The Story of Prophet Joseph ON HOLD

Chapter 2

Bismillahir Rahamanir Rahim.

Authors Note

I would like to recognize and thank the creator of my new cover for my story, @Classy Thinking. Her image beautifully captures one of the key events that occurs at the very beginning of the story and shows how what was intended by his brothers to be an unfavorable event in the life of Prophet Joseph, ended up being a source of bliss. If you like this cover, please send a comment directly to @ClassyThinking or post a message at the end of this chapter.

Dedication

I would also like to dedicate this chapter to @Fatima0111. She has been a rock of support long before I even considered writing a book on Wattpad and she has been a mentor to me in writing this story.

**Disclaimer**

The contents of this book are based on the works of Ibn Kathir and Nouman Ali Khan from their interpretation (tafsir) of Chapter (Surah) Joseph from the Quran. Some of the content from the lectures of Nouman Ali Khan have been rephrased for clarity.

Meanings of Terms or Abbreviations used in the story:

PBUH – Peace Be Upon Him, used after mentioning the name of a prophet.

It will be seen in the content of this story as (pbuh).

SWT – Subhanahu wa taala is a Glorification of Allah the Glorious.

In Sha Allah – If God Wills or God willing. It refers to events that one hopes will happen in the future.

NAK – Nouman Ali Khan

In this chapter, I will be completing the explanation of the meaning of the first verse (ayah) that ended with the Arabic letters, Alif, Lam, Ra.

As stated in the previous chapters, this version of the Story of Prophet Joseph (pbuh), is taken from the12th Chapter (Surah) of the final revelation to Humanity, the Quran. The Quran begins the story of Prophet Joseph (pbuh) with the Arabic letters – Alif, Lam, Ra. These Arabic letters were covered in detail in Chapter 1, based on the interpretation (tafsir) of the Quran by the Muslim scholars Ibn Kathir and Nouman Ali Khan.

Ibn Kathir provides the following purpose for the revelation of this story to Prophet Mohammad (pbuh):

It is related that among the reasons for its revelation is that the Jews asked the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to tell them about Joseph (pbuh) who was one of their old prophets. His story had been distorted in parts and marred in others with interpolation and exclusions. Therefore, it was revealed in the Book of Allah (Quran), complete in its minute and careful details.

(When I am reflecting on these words of Ibn Kathir, I often try to imagine Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) , a man, a prophet, alive thousands of years after the death of Prophet Joseph (pbuh). He never had an opportunity to travel to Canaan or Egypt and thus had no insight into who Prophet Joseph (pbuh) was. He could not do a Google search, was unlettered, and thus could not read about the story of Prophet Joseph (pbuh) in any type of religious text. Nevertheless, he was given this test by the Jews who wanted to determine if he was indeed, a true prophet of Allah SWT. I am sure that my imagination does not come remotely close to the true events of that time, but it is nice to contemplate on the possibilities just the same.)

Okay, so let us continue with learning more details of this amazing story that was revealed to Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) in the Quran over 1400 years ago!

Verse/Ayah 12:1:

Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book.

(From the Quran English – Sahih International)