Al-Qurʾān: Let the dead earth be a Sign for them - The metaphor of dead land revived by rain

One of the most beautiful recurring metaphors in Al-Qurʾān is the image of dead land brought back to life by rain. The aim of such parable is to tell the non believers and present day atheists that it is Allah alone who can revive dead lands and turn these into green fields This image appears in several chapters, such as Sürah Ar-Rum (30:50) and Sürah Ya-Sin (36:33).

 Sürah Ya-Sin (36:33)

“Let the dead earth be a Sign for them. We give it life and bring forth from it grain, and from it they eat.” (36:33)

Though this verse is expressive of a simple natural process, yet it carries deep spiritual meaning. Let us unpack this parable to see the depth of Divine Wisdom behind it:

The Physical Image

The Qur'an asks people to look around and observe a familiar event in . . We often see lifeless barren lands coming to life when rain falls from the clouds above and suddenly plants emerge and the earth becomes green and full of life. This transformation happens every year and is easily observable.

There is a sign for the disbelievers in the lifeless earth: We give it life and produce out of it grain for them to eat. We place in it gardens of date palms and grapes, and cause springs to gush out of it, so that they may eat of its fruit. It was not their own hands that made all this. Will they, then, not give thanks? Limitless in His glory is He who created all things in pairs: whatever the earth produces, their own human kind and other creatures of which they have no knowledge. (Verses 33-36) Everything around them in the universe speaks to them about God, giving evidence of His presence. They only need to look at the land in front of them and how they see it dead, lifeless, lacking a drop of water. Then they see it quicken, producing grain and adorned with gardens replete with dates and grapes. Springs of water gush through it; and in no time, it is full of life.

This is what an ordinary mind observes and thanks Allah for making the lands producible to sustain his living. But for the wise, there is something more to this metaphor as explained herein under: 

The First Meaning: Proof of Resurrection

One of the primary purposes of this metaphor is to show that resurrection is not difficult for Allah. Just as Allah brings dead land back to life, He can also bring human beings back to life after death.

The Qur'an repeatedly connects these two ideas: The revival of the earth and the resurrection of people on the Day of Judgment

The same divine power operates in both.

The Second Meaning: Revival of the Human Heart

Scholars often explain a deeper spiritual meaning. The human heart can become like dead land when it is filled with heedlessness, arrogance, sins and forgetfulness of Allah.

But when divine guidance reaches it—through Al-Qurʾān or sincere reflection—the heart becomes alive again - Just as rain revives the earth, revelation revives the soul.

The Psychological Lesson

This metaphor teaches an important truth about human nature: No matter how spiritually distant a person may feel, renewal is always possible. Just as barren land can suddenly become green, a person’s heart can be transformed by: (1) Sincere repentance, (2) Remembrance of Allah, and (3) Reflection on the Qur'an

This gives hope to people who feel spiritually lost.

Why the Qur'an Repeats This Image

This metaphor appears many times in the Qur'an because it illustrates several key realities and peep into the future after the end of the world like: The power of Allah, the possibility of resurrection, the renewal of spiritual life and the mercy of divine guidance

This metaphor uses a simple natural phenomenon to explain profound spiritual realities.

This Metaphor is a Beautiful Reflection

Imagine two landscapes: a desert that appears completely lifeless and the same land after rainfall, full of flowers and greenery. The Qur'an suggests that human hearts can undergo the same transformation.

This means when a man who has been a disbeliever has is heart turned dead and blackened for he never let the Divine light enter in to it. But when one seeks true guidance and repent his previous life, his heart receives the light of Divine guidance. And like the dead land that turns green when rain falls over it, the human heart becomes compassionate, hopeful, morally aware and spiritually alive.

In summary,  this metaphor of dead land revived by rain teaches that (1) Allah can resurrect the dead just as He revives the earth, (2) divine guidance can revive spiritually empty hearts, and (3) renewal and hope are always possible

Through this simple image, the Qur'an invites people to reflect on nature and recognize the deeper spiritual lessons hidden within it.

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.

For metaphors and parables mentioned in Qur'an, please refer to our reference page: Most profound Metaphors and Parables in Al Qur'an. You may also refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 36. Yā-Sīn already published.

You may also refer to our exclusive Reference Pages: 

• Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
• Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
• Reference Pages for all other reference pages

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.

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. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

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.

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Believers! Do not resort to Infighting - lest you lose courage and your strength depart

Unity is the binding force of any body of men or communities, clans or groups. So long these bodies remain united and refrain of internal strife and infighting, no harm comes to them both from within and without. But when desires and ambitions take over and common goals and objectives are set aside, cracks do not take long to weaken the internal strength and this weakness is instantly cashed on by the external forces to their advantage.

Allah has cautioned believers against internal fighting and divisions which can weaken a body of believers as  mentioned in the 46th verse of Sürah 8. Al-Anfāl of Al-Qurʾān, appended herein under:,  The War Booty

The Verse

وَاَطِيۡعُوا اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوۡلَهٗ وَلَا تَنَازَعُوۡا فَتَفۡشَلُوۡا وَتَذۡهَبَ رِيۡحُكُمۡ​ وَاصۡبِرُوۡا​ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَ

“And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute with one another lest you lose courage and your strength depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”

Let us unpack this verse and understand its context and its applicability to the Muslims as of today.

Context of the Verse

This verse was revealed in Surah Al-Anfāl, which largely discusses the events surrounding the Battle of Badr, the very first encounter between the Muslims and the might of polytheists of Makkah. The early Muslim community was small and facing powerful enemies, so unity and discipline were essential for survival. Therefore, Allah warned the believers that internal disputes weaken a community more than external enemies.

Key Ideas in the Verse

• Obedience to Divine Guidance The verse begins with a command to obey Allah and His Messenger, establishing that unity must be built on shared moral and spiritual guidance.
• Avoid Internal Disputes 
• The phrase “do not dispute with one another” refers to destructive quarrels and factionalism, not healthy discussion or consultation.
• The Qur’an warns that constant conflict leads to: (1) Mistrust, (2) fragmentation, and (3) loss of collective purpose
• Loss of Strength
• The verse says: “your strength will depart” - The Arabic word “rīḥukum” (ريحكم) literally means “your wind” or “your power/momentum.”
• Scholars explain that it refers to  the loss of morale, loss of unity, loss of influence and victory
• Patience as the Solution The verse ends with a reminder that patience (ṣabr) is essential for maintaining unity and overcoming disagreements.

Relevance Today

This verse remains deeply relevant for Muslim societies and communities today. While the Muslims at the time of Battle of Badr were poor, ill equipped and still in the formatting years of their new found faith and obviously no match to the well equipped army of the wealthy polytheist clans of Makkah, the condition of Muslims of today, though far better inn terms of wealth and resources, is not much different.

The Qur’an repeatedly warns Muslims that division, factionalism, and internal conflict weaken the community. Along with Qur'an 8:46, there are several other important verses that form a complete Qur’anic philosophy of unity. Below are three of the most important ones.

• Hold Firmly to the Rope of Allah
• One of the most famous verses about unity is Qur'an 3:103. “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became brothers by His grace.”
• Here, the “rope of Allah” is interpreted by scholars as (1) The Qur’an, (2) The religion of Islam, and (3) The covenant with Allah
• The verse teaches that unity must be based on shared faith and principles, not just political alliances.
• Do Not Become Like Those Who Divided Their Religion
• Another warning appears in Qur'an 3:105. “And do not be like those who became divided and differed after clear proofs had come to them.”
• This verse reminds Muslims that previous religious communities split into factions despite receiving clear guidance.
• The Qur’an warns believers not to repeat that pattern.
• We should learn a lesson that Knowledge alone is not enough—arrogance, pride, and sectarian loyalty can still lead to division.
• Those Who Divide Their Religion into Sects
• A very strong warning appears in Qur'an 6:159. “Indeed, those who divide their religion and become sects—you have nothing to do with them. Their affair is only with Allah.”
• This verse criticizes people who break the unity of religion into rival factions driven by group identity rather than truth.
• It stresses that religion should unite believers, not become a cause of rivalry.
• Al Qur’anic Principle of Unity If we combine these verses—3:103, 3:105, 6:159, and 8:46—a clear philosophy emerges: (1) Unity is a divine blessing that must be protected. (2) Faith and guidance are the foundation of unity. (3) Internal disputes weaken communities. (4) Sectarian divisions corrupt religion, and (5) Patience and humility preserve unity.

Though the verses quoted above teach that Division weakens communities and stresses the need of Unity with patience and humility, it seems no lesson have been learnt to challenges of present times. Muslims, the second largest body of religion, are scattered in small but largely wealthy communities and nations are in no position to face external challenges since internal conflict dominate their politics. Today, if we look around, we find wealthy Muslim nations with well equipped armies and resources far better than the what Muslims had at the Battle of Badr, do not have strength to face external aggression and machinations, for their desires have taken over their will to ensure unity within. For this very reason, there is no coherence within Muslim countries, each having its own priorities than to unite with other Muslim nations to gear up to face many external challenges being faced today.

Many scholars say that this verse is a timeless principle of social stability: communities collapse not only because of enemies, but because internal conflict erodes their strength.

In essence, Al Qur’an teaches that unity, patience, and obedience to moral guidance are the foundations of communal strength, while constant disputes lead to weakness and division. 

A powerful reflection

The Qur’an suggests that communities rarely collapse because of external enemies alone. More often, they weaken when internal disputes destroy their cohesion and shared purpose. The Prophet ﷺ warned that division would eventually appear among Muslims, but he also gave guidance on how believers should deal with it.

“Indeed, those before you from the People of the Book split into seventy-two sects, and this community will split into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in error except one.” The companions asked: “Which one is that, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “That which I and my companions are upon today.”

This narration is recorded in collections such as Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Abu Dawud, and others (with some variations).

The Prophet ﷺ was not encouraging division; rather, he was predicting a reality of human societies: people often disagree, interpret differently, and form groups. But he clarified that the path of safety is to remain faithful to: (1) The Qur’an, (2) The authentic Sunnah, (3) The understanding of the early companions, such as Abu Bakr, Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, and Ali ibn Abi Talib.

When we combine this hadith with Qur’anic teachings like Qur'an 3:103 and Qur'an 8:46, a clear message appears: (1) Unity is a divine command, (2) Division weakens the community, (3) Guidance lies in the Qur’an and Sunnah and that (4) Differences should be handled with patience and humility.

The Prophet ﷺ foresaw that disagreements would arise, but he taught that the way to remain on the right path is to stay connected to the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the spirit of unity among believers.

The State of Muslims in the present times

It is very disturbing to note that no worthwhile unity exits among Muslims today. We have a Arab world and a Non Arab world. We have Sunni and Shia divide and within many sub divisions. This is because we have put our desires and personal / political interests in the forefront and have kept the unity, aas commanded by Allah, somewhere under lock and key. This disunity is being exploited by external powers and most of us have pawns rather than respectable Muslim states. How would we be able to stand on our own and relieve external pressures is a far cry - not seen in a foreseeable future.

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.

Disclaimer: This post is purely an academic quest into the sphere of Muslim unity and disunity. It is based on the general perception as it prevails both within and without the Muslim world. It is by no mean to finger point on specific sects and factions or countries. It is to put across a personal viewpoint on our state of affairs, leaving much to ponder for our readers.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Surah 8. Al-Anfāl  - سورة ٱلْأَنْفَال  (The Spoils of War)‎  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 verses on 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. 

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.

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. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

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.

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Always be grateful to Allah for His Blessings and be forgiving (Selected verses from Al-Qurʾān)

Gratefulness is one the best quality trait of a person. A man who does not show gratitude to others in return of their favours can never be happy for they do not have the heart to say a few words of gratitude and appreciate favours others have extended to them. And how ungrateful a person would be when he fails to thank one's Creator for the countless blessings He bestows upon the man, even without being asked for.

Today, in this post we share the 90th verse of Sürah 12. Yusuf (Joseph) in which Prophet Yusuf  (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) shows his gratitude to Allah for having united him with his family after a long spell of time. Let us first read the verse and then see its explanation by eminent scholars for better understanding.

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."

This verse is one of the most emotional and morally powerful moments in the story of Prophet Yusuf in Qur'an, found in Surah Yusuf. It marks the moment when Yusuf finally reveals his identity to the brothers who once betrayed him.

Context of the Verse

This verse culminates  an event that happened long ago when brothers of Prophet Yusuf in sheer envy of him threw him in a dead well because their father Prophet Yaqub loved him deeply. And lied to their father saying a wolf had eaten him. But Allah has different plans for those he loves and saved him by a passing by caravan who took him to Egypt and sold as slave. There he rose to higher ranks due to his intelligence, wisdom and character.

Years later, famine forced his brothers to travel to Egypt seeking grain. They stood before Yusuf—now a powerful minister—but did not recognize him. After several encounters, Yusuf finally revealed himself with the words of this verse. Their shocked reaction: “Are you indeed Joseph?” And Yusuf calmly replied that he was indeed Yusuf and pointed to his brother Binyamin, who was earlier detained by him when t=his brothers visited him for the first time.

Key Message of the Verse

Yusuf summarizes his entire life experience in one profound principle: “Whoever fears Allah (taqwa), is grateful and remains patient (sabr), Allah does not waste their reward.”

Two three qualities are highlighted:

• Taqwa (Fear / Consciousness of Allah) Yusuf maintained moral integrity even in difficult situations. His fear for Allah made him steadfast even when he was tempted by the minister’s wife, and refused no matter the consequences (for which he suffered later and was put in the prison).
• Sabr (Patience) Prophet Yusuf remained patient despite betrayal by his brothers, during slavery, false accusation on his character and years of imprisonment. As a reward, despite these hardships, Allah eventually raised his status and reunited him with his family. Hardships do not mean abandonment by Allah. Sometimes these are part of a long process leading to honor and wisdom.
• Gratitude (Shukr) Despite the difficulties through which Prophet Yusuf waded through to make his place, he was always grateful to Allah and never for once showed his ungratefulness to his Creator for the difficult times he had to undergo for most part of his youth. In fact gratitude is Acknowledgment of Allah's Favor. Prophet Yusuf thus states, "Allah has certainly favored us," acknowledging that his rise from the well and prison to a position of power was entirely by divine grace.

How to be Grateful

In Islam, gratitude (shukr) means recognizing the blessings of Allah, appreciating them in the heart, acknowledging them with the tongue, and using them in a way that pleases Allah. The Qur'an repeatedly teaches that gratitude is one of the highest qualities of true believers. Allah says: “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you (in blessings).” It was extreme gratefulness of Prophet Yusuf despite his difficulties that Allah bestowed upon him blessings.

• The Three Dimensions of Gratitude Muslim scholars explain that gratitude has three levels:
• Gratitude of the Heart (Recognition) 
• This means internally acknowledging that all blessings come from Allah. Allah says: “Whatever blessing you have is from Allah.” (16:53)
• A grateful heart realizes that health. family, faith, knowledge and opportunities are not purely personal achievements but gifts from Allah.
• That is when someone succeeds in their career or studies, instead of arrogance they think: “This is Allah’s favor upon me.”
• Gratitude of the Tongue (Acknowledgment) This is verbally thanking Allah by praising Him.
• The best expression of gratitude is saying Alhamdulillah ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ (All praise belongs to Allah).
• The Prophet ﷺ taught that remembering Allah frequently makes a person grateful. The life of Prophet Muhammad beautifully demonstrates this. Even though his past and future sins were forgiven, he would pray long night prayers. When asked why, he replied: “Should I not be a grateful servant?” This shows gratitude is expressed through worship and remembrance.
• Gratitude through Actions (Using Blessings Correctly) True gratitude means using Allah’s gifts in ways that please Him.
• For example: (1) If Allah gives wealth, help the poor (2) If Allah gives knowledge, teach others and (3) If Allah gives health, worship and do good deeds.
• Prophet Dawud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his family were told in the Qur'an: “Work, O family of Dawud, in gratitude.” (34:13) This means gratitude must be visible in actions.
• How to Become a Grateful Person (Practical Steps)
• Reflect on Blessings Daily 
• Often people focus on what they lack rather than what they have. 
• Think about blessings which we generally ignore like the eyesight, ability to walk, hear and speak and the family. When a person reflects deeply, gratitude naturally develops.
• Compare Downward, Not Upward The Prophet ﷺ advised people to look at those less fortunate, not those above them in worldly matters. This prevents jealousy and increases gratitude.
• Remember Difficulties Others Face While enjoying the comforts of life, one should never overlook the plight of people suffering from illness, poverty, or loss reminds us how many blessings we overlook. A healthy person who reflects on this becomes grateful for simple things like breathing and walking.
• Practice Saying “Alhamdulillah ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ” with Meaning Instead of saying it mechanically, say it consciously after eating, after completing work, after recovering from illness and after success. Each time remind yourself Who gave this blessing.
• Use Blessings to Benefit Others The quickest way to feel gratitude is helping others like donating charity, helping someone learn, supporting family members. This transforms blessings into acts of worship.
• The Benefits of Gratitude The Qur'an teaches that gratitude brings powerful results:
• More Blessings: Allah promises increase: “If you are grateful, I will increase you.” (14:7). This increase may come as more provision, inner peace and barakah (blessing).
• Inner Peace: Grateful people experience less m envy, anxiety, and dissatisfaction. Their focus shifts from scarcity to abundance.
• Stronger Faith: 
• Gratitude constantly reminds a believer of Allah’s mercy and presence in life.
• A Powerful Example from the Story of Yusuf. When Prophet Yusuf finally met his brothers after years of suffering, he said: “Allah has certainly been gracious to us.” (12:90). Despite betrayal, slavery, and prison, Yusuf still saw Allah’s mercy in his life. This is the highest level of gratitude—being thankful even after hardship.
• Thus Gratitude in Islam means: (1) Recognizing Allah’s blessings in the heart, praising Him with the tongue and using blessings in ways that please Him. A grateful life turns ordinary moments into acts of worship.

* Please read our earlier post: How to express one's Gratitude to Allah for more on gratitude.

The Spirit of Forgiveness 

What makes this scene extraordinary is that Yusuf had complete power to punish his brothers. They had betrayed him, ruined his childhood and caused decades of grief to their father. Yet Yusuf chose forgiveness instead of revenge, which speaks of the strength of his character. Later he tells them (12:92): “No blame will there be upon you today. May Allah forgive you.”

This is one of the greatest examples of forgiveness in religious history. Ibn Kathir notes that this highlights the perfection of Yusuf's character, as he does not gloat, but rather highlights the reward of righteousness

Living Examples of Forgiveness

• The Forgiveness of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ at the Conquest of Makkah 
• When the Prophet ﷺ entered Makkah with power after years of persecution, the people feared revenge. But reassured them instead with great dignity: “No blame upon you today. Go, for you are free.”
• This statement echoed the words of Yusuf. And those who had persecuted him, exiled him, fought wars against him, were forgiven completely. This is perhaps the best of forgiveness in the history of mankind.
• Nelson Mandela’s Forgiveness Another famous example in modern history is of Nelson Mandela. He spent 27 years in prison under apartheid and kept in extremely inhuman conditions. Yet, after becoming president, he did not seek revenge against his oppressors. Instead he promoted reconciliation. His patience and forgiveness prevented civil war in South Africa.
• Everyday Example A person may experience betrayal from a family member, a colleague or a business partner with natural reaction of anger and revenge. Yet applying the lesson of Yusuf means: forgiving and trusting that Allah sees the injustice, responding with patience and avoiding hatred and revenge. Over time, such people often gain inner peace, respect, and unexpected blessings.

Psychological and Spiritual Lessons

This verse teaches several deep lessons:

• Hardship can be preparation for greatness. Yusuf’s prison became the path to leadership.
• Moral character matters more than circumstances. He remained righteous even when no one was watching.
• Forgiveness is a form of strength, not weakness.
• Being grateful is the best character trait - one must always be thanking one's Lord and people around for the Divine Blessings and help extended by the people.

In summary Surah Yusuf 12:90 is the turning point where betrayal transforms into reconciliation. Yusuf attributes his success not to luck or power but to taqwa and patience, teaching that those who remain faithful to Allah through suffering will never lose their reward. And one should always be grateful to Allah for giving us the heart to be grateful for the blessings we receive even without asking for, as Allah has a far bigger heart than the otherwise miser servants of His, who overlooks the follies of man and accepts their gratitude and bestows more upon them.

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.

Please visit our reference page: Surah 12. Yusuf - Prophet Josef (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) for selected verses from Surah Yusuf You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on 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. 

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.

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. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

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

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

We all are blessed one way or the other and remain contended with our lives - mostly ungrateful and thankful to Allah whose mercy makes our lives happier. But when one is in despair or low inspirits because of loss, one turns to one's Creator in all humility seeking mercy that gives us hope of good times ahead.

In theology, one of the great examples of hope, perseverance and trust in Allah under extreme unfavourable circumstance is that of Prophet Ya'qub (Jacob, peace be upon him) who endured the loss of his beloved son Yusuf (Joseph) all along his life. Herein under we share the 87th verse of Sürah Yusuf from Al-Qurʾān, in which Prophet Ya'qub is mentioned speaking to his sons after many years of separation from Prophet Yusuf. It is one of the Qur’an’s most powerful statements about hope, trust in Allah, and perseverance in hardship. We share the verse below and then will unpack it for its better understanding and act upon the message contained therein for us.

The Verse (12:87)

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

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."

Context of the Verse in Surah Yusuf

This verse occurs near the end of Surah Yusuf after years of suffering of his father for staying away from his son Yusuf, who was thrown into a dead well by his brothers, retrieved by a passing caravan and sold in Egypt. He later, due to strength of his character, wisdom and humility, rose to the power of corridors. Later, during a famine, Yusuf's brothers visited Egypt in search of food and were instantly recognised by Yusuf, though he did not showed. After giving his brothers some provisions, Yusuf detained his younger brother (Binyamin). When the brothers less their younger brothers reached home, the plight of their father was unimaginable for after Yusuf he also lost his another son. His grief was so intense that the Qur’an says his eyes turned white from sorrow (12:84): "Then he turned his back to them, and said: "O my grief for Joseph!" His eyes whitened with grief and he was choked up with sorrow trying to suppress his grief."

However, despite this overwhelming grief, Prophet Ya'qub never lost hope in Allah. Instead, he instructed his sons to go search again for Yusuf and Binyamin. This shows that true faith combines patience with active effort.

Key Themes of the Verse

• Never Despair of Allah’s Mercy
• The phrase: لَا تَيْأَسُوا مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّهِ “Do not despair of Allah’s relief/mercy.”
• Ibn Kathir explains that the phrase "and despair not of Allah's mercy" is interpreted as a command to never lose hope in Allah’s solace, comfort, and relief, regardless of how desperate a situation seems.
• Here, the word “Rawh رَّوْحِ” thus implies (1) Relief after hardship, (2) Divine mercy, and (3) Unexpected ease from Allah
• Prophet Ya'qub believed that Allah could reunite him with his sons even after decades.
• Despair is Contrary to True Faith
• The verse states: “Only the disbelievers despair of Allah’s mercy.”
• Ibn Kathir emphasizes the statement, "Certainly no one despairs of Allah's mercy, except the people who disbelieve". He clarifies that while a believer may feel sadness, deep despair that leads to giving up on Allah's power is akin to the behavior of those who do not believe in His omnipotence.
• However, this does not mean believers never feel sadness.
• Even Prophet Ya'qub said: “I only complain of my suffering and grief to Allah.” (12:86)
• But true believers never lose hope in Allah’s power to change situations.
• Faith Requires Effort
• Yaqub did not say “Just pray and wait.”
• Instead he said: “Go and search (tahassasū فَتَحَسَّسُوۡا ) for Yusuf and his brother.”
• Ibn Kathir notes that tahassasū implies a proactive, careful inquiry to bring good news, demonstrating that believers must actively pursue relief while trusting in Allah.
• That is after decades of grief, he commands his sons to return to Egypt to seek Yusuf and Benjamin with optimism, highlighting that true hope requires active effort and that despair in Allah’s mercy is a trait of disbelievers.
• This teaches an important Islamic principle: Trust in Allah and then take action too.
• The Prophet ﷺ expressed the same idea in a famous hadith: “Tie your camel and trust in Allah.”
• Perseverance in hardship This verse is a perfect example of ensuring "perseverance in hardship." This has been exhibited amply in the life of Prophet Ya'qub who for most part of life underwent the loss of his beloved son and even lost his eyesight by weeping in isolation. Yet he knew somehow that his perseverance would one day unite him with his son.

Psychological Depth of This Verse

This verse is one reason Surah Yusuf is considered psychologically rich. Prophet Ya'qub experienced grief, loneliness, loss. aging and uncertainty. Yet he maintained hope and spiritual clarity. The Qur’an shows that faith does not remove pain but prevents despair.

Impact on Our Daily Life

This verse has powerful guidance for our lives even today and provides us hope during personal hardship.

• People today face financial stress, family problems, illness, loss, depression one way or the other in their daily lives which often causes despair. This verse thus reminds us that no situation is beyond Allah’s mercy.
• Never give up on people Prophet 
• Ya'qub never gave up on Yusuf in particular and his sons, and of course Allah’s plan.
• In our lives this means: (1) Never lose hope in children, (2) Never stop praying for loved ones, and (3) Never assume someone cannot change
• Balance patience and action The verse teaches a formula for life: (1) Have sabr (patience), (2) Take practical steps, and (3) Trust Allah’s outcome.
• Avoid spiritual despair  
• This is most important for despair can appear as thoughts like: “Allah will never forgive me,” “My life will never improve,” or “My prayers are useless.”
• Islam considers such hopelessness a spiritual danger, because it ignores Allah’s infinite mercy.
• A Powerful Lesson from the Story
• It is mentioned immediately after this verse, the brothers go back to Egypt and meet Yusuf again and the family is finally reunited.
• This shows a profound Qur’anic message: Relief may come when hope seems almost gone specially for those who persevere and never lose trust in Allah.

Core Life Lesson of 12:87

Hardship may last years and pain may feel overwhelming. Yet a true believer never closes the door of hope in Allah. In essence this verse as a profound lesson in resilience: holding onto hope in God's mercy is mandatory, while hopelessness is a dangerous state that negates faith. 

Please visit our reference page: Surah 12. Yusuf - Prophet Josef (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) for selected verses from Surah 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 page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on 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. 

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 | 4 | 5 |

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.

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. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

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

Seek Allah's refuge when being drawn into a sin (Surah 12. Yusuf - Joseph)

Evil is one such force that can mislead and draw someone in to a sin. The evil temptation is so strong that even the most upright people of high moral fiber are drawn into a sin, only to repent when the tide is over. Let us first know what is evil temptation before we share a verse from Al-Qurʾān to seek refuge of Allah when being drawn into a sin:

Temptation is the desire or urge to engage in short-term, often harmful or immoral actions, despite knowing they conflict with long-term goals, values, or moral principles. It acts as an enticement to choose immediate gratification over what is right. Temptation can arise internally or externally, often leading to guilt or negative consequences.

With the understanding of evil temptations, let us share and explain the meaning of verse 23 of Sürah 12. Yusuf (Joseph). This verse describes one of the most morally intense moments in the life of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). This verse is important because it shows how a person seeks refuge in Allah in a moment of temptation and vulnerability.

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."

Historical and Narrative Context

Sürah 12. Yusuf (Joseph) is a chapter of Al Qur'an exclusively dedicated to the life history of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). We have already explained the circumstances and events in which young Yusuf fell prey to the machination of his brothers and was thrown into a dead well in the exegesis / tafsir of Surah Yusuf (link given at the end of the post). From where he was rescued by a passing caravan and was sold into slavery in Egypt. There, he was raised in the house of a powerful official and a high-ranking minister.

As Yusuf grew into adulthood, he became known for his beauty, character, and integrity. The unfaithful wife of the minister got attracted to Yusuf's extraordinary beauty and one day tried to entice him into a sin as is mentioned in the verse shared above. She locked the doors and openly invited him to commit adultery.

This creates a moment where no one else was present and obviously Yusuf was socially powerless. With the strong desire and temptation of minister's wife and in utter secrecy, this made the moral test of Yusuf extremely difficult. (Please read the following verses to know the entire anecdote given in Part 2 of the exegesis of Surah Yusuf.)

Yusuf’s Immediate Response

Upon unfolding of evil desires of his master's wife, Yusuf’s first reaction was to seek refuge in Allah (“Maʿādh Allāh” - “I seek refuge in Allah.”). This is significant. Before reasoning or debating, he turns immediately to God for protection. This shows that spiritual awareness can become an instinctive reaction when a person trains their heart toward faith.

Meaning of “Seeking Refuge in Allah”

Seeking refuge (istiʿādhah) means asking God to protect you from: (1) temptation (2) harmful desires (3) evil influences and (4) moral failure.

It is both spiritual and psychological protection. In this verse, Yusuf recognizes that resisting temptation requires divine help, not just personal willpower.

Yusuf’s Ethical Reasoning

After seeking refuge, Yusuf explains why he cannot commit the act. He says: “My Lord has provided me an honourable abode.” This statement reflects gratitude and loyalty.

Interpretations include: Gratitude to God for protecting and providing for him and loyalty to the man who gave him shelter and trust. In other words, Yusuf refuses to betray both God and human trust.

Moral Principle in the Verse

Yusuf concludes: “Wrongdoers never prosper.” This means wrongdoing may appear attractive in the moment but ultimately leads to loss.

The verse therefore combines: (1) spiritual awareness, (2) ethical reasoning and (3) long-term thinking.

How to Seek Refuge in Allah (Practical Understanding)

Such like conditions often appear in one's life and it is the strength of the character that saves one from taking the bait and falling into the trap of a sin. The sin may be in any form, like temptation to adulatory, taking bribe, taking false oaths and harming innocent for own ulterior motive or acting on behalf of someone to hamr interests of others, specially the innocent.

The verse teaches several practical steps.

• Immediate remembrance of God: Turning to God quickly when facing temptation and saying “Aʿūdhu billāh” (I seek refuge in Allah).
•  Remember blessings and responsibilities: Yusuf remembers the kindness he received. Gratitude can strengthen moral resistance.
• Recognize consequences: Understanding that wrongdoing ultimately harms the individual and society.
• Avoid situations of temptation: This is most important. One must never allow a situation to develop in which one is threatened to be tempted or drawn into a sin. Later in the story, Yusuf even prefers prison over remaining in an environment where temptation continues.

This shows that changing circumstances is sometimes necessary to protect one’s integrity.

Psychological Depth of the Verse

This moment reveals a sophisticated understanding of human behavior. Temptation becomes strongest when:

• privacy is guaranteed
• opportunity exists
• social pressure is high
• emotional vulnerability is present.

The verse shows that resisting such pressure requires spiritual awareness, moral clarity and extreme self-control.

Relevance Today

Although the setting is ancient, the situation is universal. With the expansion of one to one communication through internet, mobile chatting and open unrestricted meeting of both sexes, today, the chances of being tempted into adulatory, sin and all kinds of action unbecoming of man have become uncontrollable.

Modern temptations may involve Abuse of power, unethical relationships, corruption in positions of authority and private opportunities for wrongdoing.

The verse teaches that integrity depends on inner accountability to God, even when no one else is watching.

The deeper lesson

This moment shows the difference between external control and internal character. Yusuf could have committed the act without immediate consequences. But his awareness of God created internal restraint.

In simple terms, the verse teaches to seek God’s help immediately when facing temptation, remember the blessings and trust given to you, think about long-term consequences and protect integrity even in private moments.

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.

Please visit our reference page: Surah 12. Yusuf - Prophet Josef (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) for more selected verses from Surah Yusuf. You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on 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. 

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

Photo | Reference: | Overview | Exegesis: | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Lessons |

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.

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. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

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

Always keep your Secrets - A prophetic advice mentioned in Al-Qurʾān

Envy is a resentful desire for another’s good to be removed. while one may outwardly look like admiring someone's success, inwardly it is completely tangent to admiration. This evil sentiment is found in every heart - even siblings envy others when gifted or blessed more. Except for the parents, who express real admiration to the success of their children, no other relations is ever happy over others' well being, achievements and accomplishments. Therefore, guarding one's secrets, more often than not, is essential for protecting one's emotional well-being and personal safety is of utmost importance, as sharing secrets can expose one to manipulation and harm rather than trusted admiration. Therefore one must always ensure privacy to maintain boundaries to allow building strength quietly, and preventing intimate information from being weaponized against you.

Islam considers envy, specially when it is evil and destructive a major spiritual disease of the heart.  We share today a prophetic advice as mentioned in Surah Yusuf in its fifth ayah.  In this verse, Prophet Yaʿqub (Jacob, peace be upon him) warns his son Yusuf (Joseph) not to share his dream with his brothers, fearing they might plot against him. He reminds him that Satan is a clear enemy to humanity. Let us unpack this verse with reference to the context and its implications for us today:

Context (Surah Yusuf)

Surah 12, Surah Yusuf, tells the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph). The young Yusuf was a darling of his father for his extraordinary intelligence, wisdom and intellect. For this he was never liked by his other brothers and who were always being envious of him and scheming to harm little Yusuf rather than loving their youngest sibling. It is mentioned in the fourth verse of the Surah that young Yusuf shares a dream with his father: he saw eleven stars, the sun, and the moon bowing to him. Knowing what the dream held for his beloved Yusuf, Prophet Ya'qub advised him not to tell the dream to his brothers for he knew that his brothers were always envious and jealous of Yusuf due to their father’s special love for him.

In fact, the mention of his dream to his father develops into larger story about jealousy, patience, divine wisdom, and eventual success after hardship.

The Verse

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.

As the meanings of the dream were quite obvious, Prophet Yaʿqub had a genuine fear that Yusuf’s step brothers would become all the more envious of him when they would hear this. So he warned his righteous son not to mention his dream to his brothers, for he knew that those sons of his did not bear the moral character worthy of the sons of a Prophet, and, therefore they were up to any evil design against him out of mere envy. As regards to the dream, the sun in it was Prophet Ya'qub, the moon his wife, Prophet Yusuf’s step mother, and the eleven stars were his eleven brothers.

Let us take a time out and dwell on The Concept of Hasad (Envy) in the Qur'an and Islam to understand the true meaning of the verse quoted above for it was the envy of Yusuf's brothers that always disturbed his father due to which Yusuf was to suffer for many years of his life, while his father lamented for his loss.

• What Is Hasad? Hasad (حسد) means envy, specifically wishing that someone else loses a blessing (wealth, success, beauty, knowledge, status, etc.), whether or not you gain it yourself.
• Qur’anic Foundation Other than the verse quoted above, it is mentioned in Al Qur'an (113:5): “And from the evil of an envier when he envies.” Muslims are taught to seek refuge in Allah from the harm caused by envy.
• Prophetic Teachings: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Beware of envy, for envy consumes good deeds like fire consumes wood.” (Hadith – Abu Dawud). This shows envy harms the envier first — spiritually and emotionally.
• How Islam Teaches Protection from Envy
• Increase Gratitude: Focus on what you have.
• Make Duʿa for the Person You Envy: This weakens resentment.
• Avoid Constant Comparison: Comparison fuels envy.
• Recite Surah Al-Falaq: Seeking protection from the evil of envy.
• Strengthen Tawakkul (Trust in God)

Now let us turn to the 5th verse of Surah Yusuf which advises the believers to guard their secrets, lest the are harmed due to envy of others.

Key Themes and Meanings

• Wisdom in Sharing Personal Blessings Prophet Yaʿqub understood that not everyone rejoices in one's success, even one's siblings. Therefore his advice underscores the need to guard one's secrets, dreams, goals, aspirations or even blessings.  This does not mean to be overly secretive, but being mindful of sharing anything that embodies good which may make others jealous and envious.
• Awareness of Jealousy (Hasad) Jealousy can distort judgment and damage relationships. And jealousy of Yusuf's brothers led them to a great harm which they did to him, 
• Parental Guidance The advice by Prophet Yaʿqub shows protective wisdom. He doesn’t dismiss the dream but guides his son carefully so that no harm comes to him due to an evil eye.
• Satan as an Instigator The verse mentions Satan as a clear enemy — meaning envy and conflict are often fueled by negative whispers and emotions.

Implications Today

• Be Careful Who You Share Your Goals With
• Remember! Not everyone supports your ambitions.
• Example today: (1) Posting every success or future plan on social media may invite envy or negativity. (2) Sharing business ideas prematurely can lead to sabotage or competition.
• Emotional Intelligence in Families
• Sibling rivalry still exists today. Parents must manage fairness carefully.
• Example: Showing obvious favoritism can create resentment among children.
• Managing Jealousy: 
• Unchecked jealousy can destroy relationships — in families, workplaces, and friendships.
• Example: (1) A coworker undermining another due to envy of promotion, (2) Friends distancing themselves when one becomes more successful.
• Strategic Silence
• Sometimes wisdom is in silence, not exposure.
• Modern principle: “Move in silence until it’s time.”

Broader Spiritual Lesson

The verse teaches:

• Protect your blessings.
• Recognize human weakness.
• Trust divine wisdom.
• Understand that trials may come from those closest to you.

Although, envy often results in harm despite being secretive about one's aspirations, yet there are Divine plans that may save one, specially for those who trust in Allah. 

Please visit our reference page: Surah 12. Yusuf - Prophet Josef (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) for selected verses from Surah 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 page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on 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. 

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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