Yusuf

We tell you the best of stories. Young Yusuf dreams that eleven stars, the sun and the moon bow down to him, and his father Ya’qub tells him not to share it with his brothers. Jealous, the brothers throw him into the bottom of a well and bring his shirt home with false blood: “So patience is best.” A caravan finds him and sells him in Egypt for a few silver coins. In the house of al-’Aziz he grows up and is given wisdom; the man’s wife tries to seduce him and locks the doors, but he says, “Allah protect me!” His shirt torn from behind proves his innocence. The women of the city cut their hands at a banquet when they see him, and he prays, “My Lord, prison is dearer to me than what they call me to.” In prison he calls two companions to worship the One Allah and explains their dreams. Years later the king dreams of seven fat cows eaten by seven lean ones; Yusuf explains it as seven good years and seven hard years, and asks first that his innocence be confirmed. Put in charge of the storehouses, he receives his brothers, who do not know him, keeps his brother Binyamin through the king’s cup in his bag, and Ya’qub’s eyes turn white with grief: “I complain of my grief and sorrow only to Allah. Do not despair of Allah’s mercy.” At last Yusuf reveals himself, forgives his brothers, sends his shirt to restore his father’s sight and brings his whole family to Egypt, where the dream comes true. In their stories there is a lesson for people of understanding.