Benefits Derived from the Story of Yusuf
-sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam-
By the
Shaykh ‘Allama
AbdurRahman bin Nasr as-Sa’adi
Chapter 11
That What is Well-Known cannot be Contradicted by Doubt & Presumptions
Indeed, Yaqoob did not believe his sons when they said: ‘that Yusuf had been eaten by a wolf’ nor when they produced their ‘evidences’ to prove their claims and their alleged innocence. This is because what is well-known cannot be contradicted by doubt or presumptions.
Yaqoob knew about Yusuf’s dream and, perhaps other dreams eventually led Yaqoob to know Yusuf’s condition and that Allaah would complete His blessing upon them, which includes Yusuf and the family of Yaqoob.
What this story also indicates to is that it is incorrect for a person to be deceived purely on the basis of the appearance of supporting evidences. For example, when a woman and a person with whom she disputed with were brought to Shurayh for judgement, her eyes had become overwhelmed due to crying. It was said to Shurayh by some of those present: ‘We are certain and have no doubt that this sad woman is the one that has been oppressed.’
Shurayh said: ‘Have you not heard the story of Yusuf’s brothers, when they came to their father crying in the evening? Were they the ones who were oppressed, or were they the oppressors?’
Therefore, how many times has the likes of this falsification occurred, thereby deceiving and reversing realities. This is why intelligent people keep all possibilities at the forefront of their minds, and they view matters from all different possible angles and perspectives.
This story also indicates that the leadership of the old and the young requires that the leader is strong in his competence, his trustworthiness and his knowledge of the matters of leadership. This is because when the King spoke to Yusuf and noted Yusuf’s knowledge, his experience of matters, and his deep insight, he took him in to work for him and said: << “Verily, this day, you are with us high in rank and fully trusted.” >>[1] and Yusuf said: << “Set me over the storehouses of the land; I will indeed guard them with full knowledge” (as a minister of finance in Egypt, in place of Al-‘Aziz who was dead at that time).>>[2]
The reason for this was due to his complete mindfulness of what was under his control, and how he administered it, and due to his complete knowledge of the ways of attaining resources of expenditure, and of good planning. Yusuf did not, initially, request leadership as many of the people of knowledge mention, rather when the King saw him, he appointed him exclusively, and gave him authority over all matters, such that all matters were under his command and management. Then he requested the king that he be the only one responsible for the stores of the land, because they were the most important. Yusuf knew that his being responsible for them was more beneficial for the kingdom and the creation, and this was from Yusuf’s complete sincerity and his honest insight.’
[1] Yusuf:54
[2] Yusuf:55
Translated by Abbas Abu Yahya