Basic
The Prophets
Surah: Yusuf (36)
Yusuf in Prison — Calling to Allah Behind Bars
Quranic context:
Yusuf entered prison alongside two young men. Each had a dream and asked for its interpretation. Before answering, Yusuf called them to monotheism and addressed the doubt of polytheism.
Context:
He interpreted both dreams: one would pour wine for the king again and be restored to his position; the other would be crucified and birds would eat from his head. Yusuf asked the survivor to mention him to the king — but Satan caused him to forget for years.
Lesson:
Prison did not silence Yusuf's call to Allah — he seized the opportunity of being consulted to call to Allah before answering. A caller to truth makes no distinction between times of freedom and hardship.
Yusuf entered prison alongside two young men. Each had a dream and asked for its interpretation. Before answering, Yusuf called them to monotheism and addressed the doubt of polytheism.
Context:
He interpreted both dreams: one would pour wine for the king again and be restored to his position; the other would be crucified and birds would eat from his head. Yusuf asked the survivor to mention him to the king — but Satan caused him to forget for years.
Lesson:
Prison did not silence Yusuf's call to Allah — he seized the opportunity of being consulted to call to Allah before answering. A caller to truth makes no distinction between times of freedom and hardship.
Source: Ibn Kathir Tafsir (4/379); Al-Sadi Tafsir
Test Yourself
What did Yusuf do when asked to interpret the two dreams in prison?
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