Story Of Prophet Yusuf ✔

PART 39:SURELY, I PERCEIVE THE SCENT OF YUSUF [Surah Yusuf 12: 93-95]

93. “Go with this shirt of mine, and cast it on my father’s face, he will come seeing, and bring to me your families all together.”

94. And when the caravan had departed, their father said: “Surely I perceive the scent of Yusuf, though you would think me senile.”

95. They said, “By Allah, you are surely in your old error.”

Yusuf (AS) commands his brothers to go back to Philistine and to take his shirt with them. We know that Y'aqoob (AS) had gone blind because of his crying for Yusuf (AS). Here Yusuf (AS) tells his brothers to place his shirt over the face of his father and this will restore his vision. Yusuf then tells them to bring their families to Egypt. Look here at how much is the Ihsan of Yusuf (AS) towards his brothers. Not only has he completely forgiven them for all of the wrong that they have done to him. Not only has he even prayed to Allah to forgive them. Not only has he given them a means by which the vision of their father can be restored. But he even allows them to bring all of their families to Egypt. You cannot even begin to realize how great and magnificent was this bounty that he bestowed on them. At that time Egypt was the land of wealth and prosperity. It was the only land in which there was sufficient food and provisions for the people. It was the only land in which death and pestilence was not widespread. So Yusuf (AS) does a great favor to his brothers by not allowing them to come to Egypt, but also by allowing them to bring all their families as well.

In the next ayah, Allah returns our attention to Ya'qoob (AS). Allah shows us how his prayer was answered. Allah (swt) shows us how even the severe trial that he was going through was lifted. Although this story is a story in which everyone has gone through much trials and hardships, in the end, everything works out for the best for all people. In the end, everyone finds peace and tranquility. Everyone finds contentment and joy. Everyone finds Allah.

When their caravan departed from Egypt at this very moment, Ya'qoob (AS) said in Philistine to his family who were around him “Surely I perceive the scent of Yusuf.” How beautiful is this? Ya'qoob (AS) could feel the scent of his son even though the caravan was still hundreds of miles away. Of course, this was a miracle from Allah. Allah gave Ya'qoob (AS) the ability to perceive a scent that came from this shirt even though the shirt was still hundreds of miles away. This scent was a good news for Ya'qoob (AS). A good news that his trial was being lifted and that his prayer was being answered. When he perceived the scent of Yusuf, he knew that he was not crazy. Rather he knew that this was Allah answering his prayer. He knew that he would soon be reunited with his son.

His family, however, thought that he is senile. For them, it was absolutely impossible for Yusuf (AS) to still be alive. It was even more impossible that their father could perceive his scent when they could not and Yusuf (AS) was also nowhere to be seen. It was impossible for them, and so the only explanation for them was that their father was crazy. So even though Ya'qoob (AS) was blind at that time, he saw the reality much better than his family did.

LESSONS

1

. In the surah, Allah is drawing our attention to the shirt of Yusuf. This tells us that our wearing of garments is also an important part of our worship and servitude of Allah. As Muslims, we must remember to dress modestly and we must cover all that Allah has ordered to be covered. We live in a society today where garments are designed to show and reveal what Allah has ordered to be covered. So we need to take care and cover ourselves properly. If we do not then we are rejecting and showing ingratitude for this blessing of clothing that Allah has given us.

2. We should never keep our trust in medicines or ruqyahs to cure us of our illnesses, but we should always remember that it is Allah Who cures all. Now of course when we are sick we should take medicines, but we must never think that it was the medicine which cured us. Allah cured us and He sometimes does it through medicines that we take. Similarly, Yusuf (AS) tells his brothers that his father will be cured when his shirt is placed on him. But we know that it was Allah Who removed the blindness and not the shirt. There is no might nor power except in Allah (swt).

3. In the story of Yusuf, his shirt was of great importance. His shirt proved to his father that his brothers were lying.  His shirt proved that the Minister’s wife was lying.  His shirt was used to cure his father's blindness. Shirts were a proof throughout Yusuf’s life. Do you realize that you also have many things that assist you like the Yusuf’s shirts assisted him? You might say, but I don’t have any miracles like curing the blind, etc. But maybe Allah has given you a gut instinct that guides you. Maybe Allah shows you true dreams, and He guides you through them. Maybe Allah has blessed you with a friend or a parent or sibling who helps you and guides you. So think what is prominent and important in your life that you normally get the guidance from.

4. We can never know how Allah will answer our prayer. Without a doubt, Allah will answer our prayers if we sincerely and earnestly pray to Him (swt). But sometimes the response can come in the most unexpected of ways. Look here at how Ya'qoob (AS) found his prayer being answered. Would he ever have thought that he would have had his prayers answered by him perceiving the scent of Yusuf in this way? No of course not, but such does Allah surprise us. He (swt) surprises in the most wonderful of ways. So do not ever give up on the dua that you are making to Allah. Be more earnest and be more frequent in your dua. Know that your Lord may surprise in a way that you never expected.