How Sürah Yusuf guides believers to seek Divine Guidance in their daily chores

Al-Qurʾān from beginning to end is all about Divine guidance for mankind. While there are direct commandments easily recognizable and made basis for one's guidance, there are many small part of verses that lead a man to remain on the straight course of faith during one's daily chores. Sürah Yusuf (Chapter 12 of the Qur’an) is one such Surah that besides telling the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph, peace be upon him) in a continuous narrative and recounting major life events, also offers practical guidance to be picked up which believers can apply in everyday tasks and responsibilities.

Here’s how Divine guidance and faith guide daily life (Herein under we only provide the references to the ayat/verses where these Divine Guidance can be found - we will unpack each of the verses separately to provide the context and implications for our daily life):

Keep your Secrets

قَالَ يٰبُنَىَّ لَا تَقۡصُصۡ رُءۡيَاكَ عَلٰٓى اِخۡوَتِكَ فَيَكِيۡدُوۡا لَـكَ كَيۡدًا ؕ اِنَّ الشَّيۡطٰنَ لِلۡاِنۡسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِيۡنٌ‏ 

(12:5) His father said: "My son! Do not relate your dream to your brothers lest they hatch a plot to harm you. Indeed Satan is man's open enemy.

* Read more about this verse in our earlier posts:

• Always keep your Secrets - A prophetic advice mentioned in Al-Qurʾān
• Believers! Do not relate your vision or intentions to others

Be mindful of Divine Wisdom in everything

وَكَذٰلِكَ يَجۡتَبِيۡكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِنۡ تَاۡوِيۡلِ الۡاَحَادِيۡثِ وَيُتِمُّ نِعۡمَتَهٗ عَلَيۡكَ وَعَلٰٓى اٰلِ يَعۡقُوۡبَ كَمَاۤ اَتَمَّهَا عَلٰٓى اَبَوَيۡكَ مِنۡ قَبۡلُ اِبۡرٰهِيۡمَ وَاِسۡحٰقَ​ ؕ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ عَلِيۡمٌ حَكِيۡمٌ

(12:6) (As you have seen in the dream), so will your Lord choose you (for His task) and will impart to you the comprehension of the deeper meaning of things and will bestow the full measure of His favour upon you and upon the house of Jacob even as He earlier bestowed it in full measure upon your forefathers, Abraham and Isaac. Surely your Lord is All- Knowing, All-Wise."

Be patient in good grace in difficult times and have faith in Allah

وَجَآءُوۡ عَلٰى قَمِيـۡصِهٖ بِدَمٍ كَذِبٍ​ؕ قَالَ بَلۡ سَوَّلَتۡ لَـكُمۡ اَنۡفُسُكُمۡ اَمۡرًا​ؕ فَصَبۡرٌ جَمِيۡلٌ​ؕ 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."

Read the tafsir / explanation of this ayat / verse for its full comprehension as given in our earlier post:  One of the most powerful spiritual responses to distress in Qur'an - attributed to Prophet Yaʿqūb (Jacob) عليه السلام

Seek Allah's refuge when being mislead into a sin

وَرَاوَدَتۡهُ الَّتِىۡ هُوَ فِىۡ بَيۡتِهَا عَنۡ نَّـفۡسِهٖ وَغَلَّقَتِ الۡاَبۡوَابَ وَقَالَتۡ هَيۡتَ لَـكَ​ؕ قَالَ مَعَاذَ اللّٰهِ​ اِنَّهٗ رَبِّىۡۤ اَحۡسَنَ مَثۡوَاىَ​ؕ اِنَّهٗ لَا يُفۡلِحُ الظّٰلِمُوۡنَ‏ 

(12:23) And it so happened that the lady in whose house Joseph was living, sought to tempt him to herself, and one day bolting the doors she said: "Come on now!" Joseph answered: "May Allah grant me refuge! My Lord has provided an honourable abode for me (so how can I do something so evil)? Such wrong-doers never prosper."

Read the explanation of the verse from: Seek Allah's refuge when being drawn into a sin

Always be grateful of Divine Help/Blessings

قَالَ لَا يَاۡتِيۡكُمَا طَعَامٌ تُرۡزَقٰنِهٖۤ اِلَّا نَـبَّاۡتُكُمَا بِتَاۡوِيۡلِهٖ قَبۡلَ اَنۡ يَّاۡتِيَكُمَا​ ؕ ذٰ لِكُمَا مِمَّا عَلَّمَنِىۡ رَبِّىۡ ؕ اِنِّىۡ تَرَكۡتُ مِلَّةَ قَوۡمٍ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَهُمۡ بِالۡاٰخِرَةِ هُمۡ كٰفِرُوۡنَ‏ 

(12:37) Joseph said: "I will inform you about the interpretation of the dreams before the arrival of the food that is sent to you. This knowledge is part of what I have been taught by my Lord. I have renounced the way of those who do not believe in Allah, and who deny the Hereafter

Always open up your heart to Allah when in grief

قَالَ اِنَّمَاۤ اَشۡكُوۡا بَثِّـىۡ وَحُزۡنِىۡۤ اِلَى اللّٰهِ وَاَعۡلَمُ مِنَ اللّٰهِ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ‏ 

(12:86) He said: "I will address my sorrow and grief only to Allah, and I know from Allah what you do not know.

Please refer to our previous post: Prayer of Prophet Yaqoob (Jacob, AS) as the verse 86 mentioned above is in act the prayer of Prophet Yaqoob (Jacob, AS).

Never despair of mercy of Allah

يٰبَنِىَّ اذۡهَبُوۡا فَتَحَسَّسُوۡا مِنۡ يُّوۡسُفَ وَاَخِيۡهِ وَلَا تَايۡـئَسُوۡا مِنۡ رَّوۡحِ اللّٰهِ​ؕ اِنَّهٗ لَا يَايۡـئَسُ مِنۡ رَّوۡحِ اللّٰهِ اِلَّا الۡقَوۡمُ الۡكٰفِرُوۡنَ‏ 

(12:87) My sons! Go and try to find out about Joseph and his brother and do not despair of Allah's mercy. Verily only the unbelievers despair of Allah's mercy."

Read explanation: Most powerful statement in Al Qurʾān about Hope, Trust in Allah, and Perseverance in hardship

Forgiveness is the greatest virtue

قَالَ لَا تَثۡرِيۡبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ الۡيَوۡمَ​ؕ يَغۡفِرُ اللّٰهُ لَـكُمۡ​ وَهُوَ اَرۡحَمُ الرّٰحِمِيۡنَ‏ 

(12:92) He replied: "No blame lies with you today. May Allah forgive you. He is the Most Merciful of all those that are merciful.

Always be grateful to Allah for His Blessings

قَالُوۡۤا ءَاِنَّكَ لَاَنۡتَ يُوۡسُفُ​ؕ قَالَ اَنَا يُوۡسُفُ وَهٰذَاۤ اَخِىۡ​ قَدۡ مَنَّ اللّٰهُ عَلَيۡنَاؕ اِنَّهٗ مَنۡ يَّتَّقِ وَيَصۡبِرۡ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُضِيۡعُ اَجۡرَ الۡمُحۡسِنِيۡنَ‏ 

(12:90) They exclaimed: "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said: "Yes, I am Joseph and this is my brother. Allah has surely been gracious to us. Indeed whoever fears Allah and remains patient, Allah does not allow the reward of such people to go to waste."

Please refer to our post "Always be grateful to Allah for His Blessings and be forgiving" for detailed explanation of Verse 90

Do your best but rely only on Divine Help

وَقَالَ يٰبَنِىَّ لَا تَدۡخُلُوۡا مِنۡۢ بَابٍ وَّاحِدٍ وَّادۡخُلُوۡا مِنۡ اَبۡوَابٍ مُّتَفَرِّقَةٍ​ؕ وَمَاۤ اُغۡنِىۡ عَنۡكُمۡ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ مِنۡ شَىۡءٍؕ​ اِنِ الۡحُكۡمُ اِلَّا لِلّٰهِ​ؕ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلۡتُ​ۚ وَعَلَيۡهِ فَلۡيَتَوَكَّلِ الۡمُتَوَكِّلُوۡنَ‏ 

(12:67) And he enjoined them: "My sons! Do not enter the city by one gate; rather enter it by different gates. I can be of no help to you against Allah. Allah's command alone prevails. In Him have I put my trust and in Him should all those who have faith put their trust.

 

Remember, Surah Yusuf teaches us patience, Chasity, hope, thankfulness, forgiveness and forgiving and absolute faith in the Divine wisdom. In fact all former factors lead us to have faith in wisdom of Allah. 

Please visit our reference page: Surah 12. Yusuf - Prophet Josef (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) for selected verses from Sürah Yusuf.

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 also refer to our exclusive reference pages: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs and 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. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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.

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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.

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Man laments: It’s too difficult - Allah reassures: With every difficulty there is ease

Many a man when confronted with difficulties, lose heart and give away. It is only a few from the whole lot which never lose heart and continue to strive to achieve their goals and aims. This is true today and has been true in the past since worldly life set in. 

More than others, the arduous mission of the prophets and messengers of Allah has been more than the capacity of the common man and it has been their resilience to continue bearing the physical and mental stress, torture and slanders and continuing with the Divine task entrusted to them. But there has always been a limit to bear. Prophet Yunus (Jonah, peace be upon him) gave away and found him in the belly of a whale where he repented. And when finally forgiven and brought alive on the seashore, he was amazed to find the same hostile people had accepted the Divine will. Likewise, Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) when came down with tablets Divinely engraved found division in his people and was frustrated. But he too was shown the way to deal with the developing situation.

Likewise, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was in no different situation as his predecessors. And when the hostilities towards him by pagans of Makkah increased beyond his bearing limits, he too lamented for the difficulties he was being confronted with. It was then that the 94th chapter of Qur'an, Al Inshirah (The Opening Up) was revealed unto him and reassured him of Allah's help and that with every difficulty there is ease.

Herein under we pick up the 5th and 6th verses in which Allah reassures His prophet of there being ease after the difficulties he was facing:

فَاِنَّ مَعَ الۡعُسۡرِ يُسۡرًا ۙ - اِنَّ مَعَ الۡعُسۡرِ يُسۡرًا ؕ‏ 

(94:5) Indeed, there is ease with hardship - (94:6) Most certainly, there is ease with hardship

This has been repeated twice so as to reassure the Holy Prophet that the bad times hp was passing through at that time would not last forever, but were going to be replaced by good times in the near future. On the surface this appears to be a contradiction that hardship should be accompanied by ease, for these two things do not co-exist. But the words "hardship with ease" instead of "ease after hardship" have been used in the sense that the period of ease is so close to it as if it were a concomitant of it.

Qur'an Wiki Explanation:

Hardship is never absolute, for ease always accompanies it. When your burden became too heavy, We lifted up your heart and relieved you. The repetition suggests that the Prophet had endured serious hardship and much affliction. This reminder recalls the various aspects of care and concern shown to the Prophet and then reassures him emphatically. A matter which afflicts Muhammad’s soul so much must be very serious indeed. Then follows a statement pointing out the aspects of comfort and the factors contributing to the lifting up of hearts and spirits, which is of great help to Muslims as they travel along their hard and long way.

Yusuf Ali Explanation: 

This verse is repeated for extra emphasis. Whatever difficulties or troubles are encountered by men, Allah always provides a solution, a way out, a relief, a way to lead to ease and happiness, if we only follow His Path and show our Faith by patience and well-doing. The solution or relief does not merely come after the Difficulty: it is provided with it. I understand the definite article in al-'usr in a generic sense, and translate: "every difficulty". In xcii. 7, I have translated Yusr as Bliss, and in xcii. 10 'Usr as Misery.

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:

(Therefore, [rest assured,] with this difficulty) Ie., so close is this ease to the difficult time he is facing that it is almost adjacent.

([you are now facing], a great ease awaits.)  The ease referred to in the verse is that which was afforded to the Prophet (sws) in Madīnah after migration. As a result, not only did his preaching endeavours lead to political authority, but also with this authority the whole of Arab became subservient to him.

(With this difficulty, a great ease awaits) The repetition emphasizes the glad tidings. The period in which this sūrah was revealed was apparently a very testing one. The Almighty presented various incidents of the Prophet’s life to assure him. He was told that the God Who endowed him with all these blessings was there to help him; very soon, these difficult times would give way to ease; the hindrances in his way would be removed and he and his companions would finally reach the destination the Almighty had appointed as an established practice for His messengers. The words are rather precise here. But in Sūrah al-Naṣr, details are cited. It is stated that God’s help and victory would come and the Prophet (sws) would see people entering the folds of Islam in multitudes.

So, my dear sisters and brothers in Islam, we must remember and should have firm faith that hardship is never absolute, for ease always accompanies it. Difficulties do go away and pave the way for ease provided one has faith in Allah and does not lose heart in the face of times, no matter how adverse and challenging. Floods wash away lands and houses, yet men rebuild what has been lost and continue living another life. In fact, losing heart and being scared of difficult times is something that Satan injects into us to break our will to carry one. So let us not have someone break our will and turn us into a failure. There is always light at the end of the tunnel that suddenly scares away the darkness we have been travelling in.

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.

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.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

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 read this post in our series of posts related to: Al Qur'an guides and helps those who sincerely seek Divine guidance and help.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān 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 order to augment and add more explanation as already provided, additional input has been interjected from the following sources: 

• Tafsir Ibn Khatir
• Muhammad Asad Translation
• Yusuf Ali Translation
• Translation Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid
• Qur'an Wiki
• Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle
• Towards Understanding the Quran

In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

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.

Read More