Volume 10 Surah 12 - 15 - Enjoy Islam

Yūsuf (Joseph) | FROM PRISON TO PALACE
profit, even material profit, than can ever be gained through humiliating themselves
before rulers and tyrants.
“The King said: ‘Bring him before me. I will choose him for my own.’“ (Verse 54) The
text of the sūrah leaves out the details of how the King’s new order was carried out.
Instead, we find ourselves looking at the scene of Joseph and the King: “And when he
had spoken to him, the King said: ‘You shall henceforth be in a position of high standing with
us, invested with all trust.’“ (Verse 54) When the King speaks to him, he is certain that
the impression he has had of him is a true one. Hence he assures him that he has a
position with the King himself. He is no longer a Hebrew slave, but a man of high
standing. He is no longer the accused, but one who is invested with trust. Such a
position of trust and security are also with the King himself. So, what does Joseph
say in response?
He does not prostrate himself before the King in a gesture of gratitude as do
courtiers who strive to win a tyrant’s pleasure. He does not say to him may you live
long and I always be your obedient servant, as those who vie for a tyrant’s favour do.
He only asks to be entrusted with the task he feels himself to be the best to discharge
in the forthcoming period of hardship and of which he has warned the King by
interpreting his dream for him. He feels that if he is entrusted with this task he will
save the country from ruin and save many lives. He recognized that the situation
needed his expert planning, efficiency, honesty and integrity. Hence he said to the
King: “Give me charge of the store-houses of the land. I am able to look after them with
wisdom.” (Verse 55)
The anticipated years of crisis, preceded by seven years of bumper harvests,
required good management, with strict control over agriculture, managing the
surplus harvest and ensuring its sound storage so that it did not decay. Joseph
mentions the two qualities he possesses which he thinks the task requires: “I am able
to look after them with wisdom.” (Verse 55) It should be noted that Joseph did not ask a
personal favour from the King. This was not the time to make personal gain. Instead,
he asked for that which would help the country and its people. He requests a
position of very difficult responsibilities which people would rather steer away from,
because it could easily cost them their careers or their lives. Hunger encourages
lawlessness. A hungry multitude could easily tear apart those in power at a moment
of confusion and trouble.
Soliciting a High Position
Nonetheless Joseph’s request appears to violate two principles of the Islamic code.
The first is a request of position, which is not allowed in Islam, as the Prophet says:
“We do not give a position [of government] to anyone who asks for it.” [Related by
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