Surah Yusuf holds profound benefits encompassing successful parenthood, the avoidance of envy and lies, abstinence from sin, humility, the utilization of abilities for good, forgiveness, the rewards for the pious, patience leading to relief, trust in Allah, and the balance between effort and reliance on divine guidance. While certain claims about the Surah’s benefits lack authentic support, its true value lies in its teachings that transcend time and offer guidance in navigating life’s challenges.
Through the stories of Prophet Yusuf and Prophet Yaqub, Surah Yusuf underscores the importance of moral conduct, resilience, and unwavering trust in Allah’s wisdom and mercy, inspiring believers to embody virtues such as fairness, integrity, forgiveness, and perseverance in their daily lives. These lessons serve as timeless principles that illuminate the path toward spiritual growth, resilience, and fulfillment.
Despite various misconceptions surrounding the purported benefits of Surah Yusuf, its true essence lies in its rich teachings, which offer invaluable guidance on matters of faith, morality, and personal conduct. Through the narratives of Prophet Yusuf and Prophet Yaqub, the Surah imparts profound insights into the importance of maintaining familial harmony, practicing humility, resisting temptation, and cultivating patience in the face of adversity.
Moreover, Surah Yusuf emphasizes the significance of trust in Allah’s plan, reminding believers to remain steadfast in their faith and efforts while placing their ultimate reliance on divine guidance. By embodying the virtues exemplified in the Surah, such as forgiveness, integrity, and perseverance, individuals can navigate life’s trials with grace, fortitude, and unwavering trust in Allah’s infinite wisdom and mercy, thereby enriching their spiritual journey and striving towards a life of righteousness and fulfillment.
This article is dedicated to understanding Surah Yusuf in brief. We will discuss the Asbab al-Nuzul, whether it is Makki or Madani, Maksud, and Tafseer of the surah. Most importantly, we will highlight the most important lessons and benefits of Surah Yusuf. This will help you in your learning Quran online.
This article is inspired by the story of Prophet Yusuf (PBUH) in Surah Yusuf.
Table of Contents
What is Surah Yusuf?
Surah Yusuf is one of the most beautiful Surahs in the Quran. It is concerned with narrating the magnificent story of Prophet Yusuf in detail and commenting on it.
Surah Yusuf was among the surahs of the Quran revealed at an early time, where it included great lessons for Muslims in the early phases of dawah.
Surah Yusuf is numbered the twelfth in the Quran book. It is relatively long as it consists of 111 verses.
Surah Yusuf is easy to learn and memorize; owing to its story-telling nature. If you want to learn Quran and Tajweed online, enroll in our 2 free trials at BayanulQuran Academy Courses.
Benefits of Surah Yusuf | What Is Surah Yusuf Read For?
Surah Yusuf has many benefits owing to its great lessons we should learn by heart. It is also rewarding as its recitation is worth a great ajr as other Surahs in the Quran. However, some people allegedly claim benefits for the Surah that are not supported by true revelation. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss some of these false claims.
Claims about Surah Yusuf providing benefits for marriage, pregnancy, gender selection, and beauty enhancement lack support from the Quran or authentic Sunnah. These assertions lack true evidence and should be regarded as false.
#1- Benefit of Surah Yusuf for Marriage and Love
It was claimed that Surah Yusuf is beneficial to keep the love spark between married couples. However, there are no verses or authentic hadiths supporting such a claim.
#2- Benefit of Surah Yusuf for Pregnancy
It was said that Surah Yusuf helps to bear a beautiful child. That is a false claim, as it is not mentioned in the Quran or authentic Sunnah.
#3- Benefit of Surah Yusuf for Baby Boy
Some people say that reading Surah Yusuf helps the female bear a baby boy. This claim is false and lacks true evidence.
#4- Benefit of Surah Yusuf for Beauty
The benefit of Surah Yusuf in making one beautiful is untrue. This is only a false claim away from true evidence from the Quran and Sunnah.
Lessons of Surah Yusuf:
Surah Yusuf comprises many great lessons. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss them in brief.
1- Learn Successful Parenthood
Surah Yusuf is a lesson on successful parenthood. A parent should listen to his kid and praise his good deeds. He should also correct their bad deeds.
A parent shouldn’t by any means discriminate between his children, nor prefer one over the other in supplies and gifts as that would implant envy and hatred between brothers.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said referring to that meaning: “Fear Allah and treat your children equally.” (Agreed Upon)
Prophet Yaqub didn’t discriminate between his sons. However, it was the Devil who made them feel that. It was apparent in the brother’s acknowledgment of their sin. They said: “O our father! Pray for the forgiveness of our sins. We have certainly been sinful.” (Quran 12:97)
2- Keep Away from Envy And Lies
Envy, hatred, and lies don’t by any means benefit their committers. They are a door for sins and bad deeds as what happened with prophet Yusuf’s brothers. Moreover, they consume your hasanat!
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Beware of envy because envy consumes (destroys) the virtues just as the fire consumes the firewood” (Riyad as-Salihin 1569)
That should be the morals of a Muslim. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also said, “A Muslim is a brother to a Muslim. He should neither deceive him nor lie to him, nor leave him without assistance.” (Riyad as-Salihin 234)
“Do not hate each other, nor feel jealous, nor have enmity” (Riyad as-Salihin 1567)
3- Keep Away From Sins No Matter The Hardships
When Egypt’s governor’s wife called prophet Yusuf (PBUH) for adultery, he refused although she threatened him with imprisonment. He hurried to the door and chose Allah’s path for any worldly reward. Allah said: “Joseph prayed, “My Lord! I would rather be in jail than do what they invite me to” (Quran 12:33)
That should be the way a Muslim deals with sins. He should hurry out and never let its doors open!
4- Be Humble No Matter Your Position
Prophet Yusuf (PBUH) was humble even though he was in a great position. He fulfilled people’s needs and supplied them justly. It is one of the deeds by which Allah would shadow them on the day of judgment as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said. (Riyad as-Salihin 1567)
Humility always raises the position of people, not the opposite!
5- Know Your Power And Use It for Allah’s Sake
Prophet Yusuf (PBUH) told the king to make him responsible for the country’s financial affairs. He knew of himself the ability to manage this critical aspect. Likewise, a Muslim should know his abilities and use them for the benefit of people and society.
A Muslim shouldn’t underestimate himself out of humility. He shouldn’t also claim skills he doesn’t have.
6- Forgive Others
Although Prophet Yusuf’s brothers harmed him greatly, exposed him to danger, and detached him from his father, he forgave them at the end. He knew it was the devil who whispered to them and that they repented to Allah (SWT).
A Muslim should forgive those who did him bad if he is able to. Allah said in the Quran: “Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love to be forgiven by Allah? And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Quran 24:22)
7- Allah Raises Pious People
Allah (SWT) raises pious people who do righteous deeds. Allah said in Surah Yusuf: “Surely whoever is mindful ˹of Allah˺ and patient, then certainly Allah never discounts the reward of the good-doers.” (Quran 12:90)
He (SWT) also said: “We elevate in rank whoever We will. But above those ranking in knowledge is the One All-Knowing.” (Quran 12:76)
8- Patience Is Always The Key to Relief
It is worth mentioning that Prophet Yaqub (The father of Yusuf) was in extreme grief. Allah said Prophet Yaqub used to repeat the phrase: “So ˹I am left with nothing but˺ beautiful patience!” (Quran 12:83)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in that context: “And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and hardship with ease.” (Hadith 19, 40 Hadith an-Nawawi)
9- Trust in Allah’s Wisdom, Power, and Mercy
Even though many years had passed since Prophet Yaqub (PBUH) had last seen his son Yusuf, he still had trust in Allah’s wisdom, power, and Mercy. He believed Allah (SWT) would reunite him with his son one day. Prophet Yaqub said: “I trust Allah will return them all to me. Surely He ˹alone˺ is the All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (Quran 12:83)
10- Do Your Best And Rely on Allah (SWT)
Although Prophet Yaqub trusted Allah’s power, he did his best to protect his sons and find Yusuf (PBUH). That was apparent on several occasions:
- When prophet Yaqub did his best to know the intention of his sons for taking Yusuf and his other brother. (Quran 12:13) (Quran 12:64)
- When Prophet Yaqub ordered his sons not to enter altogether from the same door. That’s to keep away envy. (Quran 12: 67)
- When he ordered his sons to go searching hard for Yusuf and his brother and to not lose hope in Allah. (Quran 12:87)
All these events show that Prophet Yaqub did his best along with trusting Allah (SWT) which is called tawakkul.
Why Was Surah Yusuf Revealed (Asbab al-Nuzul)?
Surah Yusuf was revealed to narrate the story of Prophet Yusuf (PBUH) to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Muslims. That is to teach them fundamental lessons. Besides, it relieves Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) pain by narrating the patience and hardships other previous prophets passed through.
Moreover, it was revealed as clear evidence prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received true revelation from Allah (SWT). He told stories of previous nations in detail, where no one could tell such stories except by true revelation.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was illiterate and had no knowledge of previous scriptures, Which was witnessed by all those who knew him. This shows the divinity of his source of knowledge.
Is Surah Yusuf Makki or Madani?
Surah Yusuf is a Makki Surah that was revealed in Makkah before prophet Muhammad’s Hijra to Madinah. That’s obvious in Surah Yusuf’s approach to the meanings of patience, true faith, and trust in Allah (SWT).
It was narrated that Surah Yusuf was revealed at a very critical time for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Muslims. That was between the year of grief and the pledge of Al-Aqaba. To learn more about these two incidents, join BayanulQuran Online Course for Islamic Islamic studies for Kids and Adults.
Maksud and Tafseer of Surah Yusuf
The Maksud of Surah Yusuf is to narrate the story of that great Prophet of Allah (SWT), Yusuf (PBUH). If you want to learn Tafseer of Surah Yusuf in a comprehensive and exciting way, read the Story of Prophet Yusuf article.
When Should We Read Surah Yusuf?
There is no specific time for reading Surah Yusuf. You can read it at any time to get the reward and learn its lessons. Unlike Surah Al-Mulk which is read at bedtime and Surah Al-Kahf which is read on Friday, The Surah doesn’t have a specific time to read.
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Conclusion | Summary of Surah Yusuf
Surah Yusuf is one of the great and most beautiful Surahs in the Quran. Learn the story of Prophet Yusuf (PBUH) in the Quran in detail.
The surah comprises great lessons that we discussed in this article. It also has great benefits due to recitation and great lessons. However, a Muslim should never follow non-authentic sources of knowledge that claim false benefits of Surah Yusuf.
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