WEBVTT 00:00:00.460 --> 00:00:02.459 Stories of the Prophets, 00:00:02.459 --> 00:00:05.580 Stories of the Prophets, 00:00:05.580 --> 00:00:07.580 peace be upon them. 00:00:07.580 --> 00:00:09.619 May Allah's blessings, 00:00:09.619 --> 00:00:11.619 followed by 00:00:11.619 --> 00:00:13.619 His peace, 00:00:13.619 --> 00:00:15.619 be upon the best of all 00:00:15.619 --> 00:00:17.620 creation: 00:00:17.620 --> 00:00:20.100 men of steadfast resolve, 00:00:20.100 --> 00:00:22.100 exalted in rank 00:00:22.100 --> 00:00:24.379 and full of light. 00:00:24.379 --> 00:00:26.379 The story of Yusuf, 00:00:26.379 --> 00:00:28.379 peace be upon him. 00:00:28.379 --> 00:00:32.500 In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. 00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:34.500 Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, 00:00:34.500 --> 00:00:36.530 and may peace and blessings 00:00:36.530 --> 00:00:38.530 be upon our Prophet Muhammad, 00:00:38.530 --> 00:00:40.530 and upon his family and companions, 00:00:40.530 --> 00:00:42.530 one and all. 00:00:42.530 --> 00:00:44.530 To proceed: 00:00:44.530 --> 00:00:46.780 We continue with the best of stories, 00:00:46.780 --> 00:00:48.780 the story of the Prophet of Allah, Yusuf, 00:00:48.780 --> 00:00:50.780 peace be upon him, 00:00:50.780 --> 00:00:52.780 and turn to a new chapter 00:00:52.780 --> 00:00:54.780 among the chapters of this 00:00:54.780 --> 00:00:56.780 magnificent story. 00:00:56.780 --> 00:01:00.350 When Yusuf's brothers 00:01:00.350 --> 00:01:02.350 cast him into the well 00:01:02.350 --> 00:01:04.349 and walked away, 00:01:04.349 --> 00:01:06.349 the water in the well was low, 00:01:06.349 --> 00:01:08.349 so Yusuf sat 00:01:08.349 --> 00:01:10.349 upon a rock inside it. 00:01:10.349 --> 00:01:12.349 Then a caravan arrived 00:01:12.349 --> 00:01:14.349 near that place, 00:01:14.349 --> 00:01:16.349 and they sent their water-drawer to the well 00:01:16.349 --> 00:01:18.349 to fetch them water. 00:01:18.349 --> 00:01:20.349 When the man lowered 00:01:20.349 --> 00:01:22.349 his bucket into the well, 00:01:22.349 --> 00:01:24.349 Yusuf clung to the bucket. 00:01:24.349 --> 00:01:26.349 When the man pulled it up, 00:01:26.349 --> 00:01:28.349 he was astonished, 00:01:28.349 --> 00:01:30.349 for there was no water in the bucket; 00:01:30.349 --> 00:01:32.349 rather, it was a boy 00:01:32.349 --> 00:01:34.349 clinging to it, 00:01:34.349 --> 00:01:36.540 among the most handsome beings Allah ever created. 00:01:36.540 --> 00:01:38.540 In his overwhelming delight, 00:01:38.540 --> 00:01:40.540 he began crying out and saying: 00:01:40.540 --> 00:01:42.540 "O good news! Here is 00:01:42.540 --> 00:01:44.540 a boy!" 00:01:44.540 --> 00:01:46.540 "O good news! Here is a boy!" 00:01:46.540 --> 00:01:48.540 He brought him 00:01:48.540 --> 00:01:50.579 to his companions, 00:01:50.579 --> 00:01:52.579 and they were amazed by what their water-drawer 00:01:52.579 --> 00:01:54.579 had found. 00:01:54.579 --> 00:01:56.579 They feared that this boy 00:01:56.579 --> 00:01:58.579 had been lost by his family or had wandered off, 00:01:58.579 --> 00:02:00.579 and that his people might be searching for him. 00:02:00.579 --> 00:02:02.579 So they hid him as merchandise 00:02:02.579 --> 00:02:04.579 with them, 00:02:04.579 --> 00:02:06.579 placing him among their goods, 00:02:06.579 --> 00:02:08.580 hoping to sell him 00:02:08.580 --> 00:02:10.639 and profit from his price. 00:02:10.639 --> 00:02:12.639 Meanwhile, Yusuf remained silent and did not speak, 00:02:12.639 --> 00:02:14.639 either 00:02:14.639 --> 00:02:16.639 because their language differed from his, 00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:18.639 or out of fear 00:02:18.639 --> 00:02:20.639 that they might return him to his brothers, 00:02:20.639 --> 00:02:22.639 who would then plot against him 00:02:22.639 --> 00:02:24.639 an even greater scheme, 00:02:24.639 --> 00:02:26.800 or kill him. 00:02:26.800 --> 00:02:28.800 A stranger can sometimes be safer 00:02:28.800 --> 00:02:30.800 than one's own kin, 00:02:30.800 --> 00:02:32.800 and Allah is the One whose help is sought. 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:36.020 When 00:02:36.020 --> 00:02:38.020 the caravan reached Egypt, 00:02:38.020 --> 00:02:40.020 they sold him there 00:02:40.020 --> 00:02:42.020 for a meager price, 00:02:42.020 --> 00:02:44.020 which Allah described as a few dirhams, 00:02:44.020 --> 00:02:46.020 and they were, 00:02:46.020 --> 00:02:48.020 concerning him, of those who had no desire. 00:02:48.020 --> 00:02:50.020 For they had exerted no effort 00:02:50.020 --> 00:02:52.020 to acquire him, 00:02:52.020 --> 00:02:54.020 and besides, they were anxious 00:02:54.020 --> 00:02:56.020 that his family might catch up to them 00:02:56.020 --> 00:02:58.020 to take him back; 00:02:58.020 --> 00:03:00.020 therefore, they got rid of him 00:03:00.020 --> 00:03:02.080 and sold him quickly. 00:03:02.080 --> 00:03:04.080 The one who bought him from them 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:06.080 was the 'Aziz of Egypt, 00:03:06.080 --> 00:03:08.080 one of the high-ranking figures of Egypt. 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:10.110 He took Yusuf 00:03:10.110 --> 00:03:12.110 with him to his house 00:03:12.110 --> 00:03:14.110 and said to his wife— 00:03:14.110 --> 00:03:16.110 "And the one who bought him 00:03:16.110 --> 00:03:18.110 from Egypt said to his wife: 00:03:18.110 --> 00:03:20.110 'Make his stay comfortable; 00:03:20.110 --> 00:03:22.110 perhaps he will benefit us, 00:03:22.110 --> 00:03:24.110 perhaps he will 00:03:24.110 --> 00:03:26.110 benefit us, 00:03:26.110 --> 00:03:28.110 or we may adopt him as a son.'" 00:03:28.110 --> 00:03:30.110 "And thus 00:03:30.110 --> 00:03:32.110 We established 00:03:32.110 --> 00:03:34.110 Yusuf in the land, 00:03:34.110 --> 00:03:36.110 and that We might teach him 00:03:36.110 --> 00:03:38.110 some of 00:03:38.110 --> 00:03:40.110 the interpretation 00:03:40.110 --> 00:03:42.110 of dreams (hadiths). 00:03:42.110 --> 00:03:44.110 And Allah is predominant 00:03:44.110 --> 00:03:46.110 over His affair, 00:03:46.110 --> 00:03:48.110 but 00:03:48.110 --> 00:03:50.110 most of the people 00:03:50.110 --> 00:03:52.110 do not know." 00:03:52.110 --> 00:03:54.849 The 'Aziz of Egypt 00:03:54.849 --> 00:03:56.849 had no children, 00:03:56.849 --> 00:03:58.849 which is why 00:03:58.849 --> 00:04:00.849 he cared for Yusuf, 00:04:00.849 --> 00:04:02.879 honored him, and protected him. 00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:04.879 Yusuf began to grow up 00:04:04.879 --> 00:04:06.879 little by little in his palace, 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:08.879 before the eyes 00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:10.879 of the wife of the 'Aziz. 00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:12.879 Her heart became attached to Yusuf, 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:14.879 and she loved him with a passion 00:04:14.879 --> 00:04:16.879 that exceeded her ability 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:18.879 to restrain it. 00:04:18.879 --> 00:04:20.879 She could no longer control herself, 00:04:20.879 --> 00:04:22.879 until she sought to seduce him, 00:04:22.879 --> 00:04:24.879 soliciting him 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:27.230 to commit immorality. 00:04:27.230 --> 00:04:29.230 Allah Almighty said, describing 00:04:29.230 --> 00:04:31.459 the scene: 00:04:31.459 --> 00:04:33.459 "And she in whose house he was 00:04:33.459 --> 00:04:35.459 “And she, in whose house he was, asked of him an evil act. She bolted the doors and said: Come! He said: I seek refuge in Allah! Lo! he is my lord, who hath treated me honourably. Lo! wrong-doers never prosper.” (12:23) 00:04:35.459 --> 00:04:37.459 sought to seduce him, and she bolted 00:04:37.459 --> 00:04:39.459 the doors 00:04:39.459 --> 00:04:41.459 and said, 00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:43.459 'Come, you!' 00:04:43.459 --> 00:04:45.459 He said, 'Allah forbid! 00:04:45.459 --> 00:04:47.459 Indeed, 00:04:47.459 --> 00:04:49.680 my master 00:04:49.680 --> 00:04:51.680 has made my stay good. 00:04:51.680 --> 00:04:53.680 Indeed, 00:04:53.870 --> 00:04:55.870 the wrongdoers 00:04:55.870 --> 00:04:57.870 will never succeed.' 00:04:57.870 --> 00:05:00.060 And she certainly desired 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:02.060 him, 00:05:02.060 --> 00:05:04.060 and he would have inclined toward her 00:05:04.060 --> 00:05:06.060 had he not seen 00:05:06.060 --> 00:05:08.060 the proof of his Lord. 00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:10.060 Thus it was, that We might avert 00:05:10.060 --> 00:05:12.060 from him evil 00:05:12.060 --> 00:05:14.060 and immorality. 00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:17.500 Indeed, he was of Our chosen, 00:05:17.500 --> 00:05:19.500 sincere servants." 00:05:21.500 --> 00:05:23.980 What an immense trial! 00:05:23.980 --> 00:05:26.689 Yusuf, 00:05:26.689 --> 00:05:28.689 a young, unmarried stranger, 00:05:28.689 --> 00:05:30.689 serving his mistress 00:05:30.689 --> 00:05:32.689 in her own house, 00:05:32.689 --> 00:05:34.689 was subjected to a difficult test 00:05:34.689 --> 00:05:36.689 from which none could escape 00:05:36.689 --> 00:05:38.689 except one whom Allah grants success 00:05:38.689 --> 00:05:40.720 and protects. 00:05:40.720 --> 00:05:42.750 The doors were tightly locked, 00:05:42.750 --> 00:05:44.750 and the woman had prepared herself for him 00:05:44.750 --> 00:05:46.750 in all her adornment, 00:05:46.750 --> 00:05:48.750 inviting him to herself 00:05:48.750 --> 00:05:50.750 and saying, 00:05:51.819 --> 00:05:53.819 meaning, "I have made myself ready for you, 00:05:53.819 --> 00:05:55.819 so come to me!" 00:05:55.819 --> 00:05:57.879 But Yusuf turned to his Lord 00:05:57.879 --> 00:05:59.879 and sought refuge in Him 00:05:59.879 --> 00:06:01.879 from this trial. 00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:03.879 He said: 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:05.879 "How could I betray the man who took care of me 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:07.879 and treated me honorably? 00:06:07.879 --> 00:06:09.879 That would be wrongdoing, 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:12.009 and wrongdoers never succeed." 00:06:12.009 --> 00:06:14.009 But Satan had overwhelmed 00:06:14.009 --> 00:06:16.009 the woman's mind; 00:06:16.009 --> 00:06:18.009 she was determined to have him 00:06:18.009 --> 00:06:20.009 and insisted upon it. 00:06:21.009 --> 00:06:23.009 A young, unmarried stranger— 00:06:23.009 --> 00:06:25.009 had it not been for Allah's protection over him, 00:06:25.009 --> 00:06:27.009 he might have inclined toward her 00:06:27.009 --> 00:06:29.009 as well; 00:06:29.009 --> 00:06:31.009 however, Allah showed him a sign 00:06:31.009 --> 00:06:33.009 by which He turned him away from her. 00:06:33.009 --> 00:06:35.009 And in such a manner does Allah 00:06:35.009 --> 00:06:37.009 protect His sincere servants. 00:06:37.009 --> 00:06:40.129 Yusuf fled 00:06:40.129 --> 00:06:42.129 toward the door, 00:06:42.129 --> 00:06:44.129 seeking to escape the place 00:06:44.129 --> 00:06:46.129 of temptation and be saved 00:06:46.129 --> 00:06:48.189 from this ordeal. 00:06:48.189 --> 00:06:50.189 Meanwhile, the wife of the 'Aziz ran 00:06:50.189 --> 00:06:52.189 behind him, pursuing him. 00:06:52.189 --> 00:06:54.189 It was a scene of 00:06:54.189 --> 00:06:56.189 a race between good 00:06:56.189 --> 00:06:58.189 with anxiety filling both their hearts, 00:06:58.189 --> 00:07:00.189 while the goal was the door. 00:07:00.189 --> 00:07:02.220 The woman overtook Yusuf 00:07:02.220 --> 00:07:04.220 before he could reach it, 00:07:04.220 --> 00:07:06.220 grabbing him from behind, 00:07:06.220 --> 00:07:08.220 which tore his shirt. 00:07:08.220 --> 00:07:10.220 Yet he kept running 00:07:10.220 --> 00:07:12.220 toward his destination until 00:07:12.220 --> 00:07:14.290 he opened the door, 00:07:14.290 --> 00:07:16.290 only to find her husband, the Aziz, 00:07:16.290 --> 00:07:18.290 standing right at the door. 00:07:18.290 --> 00:07:20.290 Facing this suspicious scene, 00:07:20.290 --> 00:07:22.350 here came 00:07:22.350 --> 00:07:24.509 women's cunning. 00:07:24.509 --> 00:07:26.509 The wife of the Aziz quickly took control 00:07:26.509 --> 00:07:28.509 of the situation, and with quick 00:07:28.509 --> 00:07:30.509 wit, turned the tables 00:07:30.509 --> 00:07:32.509 on Yusuf, 00:07:32.509 --> 00:07:34.509 accusing him of being the one 00:07:34.509 --> 00:07:36.509 who seduced her 00:07:36.509 --> 00:07:38.740 and intended evil against her. 00:07:38.740 --> 00:07:40.740 She gave her husband no 00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:42.740 room to think, 00:07:42.740 --> 00:07:44.740 passing judgment on Yusuf immediately 00:07:44.740 --> 00:07:46.740 and saying: 00:07:46.740 --> 00:07:48.740 "What is the penalty for whoever intended evil against your wife 00:07:48.740 --> 00:07:50.740 except that he be imprisoned 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:54.240 or suffer a painful punishment?" 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:56.240 Yusuf defended himself, 00:07:56.240 --> 00:07:58.240 saying: 00:07:58.240 --> 00:08:00.240 “(Joseph) said: She it was who asked of me an evil act. And a witness of her own folk testified: If his shirt is torn from before, then she speaketh truth and he is of the liars.” (12:26) 00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:02.240 "It was not I who committed this 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:04.399 heinous act." 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:06.399 At this point, there spoke 00:08:06.399 --> 00:08:08.399 a man from the woman's household— 00:08:08.399 --> 00:08:10.399 said to be her maternal cousin— 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:12.399 who was with the Aziz 00:08:12.399 --> 00:08:14.399 at the door. 00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:16.399 He said: 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:18.399 "Look at the torn shirt: 00:08:18.399 --> 00:08:20.399 if it is torn 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:22.399 from the front, then the woman 00:08:22.399 --> 00:08:24.399 is truthful in what she says, 00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:26.399 and Yusuf is among the liars. 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:28.399 But if the shirt 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:30.399 is torn from behind, 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:32.399 then the woman has lied, 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:34.399 and Yusuf is among the truthful." 00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:36.399 This witnessing man 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:38.399 presented the possibility of the woman's 00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:40.399 innocence first, 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:42.720 because she was his relative. 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:44.720 When they looked at the shirt, 00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:46.720 they found it torn from behind. 00:08:46.720 --> 00:08:48.720 Thus, the innocence 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:50.720 of the chaste Yusuf was revealed, 00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:52.720 and the Aziz realized the truthfulness of 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:54.720 Yusuf and the deceit of his wife. 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:56.720 He said to her: 00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:58.720 "Indeed, this 00:08:58.720 --> 00:09:00.720 is of your feminine guile, O women; 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:02.720 surely your guile 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:04.720 is immense." 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:06.720 Then he turned to Yusuf and said to him: 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:08.720 "Yusuf, 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:10.720 overlook this matter; 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:12.720 everything ends here." 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:14.720 And he said to his wife: 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:16.720 "Ask forgiveness for your sin." 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:18.720 “O Joseph! Turn away from this, and thou, (O woman), ask forgiveness for thy sin. Lo! thou art of the faulty.” (12:29) 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:20.720 Just like that, 00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:22.720 with utter coldness. 00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:24.779 This reaction of the Aziz 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:26.779 showed the weakness 00:09:26.779 --> 00:09:28.779 of his character before his wife; 00:09:28.779 --> 00:09:30.779 therefore, 00:09:30.779 --> 00:09:32.779 his reaction was disproportionate 00:09:32.779 --> 00:09:35.039 to the gravity of the event. 00:09:35.039 --> 00:09:37.039 Allah Almighty described these events 00:09:37.039 --> 00:09:39.039 with the most beautiful description 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:41.039 and the most precise phrasing, 00:09:41.039 --> 00:09:43.039 saying: 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:45.039 "And they raced to the door, 00:09:45.039 --> 00:09:47.039 and she tore his shirt 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:49.039 from behind, 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:51.039 and they found her master 00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:53.039 at the door. 00:09:53.039 --> 00:09:55.039 She said, 'What is the recompense 00:09:55.039 --> 00:09:57.039 of one who intended evil 00:09:57.039 --> 00:09:59.039 for your wife 00:09:59.039 --> 00:10:01.039 except that 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:03.039 he be imprisoned 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:05.039 except that he be imprisoned 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:07.039 or a painful 00:10:07.039 --> 00:10:09.039 punishment?' 00:10:09.039 --> 00:10:11.039 [Yusuf] said, 'It was she 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:13.039 who sought to seduce me.' 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:15.039 And a witness 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:17.039 from her family testified: 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:19.039 'If his shirt 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:21.039 is torn from the front, 00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:23.039 'If his shirt 00:10:23.039 --> 00:10:25.039 is torn from the front, 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:27.039 then she has told the truth, 00:10:27.039 --> 00:10:29.039 and he is of the liars. 00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:33.039 But if his shirt 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:35.039 is torn from behind, 00:10:35.039 --> 00:10:37.039 then she has lied, 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:39.039 then she has lied, 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:41.039 and he is of the truthful.' 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:43.039 So when 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:45.039 he saw his shirt 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:47.039 torn from behind, 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:49.039 he said, 'Indeed, it is 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:51.039 of your cunning; 00:10:51.039 --> 00:10:53.039 indeed, 00:10:53.039 --> 00:10:55.039 your cunning 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:57.039 is great. 00:10:57.039 --> 00:10:59.039 Yusuf, 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:01.039 disregard this, 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:03.039 and [woman], ask forgiveness 00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:05.039 for your sin; 00:11:05.039 --> 00:11:08.100 indeed, 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:10.100 you were of 00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:12.100 the sinful.'" 00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:14.830 The news 00:11:14.830 --> 00:11:16.830 of the wife of the Aziz 00:11:16.830 --> 00:11:18.830 with Yusuf spread across the city, 00:11:18.830 --> 00:11:20.830 and tongues began wagging about it, 00:11:20.830 --> 00:11:22.830 making it 00:11:22.830 --> 00:11:24.830 the talk of every gathering and the gossip 00:11:24.830 --> 00:11:26.830 of the people. 00:11:26.830 --> 00:11:28.830 “And women in the city said: The ruler's wife is asking of her slave-boy an ill-deed. Indeed he has smitten her to the heart with love. We behold her in plain aberration.” (12:30) 00:11:28.830 --> 00:11:30.830 With cunning and spite, they said: 00:11:30.830 --> 00:11:32.830 "The wife of the Aziz is seducing 00:11:32.830 --> 00:11:34.830 her young slave; 00:11:34.830 --> 00:11:36.830 he has impassioned her heart with love! 00:11:36.830 --> 00:11:38.830 Truly, we see her 00:11:38.830 --> 00:11:40.960 in plain error." 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:42.960 Their aim behind this 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:44.960 talk was to see this 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:46.960 youth who had captivated 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:49.090 the wife of the Aziz. 00:11:49.090 --> 00:11:51.090 The wife of the Aziz understood that 00:11:51.090 --> 00:11:53.090 about them, so she met 00:11:53.090 --> 00:11:55.090 their verbal cunning with an active, 00:11:55.090 --> 00:11:57.090 practical scheme—being someone 00:11:57.090 --> 00:11:59.090 renowned for formidable guile. 00:11:59.090 --> 00:12:01.279 She sent for them, 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:03.279 inviting them to a banquet 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:05.279 she had prepared for them, 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:07.279 and arranged for each 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:09.279 of them a comfortable couch 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:11.279 to recline upon during the gathering. 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:13.279 She served them the food, 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:15.279 and this food 00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:17.279 required the use of a knife, 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:19.279 so she gave each 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:21.279 of them a knife. 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:23.379 When they began 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:25.379 cutting the food and eating, 00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:27.379 at that very moment, 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:29.379 she commanded Yusuf to come out 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:31.470 before them. 00:12:31.470 --> 00:12:33.470 The women were astonished to see Yusuf 00:12:33.470 --> 00:12:35.470 right before their eyes; 00:12:35.470 --> 00:12:37.470 they were dazzled by his beauty, 00:12:37.470 --> 00:12:39.470 stunned by him, and held him in high esteem 00:12:39.470 --> 00:12:41.470 in their eyes. 00:12:41.470 --> 00:12:43.470 Amidst this bewilderment, 00:12:43.470 --> 00:12:45.470 they cut their own hands with the knives 00:12:45.470 --> 00:12:47.470 they were holding 00:12:47.470 --> 00:12:49.470 without even realizing it, 00:12:49.470 --> 00:12:51.470 and exclaimed, "Far removed is Allah from any imperfection! This cannot be 00:12:51.470 --> 00:12:53.470 a mere mortal; 00:12:53.470 --> 00:12:55.470 this is none other than a noble angel!" 00:12:55.470 --> 00:12:57.629 The wife of the Aziz 00:12:57.629 --> 00:12:59.629 said to them: 00:12:59.629 --> 00:13:01.629 "This is the one about whom you blamed me! 00:13:01.629 --> 00:13:03.659 Your minds were bewildered 00:13:03.659 --> 00:13:05.659 and you were stunned by him 00:13:05.659 --> 00:13:07.700 at first glance, 00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:09.700 whereas I 00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:11.700 used to look at him every day 00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:13.700 multiple times." 00:13:13.700 --> 00:13:15.820 Then she confessed before them, 00:13:15.820 --> 00:13:17.889 saying: 00:13:17.889 --> 00:13:19.889 "I certainly sought to seduce him, 00:13:19.889 --> 00:13:21.889 but he resolutely refused. 00:13:21.889 --> 00:13:23.889 And now, I present the matter 00:13:23.889 --> 00:13:25.889 to him anew: 00:13:25.889 --> 00:13:27.889 if he does not do what I order him, 00:13:27.889 --> 00:13:29.889 he will surely be thrown into prison 00:13:29.889 --> 00:13:31.889 and will certainly be among the humiliated 00:13:31.889 --> 00:13:34.139 and disgraced." 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:36.139 The matter did not stop 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:38.139 at that point; 00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:40.139 rather, the other women also began 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:42.240 trying to seduce Yusuf. 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:44.240 Yusuf's response was 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:46.240 a supplication 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:48.240 directed it to his Lord, 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:50.240 saying: 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:52.240 “He said: O my Lord! Prison is more dear than that unto which they urge me, and if Thou fend not off their wiles from me I shall incline unto them and become of the foolish.” (12:33) 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:54.399 "they invite me to, 00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:56.399 and I, my Lord, am a servant, 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:58.399 a stranger in this land. 00:13:58.399 --> 00:14:00.399 And unless You avert from me 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:02.399 their plot, 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:04.399 I fear that I might yield to them 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:06.399 and become one of the ignorant." 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:08.559 Yusuf passed 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:10.559 the test, 00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:12.559 and Allah answered his supplication 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:14.559 and turned away their plot from him 00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:16.559 altogether. 00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:18.559 For Allah is All-Hearing of whoever calls upon Him, 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:20.559 All-Knowing of his state. 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:23.840 The wife of al-Aziz demanded 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:25.840 that her husband cast Yusuf 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:27.840 into prison 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:29.840 so that people's talk 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:31.870 about her would cease. 00:14:31.870 --> 00:14:33.870 So he had no choice but 00:14:33.870 --> 00:14:35.870 to fulfill her request 00:14:35.870 --> 00:14:37.899 and carry out her command. 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:39.899 He met with the prison officials 00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:41.899 in charge, 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:43.970 and they discussed Yusuf's case. 00:14:43.970 --> 00:14:45.970 Thus it became apparent to them, and they settled 00:14:45.970 --> 00:14:47.970 upon the verdict— 00:14:47.970 --> 00:14:49.970 “And it seemed good to them (the men-folk) after they had seen the signs (of his innocence) to imprison him for a time.” (12:35) 00:14:49.970 --> 00:14:51.970 despite the signs pointing to his innocence— 00:14:51.970 --> 00:14:53.970 that they should imprison him for a time, 00:14:53.970 --> 00:14:55.970 meaning until the gossip 00:14:55.970 --> 00:14:57.970 of the people about the wife of al-Aziz subsided, 00:14:57.970 --> 00:14:59.970 and tongues were silenced 00:14:59.970 --> 00:15:01.970 from delving into her affair. 00:15:01.970 --> 00:15:04.190 They agreed 00:15:04.190 --> 00:15:06.190 to imprison him for an indefinite 00:15:06.190 --> 00:15:08.220 period, 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:10.220 and this is among the greatest injustices 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:12.220 inflicted upon a prisoner: 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:14.220 to be left without trial, 00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:16.220 not knowing the end of his sentence, 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:18.220 living 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:20.220 between pain and hope each day. 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:22.580 Allah the Exalted said: 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:24.610 ◁And women said 00:15:24.610 --> 00:15:26.610 in the city, 00:15:26.610 --> 00:15:28.610 "The wife of al-Aziz 00:15:28.610 --> 00:15:30.610 is seeking to seduce her young slave; 00:15:30.610 --> 00:15:32.610 he has impassioned her 00:15:32.610 --> 00:15:34.610 with love. 00:15:34.610 --> 00:15:36.610 Indeed, 00:15:36.610 --> 00:15:39.019 we see her in 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:41.019 clear error." 00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:43.019 So when 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:45.019 she heard of their malicious talk, 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:47.019 she sent for them 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:49.019 and prepared for them 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:51.019 a banquet, 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:53.019 and gave each one 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:55.019 and prepared for them 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:57.019 a banquet, 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:59.019 and gave each one 00:15:59.019 --> 00:16:01.019 of them 00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:03.019 a knife 00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:05.019 and gave each one 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:07.019 of them 00:16:07.019 --> 00:16:09.019 a knife 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:11.019 and said, "Come out before them." 00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:13.059 And when 00:16:13.059 --> 00:16:15.059 they saw him, 00:16:15.059 --> 00:16:17.059 they greatly admired him and cut 00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:19.059 their hands 00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:21.059 and cut their hands 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:23.059 and said, 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:25.059 "Allah forbid! This is no 00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:27.059 man; 00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:29.059 and said, "Allah forbid! 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:31.059 This is no man; 00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:33.059 this is none 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:35.059 other than a noble angel." 00:16:35.059 --> 00:16:37.059 She said, "That is the one 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:39.059 about whom 00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:41.059 you blamed 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:43.059 me. 00:16:43.059 --> 00:16:45.059 And I certainly sought to seduce him, 00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:47.059 but he firmly resisted. 00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:49.059 And if he does not do 00:16:49.059 --> 00:16:51.059 what I order him, he will surely be imprisoned 00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:53.059 and will surely be 00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:55.059 among the disgraced." 00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:57.059 He said, 00:16:57.059 --> 00:16:59.059 "My Lord, prison 00:16:59.059 --> 00:17:01.059 is more dear to me 00:17:01.059 --> 00:17:03.059 than that to which they invite me. 00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:05.059 And unless You turn away 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:07.059 from me their plot, 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:09.059 I might incline 00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:11.059 toward them 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:13.059 and be 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:15.059 among the ignorant." 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:17.059 So his Lord 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:19.059 answered him 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:21.059 and turned away 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:23.059 from him their plot. 00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:25.059 Indeed, 00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:27.059 He is the All-Hearing, 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:29.059 the All-Knowing. 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:31.059 Then it occurred 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:33.059 to them after 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:35.059 they had seen the signs 00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:37.059 that they should surely imprison him 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:39.059 for a time.▷ 00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:41.059 Such was the life of Yusuf, 00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:43.059 peace be upon him, in the palace of 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:45.059 al-Aziz; indeed, 00:17:47.630 --> 00:17:49.630 these are events that contain numerous 00:17:49.630 --> 00:17:51.630 lessons and morals. 00:17:51.630 --> 00:17:53.630 Among them, perhaps: 00:17:53.630 --> 00:17:55.630 First, caution 00:17:55.630 --> 00:17:57.700 against being in seclusion with women, 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:59.819 especially where temptation 00:17:59.819 --> 00:18:01.819 is feared. The Prophet, 00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:03.819 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:05.819 "I have not left after me 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:07.980 any trial more harmful to men 00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:09.980 than women." 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:11.980 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.980 Second, 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:16.019 whoever is tempted toward sin 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:18.559 must seek refuge in Allah 00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:20.559 from it, so that Allah may protect him 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:22.559 against it. 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:24.559 Yusuf, peace be upon him, said: 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:26.559 "Allah forbid!" 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:28.690 Third, 00:18:28.690 --> 00:18:30.690 the obligation of loyalty to a man 00:18:30.690 --> 00:18:33.490 of grace and favor, 00:18:33.490 --> 00:18:35.490 and not betraying him regarding his household; 00:18:35.490 --> 00:18:37.490 Yusuf, peace be upon him, said: 00:18:37.490 --> 00:18:39.490 "Indeed, he is my master who has made good 00:18:39.490 --> 00:18:41.490 my stay." 00:18:41.490 --> 00:18:43.490 Fourth, 00:18:43.490 --> 00:18:45.490 the inclination of the wife of al-Aziz 00:18:45.490 --> 00:18:47.940 was a resolved intent to commit 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:49.970 the shameful deed, 00:18:49.970 --> 00:18:51.970 whereas the inclination of Yusuf, peace be upon him— 00:18:51.970 --> 00:18:53.970 according to the view that he had an inclination 00:18:53.970 --> 00:18:56.059 toward her—was 00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:58.059 from the impulses of the soul that incites 00:18:58.059 --> 00:19:00.059 to evil, which is human nature 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:02.059 in most 00:19:02.059 --> 00:19:04.059 people, and it was merely 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:06.059 a passing thought and inner whisper, 00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:08.059 without choice or 00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:10.059 determination, and Allah averted it 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:12.059 from him. 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:14.059 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:16.059 "Whoever intends to do an evil deed 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:18.190 but does not commit it, 00:19:18.190 --> 00:19:20.190 Allah writes it down for him 00:19:20.190 --> 00:19:22.190 as a complete good deed." 00:19:22.190 --> 00:19:24.190 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:19:24.190 --> 00:19:26.190 And Yusuf abandoned 00:19:26.190 --> 00:19:28.190 this passing inclination for the sake of Allah 00:19:28.190 --> 00:19:30.190 the Exalted, 00:19:30.190 --> 00:19:32.319 giving precedence to the fear of Allah over the promptings 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:34.319 of the soul and desire. 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:36.319 Thus, he was among those who feared the standing before 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:38.319 his Lord and restrained the soul 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:40.319 from vain desire, 00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:42.319 and he became one of the seven whom Allah will shade 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:44.319 beneath the shade of His Throne 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:46.319 on the Day when there will be no shade 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:48.319 except His shade. 00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:50.319 The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:52.319 "...and a man whom a woman 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:54.480 of status and beauty seduced, 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:56.480 but he said, 'Indeed, I fear Allah.'" 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:58.480 Agreed upon. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:00.480 Fifth, 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:02.480 hearts turned away from Allah 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:04.670 and devoid of the love of 00:20:04.670 --> 00:20:07.539 Allah the Exalted 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:09.539 are afflicted with infatuation with superficial forms; 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:11.539 for whenever the heart is filled 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:13.539 with love and fear of Allah, 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:15.539 it repels from its bearer 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:17.539 the disease of infatuation with forms. 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:19.539 This is why the Exalted said 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:21.539 regarding Yusuf: 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:23.539 ◁Thus it was, that We might turn away from him 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:25.539 evil and immorality. 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:27.539 Indeed, he was of Our chosen 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:29.539 servants.▷ 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:31.539 Sixth, 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:33.539 it is incumbent upon a person, whenever seeing 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:36.400 a temptation, to turn away 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:38.400 Sixth, 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:40.400 whenever a person comes across 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:42.400 a place filled with temptation 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:44.400 and the means to commit sin, 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:46.400 they ought to flee and run away from it, 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:48.400 rather than surrendering to reprehensible deeds, 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:50.529 fitnah, and forbidden matters. 00:20:50.529 --> 00:20:52.529 Allah the Almighty said: 00:20:52.529 --> 00:20:54.980 "And they both raced to the door." 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:57.099 Seventh, 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:59.099 the woman defended herself 00:20:59.099 --> 00:21:01.099 by slandering Yusuf 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:03.140 and accusing him of seducing her. 00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:05.140 She said: "What is the penalty 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:07.140 for someone who intended harm against your family?" 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:09.140 Thus, the guilty party 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:11.140 may feign innocence and accuse 00:21:11.140 --> 00:21:13.140 their opponent, cloaking 00:21:13.140 --> 00:21:15.140 their crime with lies, deception, 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:17.140 scheming, and false oaths 00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:19.140 so that people will believe them. 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:21.140 Meanwhile, the oppressed party may remain silent 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:23.140 out of vulnerability and helplessness, 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:25.140 and perhaps their reply 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:27.140 will be brief and concise, 00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:29.140 just as Yusuf said: 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:31.140 "It was she who sought to seduce me 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:33.329 against my will." 00:21:33.329 --> 00:21:35.329 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:21:35.329 --> 00:21:37.329 "You bring your disputes 00:21:37.329 --> 00:21:39.329 to me, 00:21:39.329 --> 00:21:41.329 and perhaps one of you 00:21:41.329 --> 00:21:43.390 is more eloquent in presenting his case than another. 00:21:43.390 --> 00:21:45.390 So if I award anyone something that belongs to his brother 00:21:45.390 --> 00:21:47.390 based on his words, 00:21:47.390 --> 00:21:49.390 I am only allocating to him 00:21:49.390 --> 00:21:51.390 a piece of the Fire, 00:21:51.390 --> 00:21:53.490 so let him not take it." 00:21:53.490 --> 00:21:55.490 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:21:55.490 --> 00:21:58.319 Eighth, 00:21:58.319 --> 00:22:00.319 women possess cunning, 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:02.319 stratagems, and plotting when executing their plans 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:04.319 to ensure 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:06.319 that they 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:08.319 manage those around them, 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:10.319 achieving feats beyond the capability of men. 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:12.319 For this reason, the minister said 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:14.960 to his wife: 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:16.960 "Indeed, this is of your cunning; 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:18.960 surely your cunning is immense." 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.990 Ninth, 00:22:20.990 --> 00:22:22.990 the righteous have enduring 00:22:22.990 --> 00:22:24.990 stories and chronicles with prisons. 00:22:24.990 --> 00:22:26.990 For Yusuf, peace be upon him, 00:22:26.990 --> 00:22:28.990 is the exemplar of prisoners, 00:22:28.990 --> 00:22:31.059 constantly supplicating Allah and turning to Him. 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:33.059 Thus, prison, despite its gloom, 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:35.059 was better for him than disobedience; 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:37.059 he entered the depths of prison 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:39.059 as an honorable caller to his Lord. 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:41.059 And after several years, 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:43.059 the storehouses of the land 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:45.059 were placed under his charge. 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:47.059 “And he placed his parents on the dais and they fell down before him prostrate, and he said: O my father! This is the interpretation of my dream of old. My Lord hath made it true, and He hath shown me kindness, since He took me out of the prison and hath brought you from the desert after Satan had made strife between me and my brethren. Lo! my Lord is tender unto whom He will. He is the Knower, the Wise.” (12:100) 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:49.059 Thus prison, as it is said, 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:51.059 is the school of Yusuf, 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:54.559 peace be upon him. 00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:56.559 To be continued, 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:58.559 if Allah wills. 00:22:58.559 --> 00:23:00.559 And Allah knows best. 00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:02.559 May peace and blessings 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:04.559 be upon our Prophet Muhammad, 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:06.559 and upon his family 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:08.559 and all his Companions. 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:12.130 You have been listening to 00:23:12.130 --> 00:23:14.130 Stories of the Prophets.