is my brother. Allah has certainly been gracious to us."

He forgave them completely: "No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful." He sent his shirt back to his father — and when it was placed over Yaqub's face, his sight was restored after years of weeping had left him blind. The family was reunited in Egypt, and his parents and brothers prostrated before him — fulfilling the dream he had seen as a child.