Part 2: These Prophets Were Separated from Families Too… What to Learn from Them?

Brothers’ Jealousy

This brings me to the story of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him).

{And Allah has full power and control over His Affairs, but most of men know not} (Yusuf 12: 12)

Jealousy had blinded Yusuf’s brother; they thought that their father favored Yusuf and thus they decided to get rid of the young boy:

{Kill Joseph or cast him out to some ˹distant˺ land so that your father’s attention will be only yours, then after that you may ˹repent and˺ become righteous people!”

One of them said, “Do not kill Joseph. But if you must do something, throw him into the bottom of a well so perhaps he may be picked up by some travellers.”} (Yusuf 12:9-10)

The brothers implemented their scheme

Then they returned to their father in the evening, weeping. They cried, “Our father! We went racing and left Joseph with our belongings, and a wolf devoured him! But you will not believe us, no matter how truthful we are.”} (Yusuf 12:9-16)

Yaqub (peace be upon him) became stricken with grief; but he never gave up hope. His sorrow was so overwhelming that he went blind. Yet, he complained only to Allah.

Despite the passing of the long years, Yaqub still firmly held onto the hope that Allah would answer his prayers and reunite him with his son.

We all have trouble being patient for a few hours or a couple of days, let alone years or decades. Yaqub, however, remained patient, he never gave up; he continued to pray.

Yaqub was in for another test. He lost two more sons. (To know more, read Surat Yusuf 12:43-100)

Despite grief and distress, Yaqub’s trust in Allah was unshakeable. He instructed his sons to continue to search for Yusuf:

{O my sons, go and find out about Joseph and his brother and despair not of relief from Allah . Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people.”} (Yusuf 12:87)

Ultimately, Allah answered his prayers and relieved him of the sorrow he felt. The family was reunited in Egypt; the vision seen by Yusuf when he was a child came true. Yusuf became an important leader and his family joined him:

{Then he raised his parents to the throne, and they all fell down in prostration to Joseph, who then said, “O my dear father! This is the interpretation of my old dream. My Lord has made it come true. He was truly kind to me when He freed me from prison, and brought you all from the desert after Satan had ignited rivalry between me and my siblings. Indeed my Lord is subtle in fulfilling what He wills. Surely He ˹alone˺ is the All-Knowing, All-Wise.} (Yusuf 12:100)

Belief in the presence of Allah makes it easier for us to bear troubles.

It is without doubt this patience is not easy but that is why the rewards are so great.

In the face of challenges, tribulations and aspirations we should learn to call on and depend solely on Allah. In all difficulties and hardships we should seek only Allah’s protection.

An Orphan

Our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), while not kidnapped or forced into separation like the former Prophets, also faced the pain of separation.

Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was the first and only son of Abd Allah and Aminah . The father died before Muhammad’s birth; he was raised by his mother Aminah.

At the age of six his mother took him to a town north of Makakah, to stay with relatives and visit his father’s grave there. On the return journey, Aminah fell ill and died.

Um Ayman, his nurse, returned to Makkah with the orphaned boy who was placed in the protection of his paternal grandfather, Abdul Al-Muttalib.

A bout two years later, his grandfather passed and he was handed over to his uncle Abu Talib.

Challenges

Imagine moving from one guardian to another. Imagine the pressure placed on him and the disrupted childhood he lived. However with faith and support he was able to overcome challenges.

The Qur’an reads:

{Did God not find you an orphan and give you shelter and care? And He found you wandering, and gave you guidance. And he found you in need, and made you independent} (Ad-Doha 93:6-8)

Given all this, we learn that Allah is mightier than all and every Pharaoh as in the story of the Prophet Moses.

We recognize that despite the jealousy of Prophet Yusuf’s brothers and the plotting against him, faith and trust in Allah helps overcome all.

Lastly in the example of our beloved Messenger, we are advised to never despair; we should have full trust in our Lord.

Submit and Believe

So when we are faced by hardships, when we feel we want to question circumstances; submit to Allah.

Whatever you are suffering  Allah is the owner of everything, the sustainer of everyone, and the supporter of the truth.

Just keep the faith and soldier on. Allah has our back.