Prophet Ishaq (Alayhi s-salam) was born to Prophet Ibrahim (Alayhi s-salam) and his first wife, Lady Sarah.
His son was Prophet Yaqub (Alayhi s-salam), and his son was Prophet Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam). Prophet Ismail (Alayhi s-salam) was born to Prophet Ibrahim’s second wife, Hajar.
The Messenger, Prophet Yaqub (Alayhi s-salam), lived in the city of ‘Misr’ in Egypt, preaching the message of Monotheism (Tawhid) to the people there. He had ten male children through his first wife and two male children through his second wife. The children born to the second wife were Prophet Yusuf and Bunyamin.
It was through these 12 sons of Prophet Yaqub (Alayhi s-salam) that the 12 tribes of Bani Isra’il (the Children of Israel) originated. Among these twelve sons, Prophet Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) was the only one chosen as a Prophet.
Once, while the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was conversing with his companions, a Sahabi (companion) asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Who is the most honorable person in the world?”
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) replied, “The honorable, son of the honorable, son of the honorable, son of the honorable.”
The companions did not understand this. Then, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) explained, “Yusuf, the son of Yaqub, the son of Ishaq, the son of Ibrahim.” He further added, “Allah has never granted prophethood across four consecutive generations to anyone else except them.”
Prophet Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) was exceptionally beautiful and possessed excellent character. His brother Bunyamin was also of noble character.
The Miracle Dream and the Jealousy of Brothers
When Yusuf was a young boy, he saw a dream in which eleven stars, the sun, and the moon were prostrating to him. He narrated this extraordinary dream to his father.
Upon hearing it, Prophet Yaqub (Alayhi s-salam) warned him, “Do not relate your vision to your brothers.”
Thinking that their father, Yaqub (Alayhi s-salam), loved Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) more than them, the ten half-brothers grew jealous of Yusuf. They were looking for an opportunity to kill Prophet Yusuf. They spoke among themselves that by getting rid of Yusuf, their father’s affection would be entirely directed toward them.
The ten brothers hatched a conspiracy to eliminate Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam). They went to their father and asked him to send Yusuf with them to the forest to graze sheep, saying that if he came along, he could play and enjoy himself, and they promised to protect him safely.
Although Prophet Yaqub (Alayhi s-salam) did not desire this, he reluctantly sent Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) with them, yielding to his sons’ insistence. Unaware of the conspiracy, Yusuf went along with his brothers.
After taking him to the forest, they threw Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) into a deep well. They returned home and lied to their father, Yaqub (Alayhi s-salam), claiming that a wolf had killed Yusuf. As evidence, they smeared false blood on Yusuf’s shirt and showed it to Yaqub.
Prophet Yaqub (Alayhi s-salam) did not believe the fabricated story. However, having no other recourse, he wept constantly for his son Yusuf. He kept complaining of his grief and praying only to God.
Arrival in Egypt and the Trial of Zulaikha
A caravan of traders passing by the deep well spotted Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam), rescued him, took him along with them, and sold him as a slave in Egypt. Aziz, who was a minister to the King of Egypt, bought Prophet Yusuf at an auction and took him to his house. Looking at Yusuf’s beautiful face and his noble conduct, he said to his wife, “Make his stay honorable. Perhaps he may bring us benefit, or we may adopt him as a son.” Thus, Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) grew up in that household.
When Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) reached youth, he became extraordinarily handsome. Attracted by his beauty, Aziz’s wife, Zulaikha, conceived an illicit desire for him.
One day, when Aziz was not at home, she closed the doors tightly and called out to Yusuf, “Come to me!” Yusuf refused, saying, “Allah forbid! Indeed, my master has made my stay honorable. Indeed, wrongdoers will never succeed.”
She persisted and kept forcing him. To escape from Zulaikha, Yusuf ran toward the door. She chased him and pulled his shirt from behind, tearing it at the back.
At that moment, Aziz arrived at the door. Aziz’s wife immediately pinned the blame on Yusuf, saying, “What is the recompense for one who intended evil for your wife except that he be imprisoned or a painful punishment?” Shocked by this, Yusuf said, “It was she who sought to seduce me.”
A witness from Zulaikha’s family came forward to investigate the matter and said, “If his shirt is torn from the front, then she has told the truth and he is a liar. But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied and he is truthful.” Since Yusuf’s shirt was torn from the back, Aziz realized that his wife was the culprit.
He told Yusuf, “Leave this matter aside!” and told his wife, “Ask forgiveness for your sin!”
Note: It is worth recalling the Hadith that Allah will grant a place under the shade of His Throne on the Day of Judgment to a person who, when invited by a woman of beauty and status (for adultery), refuses saying, “I fear Allah.”
The news of this incident gradually leaked out, and the women of the city began to gossip disgracefully about the behavior of Aziz’s wife.
To explain her situation, Aziz’s wife invited all those women to a banquet. She seated them and gave each of them a fruit and a knife to cut it. Then, she ordered Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) to come before them. Bewildered by the radiant beauty of Prophet Yusuf, the women unconsciously began cutting their own fingers with the knives instead of cutting the fruits.
Aziz’s wife said to the women, “This is the one about whom you blamed me. You cut your hands just by looking at him for a moment; I live with him, so imagine how it is for me?” She added, “I did seek to seduce him, but he firmly saved himself. But if he does not do what I command him, he will certainly be imprisoned and will be among the disgraced.” Hearing this, Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) said, “O my Lord, prison is more dear to me than that to which they invite me.” Ultimately, to avoid public scandal and despite his innocence, Yusuf was sent to prison.
Life in Prison and Interpretation of Dreams
The King of the country, after learning of these events, imprisoned Yusuf to protect him from the mischief of the women. He spent a period of time in prison. While in prison, he continued to convey the power and majesty of Allah, calling people toward Islam.
Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) spent his days in prison with patience. Two young men were in prison with him.
One day, they narrated the dreams they had seen to Prophet Yusuf. One of them said, “I saw myself pressing wine from grapes.” The other said, “I saw myself carrying bread on my head, and birds were eating from it.” After saying this, they both told Yusuf, “Indeed, we see you as a righteous and deeply knowledgeable person; so inform us of the interpretation of these dreams.”
Hearing this, Prophet Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) said, “I will inform you of its interpretation from the knowledge my Lord has taught me.” He then explained, “As for the one who dreamt of pressing wine, he will soon be released and will serve wine to his master.
As for the other, he will be crucified, and birds will eat from his head. This is the matter concerning which you inquired.” Yusuf requested the companion who was to be released, “Mention me to your master when you go out!” But after his release, Satan made him forget to mention it to the King. Consequently, Yusuf had to remain in prison for several more years.
The King’s Dream and Rise to Power
After some time, the King of the country had a dream. He told his nobles, “I saw seven fat cows being eaten by seven lean ones, and seven green ears of corn and seven others dry. O nobles! Explain to me my dream if you can interpret dreams.” The King’s advisors replied, “These are confused dreams, and we do not know the interpretation of such dreams.”
Remembering the past, the man who was released from prison realized they could ask Yusuf. He said to the king, “I will inform you of its interpretation, but send me to the prison.” He was taken there. Upon seeing Prophet Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam), he said, “O Yusuf, the truthful one! Explain to me the meaning of a dream.” Prophet Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) asked, “What is the dream?” He replied, “Seven fat cows eaten by seven lean ones, and seven green ears of corn and seven others dry.”
Prophet Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) explained, “You will cultivate for seven consecutive years as usual. Whatever you harvest, leave it in its ears except for a little which you eat. After that, seven years of severe drought will come, which will consume what you have stored for them. Then will come a year in which the people will be given abundant rain and they will press fruits.”
The man brought this explanation back to the King. Impressed by the explanation, the King ordered, “Bring him to me!” When the messenger came to Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam), Yusuf said, “Go back to your master and ask him about the case of the women who cut their hands.
” The King summoned the women and asked, “What was your case when you sought to seduce Yusuf?” The women replied, “Allah forbid! We know no evil about him.” Aziz’s wife admitted her guilt, saying, “Now the truth has become manifest! It was I who sought to seduce him, and certainly, he is of the truthful.”
Recognizing the immense wisdom and integrity of Prophet Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam), the King said, “Bring him to me; I will appoint him exclusively for myself.” When he was brought before the King, the King said, “Indeed, from today, you are established with us in high position and trust.” Prophet Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) requested, “Appoint me over the storehouses of the land; indeed, I will guard them knowingly.”
The King then appointed Prophet Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) as the Finance Minister of the country.
Reunion with the Family
Due to the absence of rain for seven years, famine struck most regions. People suffered immensely for food. However, in Egypt alone, prosperity prevailed due to the wise strategy of Prophet Yusuf. The surplus grain was sold at nominal prices to people coming from other regions. This operation was carried out under the direct supervision of Prophet Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam).
During this time, Yusuf’s brothers arrived at the palace to buy grain. Yusuf recognized them, but they did not recognize him. Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) told them, “When you come next time to buy grain, you must bring your brother Bunyamin with you. Otherwise, you will get no grain from me.”
He also secretly returned the money they paid back into their bags without their knowledge. They informed their father, Yaqub, about this condition upon their return.
Having already lost Yusuf, Prophet Yaqub (Alayhi s-salam) was highly reluctant to send his youngest son Bunyamin with them. They swore an oath by Allah that they would bring Bunyamin back safely. They then traveled to Egypt with Bunyamin and requested grain from Prophet Yusuf.
Allah states in the Quran:
وَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا عَلَى يُوسُفَ أَوَى إِلَيْهِ أَخَاهُ قَالَ إِنِّي أَنَا أَخُوكَ فَلَا تَبْتَبِسُ بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
“And when they entered upon Yusuf, he took his brother [Bunyamin] to himself; he said, ‘Indeed, I am your brother, so do not despair over what they used to do.'”
— Surah Yusuf: 69
At that moment, Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) secretly disclosed to Bunyamin that he was his long-lost brother Yusuf. Desiring to keep Bunyamin with him, Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) hid the royal measuring bowl inside Bunyamin’s grain bag.
Later, when everyone’s bags were searched, the bowl was found in Bunyamin’s bag. Citing this as the reason, he retained Bunyamin with him. The brothers pleaded extensively to release Bunyamin, offering one of themselves as a hostage instead, but Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) refused to send Bunyamin back with them.
They returned to their father and narrated what had happened. Yaqub told them to go back and search for Yusuf and Bunyamin at all costs. Weeping continuously for his two sons, Prophet Yaqub lost his eyesight.
Left with no choice, the brothers came back to Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam). It was then that Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) revealed his true identity—that he was the same Yusuf whom they had thrown into the deep well. Deeply remorseful, they begged for forgiveness. Forgiving and accepting them, Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) handed his shirt to one of them, instructing him to place it over their father’s face so his eyesight would return, and told them to bring their parents and families to Egypt.
Allah states in the Quran:
اذْهَبُوا بِقَمِيصِي هُذَا فَأَلْقُوهُ عَلَى وَجْهِ أَبِي يَأْتِ بَصِيرًا وَأْتُونِي بِأَهْلِكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
“‘Take this shirt of mine and cast it over the face of my father; he will become seeing. And bring me all your family.'”
— Surah Yusuf: 93
When the shirt of his son was placed over Prophet Yaqub’s face, his eyesight was fully restored. He traveled to Egypt with his entire family and was overjoyed to see his beloved sons, Yusuf and Bunyamin. Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) seated his parents on the throne and honored them.
Yusuf’s eleven brothers bowed down before him in respect. The dream he had seen in his childhood—of eleven stars, the sun, and the moon prostrating to him—finally came true.
Subsequently, one day while touring the city, he met Lady Zulaikha. Allah restored her youth to her. Yusuf and Zulaikha were happily married and were blessed with children.
Prophet Yusuf (Alayhi s-salam) settled down in Egypt with his parents, Bunyamin, and his ten brothers. Through them, the descendants of Yaqub (the Bani Isra’il) multiplied and flourished in Egypt. In later generations, these descendants faced severe oppression and were eventually rescued from slavery by Prophet Musa (Alayhi s-salam).
