Page 48 - The Importance of Patience in the Qur’an

46 THE IMPORTANCE OF PATIENCE IN THE QUR'AN

of his father, Prophet Ya`qub (as). First, Prophet Yusuf (as) was
thrown into a well by his jealous brothers. After this, a passing
caravan found him and took him to Egypt, were he was sold as a
slave. The Qur'an speaks of Prophet Ya`qub's (as) patience when
confronted with this event, and of his request to Allah for help against
this plot:

They then produced his shirt with false blood on it. He [Ya`qub]
said: "It is merely that your lower selves have suggested
something to you which you did, but beauty lies in showing
steadfastness. Allah alone is my Help in the face of the event
you describe." (Surah Yusuf, 18)
In addition to this, Prophet Yusuf (as) was slandered by the wife of
his master, the Egyptian vizier. Even though his innocence was
perfectly clear, Prophet Yusuf (as) was thrown into prison, where he
remained unjustly imprisoned for many years. However, he never

forgot that Allah was testing him and so took refuge in Him, asked for
His help, and exhibited outstanding patience. He did not forget that
Allah will eventually confound the schemes of the unbelievers and
that the faithful will be successful. In return for his steadfast devotion
and patience, Allah gave him blessings that would please him both in
this world and in the afterlife:
The king said: "Bring him to me straight away, so that I may
draw him very close to me." When he had spoken with him, he
[the king] declared: "Today you are trusted, established in our
sight." He [Yusuf] said: "Entrust the treasures of the land to me,

for in truth I am a knowing guardian." Thus We established
Yusuf in the land so that he could live in any place he pleased.
We grant Our grace to anyone We will, and do not allow to go to
waste the wage of any people who do good. But the wages of the