Page 76 - The School of Yusuf (as)

THE SCHOOL OF YUSUF

only way to help them is to remind them to fear Allah, to serve
Him, to be like those who abide by the morality of the Qur’an, who
are gentle, peaceable, just, conscientious and compassionate. For
this reason, a believer confined in the School of Yusuf, given that he
has the opportunity to do so, must advise others according to the

Qur’an, making the prison an “educational institution,” where they
learn morality. In this way, those who enter the prison as murder-
ers, fraudsters or as violent criminals, can leave it as Muslims, who
can hope for Paradise, Allah’s good pleasure and compassion, who
fear and respect Him, and who aim to do good for others.
It is the tradition set by Yusuf (as) that believers confined in the
School of Yusuf call others to Allah’s path. When Yusuf (as) was in

prison, before interpreting the other prisoners’ dreams, told them
of Allah, His unity and religion. The relevant verses state the fol-
lowing:
Two servants entered prison along with him. One said, “I
dreamt that I was pressing grapes.” The other said, “I
dreamt I carried bread upon my head and birds were eating
it. Tell us the true meaning of these dreams. We see that
you’re one of the righteous.” He said, “No meal to feed you
will arrive before I have informed you what they mean.

That is part of what my Lord taught me. For I have left the
religion of a people who clearly have no faith in Allah and
who refuse to acknowledge the truth of the world to come. I
hold fast to the creed of my forebears Ibrahim and Ishaq
and Ya‘qub. We don’t associate anything with Allah. And
that is how Allah has favored us and all mankind, but most
do not give thanks. My fellow-prisoners, are many lords

better, or Allah, the only One, the Conqueror? What you

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