Volume 10 Surah 12 - 15 - Enjoy Islam

Yūsuf (Joseph) | FACING UP TO TRIAL
God would give him the faculty to interpret statements properly and accurately. It
comments on the early steps in consolidating Joseph’s position by saying that God’s
will shall always be done. Nothing can impede or stop it. He is in full control of
everything in the universe. “Thus We established Joseph in the land, and We imparted to
him some understanding of the real meaning of statements. God always prevails in whatever
be His purpose.” (Verse 21)
Here we see Joseph caught between what his brothers wanted to do to him and
what God wanted for him. Since God prevails in whatever His purpose may be, His
will was done. Joseph’s brothers could not achieve their purpose: “God always prevails
in whatever be His purpose, though most people may not know it.” (Verse 21) Most people
do not know that God’s law always operates, and that His will is always done.
The sūrah goes on to state that what God willed for Joseph came to pass. This is a
reference to what the sūrah stated: “We imparted to him some understanding of the real
meaning of statements.” (Verse 21) Furthermore, when Joseph attained adulthood,
more was given to him: “And when he attained his full manhood, We bestowed on him
wisdom and knowledge. Thus do We reward those who do good.” (Verse 22) He was given a
good sense to judge matters well, and also knowledge of the meaning of statements
or the interpretation of dreams, or what is more general, such as knowledge of life
and its different circumstances. The statement here is very general, admitting broad
interpretation. That was Joseph’s reward for having done well in both belief and
behaviour: “Thus do We reward those who do good.” (Verse 22)
A Trial of Temptation
At this point Joseph experiences the second trial in his life. It is much more severe
and profound than the first one. It comes when he has been given wisdom and
knowledge as a gesture of God’s grace. Hence, he faces it squarely, and he is saved
from it as a reward for doing good. This trial takes the form of temptation, and the
sūrah paints a very charged picture of the whole encounter, when Joseph was
vulnerable to great risks.
She in whose house he was living tried to seduce him. She bolted the doors and said,
‘Come.’ He said: ‘God protect me. Goodly has my master made my stay here. Those
who do wrong come to no good.’ She truly desired him, and he desired her. [He would
have succumbed] had he not seen a clear sign from his Lord. Thus We averted from
him evil and indecency. He was truly one of Our faithful servants. And they both
rushed to the door. She tore his shirt from behind. And at the door they met her
husband. She said: ‘What ought to be the punishment of someone who had evil designs
on your wife other than that he should be thrown in prison or some grievous
punishment.’ [Joseph] said: It was she who sought to seduce me.’ One of her own
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