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Lessons from Surah Yusuf
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.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published March 30, 2021
116 people are currently reading
1134 people want to read
About the author
Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi
60 books361 followersDr. Yasir Qadhi is a prolific author and Islamic teacher who has written several books about Islam. He is a popular speaker in many Muslim circles in the United States, Canada, England and Australia. His lectures at different locations can be found on YouTube. He is one of the few people who has combined an Islamic seminary training (from Islamic University of Madinah) with Western education (from universities of Houston and Yale).
Dr. Qadhi was born in Houston, Texas, to Pakistani parents, in 1975, went to high school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, graduating valedictorian of his class, and completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston. After working for Dow Chemical for a short stint, he decided to pursue an education in Islamic studies, and left for the Islamic University of Madinah. There, he completed a second bachelor's degree, specializing in hadith studies, and then went on to complete an M.A. in Theology. Presently, he is in the final stages of completing his Ph.D in Religious Studies from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
He is the Dean of Academic Affairs and an Instructor in the AlMaghrib Institute. He appears on a number of Islamic satellite channels (Islam Channel in England; Al-Huda Channel in Egypt; Al-Fajr Channel in Egypt; and Peace TV in India, U.K and U.S), where he teaches theology, Seerah, Tajweed, and other topics. He gives regular sermons and lectures. He also blogs at MuslimMatters.org, where he is the group-blog's lead specialist.
Dr. Qadhi was born in Houston, Texas, to Pakistani parents, in 1975, went to high school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, graduating valedictorian of his class, and completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston. After working for Dow Chemical for a short stint, he decided to pursue an education in Islamic studies, and left for the Islamic University of Madinah. There, he completed a second bachelor's degree, specializing in hadith studies, and then went on to complete an M.A. in Theology. Presently, he is in the final stages of completing his Ph.D in Religious Studies from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
He is the Dean of Academic Affairs and an Instructor in the AlMaghrib Institute. He appears on a number of Islamic satellite channels (Islam Channel in England; Al-Huda Channel in Egypt; Al-Fajr Channel in Egypt; and Peace TV in India, U.K and U.S), where he teaches theology, Seerah, Tajweed, and other topics. He gives regular sermons and lectures. He also blogs at MuslimMatters.org, where he is the group-blog's lead specialist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
March 10, 2025
̨ ╭╯ꗃ 03. 10. 25 ˚﹒
┆ "The first time the Qur’an spoke to me, it was through Surah Yusuf.”┆
︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ thoughts
╰› this was my first time reading a tafsir book, and wow 🥹.
This was so beautiful. My knowledge of seerah and the Qur'an is actually really bad, like I basically know nothing and I'm honestly so ashamed about it. Even though I went to Sunday school and I read the Qur'an and other books, I was heavily disinterested in Islam as a child. Learning about Islam and reading the Qur'an was always a pain for me, and that impacted a lot of my knowledge now because I've forgotten SO many surahs and I don't remember any stories from the seerah. I always get uncomfortable whenever someone asks how many Juz I know or whenever a story about the Prophet (PBUH) is being discussed because I don’t have anything to say and I'm ashamed that I'm so far behind.
Inshallah though, I'll learn and be at a place where I'm content with my memorization and knowledge. I really want to start reading seerah, and actually develop a relationship with the Qur'an because it's been forced my entire life, and I’ve finally connected with my religion. May Allah make it easy for me and for anyone with the same struggle, ameeennn. 🫂
Despite the fact that I disliked learning about Islam as a child, out of all the stories, there were two stories that always stood out to me. The story of Musa (AS) and the story of Yusuf (AS). These two hold such profound meaning to me and have always had a special place in my heart for reasons I can’t name.
I learned of this book when my best friend was reading it, and ever since then, I kept feeling this tug to read it too, as if it was calling out to me. And people really do mean it when they say Ramadan comes right when you need it.
When Ramadan came around the corner, one of my goals was to begin understanding the Qur’an. I own the Clear Qur’an and a couple of other Qur’an translations, but I realized translations don’t really work for me. I get the basic gist of what it’s talking about but I feel like I’m just reading words and I don’t really like the commentary of the translations. It puts me into a slump and the Book just sits there because I’m disinterested and disconnected.
So this time I decided to take another approach: tafsir of individual surahs. That’s when I remembered this book. And alhamduillah that I read it.
I’ve listened to Yasir Qadhi throughout my life because of my mom and sister, and though it’s only now that I consider him one of my favorite speakers, his style of talking has always been very reachable and understandable. He wrote this in such an eye-opening and compelling manner that I just wanted to keep reading at 1 in the morning. May Allah bless him for each letter he poured into making this, ameen.
The explanation of each part of an ayah was so well-done and in-depth yet easily understandable. I love how we got different interpretations of the ayahs and why people have interpreted them that way, and if those interpretations could be accurate or not. The references to the Prophet (PBUH) made this feel a lot more personal, especially knowing this surah was given to him in a time of hardship. The words in this book gave me warmth throughout.
┆ “The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘I am amazed at the patience of my brother Yusuf, and his generosity and Allah will forgive him. When he was asked to interpret the dream, I would not have done so until they let me out.’”┆
Prophet Yusuf (AS)’s story is so amazing and beautiful. He’s one of my favorite prophets. Yusuf (AS) was such a patient and noble man, and his kindness comforts my soul. He went through so many situations, many of which I can’t imagine being in, and he was still righteous in the end. May we all strive to be like him, ameenn. I admire his love for his family so much, especially as someone who has a rocky relationship with my family. Inshallah I’m able to love my family the way Yusuf (AS) loves his.
┆ “Yaqub felt helpless, so he sought help from Allah to deal with his grief. Allah says in the Qur’an, ‘And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He ‘alone’ is sufficient for them.’ It shows us that the believer is never alone or without assistance because Allah is with them.”┆
Can we talk about Yaqub (AS)'s dependency on Allah, his tawakkul? That was something I was awed and comforted by. I always relied on people to help me whenever something happened, never Allah. I never went to Him unless I needed something. I never turned to Him when I was struggling. I turned to the creation instead of the Creator. And I see that each person I have ever relied on, they've left my life. At first, this was something I despaired about because I felt as if there was something wrong with me and I was unlovable. Though those thoughts do come to me still occasionally, I now realize that each time someone left, it was Allah telling me to turn to Him. But I was blind to His signs as I chased the people of this fleeting dunya.
Alhamduillah, now I am in a much better place, I do my best to seek comfort in Allah, and even with my struggles, I feel more at peace than I ever have.
There’s so many lessons, hidden and unhidden, in his story that we can incorporate into our lives as Muslims, and that is the reason why the Qur’an is here for us. To guide us. To remind us. So take advantage of books like these.
︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ quotes
╰› ┆ “There is good both in what Allah gives us and what He withholds from us because He alone knows what is best for His creation.”┆
┆ “Every verse of the Qur’an has a message, and every verse is a miracle.”┆
┆ “when we recite the Qur’an, we feel the Divine nature of the speech, even if we don’t understand the meaning. This phenomenon is possible only because the Qur’an is the Speech of Allah.”┆
┆ “What does a story have to do with following footsteps? Because by listening to someone’s story, one walks in their footsteps. In other words, retracing someone’s life is following them.”┆
┆ “Stories inspire us, and their lessons remain ingrained in our souls.”┆
┆ “ Allah is always watching over His servants, and in the end, victory will be for the sincere and righteous”┆
┆ “And the reward of the Hereafter is far better for those who are faithful and are mindful ‘of Allah’”┆
┆ “The entire story is a cycle of ups and downs, and our lives are like that. We won’t succeed until we have shown Allah that we can deal with failure.”┆
┆ "This highlights the importance of seeking good companionship. The Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘A man is upon the religion of his best friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.'"┆
̨ ╭╯ꗃ 02. 26. 25 ˚﹒
︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ pre-read
╰› I was supposed to start reading this during Ramadan because I want to understand the Qur’an and connect with it more, and I love Yusuf (AS)’s story so so much, but I’m too excited to wait 😭
┆ "The first time the Qur’an spoke to me, it was through Surah Yusuf.”┆
︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ thoughts
╰› this was my first time reading a tafsir book, and wow 🥹.
This was so beautiful. My knowledge of seerah and the Qur'an is actually really bad, like I basically know nothing and I'm honestly so ashamed about it. Even though I went to Sunday school and I read the Qur'an and other books, I was heavily disinterested in Islam as a child. Learning about Islam and reading the Qur'an was always a pain for me, and that impacted a lot of my knowledge now because I've forgotten SO many surahs and I don't remember any stories from the seerah. I always get uncomfortable whenever someone asks how many Juz I know or whenever a story about the Prophet (PBUH) is being discussed because I don’t have anything to say and I'm ashamed that I'm so far behind.
Inshallah though, I'll learn and be at a place where I'm content with my memorization and knowledge. I really want to start reading seerah, and actually develop a relationship with the Qur'an because it's been forced my entire life, and I’ve finally connected with my religion. May Allah make it easy for me and for anyone with the same struggle, ameeennn. 🫂
Despite the fact that I disliked learning about Islam as a child, out of all the stories, there were two stories that always stood out to me. The story of Musa (AS) and the story of Yusuf (AS). These two hold such profound meaning to me and have always had a special place in my heart for reasons I can’t name.
I learned of this book when my best friend was reading it, and ever since then, I kept feeling this tug to read it too, as if it was calling out to me. And people really do mean it when they say Ramadan comes right when you need it.
When Ramadan came around the corner, one of my goals was to begin understanding the Qur’an. I own the Clear Qur’an and a couple of other Qur’an translations, but I realized translations don’t really work for me. I get the basic gist of what it’s talking about but I feel like I’m just reading words and I don’t really like the commentary of the translations. It puts me into a slump and the Book just sits there because I’m disinterested and disconnected.
So this time I decided to take another approach: tafsir of individual surahs. That’s when I remembered this book. And alhamduillah that I read it.
I’ve listened to Yasir Qadhi throughout my life because of my mom and sister, and though it’s only now that I consider him one of my favorite speakers, his style of talking has always been very reachable and understandable. He wrote this in such an eye-opening and compelling manner that I just wanted to keep reading at 1 in the morning. May Allah bless him for each letter he poured into making this, ameen.
The explanation of each part of an ayah was so well-done and in-depth yet easily understandable. I love how we got different interpretations of the ayahs and why people have interpreted them that way, and if those interpretations could be accurate or not. The references to the Prophet (PBUH) made this feel a lot more personal, especially knowing this surah was given to him in a time of hardship. The words in this book gave me warmth throughout.
┆ “The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘I am amazed at the patience of my brother Yusuf, and his generosity and Allah will forgive him. When he was asked to interpret the dream, I would not have done so until they let me out.’”┆
Prophet Yusuf (AS)’s story is so amazing and beautiful. He’s one of my favorite prophets. Yusuf (AS) was such a patient and noble man, and his kindness comforts my soul. He went through so many situations, many of which I can’t imagine being in, and he was still righteous in the end. May we all strive to be like him, ameenn. I admire his love for his family so much, especially as someone who has a rocky relationship with my family. Inshallah I’m able to love my family the way Yusuf (AS) loves his.
┆ “Yaqub felt helpless, so he sought help from Allah to deal with his grief. Allah says in the Qur’an, ‘And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He ‘alone’ is sufficient for them.’ It shows us that the believer is never alone or without assistance because Allah is with them.”┆
Can we talk about Yaqub (AS)'s dependency on Allah, his tawakkul? That was something I was awed and comforted by. I always relied on people to help me whenever something happened, never Allah. I never went to Him unless I needed something. I never turned to Him when I was struggling. I turned to the creation instead of the Creator. And I see that each person I have ever relied on, they've left my life. At first, this was something I despaired about because I felt as if there was something wrong with me and I was unlovable. Though those thoughts do come to me still occasionally, I now realize that each time someone left, it was Allah telling me to turn to Him. But I was blind to His signs as I chased the people of this fleeting dunya.
Alhamduillah, now I am in a much better place, I do my best to seek comfort in Allah, and even with my struggles, I feel more at peace than I ever have.
There’s so many lessons, hidden and unhidden, in his story that we can incorporate into our lives as Muslims, and that is the reason why the Qur’an is here for us. To guide us. To remind us. So take advantage of books like these.
︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ quotes
╰› ┆ “There is good both in what Allah gives us and what He withholds from us because He alone knows what is best for His creation.”┆
┆ “Every verse of the Qur’an has a message, and every verse is a miracle.”┆
┆ “when we recite the Qur’an, we feel the Divine nature of the speech, even if we don’t understand the meaning. This phenomenon is possible only because the Qur’an is the Speech of Allah.”┆
┆ “What does a story have to do with following footsteps? Because by listening to someone’s story, one walks in their footsteps. In other words, retracing someone’s life is following them.”┆
┆ “Stories inspire us, and their lessons remain ingrained in our souls.”┆
┆ “ Allah is always watching over His servants, and in the end, victory will be for the sincere and righteous”┆
┆ “And the reward of the Hereafter is far better for those who are faithful and are mindful ‘of Allah’”┆
┆ “The entire story is a cycle of ups and downs, and our lives are like that. We won’t succeed until we have shown Allah that we can deal with failure.”┆
┆ "This highlights the importance of seeking good companionship. The Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘A man is upon the religion of his best friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.'"┆
̨ ╭╯ꗃ 02. 26. 25 ˚﹒
︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ pre-read
╰› I was supposed to start reading this during Ramadan because I want to understand the Qur’an and connect with it more, and I love Yusuf (AS)’s story so so much, but I’m too excited to wait 😭
May 3, 2021
This tafseer work is remarkable. I am finding it difficult to articulate how I feel after completing this tonight, the first of the last 10 nights of Ramadaan. The structure and articulation of the Surah are so easy to follow, and the insights into the story of Yusuf (AS) penetrating and heart-warming. I have felt my heart gradually feeling more and more love for Yusuf (AS) for the patience, humility and wisdom that he had throughout his life from a very young age. This book is a must-read. I cannot bring myself to summarise it. It’s brilliant and I pray that Allah accepts all of Sh. Dr. Yasir Qadhi’s effort and increases him in knowledge and wisdom, Ameen.
April 25, 2021
وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَتَبَوَّأُ مِنْهَا حَيْثُ يَشَاءُ نُصِيبُ بِرَحْمَتِنَا مَن نَّشَاءُ وَلَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
And thus We established Joseph securely in the land [of Egypt]: he had full mastery over it, [doing] whatever he willed. [Thus do] We cause Our grace to alight upon whomever We will; and We do not fail to requite the doers of good.
[Qur’an, 12:56]
Divinely coined the “Best of All Stories”, Surah Yusuf was gifted to the Prophet ﷺ in Mecca after the “Year of Sorrow”, in which he experienced three traumatic events one after the other in the span of just 6 weeks:
1. Death of his first wife, Khadjiah (RA)
2. Death of his beloved uncle, Abu Talib
3. Rejection by the people of Ta’if
This surah is one of hope, revealed to bring peace to the Prophet ﷺ and to remind him the esteemed prophets of old also underwent fitna prior to emerging victorious. Prophet Yusuf is a figure familiar to us all, not least because of his direct noble lineage: from khalilullah patriarch Ibrahim to Ishaq father of the Israelites via his son Ya’qub [Isra’il] to the honourable Yusuf, who was one of the youngest of Ya’qub’s twelve children.
Ya’qub and his family resided in Canaan (Palestine/Syria) before Yusuf was sold into slavery in Egypt + his family later migrated.
Qadhi has done an excellent job amalgamating all the scholarly exegeses surrounding this surah and expounding on the story and it’s lessons in a way that is both overarching and detailed. I read this all in one sitting (as per the suggestion in the foreword), and was taken aback by the beautiful intricacies of this surah and how much I hadn’t picked up during my own readings. What I found particularly notable was Qadhi’s language breakdown as he highlighted and elaborated on salient words, phrases and grammatical factors that nonArabic speakers would miss. This adds an extra layer of depth to our understanding and encourages the reader to marvel at the breathtaking eloquence of Qur’anic terminology.
Qadhi also emphasises recurring themes and motifs throughout the surah (such as the shirt being a means of evidence-based salvation on several occasions). He ends by listing fifty lessons that can be taken away from this surah, as well as mentioning the ring composition theory by which the verses of surah yusuf from top to bottom exhibit miraculous parallel/concurrent splendour.
This was a terrific read and I highly encourage you all to get your hands on it (especially if this is your favourite surah).
jazak’Allah kheir @kubepublishing ❤️
وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَتَبَوَّأُ مِنْهَا حَيْثُ يَشَاءُ نُصِيبُ بِرَحْمَتِنَا مَن نَّشَاءُ وَلَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
And thus We established Joseph securely in the land [of Egypt]: he had full mastery over it, [doing] whatever he willed. [Thus do] We cause Our grace to alight upon whomever We will; and We do not fail to requite the doers of good.
[Qur’an, 12:56]
Divinely coined the “Best of All Stories”, Surah Yusuf was gifted to the Prophet ﷺ in Mecca after the “Year of Sorrow”, in which he experienced three traumatic events one after the other in the span of just 6 weeks:
1. Death of his first wife, Khadjiah (RA)
2. Death of his beloved uncle, Abu Talib
3. Rejection by the people of Ta’if
This surah is one of hope, revealed to bring peace to the Prophet ﷺ and to remind him the esteemed prophets of old also underwent fitna prior to emerging victorious. Prophet Yusuf is a figure familiar to us all, not least because of his direct noble lineage: from khalilullah patriarch Ibrahim to Ishaq father of the Israelites via his son Ya’qub [Isra’il] to the honourable Yusuf, who was one of the youngest of Ya’qub’s twelve children.
Ya’qub and his family resided in Canaan (Palestine/Syria) before Yusuf was sold into slavery in Egypt + his family later migrated.
Qadhi has done an excellent job amalgamating all the scholarly exegeses surrounding this surah and expounding on the story and it’s lessons in a way that is both overarching and detailed. I read this all in one sitting (as per the suggestion in the foreword), and was taken aback by the beautiful intricacies of this surah and how much I hadn’t picked up during my own readings. What I found particularly notable was Qadhi’s language breakdown as he highlighted and elaborated on salient words, phrases and grammatical factors that nonArabic speakers would miss. This adds an extra layer of depth to our understanding and encourages the reader to marvel at the breathtaking eloquence of Qur’anic terminology.
Qadhi also emphasises recurring themes and motifs throughout the surah (such as the shirt being a means of evidence-based salvation on several occasions). He ends by listing fifty lessons that can be taken away from this surah, as well as mentioning the ring composition theory by which the verses of surah yusuf from top to bottom exhibit miraculous parallel/concurrent splendour.
This was a terrific read and I highly encourage you all to get your hands on it (especially if this is your favourite surah).
jazak’Allah kheir @kubepublishing ❤️
January 21, 2025
snippets from this book i thought would be beneficial to share 💗:
-“There is good both in what Allah gives us and what He withholds from us because He alone knows what is best for His creation.”
-“The pinnacle of faith is to bear a calamity with patience and fortitude: this is sabrun jamil.”
-“The entire story is a cycle of ups and downs, and our lives are like that. We won’t succeed until we have shown Allah that we can deal with failure.”
-“Supplicating to Allah in times of distress is therapeutic.”
-“There is good both in what Allah gives us and what He withholds from us because He alone knows what is best for His creation.”
-“The pinnacle of faith is to bear a calamity with patience and fortitude: this is sabrun jamil.”
-“The entire story is a cycle of ups and downs, and our lives are like that. We won’t succeed until we have shown Allah that we can deal with failure.”
-“Supplicating to Allah in times of distress is therapeutic.”
March 14, 2021
Excellent.
A highly readable, informative and enjoyable tafsir of Surah Yusuf. The author explains the concepts very clearly.
A highly readable, informative and enjoyable tafsir of Surah Yusuf. The author explains the concepts very clearly.
April 28, 2022
A beautiful tafseer by Yasir Qadhi on the life and times of Joseph. How he was snatched away from his father Jacob as a young child, how he was enslaved and then imprisoned... only to become a venerated minister of Egypt as time passed. One would also learn about the exodus of the Children of Israel / Isaac from Palestine to Egypt at the invitation of Joseph (they eventually moved back with Moses and Aaron, some 500 years later). Yasir also touched on the social mores during that time and the 50 lessons that can be carved out from the chapter, all in a simple and digestible manner.
July 3, 2022
Rahasia dan Hikmah Surah Yusuf merupakan sebuah buku tafsir mengenai surah Yusuf.
Surah ini merupakan salah satu kisah terbaik yang Allah SWT turunkan. Alasan diturunkannya surah ini untuk melipur kesedihan Rasulullah saw. yang pada saat itu ditimpa tragedi secara terus menerus.
Dr. Yashir Qadhi menuliskan buku ini ke dalam beberapa bab, kemudian di bab itu setiap ayat dijelaskan. Beliau menjelaskan arti dari setiap ayat dengan baik dan detail. Bahasa yang digunakan mudah dipahami. Sehingga pembaca gak kesulitan mengambil pelajaran dari apa yang disampaikan.
Aku udah pernah baca kisah Nabi Yusuf a.s. dan pelajaran yang bisa didapatnya apa.
Tapi buku ini another level banget, ternyata masih banyak hal lainnya yang terlewat dari kisah Nabi Yusuf a.s.
Jadinya merasa takjub banget baca buku ini, karena segitu banyaknya pelajaran yang didapat dari surah Yusuf. Selama baca buku ini aku banyak berhenti buat menandai hal-hal penting, supaya nanti bisa dipelajari lagi.
Selain itu, di akhir juga ada bab 50 Hikmah Surah Yusuf. Setiap hikmah dijelaskan secara singkat, padat dan jelas. Membuat pembaca semakin memahami poin penting dari kisah-kisahnya.
Setelah baca buku ini rasanya surah Yusuf akan jadi suraf favoritku. 🥰 Terus harus belajar menerapkan apa yang udah dipelajari, karena ini yang susah. 🥲
Aku merekomendasikan buku ini buat kalian yang mau baca buku tafsir kisah Nabi Yusuf a.s dengan bahasa yang mudah dipahami. Apa lagi kalau kalian masih baru mau baca buku-buku Islami, ini cocok banget!
Surah ini merupakan salah satu kisah terbaik yang Allah SWT turunkan. Alasan diturunkannya surah ini untuk melipur kesedihan Rasulullah saw. yang pada saat itu ditimpa tragedi secara terus menerus.
Dr. Yashir Qadhi menuliskan buku ini ke dalam beberapa bab, kemudian di bab itu setiap ayat dijelaskan. Beliau menjelaskan arti dari setiap ayat dengan baik dan detail. Bahasa yang digunakan mudah dipahami. Sehingga pembaca gak kesulitan mengambil pelajaran dari apa yang disampaikan.
Aku udah pernah baca kisah Nabi Yusuf a.s. dan pelajaran yang bisa didapatnya apa.
Tapi buku ini another level banget, ternyata masih banyak hal lainnya yang terlewat dari kisah Nabi Yusuf a.s.
Jadinya merasa takjub banget baca buku ini, karena segitu banyaknya pelajaran yang didapat dari surah Yusuf. Selama baca buku ini aku banyak berhenti buat menandai hal-hal penting, supaya nanti bisa dipelajari lagi.
Selain itu, di akhir juga ada bab 50 Hikmah Surah Yusuf. Setiap hikmah dijelaskan secara singkat, padat dan jelas. Membuat pembaca semakin memahami poin penting dari kisah-kisahnya.
Setelah baca buku ini rasanya surah Yusuf akan jadi suraf favoritku. 🥰 Terus harus belajar menerapkan apa yang udah dipelajari, karena ini yang susah. 🥲
Aku merekomendasikan buku ini buat kalian yang mau baca buku tafsir kisah Nabi Yusuf a.s dengan bahasa yang mudah dipahami. Apa lagi kalau kalian masih baru mau baca buku-buku Islami, ini cocok banget!
July 8, 2021
I really do believe books find the reader, and I'm so glad Lessons from Surah Yusuf found me.
This Surah reads like a story and I feel the more you read it, the more lessons you will find. Dr. Yasir Qadhi does an incredible job discussing all the lessons presented in this Surah. Lessons of forgiveness, hope and sabr. I was really moved with the detailed analysis of each part of the Surah and I was surprised by how much I learned. I highly recommend reading this book, taking notes and then reading the surah. Going back to the Quran with all the lessons discussed in this book was a wonderful experience.
This Surah reads like a story and I feel the more you read it, the more lessons you will find. Dr. Yasir Qadhi does an incredible job discussing all the lessons presented in this Surah. Lessons of forgiveness, hope and sabr. I was really moved with the detailed analysis of each part of the Surah and I was surprised by how much I learned. I highly recommend reading this book, taking notes and then reading the surah. Going back to the Quran with all the lessons discussed in this book was a wonderful experience.
April 25, 2025
Very clear and dedicated explanation of the amazing lessons and the wonders of Surah Yusuf. I too am now very interested to explore more on the gems buried within Surah Yusuf.
July 3, 2025
I’ve just completed this tafseer, and I’m truly at a loss for words. After finishing it, my heart feels full in a way that’s hard to describe. The way the surah was broken down—so thoughtfully, so clearly—allowed the depth and beauty of each verse to really sink in. The reflections on the life of Yusuf (AS) touched something deep within me. His steadfastness, his forgiveness, and his unwavering faith—all of it moved me to tears at times.
What struck me most was how personal this journey felt. With every page, I felt closer not only to the story but to the One who revealed it. This tafseer has not just deepened my understanding; it’s softened my heart.
I can’t do justice to summarizing it. It’s something you have to experience for yourself. May Allah reward Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi immensely for this incredible work, and may He place barakah in his knowledge and efforts.
What struck me most was how personal this journey felt. With every page, I felt closer not only to the story but to the One who revealed it. This tafseer has not just deepened my understanding; it’s softened my heart.
I can’t do justice to summarizing it. It’s something you have to experience for yourself. May Allah reward Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi immensely for this incredible work, and may He place barakah in his knowledge and efforts.
January 19, 2023
A fascinating account on the deeper meaning of Surah Yusuf.
July 20, 2022
Setelah membaca ini sampai selesai malam ini, jadi paham kenapa Allah bilang kalau Kisah Yusuf ini salah satu kisah terbaik dalam Quran.
Ada terlalu banyak pelajaran berharga dari kisah Yusuf. Dr. Yasir Qadhi mengawali buku ini dg sebab turunnya Surah ini, yg Allah turunkan dimasa2 terberat buat Rasulullah. Buku ini dibagi menjadi beberapa bagian yg semuanya berurutan menjelaskan tiap ayat.
I just can't imagine being Nabi Yusuf AS dg segala ujiannya, juga gak bisa bayangkan Nabi Yaqub AS yg begitu berduka kehilangan anaknya.
Salah satu pelajaran berharga favoritku: it's okay to cry ❤️ dan percaya, selalu percaya sama janji Allah.
Dibagian akhir ada 50 lesson yg bisa diambil dr Surah yusuf, definitely one of my favorite Surah in the Quran. Semoga suatu saat bisa berkesempatan menghafalkan suratnya juga. Amin
Ada terlalu banyak pelajaran berharga dari kisah Yusuf. Dr. Yasir Qadhi mengawali buku ini dg sebab turunnya Surah ini, yg Allah turunkan dimasa2 terberat buat Rasulullah. Buku ini dibagi menjadi beberapa bagian yg semuanya berurutan menjelaskan tiap ayat.
I just can't imagine being Nabi Yusuf AS dg segala ujiannya, juga gak bisa bayangkan Nabi Yaqub AS yg begitu berduka kehilangan anaknya.
Salah satu pelajaran berharga favoritku: it's okay to cry ❤️ dan percaya, selalu percaya sama janji Allah.
Dibagian akhir ada 50 lesson yg bisa diambil dr Surah yusuf, definitely one of my favorite Surah in the Quran. Semoga suatu saat bisa berkesempatan menghafalkan suratnya juga. Amin
September 11, 2024
I’ve always loved Prophet Yusuf’s story especially after learning about it when I was ten. His story was so simple yet it made complete sense and I loved it.
This book was so well-written that, even after hearing about Prophet Yusuf’s story many times, it was still enjoyable. I loved the author’s narration, and the way he just wrote the entire book. Everything flowed together, and it was so easy to read too—I finished it in almost an hour without putting it down.
Five stars, of course 🥰
This book was so well-written that, even after hearing about Prophet Yusuf’s story many times, it was still enjoyable. I loved the author’s narration, and the way he just wrote the entire book. Everything flowed together, and it was so easy to read too—I finished it in almost an hour without putting it down.
Five stars, of course 🥰
March 3, 2025
A great book, very easy to read.
Dr Yasir Qadhi teaches us lessons we can learn from each section of the surah, telling us different interpretations of some ayahs from scholars as well as making reference to certain Arabic words used and the effects of those specific words.
There are at least 50 lessons we can conclude from surah Yusuf and we can try our best to implement these into our lives.
Dr Yasir Qadhi teaches us lessons we can learn from each section of the surah, telling us different interpretations of some ayahs from scholars as well as making reference to certain Arabic words used and the effects of those specific words.
There are at least 50 lessons we can conclude from surah Yusuf and we can try our best to implement these into our lives.
July 19, 2021
A Beautiful tafsir of Surah Yusuf packed with gems and amazing reflections.
April 6, 2024
Super easy to follow and well explained.
There's a helpful chapter at the end titled '50 lessons from Surah Yusuf', which is great to go back to if you wanted to a quick refresher or wanted to remind yourself of the key lessons. I really want to read more tafsir / analysis books like this one which break everything down into digestible chapters and help me to appreciate the beauty of the Qur'an and its writing. This is definitely a book I'd want to reread.
There's a helpful chapter at the end titled '50 lessons from Surah Yusuf', which is great to go back to if you wanted to a quick refresher or wanted to remind yourself of the key lessons. I really want to read more tafsir / analysis books like this one which break everything down into digestible chapters and help me to appreciate the beauty of the Qur'an and its writing. This is definitely a book I'd want to reread.
April 24, 2025
★★★★★ (5/5)
A selection of my favourite passages
Prayer
• May Allah help us benefit from the tawakkul of Ya‘qub, the patience of Yusuf, and the tawbah of his brothers.
The Majesty of Quran as a Whole
• almost every time Allah begins a surah with one or more disjointed letters, the next verse praises the Qur’an. Some scholars have, therefore, deduced that the huruf al- muqatta’at denote the majesty of the Qur’an.
• the Qur’an is kitab mubin because its origin and source are known, and its message, verses, and words are clearly understood by those who sincerely desire to understand it.
• So, the Qur’an came down in its entirety on Laylat al-Qadr to the lowest heaven, which is anzala, and then Jibril brought it down in parts to the Prophet f over twenty- three years, which is nazzala.
• an understanding of the Arabic of the Qur’an provides the key to unlocking its deeper meaning.
• Manna is a gift that is not even earned or deserved, but something that Allah bestows because of His generosity.
• Al-Furqan means the criterion that separates good from evil, truth from falsehood and iman from kufr.
Gems of the Surah
• La’ib and lahu are two different things, and Allah mentions both of them when He described this world as being ‘play and amusement’. What is the difference between the two? La’ib is something that is not highly beneficial but is permissible in small quantities, whereas lahu has no benefit in it whatsoever.
• That is why he did not outright tell them, ‘You have done wrong,’ but rather, ‘Your souls must have tempted you.’ He treated them with a bit of psychoanalysis, saying, ‘How in good conscience could you have done this?’ Instead of criticizing the action, he criticized the intention and psychology behind it, indirectly calling it a plot of Shaytan.
• In Arabic, the word for absolute proof is burhan, and Yusuf had the certainty that Allah was watching him.
• Yusuf immediately defended himself by saying, ‘It was she who tried to seduce me.’ He did not allow the accusation to go unchallenged. Protecting one’s honour is the right thing to do, except in situations where expediency dictates silence, as we will see that another time when Yusuf was accused of a crime, he remained silent.
• It is interesting to note here the repeated use of two motifs: racing and shirts. Earlier in the story, the brothers said they were racing when the wolf attacked Yusuf, and they brought back his shirt as evidence of his death. The scholars say that it was the shirt that alerted Yaqub to the fact that his children were lying, because it was bloodstained but not torn. Here too, we find these motifs of racing and the shirt. This torn shirt now had the power to save Yusuf’s reputation.
• He asked to be put in charge of the grain storehouses of Egypt, saying, ‘… I am a knowing guardian’ meaning that he was a man who knew how to handle these matters, [alim, and he could guard and protect well what was in his charge, hafidh.
• ‘… that we should take other than the one with whom we found our property…’ In his careful choice of words, Yusuf did not say ‘the one who stole’ because Binyamin did not steal. He used a neutral, non-judgemental phrase: ‘the one with whom we found our property.’
• He mentioned taqwa as well because it and sabr have been two pillars of Islamic belief and character throughout the story of Yusuf. We can summarize the message of Surah Yusuf in these words: whoever is mindful and patient will be rewarded by Allah.
• Not only were they forgiven, but, according to the majority opinion, they became minor prophets. That is why the dream compared them to the stars and their parents to the sun and the moon.
Sayings of the Prophet (s)
• The Prophet (s) said, ‘When you narrate from the Children of Israel, neither believe it nor deny it.’
• The Prophet (s) said, ‘Beware of the firasah of a believer, for he sees with the light of Allah.’ What does firasah mean? We can translate it as a gut instinct, a sixth sense, or a spiritual intuition.
Points to Deliberate Upon
• The shaving of the religion here means that hasad gradually erodes one’s faith until nothing is left.
• The Qur’an, therefore, teaches us a vital etiquette: be brief and dignified when mentioning evil. Although there are exceptions, it is discouraged for a Muslim to go into detail about someone’s lewd or evil act, or sin.
• The preponderance of promiscuity desensitizes people, and, for some of them, the stories of murder, illicit relationships, and the adoration of hedonistic lifestyles become a stepping- stone to committing those acts themselves.
• Patience is of three types: patience in the face of calamities, patience in withholding from sins, and patience in persistence in performing acts of worship.
• There are only a handful of nouns that Allah uses to describe the characteristics of people who He is ‘with’. Of them are al- muttaqin (the God-conscious, pious); al- sadiqin (the truthful, sincere), and al-sabirin (those who are patient).
• We will never be able to overcome evil by ourselves because we do not have the strength to fight on our own. We need Allah to protect us in a moment of weakness.
• blaming others for one’s own sin is a Satanic trait.
• The scholars point out that one of the dangers of ego and pride is that a person tolerates corruption in his household, as long as it stays private. If the news gets out, it will damage the reputation.
• It is the height of ignorance that one knows the Truth, and right from wrong, and yet chooses to act contrarily.
• we should criticize the action, not the person
• the believers will get two rewards for their good deeds: once in this world, and a second time in the Hereafter.
• It’s one thing to possess the knowledge, another to understand it, and yet another to act upon it.
• In Islam, a person’s final status is dependent upon how they ended their life, not on how they began it. That is why we should pray for husn al- khitam, a good end.
• There is also a reminder to Muslims to purify their belief and rid it of shirk, whether apparent or hidden. There is a warning in this not to worship wealth, power, and fame.
Categories of Gossip
1. One of the most common is ghibah, or back- biting, which has been defined as ‘speaking about another person, in their absence, in a manner that they would not like, even if what they are saying is true.’
2. Worse than this is buhtan, which is to slander. Buhtan means spreading a blatant lie about somebody.
3. Another category is tattletaling: informing others about gossip that was said. This is known as namimah, and is also forbidden. The correct attitude when a gathering turns into namimah is to defend the honour of the victim or at least remain quiet and hate it in the heart.
The Three Types of Soul
• Scholars have defined three categories of the human soul:
1. The Inciting Soul (An- Nafs al-’ Ammarah): This soul does not have faith in Allah. Because of the absence of faith– the moral compass– there is nothing to keep the sinful attitude of this type of soul. The bearer of this soul may commit evil actions recklessly without feeling remorse.
2. The Soul that is at Peace (An- Nafs al- Mutma’innah): This is the soul of the contented believer. It dwells in peace and certainty with its Lord and therefore does not incline towards evil. Because it has reached such a lofty state, this type of soul is worthy of the highest reward.
3. The Self- Reproaching Soul (An- Nafs al- Lawwamah): This type of soul is between An- Nafs al-’ Ammarah and An- Nafs al- Mutama’innah. It has belief, but not firmly content and given to making mistakes; it teeters between faith and desires. It faces an internal struggle and reproaches itself for having done wrong. Most Muslims have this type of soul.
Qualities of Allah SWT
• Al-‘Alim means the All-Knowing and Al-Hakim incorporates two meanings: hikmah, meaning wisdom, and hukm, meaning judgement. Allah is All-Wise and the Judge of all Judges.
• One of the qualities of Allah is rafi darajat, the One Who Raises the Ranks, and He does so based on a person’s faith and knowledge.
• Ar-Rabb has three meanings. The first is the Owner; the second is Nourisher and Sustainer; and the third is Lord and Master.
• Another connotation for Al- Fatir and Al-Wali appearing together is that Al-Fatir is the Originator and Creator of the physical world, and Al-Wali is our guide and protector in the spiritual realm. He has created us physically, and He will nourish us spiritually.
Lessons from Surah Yusuf
• The ultimate blessings from Allah are faith and knowledge. The Prophet f said, ‘If Allah intends good for someone, He gives to him the understanding of the religion.’
• Of the wisdom of this surah is that it shows us that the believer’s firasah or intuition is real. Firasah comes from being close to Allah, and it keeps the believer rightly guided.
• There is patience during a calamity, in restraining oneself from committing sins, and in persevering in acts worship. The best kind of patience is sabrun jamil: beautiful patience.
• The believer should always make it a priority to protect their family and children at both the physical and spiritual levels.
• if we try to protect our faith and chastity in our youth, Allah will protect us from corruption in later life.
• Those who remain steadfast in the face of temptation will taste the sweetness of faith.
• This surah teaches us that a caller to Islam should wait for the right time and place to convey the message.
• In our Shariah, it is allowed to use secondary evidence and take into account external factors, even if there were no two witnesses to the crime.
• the true believer always ascribes good to Allah and evil to Shaytan.
• One crucial lesson this surah teaches is that complaining to Allah is a sign of iman.
• Supplicating to Allah in times of distress is therapeutic. When grief strikes, the righteous turn to Allah for comfort. When they feel powerless and overwhelmed, it’s Allah they turn to for their needs.
• True repentance also means resolving in the heart never to return to that sin. Allah does not look at the quantity of our sins; He looks at the quality of our repentance.
• The general rule is that one’s sins are between them and Allah. But if someone sinned against a person, they need to apologize to that person.
• Real forgiveness is when someone forgives at the height of power.
• This surah also teaches us that giving an excuse to someone untrustworthy can have unintended consequences. Be careful what you say to those with an evil disposition: it might come back to harm you.
• we should always advise the criminal to fear Allah first, and then our grievance.
• there is no disease, passion, lust, or desire plaguing our heart from which Allah cannot save us. We just have to beseech His help.
• Allah decides our fate according to our last actions, not first. Our condition at the time of our death will dictate our place in the Hereafter.
A selection of my favourite passages
Prayer
• May Allah help us benefit from the tawakkul of Ya‘qub, the patience of Yusuf, and the tawbah of his brothers.
The Majesty of Quran as a Whole
• almost every time Allah begins a surah with one or more disjointed letters, the next verse praises the Qur’an. Some scholars have, therefore, deduced that the huruf al- muqatta’at denote the majesty of the Qur’an.
• the Qur’an is kitab mubin because its origin and source are known, and its message, verses, and words are clearly understood by those who sincerely desire to understand it.
• So, the Qur’an came down in its entirety on Laylat al-Qadr to the lowest heaven, which is anzala, and then Jibril brought it down in parts to the Prophet f over twenty- three years, which is nazzala.
• an understanding of the Arabic of the Qur’an provides the key to unlocking its deeper meaning.
• Manna is a gift that is not even earned or deserved, but something that Allah bestows because of His generosity.
• Al-Furqan means the criterion that separates good from evil, truth from falsehood and iman from kufr.
Gems of the Surah
• La’ib and lahu are two different things, and Allah mentions both of them when He described this world as being ‘play and amusement’. What is the difference between the two? La’ib is something that is not highly beneficial but is permissible in small quantities, whereas lahu has no benefit in it whatsoever.
• That is why he did not outright tell them, ‘You have done wrong,’ but rather, ‘Your souls must have tempted you.’ He treated them with a bit of psychoanalysis, saying, ‘How in good conscience could you have done this?’ Instead of criticizing the action, he criticized the intention and psychology behind it, indirectly calling it a plot of Shaytan.
• In Arabic, the word for absolute proof is burhan, and Yusuf had the certainty that Allah was watching him.
• Yusuf immediately defended himself by saying, ‘It was she who tried to seduce me.’ He did not allow the accusation to go unchallenged. Protecting one’s honour is the right thing to do, except in situations where expediency dictates silence, as we will see that another time when Yusuf was accused of a crime, he remained silent.
• It is interesting to note here the repeated use of two motifs: racing and shirts. Earlier in the story, the brothers said they were racing when the wolf attacked Yusuf, and they brought back his shirt as evidence of his death. The scholars say that it was the shirt that alerted Yaqub to the fact that his children were lying, because it was bloodstained but not torn. Here too, we find these motifs of racing and the shirt. This torn shirt now had the power to save Yusuf’s reputation.
• He asked to be put in charge of the grain storehouses of Egypt, saying, ‘… I am a knowing guardian’ meaning that he was a man who knew how to handle these matters, [alim, and he could guard and protect well what was in his charge, hafidh.
• ‘… that we should take other than the one with whom we found our property…’ In his careful choice of words, Yusuf did not say ‘the one who stole’ because Binyamin did not steal. He used a neutral, non-judgemental phrase: ‘the one with whom we found our property.’
• He mentioned taqwa as well because it and sabr have been two pillars of Islamic belief and character throughout the story of Yusuf. We can summarize the message of Surah Yusuf in these words: whoever is mindful and patient will be rewarded by Allah.
• Not only were they forgiven, but, according to the majority opinion, they became minor prophets. That is why the dream compared them to the stars and their parents to the sun and the moon.
Sayings of the Prophet (s)
• The Prophet (s) said, ‘When you narrate from the Children of Israel, neither believe it nor deny it.’
• The Prophet (s) said, ‘Beware of the firasah of a believer, for he sees with the light of Allah.’ What does firasah mean? We can translate it as a gut instinct, a sixth sense, or a spiritual intuition.
Points to Deliberate Upon
• The shaving of the religion here means that hasad gradually erodes one’s faith until nothing is left.
• The Qur’an, therefore, teaches us a vital etiquette: be brief and dignified when mentioning evil. Although there are exceptions, it is discouraged for a Muslim to go into detail about someone’s lewd or evil act, or sin.
• The preponderance of promiscuity desensitizes people, and, for some of them, the stories of murder, illicit relationships, and the adoration of hedonistic lifestyles become a stepping- stone to committing those acts themselves.
• Patience is of three types: patience in the face of calamities, patience in withholding from sins, and patience in persistence in performing acts of worship.
• There are only a handful of nouns that Allah uses to describe the characteristics of people who He is ‘with’. Of them are al- muttaqin (the God-conscious, pious); al- sadiqin (the truthful, sincere), and al-sabirin (those who are patient).
• We will never be able to overcome evil by ourselves because we do not have the strength to fight on our own. We need Allah to protect us in a moment of weakness.
• blaming others for one’s own sin is a Satanic trait.
• The scholars point out that one of the dangers of ego and pride is that a person tolerates corruption in his household, as long as it stays private. If the news gets out, it will damage the reputation.
• It is the height of ignorance that one knows the Truth, and right from wrong, and yet chooses to act contrarily.
• we should criticize the action, not the person
• the believers will get two rewards for their good deeds: once in this world, and a second time in the Hereafter.
• It’s one thing to possess the knowledge, another to understand it, and yet another to act upon it.
• In Islam, a person’s final status is dependent upon how they ended their life, not on how they began it. That is why we should pray for husn al- khitam, a good end.
• There is also a reminder to Muslims to purify their belief and rid it of shirk, whether apparent or hidden. There is a warning in this not to worship wealth, power, and fame.
Categories of Gossip
1. One of the most common is ghibah, or back- biting, which has been defined as ‘speaking about another person, in their absence, in a manner that they would not like, even if what they are saying is true.’
2. Worse than this is buhtan, which is to slander. Buhtan means spreading a blatant lie about somebody.
3. Another category is tattletaling: informing others about gossip that was said. This is known as namimah, and is also forbidden. The correct attitude when a gathering turns into namimah is to defend the honour of the victim or at least remain quiet and hate it in the heart.
The Three Types of Soul
• Scholars have defined three categories of the human soul:
1. The Inciting Soul (An- Nafs al-’ Ammarah): This soul does not have faith in Allah. Because of the absence of faith– the moral compass– there is nothing to keep the sinful attitude of this type of soul. The bearer of this soul may commit evil actions recklessly without feeling remorse.
2. The Soul that is at Peace (An- Nafs al- Mutma’innah): This is the soul of the contented believer. It dwells in peace and certainty with its Lord and therefore does not incline towards evil. Because it has reached such a lofty state, this type of soul is worthy of the highest reward.
3. The Self- Reproaching Soul (An- Nafs al- Lawwamah): This type of soul is between An- Nafs al-’ Ammarah and An- Nafs al- Mutama’innah. It has belief, but not firmly content and given to making mistakes; it teeters between faith and desires. It faces an internal struggle and reproaches itself for having done wrong. Most Muslims have this type of soul.
Qualities of Allah SWT
• Al-‘Alim means the All-Knowing and Al-Hakim incorporates two meanings: hikmah, meaning wisdom, and hukm, meaning judgement. Allah is All-Wise and the Judge of all Judges.
• One of the qualities of Allah is rafi darajat, the One Who Raises the Ranks, and He does so based on a person’s faith and knowledge.
• Ar-Rabb has three meanings. The first is the Owner; the second is Nourisher and Sustainer; and the third is Lord and Master.
• Another connotation for Al- Fatir and Al-Wali appearing together is that Al-Fatir is the Originator and Creator of the physical world, and Al-Wali is our guide and protector in the spiritual realm. He has created us physically, and He will nourish us spiritually.
Lessons from Surah Yusuf
• The ultimate blessings from Allah are faith and knowledge. The Prophet f said, ‘If Allah intends good for someone, He gives to him the understanding of the religion.’
• Of the wisdom of this surah is that it shows us that the believer’s firasah or intuition is real. Firasah comes from being close to Allah, and it keeps the believer rightly guided.
• There is patience during a calamity, in restraining oneself from committing sins, and in persevering in acts worship. The best kind of patience is sabrun jamil: beautiful patience.
• The believer should always make it a priority to protect their family and children at both the physical and spiritual levels.
• if we try to protect our faith and chastity in our youth, Allah will protect us from corruption in later life.
• Those who remain steadfast in the face of temptation will taste the sweetness of faith.
• This surah teaches us that a caller to Islam should wait for the right time and place to convey the message.
• In our Shariah, it is allowed to use secondary evidence and take into account external factors, even if there were no two witnesses to the crime.
• the true believer always ascribes good to Allah and evil to Shaytan.
• One crucial lesson this surah teaches is that complaining to Allah is a sign of iman.
• Supplicating to Allah in times of distress is therapeutic. When grief strikes, the righteous turn to Allah for comfort. When they feel powerless and overwhelmed, it’s Allah they turn to for their needs.
• True repentance also means resolving in the heart never to return to that sin. Allah does not look at the quantity of our sins; He looks at the quality of our repentance.
• The general rule is that one’s sins are between them and Allah. But if someone sinned against a person, they need to apologize to that person.
• Real forgiveness is when someone forgives at the height of power.
• This surah also teaches us that giving an excuse to someone untrustworthy can have unintended consequences. Be careful what you say to those with an evil disposition: it might come back to harm you.
• we should always advise the criminal to fear Allah first, and then our grievance.
• there is no disease, passion, lust, or desire plaguing our heart from which Allah cannot save us. We just have to beseech His help.
• Allah decides our fate according to our last actions, not first. Our condition at the time of our death will dictate our place in the Hereafter.
May 31, 2025
We relate to you ˹O Prophet˺ *the best* of stories through Our revelation of this Quran, though before this you were totally unaware ˹of them˺.
April 29, 2022
Surah Yusuf was revealed after the year of sorrow in which three traumatic events (the death of his ﷺ wife Khadijahؓ, the death of his ﷺ uncle Abū Talib and the Prophet ﷺ visit to Taif) happened to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Allah revealed this surah to lift the spirits of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Allah called Surah Yusuf the 'Best of all stories' which He revealed in the Quran. This surah reveals the story of Prophet Yusuf (A.S). This surah is very unique in every manner, the story of Yusuf (A.S) is told in chronological order while other stories of Prophets are found in fractions. It's a story of love, passion, betrayal, and forgiveness and shows the sweetness of patience. This book follows every ayah and goes through the whole story of Yusuf (A.S) explaining in the depth the meaning and the wisdom and teaching lessons that can be implemented in our daily life.
The life of this world is full of trials and tests and in every difficulty we should turn to Allah alone having a firm belief that every help comes from Allah and only He can ease our difficulties.
The fundamental lesson is that evil can never succeed & righteousness will always prevail.
Don't hurt the feelings of others as Yusuf (A.S) forgave his brothers without having to question them about their scheme against him.
It also reinforces the right concept of tawakkul. True tawakkul means that we do whatever is needed or possible while relying on Allah. Doing our best and believing that the results are in the hands of Allah.
Whether Allah provides us with something good or withholds us from something we should always be contented because He alone knows what is best for us.
It also clarifies that crying doesn't go against the concept of patience. Allah describes Yaqub (A.S) as having beautiful patience yet he cried so much that his eyes turned white.
Allah doesn't look at the quality of our sins, He looks at the quality of our repentance.
Another wisdom we can learn from this surah is to be patient as the fruits of patience are always sweet and for patience, Allah promises reward without measure.
Yasir Qadhi did an exceptional job writing this beautiful book. Making it understandable & extracting the lessons which we can learn, reflect and get benefited from. May Allah reward him for his effort & May Allah makes us the people of īman & faith who are guided by the story of Yusuf( A.S) Amīn.
A must-read!
The life of this world is full of trials and tests and in every difficulty we should turn to Allah alone having a firm belief that every help comes from Allah and only He can ease our difficulties.
The fundamental lesson is that evil can never succeed & righteousness will always prevail.
Don't hurt the feelings of others as Yusuf (A.S) forgave his brothers without having to question them about their scheme against him.
It also reinforces the right concept of tawakkul. True tawakkul means that we do whatever is needed or possible while relying on Allah. Doing our best and believing that the results are in the hands of Allah.
Whether Allah provides us with something good or withholds us from something we should always be contented because He alone knows what is best for us.
It also clarifies that crying doesn't go against the concept of patience. Allah describes Yaqub (A.S) as having beautiful patience yet he cried so much that his eyes turned white.
Allah doesn't look at the quality of our sins, He looks at the quality of our repentance.
Another wisdom we can learn from this surah is to be patient as the fruits of patience are always sweet and for patience, Allah promises reward without measure.
Yasir Qadhi did an exceptional job writing this beautiful book. Making it understandable & extracting the lessons which we can learn, reflect and get benefited from. May Allah reward him for his effort & May Allah makes us the people of īman & faith who are guided by the story of Yusuf( A.S) Amīn.
A must-read!
August 23, 2021
I read this cover to cover as Sheikh Yasir Qadhi (and another reviewer) recommended. I can definitely see why. No wonder Allah refers to it as the 'best of all stories'.
Having the Surah and its Tafsir (commentary) read with all its unexpected turns and lessons imparted sparks a much need contemplating upon one's own life. It helps that the Sheikh writes quite accessibly and eloquently. Definitely will need to be reread constantly for further insights and perhaps more importantly, to serve as sorely needed reminders.
Having the Surah and its Tafsir (commentary) read with all its unexpected turns and lessons imparted sparks a much need contemplating upon one's own life. It helps that the Sheikh writes quite accessibly and eloquently. Definitely will need to be reread constantly for further insights and perhaps more importantly, to serve as sorely needed reminders.
February 25, 2024
Surah Yusuf has always been one of my favourite surah since the first time I was encouraged to read the translation of the surah. It is a beautiful story of Prophet Yusuf whose life was full of ups and downs. Despite all that, he has always been a very patient man and there's no grudge kept.
That was all the lessons I've learned from Surah Yusuf before I read this book. In this book, it tells us more lessons that we can learn from the surah.
One of it is of course on how Prophet Yusuf responded to what his brother did to him, which is the most well-known part of the story. But there's actually more.
We were never given the perspective to see from his brothers' situation whom regretted what they did to him and they wanted to change after realizing their mistakes.
Also, about Prophet Yaacob whom the father to Yusuf, on his beautiful patient enduring his beloved son while knowing that his other sons are lying to him.
Also, about how Prophet Yusuf keep reminding the leader of Egypt about his false imprisonment after the scene with Zulaikha. It teaches to stand up for what is right for us and don't let a fitnah eat us.
There's many more lessons from the story and in this book it has laid down 50 lessons that we can learned and apply to our life. Therefore, if you want to know more do read this one and may our life are full of lessons learned from the Quran and may we always make sure that we go through this life by making Islam as our way!
That was all the lessons I've learned from Surah Yusuf before I read this book. In this book, it tells us more lessons that we can learn from the surah.
One of it is of course on how Prophet Yusuf responded to what his brother did to him, which is the most well-known part of the story. But there's actually more.
We were never given the perspective to see from his brothers' situation whom regretted what they did to him and they wanted to change after realizing their mistakes.
Also, about Prophet Yaacob whom the father to Yusuf, on his beautiful patient enduring his beloved son while knowing that his other sons are lying to him.
Also, about how Prophet Yusuf keep reminding the leader of Egypt about his false imprisonment after the scene with Zulaikha. It teaches to stand up for what is right for us and don't let a fitnah eat us.
There's many more lessons from the story and in this book it has laid down 50 lessons that we can learned and apply to our life. Therefore, if you want to know more do read this one and may our life are full of lessons learned from the Quran and may we always make sure that we go through this life by making Islam as our way!
March 23, 2023
The Story of Yusuf A.S. in the Quran, is by far, one of the most beautiful and empowering tale i had the honour of reading. There is so much insight and life lessons that we get to learn from just one story in the Quran. The beauty of the symmetry in the composition of this Surah is by far the best i have ever come across, this re-affirms and strengthens my faith in the Quran. It is indeed, the true word of Allah SWT. This book, is the second book that i have read from Dr. Yasir Qadhi. The work, Yasir is doing is truly remarkable and May Allah bless him for his efforts. He is instilling, the love and wisdom of the Quran, in our hearts, which is lost due to the lives that we are leading today. One of the reasons, we muslims are going ashtray and are not respected and honoured in today's time is due to our neglect and very limited understanding and knowledge of the Quran. It is a wonderful read and one must always keep a copy of it in our homes. The stories of the Quran should be the stories that should inspire us to lead our lives and there isn't problem in the world, that cannot be solved by the Quran and the lessons that it teaches us. A MUST READ!!!
June 28, 2021
I'm amazed that Yasir Qadhi was able to bring out these lessons and go through the entire story of Surah Yusuf in such a short book. There was so much that I hadn't noticed about the story, and I'm so glad I read this, because I learned so much through it. A concise yet very insightful read. A book I'd highly recommend.
March 11, 2022
Excellent reading. Will definitely read again. Surah Yusuf carries a remarkable symmetry. The themes are like concentric rings with climax at a middle point. The author listed 50 lessons from Surah Yusuf for readers to take time to reflect on hidden wisdom and benefits as part of reading journey.
August 23, 2025
In-depth explanation of Surah Yusuf by one of the great American Imams. I listened to the audiobook, which was well narrated.
May 1, 2022
"Perfect faith in Allah means that one does not turn to others for sympathy, but only to Him. It is, of course, human nature to turn to people for help and support, it is not a sin to do so. But one needs to realise and firmly believe that all help comes from Allah. Even when people want to help us, they cannot do so except with what Allah has written for us." - Lessons from Surah Yusuf by Dr Yasir Qadhi
Lessons from Surah Yusuf is an eloquent and comprehensive interpretation of Surah Yusuf, the Best of All Stories. Beautifully written, succinct and concise, it was a very enlightening and inspiring read that makes a good companion for one who is reading Surah Yusuf.
Dr Yasir Qadhi sets the foundation by explaining the context of the Revelation - how it was highly unlikely that the Quran was written by the Prophet s.a.w himself, and that the Surah was revealed to him following The Year of Sorrow. The Surah was sent down to uplift the Prophet s.a.w, revealed in a language clear to him and proving that it is a Divine Revelation, the Best of All Stories in the Quran.
I have always been drawn to Surah Yusuf for the encompassing themes of jealousy, betrayal, passion and lust, which are also mirrored with the virtuous presence of patience, tawakkul, repentance and forgiveness. Yet Dr Yasir Qadhi also highlighted and analysed different elements such as recurring motifs of racing, shirts and dreams, proving time and again the wondrous linguistic and literary eloquence of the Quran. I also loved how he would constantly remark on the righteousness and efficiency of both Prophet Yaqub and Prophet Yusuf in terms of their roles and characters - of always putting their trust in Allah and pinning one's wrongdoings on their influence of Shaytan. It is an excellent reminder on the virtues of the Prophets.
The journey of Nabi Yusuf a.s., from being thrown into a well, sold to slavery, falsely accused of a crime to his rise to a Finance Minister in Egypt, is a story of hope in the face of one's patience and utmost trust in Allah. It is a wonderful reminder on how one should always turn to Allah in times of hardship and sorrow, and also continue to put our trust in Him. It is a beautiful and timeless story, the perfect balm to soothe one's soul.
Lessons from Surah Yusuf is an eloquent and comprehensive interpretation of Surah Yusuf, the Best of All Stories. Beautifully written, succinct and concise, it was a very enlightening and inspiring read that makes a good companion for one who is reading Surah Yusuf.
Dr Yasir Qadhi sets the foundation by explaining the context of the Revelation - how it was highly unlikely that the Quran was written by the Prophet s.a.w himself, and that the Surah was revealed to him following The Year of Sorrow. The Surah was sent down to uplift the Prophet s.a.w, revealed in a language clear to him and proving that it is a Divine Revelation, the Best of All Stories in the Quran.
I have always been drawn to Surah Yusuf for the encompassing themes of jealousy, betrayal, passion and lust, which are also mirrored with the virtuous presence of patience, tawakkul, repentance and forgiveness. Yet Dr Yasir Qadhi also highlighted and analysed different elements such as recurring motifs of racing, shirts and dreams, proving time and again the wondrous linguistic and literary eloquence of the Quran. I also loved how he would constantly remark on the righteousness and efficiency of both Prophet Yaqub and Prophet Yusuf in terms of their roles and characters - of always putting their trust in Allah and pinning one's wrongdoings on their influence of Shaytan. It is an excellent reminder on the virtues of the Prophets.
The journey of Nabi Yusuf a.s., from being thrown into a well, sold to slavery, falsely accused of a crime to his rise to a Finance Minister in Egypt, is a story of hope in the face of one's patience and utmost trust in Allah. It is a wonderful reminder on how one should always turn to Allah in times of hardship and sorrow, and also continue to put our trust in Him. It is a beautiful and timeless story, the perfect balm to soothe one's soul.
December 31, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📗 Lessons from Surah Yusuf by Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi is a thoughtful exploration of one of the most poignant chapters in the Qur'an. Here's a brief overview:
🌟 The book offers an in-depth analysis of Surah Yusuf, making it accessible and informative for a diverse audience. Yasir Qadhi's approach brings clarity to the surah's verses, enhancing the reader's understanding and appreciation.
🌍 Set against the backdrop of the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), particularly during his years of hardship, the book illustrates how Surah Yusuf served as a source of comfort and guidance. Qadhi draws parallels between the experiences of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the story of Yusuf, highlighting themes of patience, resilience, and faith.
📚 The author's thematic division of the surah is helpful, allowing readers to grasp the narrative flow and its lessons. This structured approach aids in understanding the surah's context within the Qur'an and its contemporary relevance.
💡 While rooted in Islamic scholarship, the book's messages of overcoming adversity and maintaining faith have universal appeal. Qadhi's interpretation is respectful and inspiring, offering insights without overwhelming detail.
In summary, Lessons from Surah Yusuf is a commendable work, bridging scholarly analysis with practical guidance. It's a 4.5-star read, rounded up to 5 for its clarity, depth, and relevance, making it a useful resource in the study of Islamic texts.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📗 Lessons from Surah Yusuf by Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi is a thoughtful exploration of one of the most poignant chapters in the Qur'an. Here's a brief overview:
🌟 The book offers an in-depth analysis of Surah Yusuf, making it accessible and informative for a diverse audience. Yasir Qadhi's approach brings clarity to the surah's verses, enhancing the reader's understanding and appreciation.
🌍 Set against the backdrop of the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), particularly during his years of hardship, the book illustrates how Surah Yusuf served as a source of comfort and guidance. Qadhi draws parallels between the experiences of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the story of Yusuf, highlighting themes of patience, resilience, and faith.
📚 The author's thematic division of the surah is helpful, allowing readers to grasp the narrative flow and its lessons. This structured approach aids in understanding the surah's context within the Qur'an and its contemporary relevance.
💡 While rooted in Islamic scholarship, the book's messages of overcoming adversity and maintaining faith have universal appeal. Qadhi's interpretation is respectful and inspiring, offering insights without overwhelming detail.
In summary, Lessons from Surah Yusuf is a commendable work, bridging scholarly analysis with practical guidance. It's a 4.5-star read, rounded up to 5 for its clarity, depth, and relevance, making it a useful resource in the study of Islamic texts.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 5, 2025
It felt like an essay written with very less research done and was full of misogynist POVs. There were scholarly or referenced details on anything — most of the analysis was basic and based on the limited patriarchal mindset of the author, rather than theologically sound. Why were we not given more history and context of the year of Sorrow? instead what the writer did was explain each ayah (in repetitive details) rather that going into scholarly details. There are much better and well researched books written, but because there are none on individual surahs, readers and practitioners have to rely on poorly compiled cliff notes like books like these. The Study Quran is brilliant Tafseer/commentary, and that is the standard to which I was expecting this book to be.
Very disappointed with the misogynist biased myopic and very basic analysis. It is badly written books like these which makes Islam seem problematic - it is the fault of the patriarchal interpretations of scholars which hurt the image of Islam. We could have done without most of the generalized ramblings of the writer. Such a wasted opportunity.
Very disappointed with the misogynist biased myopic and very basic analysis. It is badly written books like these which makes Islam seem problematic - it is the fault of the patriarchal interpretations of scholars which hurt the image of Islam. We could have done without most of the generalized ramblings of the writer. Such a wasted opportunity.
August 11, 2025
Lessons from Surah Yusuf by Yassir Qadhi is a profound reminder of the Qur’an’s unmatched eloquence and the immense blessing we, as Muslims, have in this divine miracle. The author masterfully unpacks each verse of this beautiful Surah, drawing out timeless lessons that remain deeply relevant to our daily lives.
From the exemplary patience of Prophet Yaqub—whether when Yusuf (peace be upon him) was cast into the well by his brothers or when Yusuf was unjustly imprisoned—to the unwavering chastity in the face of temptation in the story with the wife of Al-Aziz, every page offers a moral gem. And these are just a few; the Surah overflows with countless lessons for those willing to reflect.
What touched me most was the way the book shows that the ethical virtues embodied by Prophet Yusuf—integrity, forgiveness, patience, and trust in Allah—are not just historical anecdotes but qualities we should actively embody in our own lives. This is the heartbeat of the book’s message.
I won’t say more, because I truly urge anyone reading this review to pick up this book. It’s not just a study—it’s an invitation to transform one’s heart.
From the exemplary patience of Prophet Yaqub—whether when Yusuf (peace be upon him) was cast into the well by his brothers or when Yusuf was unjustly imprisoned—to the unwavering chastity in the face of temptation in the story with the wife of Al-Aziz, every page offers a moral gem. And these are just a few; the Surah overflows with countless lessons for those willing to reflect.
What touched me most was the way the book shows that the ethical virtues embodied by Prophet Yusuf—integrity, forgiveness, patience, and trust in Allah—are not just historical anecdotes but qualities we should actively embody in our own lives. This is the heartbeat of the book’s message.
I won’t say more, because I truly urge anyone reading this review to pick up this book. It’s not just a study—it’s an invitation to transform one’s heart.
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