The life of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) is one of the most interesting and deepened stories in the Quran. It is a story that involves love, betrayal, jealousy, patience, and God’s wisdom. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has told us this story in Surah Yusuf, which not only demonstrates the beauty of patience and reliance on Allah’s plan but also the devastating power of jealousy. In “The Story of Prophet Yusuf, Fire of Jealousy (Part 1)”, we will look at the start of this amazing adventure, beginning with the origin of the tests Prophet Yusuf went through: the fire of jealousy.
The Birth of Jealousy in the Heart of the Brothers
The account starts from Prophet Ya’qub (Jacob), a righteous and favored prophet, who had numerous sons. Of his sons, Yusuf (Joseph) was the dearest to him. The love of his father for him was so intense that it became self-evident to his brothers. Yusuf’s mother, Rachel, had died early on, and his father’s excessive love for him became even more evident after that. But this unique relationship was not acceptable to Yusuf’s brothers. They started feeling jealous and resentful about their younger brother. It is human nature to feel jealous sometimes, but for Yusuf’s brothers, jealousy proved to be a destructive force that would take them down a gloomy path. The Quran eloquently puts across the feelings that began to churn within the brothers:
When they said, ‘Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we, though we are a larger group. In truth, our father is clearly mistaken.'” (Quran 12:8). The brothers’ jealousy grew as they perceived their father’s love for Yusuf as a threat to their position within the family. This caused severe unrest in their hearts and finally led them to conspire against Yusuf. Their pride and desire for attention fueled their jealousy, and it began to dominate their minds and activities.
The Conspiracy to Get Rid of Yusuf
Not able to tolerate the idea of their father’s all-out love for Yusuf, the brothers formulated a wicked plan to kill him. They planned to push him into a well, where he would perish, so that they would no longer have to live under the shadow of Yusuf’s privileged position. But their plan was by no means just a mere act of jealousy—it was an act of sheer brutality that would change the course of their family’s history forever.
One of the brothers was uneasy with this plan, though. The Quran states:
“One of them said, ‘Do not kill Yusuf, but throw him into the bottom of the well, so that some travelers may pick him up if you would do [something].'” (Quran 12:10). This proposal of pushing Yusuf into the well instead of killing him was a move to save his life while still executing the plan of eliminating him. Their superiority complex and jealousy clouded their judgment of the repercussions of their actions, and they proceeded with their plan. They requested their father, Prophet Ya’qub, to send Yusuf with them on a journey, and although he was hesitant at first, Ya’qub trusted them.
His love for Yusuf was so great, but his wisdom dictated that his son’s destiny was in Allah’s hands. He cautioned his sons, however, not to harm Yusuf: “And in truth, I fear that the wolf will eat him while you are heedless of him.” (Quran 12:13).
The Brothers’ Deceptive Action
The brothers took Yusuf away, and tragic events followed. They undressed him of his handsome apparel, throwing him into an abyss-like, dark well, leaving him to confront the unknown. They then went back to their father, with a bloody shirt and explained that a wolf had eaten Yusuf. Ya’qub’s response was one of deep sorrow. He immediately knew that something was amiss but could not quite bring himself to entirely believe his sons. In the Quran, it is said:
“And they brought upon his shirt false blood. He said, ‘Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe.'” (Quran 12:18). In spite of the agonizing proofs, Prophet Ya’qub trusted Allah and decided to bear the pain patiently. Ya’qub’s patience and trust in Allah’s wisdom are an injunction for believers. In trials, particularly those that test one’s honesty or the envy of others, it is important to go to Allah and put one’s trust in Allah’s plan even when the situation appears intolerably hard.
The Jealousy That Resulted in Estrangement
As the brothers went back to their normal lives, they probably did not realize at all the long-term effects of their actions. They had gotten rid of the competition for their father’s love, but they had also broken the father-son bond between them. The Prophet Ya’qub was not over his grief, and it only intensified with the passing of time. His loss over the death of his favorite son Yusuf consumed him entirely. At the same time, Yusuf, who was alone in the well, was discovered by a caravan that was passing by. The caravan, knowing that they had rescued a young boy in distress, chose to bring him with them.
Little did they know that this young boy, who was subsequently sold into slavery in Egypt, would rise to become an influential person and bring comfort and advice to people who once betrayed him. The tale of Yusuf is not only a narrative of jealousy but also one of divine wisdom and patience. Every move, whether by the brothers or Yusuf, happens with a purpose. The jealousy that was the starter for betrayal would later prepare the ground for one of the most lovely reunions in history.
The Lessons from the Fire of Jealousy
The tale of “The Fire of Jealousy” presents many important lessons. Most importantly, it reminds us of the destructive power of jealousy. Jealousy has a way of blinding people and making them behave in such a manner that it hurts others and themselves. Jealousy destroys relationships and causes immense emotional and spiritual harm. Secondly, the tale demonstrates the strength of patience and trust in Allah. Prophet Ya’qub’s steadfast trust in Allah despite tremendous personal loss is an inspiration to Muslims.
Patience during hardship, coupled with trust in Allah’s wisdom, will always result in ultimate triumph. Lastly, this narrative also emphasizes the role of repentance and introspection. The brothers’ envy, while deeply entrenched, eventually became an impetus for change in themselves. They too would subsequently repent before Allah for their trespasses, demonstrating how the most serious errors can be made amends for by genuine repentence.
Conclusion
The beginning of “The Story of Prophet Yusuf: Fire of Jealousy” is a deep initiation into a story of tribulations, morals, and divine wisdom. The brothers’ jealousy is a reminder of how emotions unchecked can be transformed into actions that forever alter lives. As we go on to study the path of Prophet Yusuf, we will get to see the unfolding of a tale that is ultimately a tale of redemption, hope, and faith in Allah’s master plan.
Read more: Fulfilling Your Trust (Akhlaaq Building Series) By Ali Gator
