Adam and Joseph

Purpose 

To understand the story of Adam through the story of Joseph 

Full Text 

12:1  الر تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ الْمُبِين

Alif Laam Ra. These (are the) Verses (of) the Book [the] clear.

12:2  إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُون

Indeed, We, We have sent it down, (as) a Quran in Arabic so that you may understand.

12:3  نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ الْقَصَصِ بِمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الْغَافِلِين

We relate to you the best of the narrations in what We have revealed to you (of) this the Quran, although you were, from before it, surely among the unaware.

12:4  إِذْ قَالَ يُوسُفُ لِأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوْكَبًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ رَأَيْتُهُمْ لِي سَاجِدِين

When said Yusuf to his father, "O my father! Indeed, I I saw one ten (i.e eleven) star(s) and the sun and the moon; I saw them to me prostrating."

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12:111  لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُون

Verily, (there) is in their stories a lesson for men (of) understanding. Not (it) is a narration invented, but a confirmation (of that) which (from) between his hands and a detailed explanation (of) all things, and a guidance and mercy for a people who believe.

[Al-Quran 12:1-4, ... 111]

The Quran, Surah Yusuf (Joseph) 

Surah Yusuf claims that it is the best of narrations [Q12:3], and a detailed explanation of all things [Q12:111]. This last ayat of the surah also includes the phrase [تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ]. The word يَدَيْ is alternately translated as before and hands.   

Confirmation of ... Between His Hands 

قَالَ يَا إِبْلِيسُ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَن تَسْجُدَ لِمَا خَلَقْتُ بِيَدَيَّ أَسْتَكْبَرْتَ أَمْ كُنتَ مِنَ الْعَالِين

He said, "O Iblis! What prevented you that you (should) prostrate to (one) whom I created with My Hands? Are you arrogant or are you of the exalted ones."

[Al-Quran 38:75]

Allah created Adam with His Hands. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph are all descendants of Adam. Comparing the narratives of Joseph and Adam, there are many parallels and overlaps, lending a clearer perspective. 

The story of Adam is mentioned in several places across The Quran (Q2:30-39, Q3:33, Q3:59, Q7:11-33, Q15:28-50, Q17:61-65, Q18:50-51, Q20:115-124, Q38:71-88). The first narrative begins in Surah Al-Baqarah at Q2:30. So, starting at the very beginning with the purpose of responsibility: 

وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً قَالُوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُون

And when said your Lord to the angels, "Indeed, I (am) going to place in the earth a vicegerent, they said, "Will You place in it (one) who will spread corruption in it and will shed [the] blood[s], while we, [we] glorify (You) with Your praises and we sanctify [to] You." He said, "Indeed, [I] know what not you know."
[Al-Quran 2:30]

وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَجْتَبِيكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ وَيُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ كَمَا أَتَمَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَبَوَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَاقَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيم

And thus will choose you your Lord and will teach you of (the) interpretation (of) the narratives and complete His Favor on you and on (the) family (of) Yaqub as He completed it on your two forefathers from before - Ibrahim and Ishaq. Indeed, your Lord (is) All-Knower, All-Wise."
[Al-Quran 12:6]

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The following links study the ayaat about Adam across The Quran, comparing them with the ayaat in Surah Yusuf 

• Surah al-Baqarah begins with the khilafat Q2 30-39 || Q12   
• Surah Aal-e-Imran focuses on the chosen ones & The Deen Q3 33-34, 59-60 || Q12 
• Surah al-Araf details the refusal, the need for gratitude and taqwa Q7 10-36 || Q12  
• Surah al-Hijr is about the transition to The Age of Man Q15 23-50 || Q12  
• Surah Bani Israel begins with the vision, yet honours Adam and his progeny Q17 60-70 || Q12 
• Surah al-Kahf informs us of our sworn enemies Q18 50-51 || Q12  
• Surah Ta Ha is about the covenant taken from Adam Q20 115-124 || Q12  
• Surah Saad focuses on events in the future Q38 71-88 || Q12 

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Surah Yusuf concludes thus: 

12:105  وَكَأَيِّن مِّنْ آيَةٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضُون

And how many of a Sign in the heavens and the earth they pass over it, while they (are) from them the ones who turn away.

12:106  وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُم بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُم مُّشْرِكُون

And not believe most of them in Allah except while they associate partners with Him.

12:107  أَفَأَمِنُوا أَن تَأْتِيَهُمْ غَاشِيَةٌ مِّنْ عَذَابِ اللَّهِ أَوْ تَأْتِيَهُمُ السَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُون

Do they then feel secure (against) that comes to them an overwhelming [of] punishment (of) Allah, or comes to them the Hour suddenly while they (do) not perceive?

12:108  قُلْ هَٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِين

Say, "This (is) my way; I invite to Allah, with insight, I and whoever follows me. And Glory be (to) Allah and not I am of the polytheists."

12:109  وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِي إِلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْقُرَىٰ أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَدَارُ الْآخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُون

And not We sent from before you, but men We revealed to them from (among) (the) people (of) the townships. So have not they traveled in the earth and seen how was (the) end (of) those who (were) from before them? And surely the home (of) the Hereafter (is) best for those who fear Allah. Then will not you use reason?

12:110  حَتَّىٰ إِذَا اسْتَيْأَسَ الرُّسُلُ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ كُذِبُوا جَاءَهُمْ نَصْرُنَا فَنُجِّيَ مَن نَّشَاءُ وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُنَا عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْمُجْرِمِين

Until when gave up hope the Messengers, and thought that they certainly were denied, then came to them Our help, and was saved whom We willed. And not (can) be repelled Our punishment from the people (who are) criminals.

12:111  لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُون

Verily, (there) is in their stories a lesson for men (of) understanding. Not (it) is a narration invented, but a confirmation (of that) which (from) between his hands and a detailed explanation (of) all things, and a guidance and mercy for a people who believe.
[Al-Quran 12:105-111]

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List of comparison   

1. Allah created Adam before, and Joseph is from his descendants 
2. Allah created Adam with both His Hands to appoint Adam Khalifa of the Earth  
3. Joseph was destined to be appointed in charge of the storehouse of the earth in the Kingdom of Egypt 
4. Allah taught knowledge Himself to Adam
5. Joseph was given judgment and knowledge when he reached maturity 
6. All angels were ordered to prostrate to Adam
7. Allah showed a dream to Joseph in which the Sun, the Moon and eleven planets were prostrating to Joseph
8. Jacob interpreted the vision that Allah will choose Joseph to complete His Favour upon him 
9. All angels prostrated to Adam except Iblis 
10. Iblis thought Allah was in error, as he considered himself better than Adam
11. Joseph's brothers thought their father Jacob was in error, and sought their father's face 
12. Allah warned Adam of Iblis' jealousy and enmity 
13. Jacob warned Joseph to not to share the dream with his brothers, lest they plot against him, and he warned him also of Iblis' enmity 
14. Iblis deceived Adam into disobeying Allah
15. Aziz's wife was not able to get Joseph to sin 
16. Iblis plotted against Adam, and continues to plot against his progeny 
17. Joseph's brothers plotted against Joseph 
18. Iblis' deception caused Adam to be removed from Allah's presence 
19. Joseph's brothers caused him to be removed from his father's presence 
20. Adam realised his fault, Allah granted Adam words to repent, and Adam repented [Q2:37; Q7:23; Q20:122] 
21. Allah promised to send revelation for guidance ... 
22. Joseph was given a revelation when he was thrown in the well [Q12:15] 
23. Adam was sent down from The Garden to this Earth
24. Joseph was brought from Canaan to Egypt 
25. Joseph kept his duty to Allah, and the trust of his lord, and did not let himself be seduced [Q12:23]
26. Aziz' wife caused Joseph to be imprisoned 
27. Allah made Adam the Khalifa of this Earth
28. Joseph was made in charge of the storehouses of the Earth in the Kingdom of Egypt 
29. Adam died on this Earth and is buried here 
30. Joseph died in Egypt and requested his bones to be taken to Canaan when Allah liberates the Bani Israel from the Pharaoh (which they did)
31. The Garden is promised as inheritance to all believers who do reform 
32. The land of Canaan was promised to Abraham and his descendants who kept their covenant  
33. The meek will inherit the Earth in the Days of Allah 

Last updated on: April 24, 2022