Surah Yusuf
Surah 12 · Joseph · 111 verses · meccan
Joseph — the only surah devoted to a single continuous story from beginning to end.
The story
Yusuf عليه السلام had a dream that stars bowed to him. His brothers were jealous and threw him into a well. He was sold, and even put in prison for something he did not do. But Allah lifted him up to be in charge of all Egypt — and when his brothers finally came to him, hungry and sorry, he forgave them.
How it unfolds
AYAH 1-6
The dream
Eleven stars, the sun and the moon — and a father who understands immediately and says nothing to anyone else.
AYAH 7-20
The well
Jealousy becoming a plot, the shirt with false blood, and "beautiful patience."
AYAH 21-42
The house and the prison
Trust earned, temptation refused — "I seek refuge in Allah" — and prison chosen over sin.
AYAH 43-57
The dream that opened the door
Seven fat cows and seven lean: the prisoner who saves Egypt from famine.
AYAH 58-93
The brothers return
Recognition withheld, the cup in the saddlebag, and Ya'qub's eyes healed by the shirt.
AYAH 94-101
Forgiveness and the dream fulfilled
"No blame upon you today" — and the family bowing, as an eleven-year-old boy once saw.
Verses to carry
- 12:87"Do not despair of the mercy of Allah — none despairs of His mercy except the disbelieving people."
- 12:92"No blame will there be upon you today. May Allah forgive you." Power held, and mercy chosen.
- 12:18"So patience is beautiful" — Ya'qub's answer when he knew he was being lied to.
- 12:101Yusuf's du'a at the height of his power: "Let me die a Muslim and join me with the righteous."
Remember this
When someone hurts you and later you are the stronger one, forgiving is the best thing you can do.
Talk about it
Yusuf عليه السلام could have punished his brothers, but he forgave them instead. Is there someone you could forgive?