The following are the notes of the 2nd lecture given by Nouman Ali Khan on tafseer of Surah Yusuf, the chapter 12 of the Quraan. In this tafseer lecture, he compares and contrasts the legacies of Musa (a.s) and Yusuf (a.s). If you are using a smartphone, you'll most likely not see the other side of the table (showing Musa (a.s)'s scenrio); therefore, I suggest you to switch to 'Desktop Mode' to view it fully.
Fun parts: 26:00, 28:20, 45:13
- (40:32) - Yusuf (a.s) certainly brought you clear proof and signs much before. The proof or sign was his interpretation of the dream, which nobody could interpret. He is connected to a higher power who gave him the ability to save Egypt.
- Signs given to Musa (a.s) are showing the Pharaohs that they are heading towards destruction as opposed to being saved (in the case of Yusuf (a.s)).
- In Yusuf (a.s)’s case conservation of water saved Egypt and in Musa (a.s)’s case it is water that destroyed them, showing that something can be a blessing when you approach it the right way and the same thing can turn into a curse when you approach it the wrong way.
OVERALL Comparisons
- Allah (s.w.t) is showing us the history of the Israelites of how they got into Egypt (Yusuf (a.s)) and how they got out of Egypt (Musa (a.s)). The major migration of the Israelites.
- However, both of them are role models for us, here Allah (s.a.w) is teaching us that whatever opportunity Allah (s.w.t) gives, you make the most of it by spreading the word of the deen (being in a cell or in a palace, Yusuf (a.s) was inviting people to Islam). Also, Allah (s.w.t) shows the two opposing roles that a believer can find themselves in. For instance, in the case of Yusuf (a.s), the govt. was not a believing govt. but he invited them peacefully. On the contrary, Musa (a.s)’s role is opposing the tyranny of the Pharaoh’s by inviting them to Islam and warning them of Allah’s punishment.
(4.) Father let’s go when presented with logical reasons even though he is scared.
(5.) Mother doesn’t let go when presented with logical reasons as she is scared. But Musa (a.s)’s mother did the illogical (by putting the baby in a basket) through her faith in the revelation of Allah (s.w.t). The faith was enough to overcome the strongest emotion. Your feelings have to sometimes get crushed in front of the word of Allah because no one loves you and is mindful of protecting you more than Allah (s.w.t) . We start thinking that we are out looking for ourselves more than the word of Allah (s.w.t). The Word of God is there to protect us more than we could ourselves.
(6.) Not knowing what happened to his son Yusuf (a.s) and also of knowing that his sons are lying.
(7.) Yusuf (a.s)'s parents became a part of royalty.
(8.) Musa (a.s)’s parents were still wet nurses even though Musa (a.s) was raised to royalty. Lesson: Sometimes, there is a limitation in the way we can serve our parents and you have to do the best to serve them in those limitations.
- Allah (s.w.t)’s way of telling us that our social status or economic situation that not mean whether we are closer or further away from Allah (s.w.t).
- We don’t know what is good and bad for us Allah (s.w.t) knows and he shows us this through the direct contrast between Yusuf (a.s)’s life and Musa (a.s)’s life. He put them both through difficulty and ease. One started, in a worldly sense, a better situation, but ended up in a seemingly bad situation, but it turned out to be a better situation for him. For another, it's a flip. You don’t have to be the same and criticize others. You can be different and receive the same love by Allah (s.w.t). Sometimes we see others blessings, but not their trials. Within us, most of the time we see our trials but not our blessings.
- Sometimes, the trouble comes outside the family and sometimes inside the family, which is not in our control.
- Father’s protection by giving him emotional and spiritual nourishment and affection, and the exact opposite is done by Musa (a.s)’s mother by physically feeding or nourishing the baby.
- Usually, you think of physical nourishment and providing for the family is attributed to the father and when it comes to emotional conversations it is associated with the mother. However, Allah (s.w.t) has flipped the roles here as if to say that both have to do both.
- Here Allah (s.w.t) is also contrasting that when a child is just a baby they need physical nourishment (feeding, hugs, carrying) and when kids get older they need to be engaged emotionally to make them stronger (through mature conversations).
- Some cultures have the habit of teasing kids instead of nourishment and it makes their personality agitative.
- Allah (s.w.t)’s way of asking us to focus on the role of one parent at a time and giving special attention to both mother and father individually. So we can learn about guidance in regards to both mothers and fathers each.
- Allah (s.w.t) promised Musa’s father that the baby will be returned, but no such promise for Yusuf’s father (no revelation). What’s interesting is that Yusuf’s father should get revelation as he is a prophet (but he doesn’t get), Musa’s mother is not a prophet but gets revelation that the baby will come back. Allah (s.w.t) does whatever he wants and puts inspiration inside the hearts.
- Father- no support system, so the only option is sabr. On the other side, Mother- has the option of sending her daughter. From the outside, it looks like you had so many options . Sometimes it looks like (from the outside) that you can do something, but the reality is that you can’t do anything. On the other hand, the world think you can do nothing, but you still can (with the help of God).
- Look for support options as much as possible, do whatever you possibly can. Don’t just do nothing in the name of relying on Allah (s.w.t). Rely on Allah (s.w.t): Allah will give us people who will provide a support system.
- Father’s hope makes him cry, he is positive that his son will return. This tells us that sometimes you have a guarantee from Allah and sometimes you don’t, but you have to keep hope in him. And it’s okay to cry. You shouldn’t say to people that have sabr. Sabr doesn’t mean not crying and can you be a better believer than Yaqoob (a.s)? Lack of subr means that your emotions make you disobey Allah and make you lose hope in Allah, you can feel all the emotions (anger, love, fear) but it should not take you away from Allah (s.w.t).
- Yusuf (a.s) is the source of nourishment for the family but on the other hand the family or the mother goes to Musa (a.s) to feed him as he is starving. Rizq comes from both ways. Sometimes the parents become a source of rizq for the child and sometimes the child becomes a source of rizq for the parents. Also, when we are little parents provide for us and when we are mature enough we have to take responsibility for providing for the family.
- Sometimes our children are not street-smart and sometimes they are. Sometimes Allah (s.w.t) gives children that are sharp and can pick up on things and you should be sharp enough to know that the child is sharp or dull. Different children are given different kinds of wisdom in different areas. You have to recognize which wisdom your child has. And take advantage of it. Girls should be protective at home and boys should go outside to protect but there is a contrast here as well. Allah (s.w.t) is giving us an atypical picture, and not a typical picture, to show diverse lifestyles.
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