[Al-Quran 50:6-8] Have they not looked at the heaven above them - how We structured it and adorned it and how it has no rifts? And the earth - We spread it out and cast therein firmly set mountains and made grow therein [something] of every beautiful kind, Giving insight and a reminder for every servant who turns [to Allah].

Showing posts with label bani Adam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bani Adam. Show all posts

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Surah al-A'raf, ... the narratives

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Surah al-A'raf begins with the general mention about prospering communities disbelieving, and eventually meeting their fate. When the punishment comes to them, they admit that they themselves were the zalimeen. 

Then it goes on to narrate some specific events: 


Adam & Iblis (Q7:11-27

The first narration begins with the creation of humans, giving them shape and form, and then the command to the angels to prostrate to Adam. They all prostrated except Iblis. He refused to obey the command of Allah. His arrogance is based on the material he has been created with. He believes the 'naar' he has been created with is better than 'teen' that Adam has been created with. For his arrogance, he gets expelled, degraded. He prays for reprieve until the Day of Resurrection. His prayer is granted. He blames Allah for the legal error he made, and states that he will surely sit on Allah's Straight Path in wait for humans, to hinder them from before, behind, right and left, and that most them won't be grateful. He is commanded to depart, reproached and expelled, and that whoever follows him, hell will be filled with them all. 

Adam and his wife were told to dwell (uskun) in the Garden, eat from whatever you will, but forbidden from even going near this tree, lest you become of those in the darkness (zalimeen). 

Shaitan whispered to them, to make apparent to them that which was concealed from them of their private parts. He said that their Lord had not forbidden this tree except that they become angels or become immortals. 

وَقَاسَمَهُمَاۤ اِنِّىۡ لَـكُمَا لَمِنَ النّٰصِحِيۡنَۙ‏ ٢١

He promised solemnly to them both, that he was to them both, from their sincere advisors. 

— Samiya Illias 

So, he misled them both through deception. So, when they both tasted from the tree, their hidden parts became manifest, and they began to cover / attach upon themselves the leaves of the Garden. And their Lord called out to them, 'didn't I forbid you from this tree? and tell you that Shaitan is your clear enemy?'   


قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ ٢٣

They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."

— Saheeh International

They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers."

— Al-Hilali & Khan

They said: 'Our Rabb (Lord-Sustainer), we have put our nafs in darkness (zlm), and if You do not cover us and if You do not have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers'.

Samiya Illias


They were commanded to descend from there (The Garden) as enemies to each other, and that upon the Earth will be your place of dwelling and your means of livelihood for a time. There you will live, there you will die, and from there you will be resurrected. 

The next two ayaat inform Bani Adam that libas (clothing) has been bestowed upon them to hide their shame, and as an adornment. The libas-e-taqwa (their original natural clothing, which they lost by not keeping their duty to Allah) was better. That this is from the Signs of Allah, perhaps you will remember. The Bani Adam are warned to not to let Shaitan (Satan) put you in trial as he put your parents in trial, getting them expelled from The Garden, stripping off their libas (clothing) from them, to expose their concealed parts. Indeed, he (Satan) and his tribe watches you from where you cannot see them. Indeed, We have made the shayateen (satans) the allies of those who do not believe. 


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DRAFT 

Q7:53

Common Theme

Certainly Noah, Hud, Saleh, Lot, Shoaib, and Moses were sent to their people. Each called upon them to keep their taqwa (duty to Allah). The ruling class / chieftains / leaders (الۡمَلَاُ) of the nation rejected the message. Most of the people followed their leaders and adhered to their false religion. Very few hearkened to the Messenger of Allah. Eventually, they were punished for their crimes. 


Messenger Noah  & His People (Q7:59-64)

Certainly, We sent Noah to his people. He said, O my people, worship Allah, you have no other deity except him. I fear for you the punishment of a tremendous day. But the leaders of his people said, we surely see that you are surely misguided. He said, O my people, there is no misguidance in me, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of the Worlds. I convey to you the messages of my Lord, and I advise you, and I know from Allah what you do not know. Do you wonder that there has come to you reminder from your Lord, upon a man from among you, that he may warn you, and that you may keep your taqwa (duty to Allah), so you might receive mercy? But they rejected him, so We saved him and those with him, in a ship, and We drowned those who denied Our signs, indeed, they were a people blind. 


Messenger Hud  & The Aad (Q7:65-72)

And to the Aad, We sent their brother Hud. He said, O my people, worship Allah, you have no other god but Him. Then, will you not keep your taqwa (duty towards Allah)? Said the leaders who disbelieved from his people, Indeed we see you in foolishness, and indeed we think you are of the liars. He said, O my people, there is no foolishness in me, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of the Worlds. I convey to you the messages of my Lord, and I am to you a trustworthy advisor. Do you wonder that there has come to you reminder from your Lord, upon a man from among you, that he may warn you, and remember He made you successors (khulafaa) after the people of Noah, and increased you in stature extensively. So, remember the favours of Allah, that you may succeed. They said, have you come to us so that we worship Allah alone, and leave what our fathers worshipped? Then bring to us what you promise, if you are truthful. He said, already has fallen upon you, from your Lord, impurity and anger. Do you dispute with me regarding the names you have named, you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority? Then wait, indeed, I am with you among those who wait. So, We saved him and those with him, through Our mercy, and cut the root of those who denied Our signs, and they were not believers. 


Messenger Saleh  & The Thamud (Q7:73-79)

And to the Thamud, their brother Saleh. He said, O my people, worship Allah, you have no other god but Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord: this is Allah's she-camel (naqatu-Allah), as a sign for you. So let her freely eat from Allah's land, and do not touch her with harm, lest seizes you a painful  punishment. And remember when He made you successors (khulafaa) after the Aad, and gave you  station in the Earth. And you choose palaces in the plains, and hew homes for yourselves in the mountains. So, remember the favours of Allah, and do not commit evil in the Earth, as corrupters. Said the leaders who were arrogant among their people to those who were weak who had believed among them, 'do you actually know that Saleh has been sent from your Lord?' they replied, 'indeed we, in that which he has been sent with, are believers'. Said those who were arrogant, 'indeed we, in that which you believe, are disbelievers'. So, they made barren (aqaru) the she-camel (naqata), defying the command of their Lord, and said, O Saleh, bring us what you promise us, if you are indeed from those sent. So, seized them the earthquake, so they became in their homes, fallen prone. So he turned away from them saying, O my people, I had certainly conveyed to you the message of my Lord, and advised you, but you do not love the advisors. 


Messenger Lot  & his people (Q7:80-84)

And Lot, when said he to his people, 'do you commit such immorality (al-fahisha) that has preceded you with it no one in the worlds (al-aalameen)? you lust after men instead of women, you are indeed abusers (musrifoon).' And not responded his people except they said, 'expel them from your land, they are a people who remain pure'. So, we saved him and his family, except his woman, she was of those who got covered in or became dust (al-ghabireen), and We rained upon them a rain (or stones). So see what was the end of the criminals.    


Messenger Shoaib  & his people (Q7:85-93)

And to the Madyan, We sent their brother Shoaib. He said, O my people, worship Allah, you have no other god but Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. So give just measure (فَاَوۡفُوا الۡكَيۡلَ) and weight (وَالۡمِيۡزَانَ), and do not deprive people of their things (النَّاسَ اَشۡيَآءَهُمۡ), and do not spread corruption (تُفۡسِدُوۡا) in the Earth after it has been reformed (بَعۡدَ اِصۡلَاحِهَا​), that is better for you, if you should be believers. And do not sit on every path (صِرَاطٍ), threatening and hindering from Allah's Way (سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ), those who believe in Him, seeking to make it seem deviant. And remember when you were few, and He increased you. And see how was the end of the corrupters (عَاقِبَةُ الۡمُفۡسِدِيۡنَ‏). 

And if a group of you believes in what I am sent with, and a group does not believe, have patience till Allah judges between us, and He is the Best to decide (وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ الۡحٰكِمِيۡنَ‏). 

Said the leaders who were arrogant from his people, Certainly we will expel you, O Shoaib, and those with have believed, with you, from our town, or certainly you must return to our religious persuasion (مِلَّتِنَا​). He said, Even if we are unwilling? We would certainly be fabricating a lie Upon Allah if we return to your religious persuasion after Allah has saved us from it, and not it is for us to return to it unless if Wills Allah, He is our Lord, encompasses our Lord everything in His Knowledge, Upon Allah we put our trust, our Lord decide between us and our people with right (بِالۡحَـقِّ), and You are the Best to decide (خَيۡرُ الۡفٰتِحِيۡنَ‏).  

Said the leaders who disbelieved from his people, If you follow Shoaib, you will surely be losers. 

So, seized them the earthquake, so they became in their homes, fallen prone. Those who had falsified Shoaib were wiped out as if they had never flourished there, those who had falsified Shoaib, they were the losers. 

So he turned away from them, and said, O my people, I had certainly conveyed to you the messages of my Lord, and advised you, so how can I grieve for a disbelieving people. 




...


Messenger Moses, the Pharaoh  & his chiefs (Q7:103-136)

Then, after them, We resurrected/ raised/ appointed/ sent (بَعَثۡنَا) Moses with Our Signs, towards Pharaoh and his religious rulers/ leaders (مَلَا۟ئِهٖ), but they dealt with Our Signs unjustly/ darkly (فَظَلَمُوۡا بِهَا​), so look how was the end/ penalty/ fate (عَاقِبَةُ) of the corrupters (الۡمُفۡسِدِيۡنَ‏). 

And Moses said, O Pharaoh, indeed I am a Messenger from the Lord-Sustainer of all the worlds. Obligated to say nothing about Allah except the truth, I have brought to you with clear evidence from your Lord-Sustainer, so send with me Bani Israel. 

He said, if you have brought a sign, then bring it forth, if you are of those who speak the truth. 

So, he threw his staff, and it became a serpent, evident. 

And he drew out his hand, so it was white for all to see. 

Said the chiefs of the people of Pharaoh, indeed this is a magician/ sorcerer, learned/ knowledgable. 

Who seeks to evict you from your land. So what do you instruct? 

They said, postpone/ delay him and his brother, and send in all the cities, gatherers 

To bring you every magician/ sorcerer, learned/ knowledgable. 

And came all the magicians/ sorcerers to Pharaoh, they said, indeed for us a reward if we overcome? 

He replied, Yes, and certainly you will be among those closest to me. 

They asked, O Moses, either you throw, or shall we be the first throwers? 

He said, throw. So when they threw, they enchanted the eyes of the people, and struck them with awe, and brought a magic (spell), mighty

Then We inspired Moses that throw your staff, so it it devoured that which they were faking.  

So was established reality, and vanished what they were doing. 

So they were overcome there, and returned degraded.  

And threw themselves down the magicians/ sorcerers, in prostration

They said, we believe in the Lord-Sustainer of the worlds

Lord-Sustainer of Moses and Aaron

Said Pharaoh, you believed in Him before I gave you permission! this is a plan which you have planned in the city, to evict those who live in it, so soon you will know.

Certainly I will cut-off your hands and feet, from opposite sides, then I will crucify you all. 

They said, Surely to our Lord-Sustainer we will return 

and not you take vengeance on us except that we have believed in the signs of our Lord-Sustainer when they came to us, Our Lord-Sustainer, pour upon us patience, and cause us to die Muslims.  




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Messenger Moses & the Bani Israel post-Exodus (Q7:137-171)










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The Witnessing by the Bani Adam (Q7:172-174)









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The First Humans (Q7:189-190)








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Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Humans & The Human Condition

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يٰۤـاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوۡا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِىۡ خَلَقَكُمۡ مِّنۡ نَّفۡسٍ وَّاحِدَةٍ وَّخَلَقَ مِنۡهَا زَوۡجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنۡهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيۡرًا وَّنِسَآءً​ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ الَّذِىۡ تَسَآءَلُوۡنَ بِهٖ وَالۡاَرۡحَامَ​ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ رَقِيۡبًا‏ ١

O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allāh, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allāh is ever, over you, an Observer.

— Saheeh International

O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allah in Whom ye claim (your rights) of one another, and toward the wombs (that bore you). Lo! Allah hath been a watcher over you.

— M. Pickthall

[Al-Quran 4:1]

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فَاَقِمۡ وَجۡهَكَ لِلدِّيۡنِ حَنِيۡفًا ​ؕ فِطۡرَتَ اللّٰهِ الَّتِىۡ فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيۡهَا ​ؕ لَا تَبۡدِيۡلَ لِخَـلۡقِ اللّٰهِ​ ؕ ذٰ لِكَ الدِّيۡنُ الۡقَيِّمُ ۙ  وَلٰـكِنَّ اَكۡثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ۙ ‏ ٣٠

So stand facing the Deen-e-Hanif; the Fitrat of Allah upon which He has separated / natured humans; no change in the creation of Allah; that is the standing Deen (religion / law of recompense), but most humans do not know. 

[Al-Quran 30:30]

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لَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا الۡاِنۡسَانَ فِىۡۤ اَحۡسَنِ تَقۡوِيۡمٍ‏ ٤ ثُمَّ رَدَدۡنٰهُ اَسۡفَلَ سَافِلِيۡنَۙ‏ ٥

4 Certainly, we created the human in the best of standing 

5 Then, we returned him to the lowest of the low

[Al-Quran 98:4-5]

... 

My learnings from Genesis 1 26-28

Humans were created to rule over the creatures of the Earth 

Humans were created by God, in His Likeness, He created them male and female  

Humans were created by God on the sixth day, the last of the six days of creation  


My learnings from The Quran

Allah created the first humans from a single Nafs (soul), and from them many humans were created through the natural process of human procreation, in the wombs of the female humans (Q4:1) 

All good and bad is from Allah, but all bad is actually due to our nafs (Q4:78-79) 

Allah created humans after His Own Fitrat (nature || separation from other creatures?) (Q30:30) 

Allah created Adam with His Own Two Hands (Q38:75) 

Humans were created in the best of standing (Q98:4) 

Humans were returned to the lowest of the low (Q98:5) 

Adam and his wife were tried with the forbidden tree in The Garden (Q2:35, Q7:20, Q20:120) 

Adam and his wife admitted that they had done Zulm (wrong / darkness) on their nafs (Q7:22-23) 

Adam and his wife lost their external cover and clothing (Q2:36, 7:22, 7:27, Q20:121) 

Bani Adam have inherited this loss (we are not naturally covered or clothed the way almost all other creatures are) 

Bani Adam have been provided clothing to cover their nakedness, and to adorn them (Q7:26) 

Fahishatan (nakedness / immorality) is not part of Allah's decrees. Allah never commands it (Q7:28) 

Qist (equitable justice) has been ordered by Allah. He has commanded sincerity to the Deen, and that we will be created as we were created originally (Q7:29) 

Bani Adam are commanded to adorn themselves with what beautifies them at every masjid (place / time of prostration), without indulging in israaf (excessiveness / wastefulness) (Q7:31-32) 

We, and our souls, are in pledge for what we earn (Q52:21, Q74:38) 


What is critical for us to understand from the above is that the human condition that we find ourselves in, prone to diseases and many other troubles and travails, internal and external, are due to our fallen nature. Allah does not hold the progeny of Adam responsible for the sin and consequent fall of Adam, but He does want us to take responsibility for our own actions, and thus willingly adhere to the Deen (Law of Recompense), so that when we are recreated by Allah in our original forms, we are allowed to enter the Gardens promised by Allah to all those who believe and do acts of reform. May we not be of those criminals who will be tried with the Tree of Zaqqum, which grows from the bottom of Hell. May we not be of those permanently removed from Allah's Mercy. 




Previous Learnings: 

Until The Camel Passes Through The Eye Of The Needle 

Rust Upon Their Hearts 

Lying Sinful Forelock 

Teleology: A purpose-built Universe? 

Divine Will and Human Free Will  

The First Humans 

Orientation: Right or Left 

Fuel of Hell: Humans and Stones 

World Hunger & Slavery 

World History & Future Implications 

Virgin Birth 

Adam's Attempt to Improve upon Allah's Creation 

Immortality & A Kingdom that Never Decays 

Days of Allah 

Long Life – Reversed in Creation 

Guarding the Womb 

Wronging the Nafs 

The Right Religion (Deen) 

Human: Body or Soul? 

Adam Facts 

The Hajj 

Lessons in Surah al-Kahf 

Disease  

Cure 

Death & The Pursuit of Immortality 

Humans: Extinct & Extant  

The Cursed Tree 

Tears of Joy 

The Same Religion (الدِّينِ) 

Prayer & Remembrance of God 

The Creation & Emergence of Species 

Jinn-Human Hybrids 

The Evil of the الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ 

To Forget the Meeting with Allah 

Acknowledging the Perfection of our Lord 

Natural Clothing 

The Case against the Bani Israel 

The Hikmat (الْحِكْمَةَ) 

Seeking the Face of Allah 

When Allah Comes 

Fate, Deeds, Omens & The Mercy of Allah 

Our Record in Our Neck 

The Devils among The Angels & The Khilafat of Adam 

Signs of Allah 

Gratitude Reminders 

Non-Living & Living 

The Torah & The Quran 

Polytheism: The Sin committed by The First Human Couple 

The Night: A Sign! 

... and Join Me with The Reformed 

Prayers - The Need for Allah's Help 

Their Descendants from Their Backs 

The Quran: Shifa & Guidance for The Believers 

Nafs 

The Hardware & The Software 

Shackles in The Neck 

Joseph's قَمِيصَ (Shirt / Jacket) 

No ilah but Allah لا إله إلا الله 

Q2 30-39 || Q12 

Q7 10-36 || Q12 

Q18 50-51 || Q12 

The Nafs of The Insaan 

Major Sins & True Repentance 

Abortions & Family Planning 

The Clothing that Covers 

Human Devolution  

Natural Biology of Procreation 

Pregnancies mentioned in The Quran 

Gullet / امْرِئٍ  

Nafs / نَفْسُ 

Ruh / رُوحُ 

Body / بَدَنِ / جَسَدًا / سَوْءَةَ 

Snails, Slugs & The Devolution of Adam 

Act(s) of Reform (عَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ and عَمِلَ صَالِحًا) 

Soul Mates 

With His Hands 

The Example of The Mosquito 

The Death of The Soul 

Adam & Job 


...

Saturday, April 24, 2021

Q17 60-70 || Q12

Adam & Joseph 

DRAFT

Exploring the narrative about Adam in Surah Bani Israel (Q17:60-70) in the light of Surah Yusuf 

Surah al-Isra is also known as Surah Bani Israel. It begins with Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ night journey to meet Allah, what is known as the Mairaj. Then, we read about Moses being given the Book, and the command to to not to take anyone else as a Wakil (Trustee) except Allah. Then, it mentions their ancestor who was carried along with Noah. It then reminds them of their fate being written in The Book, and the future unfolding exactly as written. Then, Q17:13-14 informs us that every person's fate is tied to their neck, and that book will be readable by us on The Day of Judgement. 


The Vision

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لَكَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ أَحَاطَ بِالنَّاسِ ۚ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا الرُّؤْيَا الَّتِي أَرَيْنَاكَ إِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَالشَّجَرَةَ الْمَلْعُونَةَ فِي الْقُرْآنِ ۚ وَنُخَوِّفُهُمْ فَمَا يَزِيدُهُمْ إِلَّا طُغْيَانًا كَبِيرًا

 And when We said to you, "Indeed, your Lord has encompassed the mankind." And not We made the vision which We showed you except (as) a trial for mankind, and the tree the accursed in the Quran. And We threaten them but not it increases them except (in) transgression great.
[Al-Quran 17:60]

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

قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تَقْصُصْ رُؤْيَاكَ عَلَىٰ إِخْوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُوا لَكَ كَيْدًا ۖ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لِلْإِنسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

When said Yusuf to his father, "O my father! Indeed, I I saw one ten (i.e eleven) star(s) planets and the sun and the moon; I saw them to me prostrating."
He said, "O my son! (Do) not relate your vision to your brothers lest they plan against you a plot. Indeed, the Shaitaan (is) to man an enemy open.
[Al-Quran 12:4-5; translation edited in italics]

Surah al-Isra and Surah Yusuf both mention visions and people's reaction to it. Surah Yusuf shows us that outcomes cannot be changed, and Allah will prevail and make His Will happen. Our Lord has encompassed all humans!  

Q17:60 mentions the vision showed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and it also mentions the accursed tree in the same ayah. It goes on to state that this is meant to frighten people. However, instead of taking heed, people react with great transgression instead. 

Among the trees mentioned in The Quran, two profoundly harmful trees are: 

  1. the Forbidden Tree in The Garden that Adam was warned to not to even go near 
  2. the Tree of Zaqqum that will be a trial for the criminals upon resurrection 

Most religions are obsessed with a sacred tree. The Tree of Life is a popular motif that appears in Ancient Egyptian mytheme as well, and is linked to eternal life. It seems that again and over again Satan uses the tree to tempt humans to disobey and err.    

In Q12:4 Joseph mentions his vision to his father. In the next ayah we read that his father warns him to not to share his vision with his brothers lest they plot and plan against him. They would do this because of Shaitaan. Alas, they did plot and plan against Joseph. As the story unfolds, despite all the setbacks suffered by Joseph, the dream is eventually realised, and Joseph honoured above his siblings. The vision literally came true! 

Allah taught Joseph the interpretation of visions. In Surah Yusuf, he accurately interprets the dream of the prison inmates, as well as that of the King of Egypt. 



Superiority Complex, Arrogance & Jealousy  

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ قَالَ أَأَسْجُدُ لِمَنْ خَلَقْتَ طِينًا

And when We said to the Angels, "Prostrate to Adam." So they prostrated except Iblis. He said, "Shall I prostrate to (one) whom You created (from) clay?"
[Al-Quran 17:61]


إِذْ قَالُوا لَيُوسُفُ وَأَخُوهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَىٰ أَبِينَا مِنَّا وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّ أَبَانَا لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ

 When they said, "Surely Yusuf and his brother (are) more beloved to our father than we, while we (are) a group. Indeed, our father (is) surely in an error clear.
[Al-Quran 12:8]


Iblis considered himself a superior form of creation, because of the material used to create him. More on this in Q15 23-50 || Q12 under the sub-titles: 

  • Endotherms, The Genus Homo 
  • Ectotherms, class Reptilia, order Squamata, suborder Serpentes 
  • Biological Adam of Homo Sapiens Sapiens

The elder brothers of Joseph considered themselves a superior group. They were jealous of the greater love that their father had for Joseph and his younger brother. Satan was able to exploit the situation. 



Honoured Above Me

قَالَ أَرَأَيْتَكَ هَـٰذَا الَّذِي كَرَّمْتَ عَلَيَّ لَئِنْ أَخَّرْتَنِ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ لَأَحْتَنِكَنَّ ذُرِّيَّتَهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

He said, "Do You see this whom You have honored, above me? If You give me respite till (the) Day (of) the Resurrection, I will surely destroy his offspring except a few."
[Al-Quran 17:62]


قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تَقْصُصْ رُؤْيَاكَ عَلَىٰ إِخْوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُوا لَكَ كَيْدًا ۖ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لِلْإِنسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

He said, "O my son! (Do) not relate your vision to your brothers lest they plan against you a plot. Indeed, the Shaitaan (is) to man an enemy open.

...

قَالُوا تَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ آثَرَكَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا وَإِن كُنَّا لَخَاطِئِينَ

They said, "By Allah, certainly has preferred you Allah over us and indeed, we have been sinners."
[Al-Quran 12:5, ..., 91]

Iblis, the Satan, refused to accept Allah's command of honouring Adam. He has sworn to destroy Adam's progeny. He tried that with Jacob's family as well. Joseph's elder brothers did plot against him. Yet, when they eventually saw that Allah's plans for Joseph remained in place in spite of their plotting and planning against it, they realised their mistake, admitted it, and sought forgiveness. 

However, Iblis is still the sworn enemy of the progeny of Adam. He continues in his arrogance to mislead humans, and thereby generating more and more evidence against himself, and those who follow him. 



The Recompense

قَالَ اذْهَبْ فَمَن تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ فَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ جَزَاؤُكُمْ جَزَاءً مَّوْفُورًا

He said, "Go, and whoever follows you among them then indeed, Hell (is) your recompense - a recompense ample.
[Al-Quran 17:63]


قَالَ لَا يَأْتِيكُمَا طَعَامٌ تُرْزَقَانِهِ إِلَّا نَبَّأْتُكُمَا بِتَأْوِيلِهِ قَبْلَ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمَا ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكُمَا مِمَّا عَلَّمَنِي رَبِّي ۚ إِنِّي تَرَكْتُ مِلَّةَ قَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَهُم بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ كَافِرُونَ

 He said, "Not (will) come to both of you food you are provided with but I will inform both of you of its interpretation, before [that] [it] comes to both of you. That (is) of what has taught me my Lord. Indeed, I [I] abandon (the) religion (of) a people, not they believe in Allah, and they in the Hereafter [they] (are) disbelievers.

...

أَفَأَمِنُوا أَن تَأْتِيَهُمْ غَاشِيَةٌ مِّنْ عَذَابِ اللَّهِ أَوْ تَأْتِيَهُمُ السَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

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?
[Al-Quran 12:37, ..., 107]

Allah has promised recompense on the Day of Judgement. Free-will has been granted to each one to choose who they believe, and who they want to follow. Their is no compulsion in religion.  

Joseph spent his initial years with his father, the Prophet Jacob, and thus was well-acquainted with the monotheistic Abrahamic faith. When he came to Egypt as a slave, he was exposed to the polytheistic religion of the ancient Egyptians. 

Hell is the ultimate, eventual prison of the die-hard criminals, from which there will be no escape or release ever. In this-worldly prison, where Joseph was imprisoned on false charges, as per his own prayer to Allah to save him from evil and immorality, it seems the perfect setting to openly declare his belief in the true religion of Allah, and absolve himself of all the falsehood of Egyptian mythology. 

Interestingly, the dream (Q12:36) that Joseph interprets (Q12:41) comes true (Genesis 40:20-22) on Pharaoh's birthday, the only birthday celebration mentioned in the Bible. 

Related Post: Birthday Celebrations 



The Right Religion vs Satan's Religions 

وَاسْتَفْزِزْ مَنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ مِنْهُم بِصَوْتِكَ وَأَجْلِبْ عَلَيْهِم بِخَيْلِكَ وَرَجِلِكَ وَشَارِكْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَوْلَادِ وَعِدْهُمْ ۚ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا

And incite whoever you can among them with your voice, and assault [on] them with your cavalry and infantry and be a partner in the wealth and the children, and promise them." And not promises them the Shaitaan except delusion.
[Al-Quran 17:64]


مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِ إِلَّا أَسْمَاءً سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُم مَّا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَانٍ ۚ إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۚ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

Not you worship from besides Him but names which you have named, you and your forefathers, not (has) sent down Allah for it any authority. Not (is) the command but for Allah. He has commanded that not you worship but Him Alone. That (is) the religion the right, but most [the] men people (do) not know.
[Al-Quran 12:40; translation edited in italics]

Iblis has been given permission to try and delude whoever he can. People are responsible for the choices they make. He whispers suggestions, he uses people and their resources, and tries to corrupt creation. 

Related Posts: Jinn-Human Hybrids || The Evil of the الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ || World History & Future Implications 



Allah's Chosen Slaves 

إِنَّ عِبَادِي لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَانٌ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ وَكِيلًا

"Indeed, My slaves not for you over them any authority. And sufficient (is) your Lord (as) a Guardian."
[Al-Quran 17:65]


وَلَقَدْ هَمَّتْ بِهِ ۖ وَهَمَّ بِهَا لَوْلَا أَن رَّأَىٰ بُرْهَانَ رَبِّهِ ۚ كَذَ‌ٰلِكَ لِنَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ السُّوءَ وَالْفَحْشَاءَ ۚ إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُخْلَصِينَ

 And certainly she did desire him, and he would have desired her, if not that he saw the proof (of) his Lord. Thus, that We might avert from him the evil and the immorality. Indeed, he (was) of Our slaves the chosen sincere.

...

قَالَ رَبِّ السِّجْنُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا يَدْعُونَنِي إِلَيْهِ ۖ وَإِلَّا تَصْرِفْ عَنِّي كَيْدَهُنَّ أَصْبُ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَأَكُن مِّنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ

فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ فَصَرَفَ عَنْهُ كَيْدَهُنَّ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

He said, "My Lord, the prison (is) dearer to me than what they invite me to it. And unless You turn away from me their plot I might incline towards them and [I] be of the ignorant."
So responded to him his Lord, and turned away from him their plot. Indeed, [He] He (is) All-Hearer, All-Knower.

...

وَقَالَ لِفِتْيَانِهِ اجْعَلُوا بِضَاعَتَهُمْ فِي رِحَالِهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَعْرِفُونَهَا إِذَا انقَلَبُوا إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

And he said to his servants, "Put their merchandise in their saddlebags so that they may recognize it when they go back to their people so that they may return."
[Al-Quran 12:24, ..., 33-34, ..., 62]

The chosen slaves of Allah, those who are sincere in their worship, Allah averts from them evil and immorality. Iblis has no power over the chosen slaves of Allah.  

Those in whose hearts Allah knows good, he grants them opportunities to recognise, return and repent. Joseph hid his brothers' merchandise in their bags, so that they might recognise and return for more food. As the story unfolded, they returned, ..., and eventually they did recognise Allah's Perfect Planning, sought forgiveness, and submitted to His Will. Thus, Allah Perfected His Favour upon Jacob and his family.  



Travel 

رَّبُّكُمُ الَّذِي يُزْجِي لَكُمُ الْفُلْكَ فِي الْبَحْرِ لِتَبْتَغُوا مِن فَضْلِهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا

Your Lord (is) the One Who drives for you the ship in the sea, that you may seek of His Bounty. Indeed, He is to you Ever Merciful.
[Al-Quran 17:66]


مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِ إِلَّا أَسْمَاءً سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُم مَّا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَانٍ ۚ إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۚ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

Not you worship from besides Him but names which you have named, you and your forefathers, not (has) sent down Allah for it any authority. Not (is) the command but for Allah. He has commanded that not you worship but Him Alone. That (is) the religion the right, but most [the] men (do) not know.
[Al-Quran 12:40]

Allah sent Adam to this Earth. Allah took Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on the night journey to meet Allah, what is known as the Mairaj. He ascended and then he descended. On the day the sy is rent asunder (Q55:37), the Believers hope to ascend to the Gardens of Eternity. While all these are matters of faith, we preview Allah's special favours upon all humans in their journeys across the seas.  

The Standing Laws of Recompense, the Right Religion,  الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ, has been defined in The Quran: 




Rescue 

وَإِذَا مَسَّكُمُ الضُّرُّ فِي الْبَحْرِ ضَلَّ مَن تَدْعُونَ إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ ۖ فَلَمَّا نَجَّاكُمْ إِلَى الْبَرِّ أَعْرَضْتُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ الْإِنسَانُ كَفُورًا

And when touches you the hardship in the sea, lost (are) who you call except Him Alone. But when He delivers you to the land you turn away. And is man ungrateful.
[Al-Quran 17:67]


وَجَاءَتْ سَيَّارَةٌ فَأَرْسَلُوا وَارِدَهُمْ فَأَدْلَىٰ دَلْوَهُ ۖ قَالَ يَا بُشْرَىٰ هَـٰذَا غُلَامٌ ۚ وَأَسَرُّوهُ بِضَاعَةً ۚ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ

وَشَرَوْهُ بِثَمَنٍ بَخْسٍ دَرَاهِمَ مَعْدُودَةٍ وَكَانُوا فِيهِ مِنَ الزَّاهِدِينَ

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

And there came a caravan and they sent their water drawer then he let down his bucket. He said, "O good news! This (is) a boy." And they hid him (as) a merchandise. And Allah (is) All-Knower of what they do.
And they sold him for a price very low, dirhams few, and they were about him of those keen to give up.
And said the one who bought him of Egypt to his wife, "Make comfortable his stay. Perhaps that (he) will benefit us or we will take him (as) a son." And thus We established Yusuf in the land that We might teach him from (the) interpretation of the events. And Allah (is) Predominant over His affairs, but most (of) the people (do) not know.

[Al-Quran 12:19-21]

During travel, when people get into difficult situations, it is Allah who rescues them and delivers them to a place of safety. Joseph was thrown in a dry well by his brothers, but Allah was in full-control of the situation, and he was taken out of that trouble and housed in a comfortable home. 

When people travel through the seas, they encounter mighty storms. Allah rescues them from those situations, and brings them to the safety of land. However, most people are ungrateful in spite of Allah's Mercy.   



The Constant Need for Allah's Mercy

أَفَأَمِنتُمْ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمْ جَانِبَ الْبَرِّ أَوْ يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَاصِبًا ثُمَّ لَا تَجِدُوا لَكُمْ وَكِيلًا

أَمْ أَمِنتُمْ أَن يُعِيدَكُمْ فِيهِ تَارَةً أُخْرَىٰ فَيُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ قَاصِفًا مِّنَ الرِّيحِ فَيُغْرِقَكُم بِمَا كَفَرْتُمْ ۙ ثُمَّ لَا تَجِدُوا لَكُمْ عَلَيْنَا بِهِ تَبِيعًا

Do you then feel secure that (not) He will cause to swallow you, side (of) the land or send against you a storm of stones? Then not you will find for you a guardian?
Or do you feel secure that (not) He will send you back into it time another, and send upon you a hurricane of the wind, and drown you because you disbelieved? Then not you will find for you against Us therein an avenger?
[Al-Quran 17:68-69]


بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

الر ۚ تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ

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

...

 ۞ وَمَا أُبَرِّئُ نَفْسِي ۚ إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّي ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

"And not I absolve myself. Indeed, the soul (is) a certain enjoiner of evil, unless [that] bestows Mercy my Lord. Indeed, my Lord (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

...

قَالَ هَلْ آمَنُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا كَمَا أَمِنتُكُمْ عَلَىٰ أَخِيهِ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ فَاللَّهُ خَيْرٌ حَافِظًا ۖ وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ

He said, "Should I entrust you with him except as I entrusted you with his brother from before? But Allah (is) the best Guardian and He (is the) Most Merciful (of) the merciful."
[Al-Quran 12:1, ..., 53, ..., 64]

We are in constant danger, from within and without. We are in constant need of Allah's Protection and Mercy, everywhere, all the time. 



Honoured with Preference 

 وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ وَحَمَلْنَاهُمْ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَرَزَقْنَاهُم مِّنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَفَضَّلْنَاهُمْ عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٍ مِّمَّنْ خَلَقْنَا تَفْضِيلًا

And certainly, We have honored (the) children (of) Adam and We carried them on the land and the sea, and We have provided them of the good things and We preferred them over many of those whom We have created (with) preference.
[Al-Quran 17:70]


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

And said the one who bought him of Egypt to his wife, "Make comfortable his stay. Perhaps that (he) will benefit us or we will take him (as) a son." And thus We established Yusuf in the land that We might teach him from (the) interpretation of the events. And Allah (is) Predominant over His affairs, but most (of) the people (do) not know.

...

قَالَ هَلْ عَلِمْتُم مَّا فَعَلْتُم بِيُوسُفَ وَأَخِيهِ إِذْ أَنتُمْ جَاهِلُونَ

قَالُوا أَإِنَّكَ لَأَنتَ يُوسُفُ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا يُوسُفُ وَهَـٰذَا أَخِي ۖ قَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا ۖ إِنَّهُ مَن يَتَّقِ وَيَصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

قَالُوا تَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ آثَرَكَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا وَإِن كُنَّا لَخَاطِئِينَ

He said, "Do you know what you did with Yusuf and his brother, when you were ignorant?"
They said, "Are you indeed, surely you, Yusuf?" He said, "I am Yusuf and this (is) my brother. Indeed, has been gracious Allah to us. Indeed, he who fears Allah and (is) patient, then indeed, Allah (does) not let go waste (the) reward (of) the good-doers."
They said, "By Allah, certainly has preferred you Allah over us and indeed, we have been sinners."
[Al-Quran 12:21, ..., 89-91]

The progeny of Adam is the dominant specie on this planet. The words كَرَّمْنَا and فَضَّلْنَا in Q17:70 need pondering upon.  

In the context of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ – Ascension & Return that this surah begins with, Q17:70 is drawing our attention to our travels over land and sea. No other creature travels the way humans travel on this planet. 

In Q12:21, the Joseph's master directs his wife to make Joseph's stay comfortable ( أَكْرِمِي مَثْوَاهُ). 

Surah Yusuf not only narrates how Joseph arrives in Egypt, but it also mentions the movements of Joseph's brothers to and from Egypt. The vision at the beginning of Surah Yusuf became a trial for his brothers when they heard about it, and in Q12:91 they acknowledge how they had been utterly unable to frustrate Allah's Plan, and admit to Allah's Preference of Joseph over them. 


Main post with introduction & links to all posts comparing Adam & Joseph 


Last updated on: May 12, 2021