THE DREAM OF YŪSUF

 FAJR REMINDER: THE DREAM OF YŪSUF

(Stars, sun, and moon prostrating to him)

By: Umm ‘Affān

Rajab 7, 1447 (28-December-2025)

There are indeed many stories, especially those of Allāh's Prophets and the challenges they encountered, that provide valuable lessons for those who reflect. A notable example is the narrative of Prophet Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām) and the trials he faced with his brothers, which offers numerous lessons for us to contemplate.

Allāh states:

لَّقَدْ كَانَ فِي يُوسُفَ وَإِخْوَتِهِ آيَاتٌ لِّلسَّائِلِينَ

“Verily, in Yūsuf (Joseph) and his brethren, there were Āyāt (proofs, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) for those who ask.”

[Sūrah Yūsuf (12) Verse 7]

Prophet Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām) is the son of Prophet Ya’qūb (‘Alayhi Salām), the grandson of Prophet Ishaque (‘Alayhi Salām), and the great-grandson of Prophet Ibrāhīm (‘Alayhi Salām). Allāh Akbar! This lineage is certainly a profound blessing for the family of Prophet Ibrāhīm (‘Alayhi Salām).

Allāh declares about Prophet Ibrāhīm (‘Alayhi Salām):

وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ إِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِي ذُرِّيَّتِهِ النُّبُوَّةَ وَالْكِتَابَ وَآتَيْنَاهُ أَجْرَهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَإِنَّهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

“And We bestowed on him [Ibrāhīm (Abraham)], Ishaque (Isaac) and Ya'qūb (Jacob), and ordained among his offspring Prophethood and the Book [i.e. the Taurat (Torah) (to Mūsā - Moses), the Injeel (Gospel) (to 'Iesa - Jesus), the Qur'ān (to Muḥammad ﷺ), all from the offspring of Ibrāhīm (Abraham)], and We granted him his reward in this world, and verily, in the Hereafter he is indeed among the righteous.”

[Sūrah Al-'Ankabūt (29) Verse 27]

Thus, the story of Prophet Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām) allows us to appreciate the depth of Allāh’s Sovereignty over all matters and His Will's fulfillment, even amidst human intervention.

In his Tafsīr of Sūrah Yūsuf, Imām Ibn Kathīr (Raḥimahullāh) narrated that Ibn Jarīr At-Ṭabarī (Raḥimahullāh) cited ‘Abdullāh Ibn 'Abbās (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhuma), who mentioned that the Jews had asked Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) to share the story of Prophet Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām), one of their ancient Prophets. Consequently, it was revealed:

نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ الْقَصَصِ بِمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ

“We relate unto you (Muḥammad ﷺ) the best of stories through Our Revelations unto you, of this Qur'ān. And before this (i.e. before the coming of Divine Inspiration to you), you were among those who knew nothing about it (the Qur'ān).”

[Sūrah Yūsuf (12) Verse 3]

Through the Divine Words of Allāh (i.e., the Qur'ān), revealed to Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ), we learn about past Prophets of Allāh, the dynamics of nations, and the events that have shaped our historical landscape.

Allāh then commences the story of Prophet Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām):

إِذْ قَالَ يُوسُفُ لِأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوْكَبًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ رَأَيْتُهُمْ لِي سَاجِدِينَ

“(Remember) when Yūsuf said to his father: ‘O my father! Verily, I saw (in a dream) eleven stars and the sun and the moon - I saw them prostrating themselves to me.’”

[Sūrah Yūsuf (12) Verse 4]

Stars, the sun, and the moon prostrating to Yūsuf! What could this dream signify? How did his father respond to this vision? To be continued tomorrow, Allāh willing.

I beseech Allāh to keep us steadfast in goodness. Aameen.