Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

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.