Names
This surah is called Surat Yusuf. [115] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/255; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 12/197.
It was narrated that ?Uqbah ibn ?Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I said: O Messenger of Allah, teach me Surat Hud and Surat Yusuf ? [116] Narrated by An-Nasa?i, 953; Ahmad, 17418; Ibn Hibban, 1842; Al-Hakim, 3988.
It was narrated that Ibn Mas?ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I was in Homs and some of the people said to me: Recite Qur?an to us. So I recited Surat Yusuf to them. [117] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 5001; Muslim, 801.
Virtues and characteristics
?Abdullah ibn Shaddad said: I heard ?Umar sobbing when I was in the last row, when he was reciting Surat Yusuf and reached the verse I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah Yusuf 12:86. [118] Narrated by Al-Bukhari in a mu?allaq majzum report before hadith no. 716. Narrated with a uninterrupted isnad by Ibn Sa?d in At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra, 7562. Also narrated by Al-Bayhaqi: Shu?ab Al-Iman, 2057.
Surat Yusuf is the only surah which is dedicated entirely to the story of Allah?s Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him), whose story is not mentioned elsewhere. [119] See: Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 12/197.
No story of any other prophet was narrated in the Qur?an in such detail as the story of Yusuf in this surah. It is the longest surah in the Holy Qur?an. [120] See: Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 12/197; Muhammad Rashid Rida: Tafsir Al-Manar, 12/207.
Makki or Madani?
Surat Yusuf is Makki [121] See: Abu ?Amr Ad-Dani: Al-Bayan fi ?Addi Ayi Al-Qur?an, p. 167. and more than one of the scholars narrated that that there was consensus on that. [122] Those who narrated that there was consensus on that include: Al-Khazin, Majd Ad-Din Al-Fayruzabadi and Al-Biqa?i. see: Tafsir Al-Khazin, 2/510; Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/255; Al-Biqa?i: Masa?id An-Nazr, 2/184.
Objectives
The most important objectives of Surat Yusuf include:
Affirming that the best outcome is for the believers who fear Allah and remain patient despite tests and trials. [123] See: At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 7/311.
Consoling and reassuring the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and his companions. [124] See: Al-Ghurnati: Al-Burhan fi Tanasub Suwar Al-Qur?an, p. 227; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 12/198; At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 7/331.
Topics?????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Yusuf include:
The story of Yusuf (peace be upon him) is told in detail in this surah, in one place, without mentioning the stories of any other prophets. The main themes of this surah are the details of this story, and some other topics, including the following:
Some of the virtues of the Holy Qur?an and the miraculous style in which stories are presented.
The dream of Yusuf, the plot of his brothers against him, their envy of him and their conspiring against him.
The caravan?s rescuing Yusuf from the dry well and selling him; his trial in the palace of Al-?Aziz, and the attempt of the latter?s wife to seduce him; how news spread of her seduction attempt and what the wife of Al-?Aziz did with the women who talked about that.
Yusuf?s imprisonment after his innocence had become clear, and his calling people to Allah in prison.
The dream seen by the king and Yusuf?s interpretation of it; proof of his innocence and his release from prison; his attaining a position of power and authority and becoming prominent.
Yusuf?s meeting his brothers without them realising who he was; his asking them to bring their brother with them the next time, then his keeping his brother with him by means of a trick with which Allah inspired him; the grief that their father felt after that.
Yusuf?s meeting his brothers a second time and disclosing his identity to them; his reminding them of what they did to him and pardoning them for that, then instructing them to go back to their father and throw his chemise over his face in order to restore his sight.
The brothers coming back to Yusuf (peace be upon him) after that and his reunion with his parents and family in Egypt, and how he honoured them.
Comments on what is narrated in the story of Yusuf (peace be upon him). Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, mentions what in the story proves that the Qur?an is from Him Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, and what testifies to the truthfulness of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in what he conveyed from his Lord. There is also mention of the role of the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and the attitude of the polytheists to his call, and that he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) is not the first of the messengers, and that the best outcome will be for him and the believers who follow him.