AN EVIL TEMPTATION

 FAJR REMINDER: AN EVIL TEMPTATION

By: Umm ‘Affān

Rajab 14, 1447 (4-January-2026)

The caravan's men, who had purchased Yūsuf later sold him to the Chief Minister of Egypt, known in the Qur'ān as Al-‘Azīz. He held a prestigious position as an officer responsible for the Egyptian treasury. Allah states:

وَقَالَ الَّذِي اشْتَرَاهُ مِن مِّصْرَ لِامْرَأَتِهِ أَكْرِمِي مَثْوَاهُ عَسَىٰ أَنْ يَنفَعَنَا أَوْ نَتَّخِذَهُ وَلَدًا وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلِنُعَلِّمَهُ مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ وَاللَّهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَىٰ أَمْرِهِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

“And he (the man) from Egypt who bought him said to his wife: ‘Make his stay comfortable; maybe he will profit us or we shall adopt him as a son.’ Thus did We establish Yūsuf (Joseph) in the land, that We might teach him the interpretation of events. And Allāh has full power and control over His affairs, but most men know not.”

[Sūrah Yūsuf (12) Verse 21]

Allāh highlights the blessings He conferred upon Prophet Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām), which allowed Al-‘Azīz of Egypt, who purchased him, to take care of him and provide him with a life of comfort. Yūsuf's brothers believed they had control when they cast him into the well, yet Allāh possesses authority over all matters. Yūsuf found himself in a safe environment, cared for, and became the personal attendant of the Chief Minister’s wife. He captured the hearts of everyone with his pleasant demeanor and charming behavior, maturing both physically and spiritually, guided by Allāh, Who states:

وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ آتَيْنَاهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ

“And when he [Yūsuf (Joseph)] attained his full manhood, We gave him wisdom and knowledge (the Prophethood), thus We reward the Muhsinun (doers of good).”

[Sūrah Yūsuf (12) Verse 22]

When Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām) reached maturity, both mentally and physically, Allāh appointed him as a Prophet, endowing him with wisdom and knowledge.

Additionally, Prophet Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām) possessed remarkable beauty and charm, attracting people from distant places who came to the city to catch a glimpse of him. Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) spoke of Prophet Yūsuf’s beauty (‘Alayhi Salām) after encountering him during his miraculous night journey, known as Isrā wal Miraj.

فَفُتِحَ لَنَا فَإِذَا أَنَا بِيُوسُفَ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا هُوَ قَدْ أُعْطِيَ شَطْرَ الْحُسْنِ فَرَحَّبَ وَدَعَا لِي بِخَيْرٍ

(The gate) was opened for us, and I saw Yūsuf (peace of Allāh be upon him), who had been given half of the world's beauty. He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being.

[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 162]

The wife of the chief minister, in whose home Prophet Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām) stayed and whose husband had instructed her to care for him and show him kindness, found herself unable to resist his beauty. Her infatuation with him led to sleepless nights as she fell deeply in love, feeling the anguish of being close to a man whom she could not embrace.

In her desperation, she attempted to seduce Prophet Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām). She adorned herself for him, secured the doors, and beckoned him to engage in an immoral act.

Allah informs us:

وَرَاوَدَتْهُ الَّتِي هُوَ فِي بَيْتِهَا عَن نَّفْسِهِ وَغَلَّقَتِ الْأَبْوَابَ وَقَالَتْ هَيْتَ لَكَ قَالَ مَعَاذَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ رَبِّي أَحْسَنَ مَثْوَايَ إِنَّهُ لَا يُفْلِحُ الظَّالِمُونَ

“And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him (to do an evil act), she closed the doors and said: ‘Come on, O you.’ He said: ‘I seek refuge in Allāh (or Allāh forbid)! Truly, he (your husband) is my master! He made me stay agreeable! (So I will never betray him). Verily, the Ẓālimūn (wrong and evil-doers) will never be successful.’”

[Sūrah Yūsuf (12) Verse 23]

What a trial it was! Prophet Yūsuf (‘Alayhi Salām) firmly rejected the advances of Al-‘Azīz's wife, reminding her that her husband is his master, who had provided him with a life of comfort, thus he would never engage in immoral behavior with her.

The seduction of women is a trap that has ensnared many men. It is a potent weapon used by Shayṭān to divert men from the righteous path. Its allure is a constant force, enticing the vulnerable into a web of temptation and sin. Escaping this temptation is a formidable challenge, demanding great willpower and steadfast devotion to one's faith.

For this reason, those who turn down a call to Zinā' from a woman receive an immense reward from Allāh. In a Ṣaḥīḥ Ḥadīth reported by Abū Hurayrah, it is stated that there are seven categories of people whom Allāh will shade on the Day of Judgment, a day when no shade exists except His; one of these is the individual whom the Prophet (ﷺ) described:

وَرَجُلٌ دَعَتْهُ امْرَأَةٌ ذَاتُ مَنْصِبٍ وَجَمَالٍ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللَّهَ

“A man who is tempted by a beautiful woman of high status but he rejects her, saying, ‘I fear Allāh.’”

[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 660, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1031]

I beseech Allāh to protect us from all evil temptations. Aameen.