Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

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thrown into their lap, where we surrender and live in their shadows, forget our association to Islam, and lose our identity. This is the core of Surat Hud.
Surat Yusuf (Joseph) Surat Yusuf is Makkan and was revealed during the same time and circumstances Surat Hud and Surat Yunus were revealed. It is considered to be the longest surah in the Ever-Glorious Qur’an in terms of the story it has. It includes the story of Prophet Yusuf (AS) “Joseph” from the beginning until the end. It consists of 111 ayahs. The Best of Stories: Novelists comment on Surat Yusuf saying that it includes all the craft and components of fiction: suspense, description, coherence, and symbolism. For example, the story commences with a dream that Prophet Yusuf (AS) had and ends with the explanation of that same dream. The shirt of Prophet Yusuf (AS), which is used as a means of exonerating his brothers, is later used as evidence of their betrayal. This shirt is later used as a means of exonerating Yusuf himself from the false accusation of molesting the wife of Al-Aziz. Moreover, one of the wonders of this story is that its meanings and events are vividly dramatized for the reader, as if he is actually seeing and hearing them. Also, it is one of the most fascinating and striking stories you will ever read. We barely need to solicit novelists’ recognition of the story, as Allah Himself is the One Who substantiates its quality and excellence. He says what can be translated as, "We, Ever We, narrate to you the fairest of narratives in that We have revealed to you this Qur’an." (TMQ, 12:3). However, the purpose of having this surah in the Ever-Glorious Qur’an is scarcely limited to telling a story. On the contrary, its real purpose is summarized in the last line of the story in which Allah says what can be translated as, "They said, “Is it sure that you, indeed you, are Yûsuf” (Joseph) “I am Yûsuf,” he said, “and this is my brother. Allah has already been bounteous to us. Surely whoever is pious and (endures) patiently, then surely Allah does not waste the reward of the fair-doers.” (TMQ, 12:90). Thus, the core idea of the story is: Allah is Omniscient and we are Deficient in Knowledge The aim of Surat Yusuf is to educate us that Allah’s (SWT) manipulation of things is different from the limited perception of humans. It is as if it is telling us, “have faith in what Allah (SWT) plans, and be patient and do not give up.” The events in the surah are weird; they run contrary to what they seem to be. Yusuf is loved by his father, and this seems good. Nonetheless, Yusuf is thrown down a pit by his brothers as a result of that love. Furthermore, although the incident of throwing Yusuf in the pit appears vicious, Yusuf consequently moves to the house of al-Aziz. The presence of Yusuf in the house of al-Aziz is apparently a good thing, however, Yusuf is sent to prison afterwards. Moreover, whereas the imprisonment of Yusuf appears to be a very bad thing, yet Yusuf is appointed as the minister of finance in Egypt.
Page 1 and 2: AmrKhaled.net © This Article may
Page 3 and 4: Surat Yunus (Jonah) Surat Yunus is
Page 5 and 6: permission. That is Allah, your Lor
Page 7 and 8: Torment and destruction are never i
Page 9 and 10: messengers to their people; namely
Page 11 and 12: The surah ends with a practical les
Page 13 and 14: 1. Loss of hope, will, and disconti
Page 15 and 16: Allah’s (SWT) universe. This may
Page 17 and 18: It is rather a soft and gentle tone
Page 19 and 20: 3. “And do not (seek) support (yo
Page 21: Pointers that aid in Resoluteness T
Page 25 and 26: prepares the Messenger for the misf
Page 27 and 28: The patience recommended here is co
Page 29 and 30: all products He made therein two pa
Page 31 and 32: people veneer it with flimflam like
Page 33 and 34: Surat Ibrahim (Abraham) The Objecti
Page 35 and 36: death comes up to him from every pl
Page 37 and 38: In a wonderful supplication and pra
Page 39 and 40: (invoking the name of Allah (SWT)),
Page 41 and 42: The people of Al-Hijr did not belie
Page 43 and 44: Have a high zeal for your religion,
Page 45 and 46: • The blessing of revelation, whi
Page 47 and 48: the earth against earthquakes. •
Page 49 and 50: Allah (SWT) says what can be transl
Page 51 and 52: humiliates them, a dangerous aspect
Page 53 and 54: Please observe the following Qur’
Page 55 and 56: Surat Al-Israa (The Night Journey)
Page 57 and 58: what can be translated as, “And e
Page 59 and 60: ayah to the other as this surah is
Page 61 and 62: It raises nations and destroys othe
Page 63 and 64: Surat Al-Kahf (The Cave) Surat Al-K
Page 65 and 66: his servant, “Truly, we have suff
Page 67 and 68: gain authority and power, denies Al
Page 69 and 70: earth mingles with it,” so simply
Page 71 and 72: This all goes to prove that we can
Page 73 and 74:
Surat Maryam (AS) (Mary) Surat Mary
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lessed wheresoever I be, and has en
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(this Qur’an and Muhammad SAWS) a
Page 79 and 80:
Surat Ta-Ha Surat Ta-Ha is Makkan.
Page 81 and 82:
Such questions are to be asked: why
Page 83 and 84:
unto you (O Muhammad SAWS) to cause
Page 85 and 86:
Thus, Surat Al-Anbiya focuses on th
Page 87 and 88:
After delivering a lot of messages
Page 89 and 90:
Hajj and the scenes of the Day of J
Page 91 and 92:
Surat Al-Mu’minun (The Believers)
Page 93 and 94:
are sure to return to their Lord (f
Page 95 and 96:
Not an evil The previous Ayah comme
Page 97 and 98:
Although our religion commands not
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then after such compulsion, Allah i
Page 101 and 102:
(Caliph), he saw an act of adultery
Page 103 and 104:
This light requires a source of ill
Page 105 and 106:
thereof, chained together, they wil
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elievers of Allah’s (SWT) mercy,
Page 109 and 110:
Surat Ash-Shu’ara (The Poets) Thi
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him off and his brother (for a whil
Page 113 and 114:
Surat An-Naml (The Ant) Surat An-Na
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torment him with a strict torment o
Page 117 and 118:
quickly as possible. Such a religio
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Say, “Praise be to Allah, and pea
Page 121 and 122:
Surat Al-Qasas (The Narrative) This
Page 123 and 124:
One may learn from Surat Al-Qasas h
Page 125 and 126:
We notice that there is always a lo
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came to him and narrated the story,
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Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

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