The Story of Joseph (part 3 of 7)
- Categories: Stories of the Prophets -
When the caravan arrived. the travellers went about their business,
some tethering camels, others tending to the horses, some
unpacking, and others preparing food. The water drawer went to the
well and lowered his bucket, happy in anticipation of cool, clear
water. Joseph was startled as the bucket hurtled towards him. but
before it hit the water, he reached out and clung to the rope.
Surprised by the weight of the bucket, the man peered over the edge
of the well. He was shocked and excited when he saw a child
clinging to the rope. The man called his companions to help him
draw the child from the well and all were amazed at the sight of
this beautiful child, not quite a youth, who stood before
them.
Looking at the boy, the water bearer could not hide his excitement
and cried aloud, {What good
news!} [Quran 12:19]
{قَالَ يَا بُشْرَىٰ هَٰذَا
غُلَامٌ} [يوسف:١٩]
Transliteration: Qāla Yā Bushrá Hādhā
Ghulāmun
The man was overjoyed; he immediately decided to sell Joseph,
knowing that he stood to make a lot of money in the slave market.
Just as the brothers had predicted, the men of the caravan took
Joseph to Egypt expecting to sell him for a handsome price. The
slave markets of Egypt were teeming with people, some buying, and
some selling, others just watching the proceedings. The beautiful
boy found in the well attracted many onlookers, and bidding for him
was swift. The price continued to rise beyond their expectations,
and Joseph was eventually purchased by Azeez, the Chief Minister of
Egypt.
However, God tells us in the Quran that they sold him for a low
price. [12:20] This does not seem to make sense
since the men of the caravan were jubilant by the price they
received. God described the price as low because Joseph was
actually worth more then they could ever have imagined. The men did
not realise just who this child would grow up to be. They believed
that although beautiful, Joseph was insignificant. Nothing could
have been further from the truth, if they had of sold him for his
weight in gold, it would have been a cheap price for the man who
would grow up to be Joseph, Prophet of God.
In the House of
Azeez
The Chief Minister, Azeez, sensed immediately that this was no
ordinary child. He took him to his home, one of the great mansions
of Egypt, and said to his wife,
{'Make his stay comfortable, may be he
will profit us or we shall adopt him as a son.' Thus did We
establish Joseph in the land, that We might teach him the
interpretation of events.} [Quran12:21]
{وَقَالَ الَّذِي اشْتَرَاهُ مِن
مِّصْرَ لِامْرَأَتِهِ أَكْرِمِي مَثْوَاهُ عَسَىٰ أَن يَنفَعَنَا
أَوْ نَتَّخِذَهُ وَلَدًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِي
الْأَرْضِ وَلِنُعَلِّمَهُ مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ}
[يوسف:٢١]
Transliteration: Wa Qāla Al-Ladhī Ashtarāhu Min
Mişra Li'imra'atihi 'Akrimī Mathwāhu `Asá 'An Yanfa`anā
'Aw Nattakhidhahu Waladāan Wa Kadhalika Makkannā Liyūsufa Fī
Al-'Arđi Wa Linu`allimahu Min Ta'wīli Al-'Aĥādīthi
God placed Joseph into the home of the second most important person
in Egypt. Chief Minister Azeez was more then just a prime minister,
he was also the treasurer of Egypt. God established Joseph in the
land in order to teach him wisdom and understanding. The struggling
and striving required by Joseph to overcome the separation from his
father and family, the difficulty of being betrayed by your older
presumably protective brothers, the ordeal in the well and the
humiliation of being sold into slavery were all trials designed to
mould Joseph's character. They were the first steps on the ladder
to greatness. God used the treachery of Joseph's brothers to fulfil
His plan for Joseph's establishment as a Prophet of God.
The brothers of Joseph believed they had matters under control when
they put their brother in the well, but in reality, the matter was
out of their hands. God is the one in control of all affairs. God
was decisive in His action, and His plan was carried out despite
the treachery, jealousy and pride of others. Joseph found himself
in the decision making centre of Egypt with a man who seemed kind
and somehow aware of Joseph's special qualities. While longing for
his father and brother Benjamin, Joseph was well taken care, and
lived in luxurious surroundings. Joseph grew to manhood in the
house of Azeez and God bestowed on him good judgement and
knowledge.
{And when he (Joseph) attained his
full manhood, We gave him wisdom and knowledge (the Prophethood),
thus We reward the doers of good.} [Quran12:22]
{وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ آتَيْنَاهُ
حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ}
[يوسف:٢٢]
Transliteration: Wa Lammā Balagha 'Ashuddahu
'Ātaynāhu Ĥukmāan Wa `Ilmāan Wa Kadhalika Najzī
Al-Muĥsinīna
God granted Joseph both knowledge and wisdom. Not one just one, but
both qualities. He was given the ability to understand and the
ability to use good judgement when applying his knowledge. This is
not always the case. There are many people throughout the history
of the world, up to and including the present day, who have
knowledge but do not have the ability or judgement to apply that
knowledge in an effective way.
One of the great scholars of Islam, Imam Abu Haneefa, held regular
learning circles in which presented a topic for debate. The topic
would be discussed and opinions given, then Imam Abu Haneefa would
give a final verdict. This way of teaching was unique at that time.
There was amongst this circle of learning a scholar of the
narrations of Prophet Muhammad; he recited one that Imam Hanifa had
never heard before. Just at that time, a woman approached the
circle and asked a question. The scholar replied that he did not
know the answer, but Imam Abu Hanifa was able to answer her
question. He then turned to the members of the learning circle and
said. "I know the answer to this question from the hadeeth our
brother had just mentioned". Thus, it is possible to have the
knowledge but not know how to apply it. Prophet Joseph, as with all
the Prophets of God was given the knowledge and the wisdom to
understand and apply it.
By Aisha Stacey
IslamReligion.com