In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

Surah Yusuf is a story that has been revealed to our Prophet peace be upon him and given to us as a full story. We follow his relationship with his father and his narration of his dream, the plotting of his brothers, the abandonment in the dark depths of a well, being sold as slave, to harassment and false accusations from his master’s wife, being in prison, to becoming the King’s advisor. Then lastly forgiving his brothers and being reunited with his parents.

Surah Yusuf teaches us so many lessons within all these stages of his life and various tests. At the heart of all the testing lies the relationship between his brothers. Quite often most of us will face testing between relationships. They will often require patience, overlooking, setting boundaries and perhaps most of all forgiveness.

I notice a few things at the end of Surah Yusuf and they are the following observations:

1) He understood he was being tested but he remained patient:

Prophet Yusuf AS understood he was always being tested, he acknowledges Allah’s blessings and in particular His Guardianship throughout him being tested.

When things are difficult are we asking ourselves that we too are being tested? Our response is important in all our trials and a person who knows he or she is being tested but handles them the way Allah likes will find themselves both successful and Allah aiding them - no matter how difficult the test is!

2) He is immensely grateful:

Prophet Yusuf AS never had a ‘victim’ mentality. Rather he had a survival mentality. By being grateful he could observe the abundance of blessings of Allah and how Allah protected him during every hardship. The ability to interpret dreams. Being grateful allows a person to see clearly and handle life much better. One begins to understand that Allah is always with them, under His observation.

3) He acknowledges Allah is always in control:

“Indeed my Lord is subtle in fulfilling what He wills.” There is always Allah’s wisdom behind everything. Sometimes, when you do not understand something exercise patience and trust upon Allah that He is in control over all the affairs. What we are in control over is our response to whatever befalls us. The best response is patience, though quite often it is hard. Yet, the more you practice something the better you get at it. Try patience upon your child, spouse, parent and other relationships. Choose our battles wisely.

4)The devil is the sower of discord, jealousy, animosity and divide between relationships:

“after Satan had caused rivalry between me and my siblings” something to take note here, be mindful of the whispers of shaytaan when it comes to relationships. Know that he like nothing better to divide people. Try your best to remain united, sometimes overlook, keep away from conflict and jealously. Set healthy boundaries but think the ultimate deceiver is shaytaan. Be a person who has the higher moral ground and forgive the way Yusuf forgave his brothers. Holding grudges only obscures you from your purpose and ultimate goal.

Sometimes, things can become extremely difficult for that we might often need to step aside, set boundaries but we should not play into the plots and whispers of our greatest enemy.

5. Your ultimate goal is for Allah to be pleased with your conduct and actions and through His mercy you attain the real and eternal life that is paradise.

If you want Allah to be pleased with you, you will have to exercise patience and humility. Yusuf AS became the King’s advisor and his position was one of authority, he was the apple of his father’s eye, and his forgiveness caused his brothers to feel ashamed and remorseful.

Yet, his concern was the afterlife, his position with his Lord. In all the testing in our life what is our ultimate concern?

Our concern should always be Allah and our ultimate destination. Our response to our tests establishes who we really are - are we those who exercise patience, gratitude, tawwakul and forgiveness?

May I ponder to take the lessons from Surah Yusuf; to trust Allah with His plans and that patience is a sign of faith, to be immensely grateful for His blessings and to understand that He is the best Guardian and protector and may He always protect us in both worlds Finally, May we strive for a position amongst the righteous. May Allah grant us Al firdaws. Allahumma Ameen.