Lessons from Surah Yusuf

Bringing modern Muslims closer to the Qur’an. An explanation of Surah Yusuf by one of America’s most respected Muslims

Surah Yusuf, a chapter of the Qur’an (Koran), was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad at a critical juncture of his life. This was the time when he had gone through ten to eleven years of ridicule and rejection in Makkah, a time when he lost his wife and partner, Khadija, a time when he lost his dear uncle Abu Talib. Allah revealed this precious surah to strengthen the Prophet Muhammad’s heart. To remind him that he lives in the footsteps of the great prophets of the past and that Allah’s help and support is there.

This surah is full of meaningful messages of patience, reliance on Allah and how to overcome hardship and betrayal. It was also educational, teaching the Prophet Muhammad the answers to queries that were posed to him by the local Jews and Muslims. Finally this surah was a timely morale booster for the Prophet and his companions in a time of need.

Yasir Qadhi has clearly divided the surah into related themes, as per the revelations, so that the reader can easily understand and grasp the great wealth of knowledge relayed through this surah to all.

Dr. Yasir Qadhi was born in Houston, He pursued Islamic Studies at the University of Madinah and did a BA in Hadith Sciences and an MA in Islamic Theology. He then completed his PhD in Islamic Studies from Yale University. He is currently the Dean of The Islamic Seminary of America and resides in Dallas, Texas.