AL ASHARI SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

 Here’s the English translation:

*Hazrat Yusuf (Peace be upon him) – Part 5*

And when they despaired of him, they retired, conferring in private. The eldest of them said: “Do you not know that your father has taken a promise from you in the name of Allah, and before that you had failed in your duty towards Yusuf? So I will not leave this land until my father permits me or Allah decides for me, and He is the best of judges. Go back to your father and say: ‘O our father! Your son has committed theft, and we did not witness except what we know, and we were not witnesses of the unseen. And ask the people of the city where we were, and the caravan in which we came — indeed, we are truthful.’” When they told their father, he said: “No, rather your souls have enticed you to something. So patience is most fitting. Perhaps Allah will bring them all to me. Indeed, He is the Knowing, the Wise.” And he turned away from them and said: “Oh, my sorrow for Yusuf!” And his eyes turned white from grief, and he became silent. They said: “By Allah, you will not cease remembering Yusuf until you are weakened to the point of death or you are of those who perish.” He said: “I only complain of my distress and my sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah what you do not know. O my sons, go and inquire about Yusuf and his brother, and despair not of Allah’s mercy. Indeed, no one despairs of Allah’s mercy except the disbelieving people.” When they came to Yusuf, they said: “O ‘Aziz! Distress has afflicted us and our family, and we have brought but little money, so give us full measure and be charitable to us. Indeed, Allah rewards the charitable.” He said: “Do you know what you did with Yusuf and his brother when you were ignorant?” They said: “Are you indeed Yusuf?” He said: “I am Yusuf, and this is my brother. Allah has indeed been gracious to us. Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient — Allah does not cause to be lost the reward of the doers of good.” They said: “By Allah, certainly Allah has preferred you above us, and we have indeed been sinners.” He said: “No reproach upon you today. May Allah forgive you, and He is the most merciful of the merciful.” This shirt of mine — go with it and cast it on the face of my father; he will become sighted. And bring me all your family.” And when the caravan departed, their father said: “Indeed, I perceive the scent of Yusuf, if only you would not think me senile.” They said: “By Allah, indeed you are in your old error.” When the bearer of glad tidings arrived, he cast it on his face, and he became sighted. He said: “Did I not say to you that I know from Allah what you do not know?” They said: “O our father, ask forgiveness for our sins; indeed, we have been sinners.” He said: “I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” When they entered upon Yusuf, he embraced his parents and said: “Enter Egypt, if Allah wills, in security.” And he raised his parents upon the throne, and they fell down to him in prostration. And he said: “O my father, this is the interpretation of my dream of old. My Lord has made it true, and He has indeed been gracious to me when He took me out of the prison and brought you from the countryside after Satan had sown discord between me and my brothers. Indeed, my Lord is Subtle in what He wills. Indeed, He is the Knowing, the Wise.” O my Lord, You have given me of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and the earth, You are my protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous. And when Yusuf was dying, you were present. He said to his sons: “What will you worship after me?” They said: “We will worship your God and the God of your fathers, Ibrahim, and Isma’il, and Is’haq, a God One, and to Him we are submitters.”