Exploring the narrative about Adam in Surah al-Hijr (Q15:23-50) in the light of Surah Yusuf
Al-Quran 112
DRAFT
I & We
وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ نُحْيِي وَنُمِيتُ وَنَحْنُ الْوَارِثُونَ
And indeed, We, surely [We] We give life and We cause death, and We (are) the Inheritors.
[Al-Quran 15:23]
۞ رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِي مِنَ الْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِي مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ ۚ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِيِّي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ۖ تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ
My Lord, indeed, you have given of the sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of the events. Creator (of) the heavens and the earth, You (are) my Protector, in the world and the Hereafter. Cause me to die (as) a Muslim, and join me with the righteous."
[Al-Quran 12:101]
The Quran speaks in the singular 'I' and in the plural 'We'. Generally, people avoid pondering over it, and assume the plural to be the 'royal We'. As delicate as the subject it, lest we fall into some sort of blasphemy or shirk, nevertheless it is important to focus upon the text literally.
The Quran makes it absolutely clear that there is no divine family. As discussed at the end of an earlier post, Allah, the one and only deity, the King of the skies and earth, has delegated some of the tasks to some persons in his royal government. They do those tasks by the permission of Allah. Their names have not been disclosed, nor do we know any details about them. Q15:23 seems to be a statement by them. Among their tasks is also giving life and death. It is important to remember here that Jesus was also strengthened with the holy command (بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ) to perform the miracles, including that of breathing life in birds made of clay, and raising the dead (Q3:49, Q5:110). From Surah an-Nisa (Q4:172), we learn that Jesus is among those brought close (الْمُقَرَّبُونَ) to Allah. Surah al-Qamar concludes with what is probably the most prestigious jobs humans can aspire for:
In Q3:46, Mary was given the glad tiding that Jesus will be from among الصَّالِحِين, generally translated as the righteous. In the story of Joseph, Allah had taken him through various apparently unlikely situations to eventually place him in a position of power in the Kingdom of Egypt. In Q12:101, Joseph is praying directly to the Actual Sustainer, Allah, highlighting His uniqueness as The Separator of the Skies and Earth, and The Giver of power and knowledge, asking to be taken in a state of submission (تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا), and to be joined with the righteous/reformed (أَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ).
The WE
وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْنَا الْمُسْتَقْدِمِينَ مِنكُمْ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْنَا الْمُسْتَأْخِرِينَ
And verily We know the preceding ones among you and verily, We know the later ones.
[Al-Quran 15:24]
إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ الْقَصَصِ بِمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ هَـٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ
...
ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ أَنبَاءِ الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَ ۖ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ أَجْمَعُوا أَمْرَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَمْكُرُونَ
Indeed, We, We have sent it down, (as) a Quran in Arabic so that you may understand.
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. ... That (is) from the news (of) the unseen which We reveal to you. And not you were with them when they put together their plan while they (were) plotting. [Al-Quran 12:2-3, ..., 102]
The 'WE' in Allah's Royal Government seem also entrusted with the sending of The Quran, and they seem to know the entire human history.
The Gathering & The Recompense
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ
And indeed, your Lord, He will gather them. Indeed, He (is) All-Wise, All-Knowing.
[Al-Quran 15:25]
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.
...
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
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 12:40, ..., 90-91]
The phrase الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ is generally translated as the right religion, or literally: the religion the right as translated above. For clarity sake, I prefer to translate it as The Standing Law of Recompense. The recompense is promised, and when Allah gathers us all together, each one will be recompensed according to الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ. Those who have taqwa (take precautionary measures out of a sense of fear and consciousness of Allah) and patiently endure, Allah does not let go waste the reward of those who try to excel (الْمُحْسِنِينَ) in submission to Allah.
Those who adhere to the monotheist belief in Allah as the only deity, there is still hope for the sinners who repent in their lifetime. Those upon whom Allah bestows His Mercy and Forgives their sins can expect a good return, as the brothers of Yusuf eventually came to settle honourably in the land.
In the story of Joseph, we see that they are eventually gathered together, and Allah's chosen one and Allah's plan prevails. In Allah's all-encompassing Wisdom, He perfects His Favours upon all the sons of Jacob, who are to later become the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of the Bani Israel.
Endotherms, The Genus Homo
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ مِن صَلْصَالٍ مِّنْ حَمَإٍ مَّسْنُونٍ
And verily, We created humankind (out) of sounding clay from black mud altered.
[Al-Quran 15:26]
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.
[Al-Quran 12:5]
The We were tasked with the creation of the Genus Homo. From fossils, we know that there existed many species of humans, who pre-existed the Adam mentioned after two ayaat (Q15:28).
Similarly, in Surah Yusuf, Joseph is not the first of his kind, but rather he has ten elder brothers.
Endotherms are able to regulate their body temperature. Q15:26 informs us of the material humans are made from: aged, warm, wet black mud? See concordance of root letters for حَمَإٍ and مَّسْنُونٍ
Related Posts: Humans: Extinct & Extant || The First Humans || The Creation & Emergence of Species
Ectotherms, class Reptilia, order Squamata, suborder Serpentes
وَالْجَانَّ خَلَقْنَاهُ مِن قَبْلُ مِن نَّارِ السَّمُومِ
And the jinn We created it from before from fire scorching.
[Al-Quran 15:27]
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.
[Al-Quran 12:5]
Before the task of creation of the humans (Q15:26), the We were also tasked with the creation of the الْجَانَّ. According to earlier learnings, الْجَانَّ are snakes. They are scientifically classified as Reptiles, suborder Serpentes, which includes Snakes.
Ectotherms rely on environmental heat sources. As discussed in the post about snakes, the material used to create them is the end material of complete combustion, and can burn no longer.
The Quran informs us that fire is made from the green tree (Q36:80) ;
Creation of Endotherms vs Ectotherms || think Wet sanding vs Dry sanding: Wet sanding is better on metals and plastic, Dry sanding safer for wood, as a preventive measure, as wood can absorb water and get bloated. Consider the following excerpt from National Geographic:
When snakes drink, “it doesn’t look like they are doing much of anything,” Moore says, but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.
In a 2012 study David Cundall of Lehigh University and colleagues found that some species drink via capillary action, the same mechanism by which water climbs from roots to leaves in plants.
Snakes have skin folds in their lower jaw that expand to accommodate large prey. When they put their mouths in the water, those skin folds expand and absorb the liquid like a sponge via capillary action, then muscles squeeze it down into the gut.
Also consider the following:
Iblis (Satan) is from the jinn (Q18:50), that is a snake, an ectotherm ; he is the enemy of all mankind, as exposed in the ayaat that follow the commandment to prostrate to Adam.
Related Posts: جَانٌّ (Snake || Jinn) || The Creation & Emergence of Species || All Creatures Form Communities
Biological Adam of Homo Sapiens Sapiens
وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي خَالِقٌ بَشَرًا مِّن صَلْصَالٍ مِّنْ حَمَإٍ مَّسْنُونٍ
And when said your Lord to the Angels, "Indeed, I (will) create a human being bashr (out) of clay from black mud altered.
[Al-Quran 15:28; translation edited in italics to retain word bashr]
لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ ۗ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَـٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
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 12:111]
Adam was created by Allah Himself with His Hands. Adam was created a بَشَرًا. Adam was created from حَمَإٍ مَّسْنُونٍ, the material with which the various species of humans were created with by the 'We' mentioned two ayaat before (Q15:26)).
Yusuf was a بَشَرًا, as were his elder brothers.
Both Adam and Yusuf were chosen for a special purpose.
Related Posts: Humans: Extinct & Extant || Their Descendants from Their Backs || Q38 71-88 || Q12
My Command (رُّوحِي) & The Command to Prostrate
فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهُ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِي فَقَعُوا لَهُ سَاجِدِينَ
So, when I have fashioned him and [I] breathed into him of My spirit RUH, then fall down to him prostrating."
[Al-Quran 15:29; translation edited in italics to retain the word RUH]
إِذْ قَالَ يُوسُفُ لِأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوْكَبًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ رَأَيْتُهُمْ لِي سَاجِدِينَ
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."
[Al-Quran 12:4; translation edited in italics]
RUH from the Amr of the Rabb (Q17:85)
Adam was to be prostrated to only after he received The Rabb's Ruh (رُّوحِي). More on this at Q38 71-88 || Q12 under the subtitle: The Command of Prostration.
Joseph was prostrated to only after Allah elevated him in the land and made him in charge of the storehouses of the earth of Egypt. That vision was realised in Q12:100, cited below.
Those who Obeyed the Command
فَسَجَدَ الْمَلَائِكَةُ كُلُّهُمْ أَجْمَعُونَ
So prostrated the Angels all of them together,
[Al-Quran 15:30]
وَرَفَعَ أَبَوَيْهِ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ وَخَرُّوا لَهُ سُجَّدًا ۖ وَقَالَ يَا أَبَتِ هَـٰذَا تَأْوِيلُ رُؤْيَايَ مِن قَبْلُ قَدْ جَعَلَهَا رَبِّي حَقًّا ۖ وَقَدْ أَحْسَنَ بِي إِذْ أَخْرَجَنِي مِنَ السِّجْنِ وَجَاءَ بِكُم مِّنَ الْبَدْوِ مِن بَعْدِ أَن نَّزَغَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَتِي ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي لَطِيفٌ لِّمَا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ
And he raised his parents upon the throne and they fell down to him prostrate. And he said, "O my father! This (is the) interpretation (of) my dream, from before. Verily, has made it my Lord true. And indeed, He was good to me when He took me out of the prison, and brought you from the bedouin life from after [that] had caused discord the Shaitaan between me and between my brothers. Indeed, my Lord (is) Most Subtle to what He wills. Indeed, He, He (is) the All-Knower, the All-Wise.
[Al-Quran 12:100]
All angels prostrated immediately
All brothers of Joseph prostrated, eventually, when the dream was realised. When they saw that Joseph was in a position of authority, they realised that Allah had indeed chosen Joseph over them, so they prostrated, in submission to Allah's Will.
He who Refused to Obey the Command
إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ أَن يَكُونَ مَعَ السَّاجِدِينَ
Except Iblis. He refused to be with those who prostrated.
[Al-Quran 15:31]
قُلْ هَـٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي ۖ وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
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."
[Al-Quran 12:108]
Only Iblis refused to prostrate to Adam. The brothers of Joseph didn't like the idea of prostrating to Joseph because of the enmity of Shaitaan, and so they plotted and planned to frustrate The Divine Plan.
The Quran clearly informs us that Iblis is disobedient to Allah, and an enemy of mankind, thus he must not be obeyed!
The Prosecution
قَالَ يَا إِبْلِيسُ مَا لَكَ أَلَّا تَكُونَ مَعَ السَّاجِدِينَ
He said, "O Iblis! What (is) for you that not you are with those who prostrated?"
[Al-Quran 15:32]
قَالَ هَلْ عَلِمْتُم مَّا فَعَلْتُم بِيُوسُفَ وَأَخِيهِ إِذْ أَنتُمْ جَاهِلُونَ
He said, "Do you know what you did with Yusuf and his brother, when you were ignorant?"
[Al-Quran 12:89]
Allah questioned Iblis why he disobeyed Allah's command.
Joseph asked his elder brothers of what they did to him and his brother.
The Excuses
قَالَ لَمْ أَكُن لِّأَسْجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقْتَهُ مِن صَلْصَالٍ مِّنْ حَمَإٍ مَّسْنُونٍ
He said, "Not I am (one) to prostrate to a human bashr whom You created, (out) of clay from black mud altered."
[Al-Quran 15:33; translation edited in italics to retain the word bashr]
إِذْ قَالُوا لَيُوسُفُ وَأَخُوهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَىٰ أَبِينَا مِنَّا وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّ أَبَانَا لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ
اقْتُلُوا يُوسُفَ أَوِ اطْرَحُوهُ أَرْضًا يَخْلُ لَكُمْ وَجْهُ أَبِيكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا مِن بَعْدِهِ قَوْمًا صَالِحِينَ
قَالَ قَائِلٌ مِّنْهُمْ لَا تَقْتُلُوا يُوسُفَ وَأَلْقُوهُ فِي غَيَابَتِ الْجُبِّ يَلْتَقِطْهُ بَعْضُ السَّيَّارَةِ إِن كُنتُمْ فَاعِلِينَ
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.
Kill Yusuf or cast him (to) a land so will be free for you (the) face (of) your father, and you will be from after that a people righteous."
Said a speaker among them, "(Do) not kill Yusuf but throw him in the bottom (of) the well, will pick him some [the] caravan if you are doing."
[Al-Quran 12:8-10]
Adam was a bashr, while Iblis was from the jinn, and was among the group al-Malaika (The Angels). Iblis assumed he was superior because of the material he was created from. Surah Yusuf also presents a contrast between bashr and malak in Q12:31. A bit more on it at Q7 10-36 || Q12 under the subtitle: Bashr / Malak.
Even though Joseph's elder brothers were also bashr like him, yet they also considered themselves a superior group, as compared to their two younger brothers, who were sons of a different mother. Why? On what basis? So, when they learnt about Joseph's vision, they didn't like the idea of prostrating to him, and he ruling over them, and so they tried to get rid of him.
The point is Allah knows best, and when Allah makes a choice, regardless of whether we understand, agree with, or like it, we need to respect the Creator and submit to His Commands.
The Penalty & The Curse
قَالَ فَاخْرُجْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٌ
وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكَ اللَّعْنَةَ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
He said, "Then get out of it, for indeed, you (are) expelled.
And indeed, upon you (will be) the curse till (the) Day (of) [the] Judgment."
[Al-Quran 15:34-35]
وَرَفَعَ أَبَوَيْهِ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ وَخَرُّوا لَهُ سُجَّدًا ۖ وَقَالَ يَا أَبَتِ هَـٰذَا تَأْوِيلُ رُؤْيَايَ مِن قَبْلُ قَدْ جَعَلَهَا رَبِّي حَقًّا ۖ وَقَدْ أَحْسَنَ بِي إِذْ أَخْرَجَنِي مِنَ السِّجْنِ وَجَاءَ بِكُم مِّنَ الْبَدْوِ مِن بَعْدِ أَن نَّزَغَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَتِي ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي لَطِيفٌ لِّمَا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ
And he raised his parents upon the throne and they fell down to him prostrate. And he said, "O my father! This (is the) interpretation (of) my dream, from before. Verily, has made it my Lord true. And indeed, He was good to me when He took me out of the prison, and brought you from the bedouin life from after [that] had caused discord the Shaitaan between me and between my brothers. Indeed, my Lord (is) Most Subtle to what He wills. Indeed, He, He (is) the All-Knower, the All-Wise.
[Al-Quran 12:100]
Iblis' penalty is permanent. He has no hope of an honourable return to his former status, whatever it was. However, as Q18:51 clarifies, Allah never took the misleaders as helpers.
On the contrary, while Adam was also eventually expelled and exiled to this Earth, he and his progeny still have hope for an honourable and noble return to inherit the Gardens of Eternity.
As a preview, we can see that Joseph was enslaved and imprisoned, yet he was raised to a very honourable position of power and authority in the Kingdom of Egypt.
Joseph's brothers eventually repented and sought forgiveness, and Allah changed their bedouin lifestyle, united them and settled them honourably.
Plea Granted
قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرْنِي إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ
قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنظَرِينَ
He said, "O my Lord! Then give me respite till (the) Day they are raised."
He said, "Then indeed you, (are) of the ones given respite.
[Al-Quran 15:36-37]
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا اسْتَيْأَسَ الرُّسُلُ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ كُذِبُوا جَاءَهُمْ نَصْرُنَا فَنُجِّيَ مَن نَّشَاءُ ۖ وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُنَا عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْمُجْرِمِينَ
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.
[Al-Quran 12:110]
Iblis has been granted respite by Allah Himself, and so he is able to carry on deceiving and misleading so many people, generation after generation. However, each and everyone is responsible for their choice. Iblis is responsible for his deeds, and we for ours. Punishment cannot be repelled from the criminals.
The Well-Known Time
إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْوَقْتِ الْمَعْلُومِ
Till the Day (of) the time well-known."
[Al-Quran 15:38]
وَقَالَ الْمَلِكُ ائْتُونِي بِهِ أَسْتَخْلِصْهُ لِنَفْسِي ۖ فَلَمَّا كَلَّمَهُ قَالَ إِنَّكَ الْيَوْمَ لَدَيْنَا مَكِينٌ أَمِينٌ
قَالَ اجْعَلْنِي عَلَىٰ خَزَائِنِ الْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنِّي حَفِيظٌ عَلِيمٌ
وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَتَبَوَّأُ مِنْهَا حَيْثُ يَشَاءُ ۚ نُصِيبُ بِرَحْمَتِنَا مَن نَّشَاءُ ۖ وَلَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
And said the king, "Bring to me him." I will select him for myself." Then when he spoke to him, he said, "Indeed, you (are) today with us firmly established (and) trusted."
He said, "Appoint me over (the) treasuries (of) the land. Indeed, I (will be) a guardian knowing."
And thus We established [to] Yusuf in the land to settle therein where ever he willed. We bestow Our Mercy (on) whom We will. And not We let go waste (the) reward (of) the good-doers.
[Al-Quran 12:54-56]
At the appointed time, Joseph was appointed above the storehouses of the earth of Egypt.
Allah promises a time when everyone will stand before their Lord to be judged and recompensed.
Placing The Blame
قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
He said, "My Lord! Because You misled me, surely, I will make (evil) fair to them in the earth and I will mislead them all
[Al-Quran 15:39; Translation typo edited]
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 12:91]
Iblis blames his Lord for misleading him, instead of admitting to his own sinful arrogance and defiance.
On the contrary, Joseph's brothers admit to their own mistake.
From Adam's mention across The Quran, we know that Adam admitted to his disobedience, and blamed himself for harming his nafs.
In Surah Yusuf, we read that:
- Jacob places the blame on his sons' nafs when they return to him without one son (Q12:18, Q12:83)
- the wife of the Aziz tries to seduce Joseph's nafs (Q12:23, Q12:30, Q12:32)
- Joseph does not absolve his own nafs, but rather acknowledges the Mercy of his Lord that he was protected from being seduced (Q12:26, Q12:53)
The Chosen Ones
إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُخْلَصِينَ
Except, Your slaves among them the ones who are sincere the chosen."
[Al-Quran 15:40; translation edited in italics]
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.
[Al-Quran 12:24, ..., 33-34; translation edited in italics]
The root خ ل ص occurs 31 times in The Quran, out which 11 times as the form IV active participle mukh'liṣ (مُخْلِص), and nine times as the form IV passive participle mukh'laṣ (مُخْلَص). The former is generally translated as 'sincere', while the latter as 'chosen', as can be seen in the screenshot below. Therefore, I have edited the translations to retain the more generally understood meaning of الْمُخْلَصِينَ
Curiously, Google translates both these word forms as 'saved':
Joseph was a chosen one, and so his Lord averted evil and immorality from him. He even accepted his prayer for imprisonment as a means of removing him from evil plots while he was vulnerable.
The Path that Leads to Allah
قَالَ هَـٰذَا صِرَاطٌ عَلَيَّ مُسْتَقِيمٌ
He said, "This (is) the way to Me straight.
[Al-Quran 15:41]
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.
...
۞ رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِي مِنَ الْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِي مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ ۚ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِيِّي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ۖ تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ
My Lord, indeed, you have given of the sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of the events. Creator (of) the heavens and the earth, You (are) my Protector, in the world and the Hereafter. Cause me to die (as) a Muslim, and join me with the righteous."
...
لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ ۗ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَـٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
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 12:40, ..., 101, ..., 111]
The Straight Path that leads to Allah is the path we need to seek. It requires the worship of Allah alone, without adding any partners to Him.
Related Post: The Straight Path (الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ)
Limited Authority
إِنَّ عِبَادِي لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَانٌ إِلَّا مَنِ اتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ الْغَاوِينَ
Indeed, My slaves, not you have over them any authority, except those who follow you, of the ones who go astray."
[Al-Quran 15:42]
قَالَ تَزْرَعُونَ سَبْعَ سِنِينَ دَأَبًا فَمَا حَصَدتُّمْ فَذَرُوهُ فِي سُنبُلِهِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّمَّا تَأْكُلُونَ
He said, "You will sow (for) seven years, as usual, and that which you reap so leave it in its ears except a little from which you (will) eat.
[Al-Quran 12:47]
Iblis authority is only on those who choose to go astray. Those who hold on to the guidance, they will store wisely for the difficult Day approaching, and thus will not fall prey.
Seven Gates of Hell
وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَوْعِدُهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
لَهَا سَبْعَةُ أَبْوَابٍ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍ مِّنْهُمْ جُزْءٌ مَّقْسُومٌ
And indeed, Hell (is) surely the promised place all.
For it (are) seven gates, for each gate among them (is) a portion assigned.
[Al-Quran 15:43-44]
يُوسُفُ أَيُّهَا الصِّدِّيقُ أَفْتِنَا فِي سَبْعِ بَقَرَاتٍ سِمَانٍ يَأْكُلُهُنَّ سَبْعٌ عِجَافٌ وَسَبْعِ سُنبُلَاتٍ خُضْرٍ وَأُخَرَ يَابِسَاتٍ لَّعَلِّي أَرْجِعُ إِلَى النَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
قَالَ تَزْرَعُونَ سَبْعَ سِنِينَ دَأَبًا فَمَا حَصَدتُّمْ فَذَرُوهُ فِي سُنبُلِهِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّمَّا تَأْكُلُونَ
ثُمَّ يَأْتِي مِن بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ سَبْعٌ شِدَادٌ يَأْكُلْنَ مَا قَدَّمْتُمْ لَهُنَّ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّمَّا تُحْصِنُونَ
ثُمَّ يَأْتِي مِن بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ عَامٌ فِيهِ يُغَاثُ النَّاسُ وَفِيهِ يَعْصِرُونَ
Yusuf, O the truthful one! Explain to us about (the) seven cows fat eating them seven lean ones, and seven ears (of corn) green and other dry, that I may return to the people so that they may know."
He said, "You will sow (for) seven years, as usual, and that which you reap so leave it in its ears except a little from which you (will) eat.
Then will come from after that seven hard (years) (which will) consume what you advanced for them, except a little of what you (will) store.
Then will come from after that a year in it will be given abundant rain the people and in it they will press."
[Al-Quran 12:46-49]
وَقَالَ يَا بَنِيَّ لَا تَدْخُلُوا مِن بَابٍ وَاحِدٍ وَادْخُلُوا مِنْ أَبْوَابٍ مُّتَفَرِّقَةٍ ۖ وَمَا أُغْنِي عَنكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ مِن شَيْءٍ ۖ إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖ وَعَلَيْهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ
And he said, "O my sons! (Do) not enter from gate one, but enter from gates different. And not I can avail you against Allah any thing. Not (is) the decision except with Allah, upon Him I put my trust and upon Him, let put (their) trust the ones who put trust."
[Al-Quran 12:67]
Jacob asked his sons to enter Egypt through different gates. There are reports of walled cities in Ancient Egypt. [1][2] Moreover, there are also reports of tunnels and underground cities linking to some pyramids, in Egypt and in other places in the Earth. The purpose of the pyramids still remains an enigma.
The interpretation of the vision of seven cows: the good ones and the lean ones, may be comparable with the seven concentric skies above/around earth, and the seven gates of hell. By consuming some of what Allah provides for us, and investing in the future by spending in charity, we may be saved from Hell, and may be granted a future, in sha Allah, where there will be abundance, in the Gardens of Eternity! The Gardens of Eternity are much larger than Earth, and up in the skies, as can be deduced from Q3:133 and Q57:21
Another comparison is the eventual liberation of the Bani Israel: when they settled in Egypt, we know that they were provided some very prosperous years, and then they suffered enslavement, and eventually, they were rescued in the Exodus.
As for the seven gates of hell, as discussed in earlier posts [1][2][3], it seems that hell is inside the Earth. Interestingly, there are seven highest volcano peaks and seven persistent lava lakes in this world. However, one of those seven lava lakes has since gone dormant (Marum crater, Ambrym, Vanuatu), while another has emerged in Antarctica.
The Promised Gardens
إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ
Indeed, the righteous (will be) in Gardens and water springs.
[Al-Quran 15:45]
وَرَفَعَ أَبَوَيْهِ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ وَخَرُّوا لَهُ سُجَّدًا ۖ وَقَالَ يَا أَبَتِ هَـٰذَا تَأْوِيلُ رُؤْيَايَ مِن قَبْلُ قَدْ جَعَلَهَا رَبِّي حَقًّا ۖ وَقَدْ أَحْسَنَ بِي إِذْ أَخْرَجَنِي مِنَ السِّجْنِ وَجَاءَ بِكُم مِّنَ الْبَدْوِ مِن بَعْدِ أَن نَّزَغَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَتِي ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي لَطِيفٌ لِّمَا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ
And he raised his parents upon the throne and they fell down to him prostrate. And he said, "O my father! This (is the) interpretation (of) my dream, from before. Verily, has made it my Lord true. And indeed, He was good to me when He took me out of the prison, and brought you from the bedouin life from after [that] had caused discord the Shaitaan between me and between my brothers. Indeed, my Lord (is) Most Subtle to what He wills. Indeed, He, He (is) the All-Knower, the All-Wise.
[Al-Quran 12:100]
When there was a famine raging, and food was hard to come by, the family of Jacob came to settle honourably in Egypt, where there were food stores.
Peace & Security
ادْخُلُوهَا بِسَلَامٍ آمِنِينَ
"Enter it in peace, secure."
[Al-Quran 15:46]
فَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ آوَىٰ إِلَيْهِ أَبَوَيْهِ وَقَالَ ادْخُلُوا مِصْرَ إِن شَاءَ اللَّهُ آمِنِينَ
Then when they entered upon Yusuf, he took to himself his parents and said, "Enter Egypt if wills Allah, safe."
[Al-Quran 12:99]
Joseph's entire family entered and settled in Egypt in peace and security.
The Aristocrats
وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِي صُدُورِهِم مِّنْ غِلٍّ إِخْوَانًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ مُّتَقَابِلِينَ
And We (will) remove what (is) in their breasts of rancor (they will be) brothers on thrones facing each other.
[Al-Quran 15:47]
قَالَ لَا تَثْرِيبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ ۖ يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
He said, "No blame upon you today. will forgive Allah you, and He (is) the Most Merciful (of) the merciful
[Al-Quran 12:92]
There remained no enmity between Joseph and his brothers, and after that, they were united and settled in Egypt.
The Nobility
لَا يَمَسُّهُمْ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ وَمَا هُم مِّنْهَا بِمُخْرَجِينَ
Not will touch them therein fatigue, and not they from it will be removed.
[Al-Quran 15:48]
وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَجْتَبِيكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ وَيُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ كَمَا أَتَمَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَبَوَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَاقَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
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]
Allah's Choices are perfect. Allah appointed Adam Khalifa of the Earth. Allah destined Joseph to become in charge of the storehouses of Egypt. In causing the angels to prostrate to Adam, and Joseph's brothers to prostrate to Joseph, Allah was not only perfecting His Favours upon Adam and Joseph, rather Allah was perfecting His Favours upon all of them by placing the most suitable person for the job in a position of authority.
As we know, they were settled in the precious real estate of Egypt, and for years they enjoyed prosperity. Eventually, there fate changed in this world of trials, but when Allah completes His Favours upon the Believers in the Hereafter, then Allah assures that those who enter the Gardens of Eternity, they will never be removed from there.
Allah, Al-Ghafoor, Ar-Raheem
نَبِّئْ عِبَادِي أَنِّي أَنَا الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Inform My slaves that I, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
[Al-Quran 15:49]
قَالُوا يَا أَبَانَا اسْتَغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا خَاطِئِينَ
قَالَ سَوْفَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ رَبِّي ۖ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
They said, "O our father! Ask forgiveness for us (of) our sins. Indeed, we have been sinners."
He said, "Soon I will ask forgiveness for you (from) my Lord. Indeed, He, He (is) the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful."
[Al-Quran 12:97-98]
Jacob's sons were believers in the one true God, Allah. They asked their father, who was also a prophet, to seek forgiveness for them. Jacob, their father and a prophet of Allah, agrees to seek forgiveness for them, and also informs them that Allah is الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Allah's Punishment
وَأَنَّ عَذَابِي هُوَ الْعَذَابُ الْأَلِيمُ
And that My punishment, it (is) the punishment the most painful.
[Al-Quran 15:50]
ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ أَنبَاءِ الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَ ۖ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ أَجْمَعُوا أَمْرَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَمْكُرُونَ
That (is) from the news (of) the unseen which We reveal to you. And not you were with them when they put together their plan while they (were) plotting.
وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ
And not most (of) the mankind, even though you desire, (will be) believers.
وَمَا تَسْأَلُهُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۚ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
And not you ask them for it any reward. Not (is) it but a reminder to the worlds.
وَكَأَيِّن مِّنْ آيَةٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضُونَ
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.
وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُم بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُم مُّشْرِكُونَ
And not believe most of them in Allah except while they associate partners with Him.
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?
"قُلْ هَـٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي ۖ وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
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.
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 تَعْقِلُونَ
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?
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا اسْتَيْأَسَ الرُّسُلُ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ كُذِبُوا جَاءَهُمْ نَصْرُنَا فَنُجِّيَ مَن نَّشَاءُ ۖ وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُنَا عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْمُجْرِمِينَ
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.
لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ ۗ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَـٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
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 12:102-111]
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Allah forgives all sins except association of partners with Him, on the condition that the person admits, repents and reforms in this lifetime. To quote the pilgrims' prayer from Surah al-Baqarah:
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
And from those who say, "Our Lord! Grant us in the world good and in the Hereafter good, and save us (from the) punishment (of) the Fire."
[Al-Quran 2:201]
Main post with introduction & links to all posts comparing Adam & Joseph
Last updated on: July 19, 2022
