11. The Story of Prophet Yaqub (AS)
The Story of Prophet Yaqub (AS)
Prophet Yaqub (AS) was a kind and loving father who had many children. His favorite was Yusuf (AS) because of Yusuf’s good manners and pure heart. One day, young Yusuf (AS) came to his father with an amazing dream. He said, “Father! I saw eleven stars, the sun, and the moon bowing down to me!”
Prophet Yaqub (AS) understood that this was a special dream from Allah. He told Yusuf (AS), “This is a sign of your great future, but don’t tell your brothers about it.” Unfortunately, Yusuf’s older brothers were jealous of him. They made a plan to take him away and throw him into a well.
When the brothers returned, they lied to their father, saying a wolf had eaten Yusuf (AS). Prophet Yaqub (AS) was heartbroken. But instead of giving up, he said, “I will have beautiful patience (Sabrun Jameel). Allah will bring Yusuf back to me!” He never lost hope and kept praying to Allah.
Years passed, and Yusuf (AS) grew up in Egypt, where Allah made him a wise and powerful man. But Prophet Yaqub (AS) missed him so much that he cried and prayed until he became blind. Yet, he always trusted that Allah would help him.
One day, Yusuf’s brothers went to Egypt during a famine to ask for food. They didn’t recognize their brother Yusuf (AS), but Yusuf (AS) recognized them. After testing their hearts and seeing their regret, he forgave them and revealed his identity. The brothers were amazed and felt sorry for what they had done. Yusuf (AS) gave them his shirt and said, “Take this shirt to my father. Place it over his eyes, and he will see again!”
When the brothers brought the shirt to Prophet Yaqub (AS), he smelled it from far away and exclaimed, “I can feel Yusuf is near!” When the shirt was placed over his eyes, his blindness was cured! Prophet Yaqub (AS) was overjoyed to hear that Yusuf was alive.
The whole family traveled to Egypt, where they reunited with Yusuf (AS). Prophet Yaqub (AS) and all of Yusuf’s family bowed down to him out of respect, and the dream Yusuf (AS) had as a child came true. Prophet Yaqub (AS) thanked Allah for His blessings and for bringing his family together.
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✦ Lessons from the Story 1. Always trust Allah, even in difficult times. 2. Practice patience (Sabr) and keep praying. 3. Forgive others, like Yusuf (AS) forgave his brothers. 4. Allah’s plans are always best, and He can make anything happen. 5. Dreams can have special meanings, as shown in Yusuf’s (AS) story.
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Key Message: When you face difficulties, be patient, pray to Allah, and trust His plan. Allah is always listening!
REFERENCE:
Ibn Kathir, Stories of the Prophets;
Translated and adapted by Umme Abdul Rahman’
Graduate Alim/Alimah.
Founder & Director of imsjeddah.com.