Page 44 - The Prophet Yusuf (as)

PROPHET YUSUF (AS)

moral values and submission to the will of Allah. Although he was

still a young child, he was very mature. We need to consider what
being thrown down a well would really have been like for such a
small child. The verse speaks of him being thrown into the depths of

the well, which means that he was somewhere dark. It was a place
where the threat of death was close, and it was uncertain whether he
would ever be found or not. Neither could he know what kind of
people, if any, would find him, and whether they would be good or

bad. Someone who lacks submission to the will of Allah may have
great difficulties and be wracked by doubts in such circumstances.
Yet despite all this, Prophet Yusuf (as) was patient and submissive to

the will of Allah. This is a clear indication of his superior conscious-
ness. It is also obvious from the fact that he was tested in this way at
such an early age meant that he would grow up to be one of the cho-
sen ones, since only those who are sincerely devoted to Allah and

submit themselves to His will can pass such tests.
On the face of it, the circumstances in which Prophet
Yusuf (as) found himself seemed truly terrifying. He was being put

through a difficult trial. However, in the light of the verse, " "For
truly with hardship comes ease..." (Surat al-Inshirah: 5) Allah as-
sisted him and made him a promise that comforted him and gave

him peace and security.

42