Volume 10 Surah 12 - 15 - Enjoy Islam

Yūsuf (Joseph) | FROM PRISON TO PALACE
misery that has ever been suffered by mankind is greater than that caused by
acknowledging a multiplicity of lords to each of whom a section of humanity
submits. These earthly lords either usurp God’s power and authority directly, or are
given such power and authority by ignorant human beings who may be influenced
by superstition or legend. It is also true that people can be overpowered or tricked
into such submission. These earthly lords cannot rid themselves for a moment of
their own selfish desires, or their urge to ensure their own survival and the
maintenance of their power and authority. Hence, they seek to destroy all forces and
elements that constitute even the slightest threat to their power and authority. They
employ all means and mobilize all resources to glorify themselves so that their power
continues to be acknowledged by the masses.
God Almighty is in no need of anyone. He does not want anything from His
servants other than righteousness and that they work for their own betterment, and
to build human life in accordance with the code He has laid down. He then considers
all this part of their worship. Even the worship rites He requires them to observe aim
at keeping them on the right track, ensuring that they conduct their lives properly.
Indeed He is in no need of any of His servants. “Mankind, it is you who stand in need of
God, and God is All Sufficient, Glorious.” (35: 15)
Joseph then takes another step to demonstrate the falsehood of their idolatrous
beliefs: “Those you worship instead of Him are nothing but names you and your fathers have
invented, and for which God has given no sanction from on high.” (Verse 40) These lords,
whether they be human or non-human, spirits, devils, angels or forces of the
universe that operate by God’s will are not real lords. Indeed they have nothing of
the qualities of lordship. Lordship belongs to God alone, the One who has power
over all things, and who creates and controls all. But in all ignorant societies, people
invent names and attribute to them qualities and characteristics. The first of these is
that of judgement and authority. But God has not given any authority to them, nor
has He sanctioned what people invent.
To Whom Judgement Belongs
At this point Joseph makes his final and decisive point, making it clear to his
interlocutors where all power and judgement lie, and to whom obedience is owed
and how it must be acknowledged. Or, in short, to whom worship should be offered:
“All judgement rests with God alone. He has ordained that you should worship none but
Him. This is the true faith, but most people do not know it.” (Verse 40)
Judgement and authority belong to no one other than God. It is He who is the
Godhead, with authority to legislate and judge. Indeed, sovereignty, belongs to Him,
for sovereignty is one of God’s basic attributes. Whoever claims any right to it is
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