The mention of story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph, عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in the 12th Surah of Al Qur'an, which is also named after the revered prophet as Surah Yusuf, describes the spiritual response to extreme distress of Prophet Yaqub (Jacob عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) when despite losing his most beloved son to the machination of his step brothers, remained steadfast and displayed an extreme level of patience by leaving his pain of loss in the hands of Allah.
The Surah and its explanation / exegesis has already been published by us which can be accessed from links given below:
We now share the 18th verse from Surah Yusuf which is about the complete faith and trust and display of Sabr (patience) by Prophet Yaqub (Jacob عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) when apprised of the loss of his beloved son Yusuf, who was later to become a Prophet of Allah:
وَجَآءُوۡ عَلٰى قَمِيـۡصِهٖ بِدَمٍ كَذِبٍؕ قَالَ بَلۡ سَوَّلَتۡ لَـكُمۡ اَنۡفُسُكُمۡ اَمۡرًاؕ فَصَبۡرٌ جَمِيۡلٌؕ وَاللّٰهُ الۡمُسۡتَعَانُ عَلٰى مَا تَصِفُوۡنَ
(12:18) And they brought Joseph's shirt, stained with false blood. Seeing this their father exclaimed: "Nay (this is not true); rather your evil souls have made it easy for you to commit a heinous act. So I will bear this patiently, and in good grace. It is Allah's help alone that I seek against your fabrication."
This short verse captures one of the most powerful spiritual responses to distress in the Qur’an. To understand its depth, we must see the context, the choice of words, and its relevance for today.
Immediate Context of the Verse
This is the first recorded usage, spoken by a Prophet in response to: (1) grief, (2) injustice, (3) false accusation, and (4) helplessness
Let us briefly look back and see what had just happened which forced a father to leave his affairs to Allah. It has been told in the earlier verses of the Surah that Prophet Yaʿqūb (Jacob) عليه السلام loved his son Yūsuf (Joseph) deeply. This made his other brothers jealous of him and they plotted against Yusuf. Despite reservations of the father, the brothers took him out for fun time and threw him into a well and returned with a false alibi that a wolf had attacked them and took Yusuf away and brought back a torn shirt of their brother with false blood stains.
The Qur’an says: “And they brought his shirt with false blood upon it…” (12:18)
Prophet Yaʿqūb immediately sensed the lie and responded “Rather, your souls have enticed you to something…” Yet, he did not show anger, no cursed his lying sons and did not retaliate - for he had faith in Allah and knew what had happened was the will of Allah.
How Prophet Yaʿqūb Responded
Instead, Prophet Yaʿqūb responded as what a God fearing man should and in the verse shared above, use two beautiful phrases which displayed his hidden anguish. H he combined: Ṣabr jamīl (beautiful patience), and Tawakkul (reliance upon Allah). Let us expand these two words:
- The first part of the phrase: فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ (Fa-ṣabrun jamīl) which translates into English as the "Beautiful Patience." This was not an ordinary patience like a p, without blaming Allahassive, bitter, resentful patience. Instead Ṣabr Jamīl meant a patience without complaint. without bitterness - but a grief contained within faith. But after all he was a father and could not overcome the grief of the loss of his beloved son, so Yaʿqūb would weep when alone yet never protested Allah’s decree (12:84–86).
- The second part of the phrase is: وَاللّٰهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ - “And Allah is the One whose help is sought.”
- وَاللّٰهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ (Wallāhu al-Mustaʿān) is a deep Qur’anic expression of tawakkul (reliance upon Allah). It is short, but rich in meaning and history.
- Meaning of وَاللّٰهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ (Word-by-word): وَ (wa) → and, اللّٰهُ (Allāh) → Allah, الْمُسْتَعَانُ → the One whose help is sought - Thus the full meaning: “And Allah alone is the One whose help is sought.” or “And it is Allah whose help we seek.”
- It implies: (1) Human inability, (2) Divine sufficiency and (3) Complete dependence on Allah
- This means that: (1) “I cannot fix this — Allah can.” (2) “Human betrayal has occurred — Divine justice remains.” (3) “I will not fight lies with rage, but with reliance.”
- This phrase is spoken when truth is clear but power is lacking.
Why This Moment was Extraordinary
Here is a test case for a Prophet - Prophet Yaʿqūb had lost his most beloved son, due to betrayal by his own children and was emotionally shattered. Yet he did not accuse publicly, or sought revenge and above all did not collapse spiritually - This is prophetic emotional intelligence.
Even Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم advised: “If you were to rely upon Allah as He deserves, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds.” (Tirmidhī – ṣaḥīḥ)
Connection with Other Qur’anic Teachings
as mentioned earlier, this one of many responses with patience that Allah praises and appreciates his servants for being steadfast under extreme distress, blaming none and leaving everything to Allah alone. Some of the verses from Qur'an are mentioned herein under:
- “Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without measure.” (39:10)
- “Seek help through patience and prayer.” (2:45)
Even the Prophet ﷺ when in distress was taught this path: “So be patient, with a patience that is beautiful.” (70:5)
Why This Verse Is Critically Important Today
This verses is particular important even today when we are living in an age of false accusations, character assassination, family disputes, emotional breakdowns, and social media outrage
Thus this verse teaches us dignity in distress is strength, not weakness, specially when we cannot defend ourselves. This may mean silence can be worship, restraint can be victory and reliance is not helplessness: “Allah is sufficient for us.” (3:173)
Although, when betrayal comes from loved ones, the pain is greatest — yet the response must be highest in faith.
What This Verse Does NOT Teach
Although, sometimes the grief surpasses a man's limits but this does not mean one must not suppress one's emotions, or accept injustice silently forever and avoid lawful means to find a rightful response.
Prophet Yaʿqūb later too spoke of his loss, continued to pray to put his lamenting heart at ease and acted wisely by not forthrightly confronting his volatile and disrespectful sons. In fact he never lost hope and something in his heart told him not to lose faith for Allah is by the side of those who trust Him alone and are extremely patient.
Final Reflection
This verse teaches us how to suffer with faith, not with bitterness. It reminds us that (1) Allah sees what others hide, (2) truth does not need loud defense, (3) time reveals what patience protects.
When Should We Say Wallāhu al-Mustaʿān?
Some of the appropriate situations could be when (1) Facing injustice or false accusations, (2) Enduring hardship with dignity, (3) After explaining the truth, (4) When no human solution remains and (5) When emotional pain is deep but faith is firm
Remember: It is not a phrase of despair, but quiet strength. So when words fail, say: فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللّٰهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ and let Allah handle what you cannot. “Wallāhu al-Mustaʿān” is the language of prophets when truth is clear but circumstances are overwhelming.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may refer for more Selected Verses from Surah 12. Yusuf - Prophet Josef (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) already published
You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.
