Among the prophets of Allah, Prophet Yūsuf (Joseph, عليه السلام) is especially remembered for his gift of interpreting dreams. His story is beautifully narrated in Surah Yūsuf (Chapter 12 of the Qur’an), which Allah Himself describes as “the best of stories.” (Qur’an 12:3). This surah details his life, struggles, and eventual rise to honor, all centered around his unique ability to explain dreams with Allah’s guidance.
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His Early Life:
Yūsuf (عليه السلام) was the beloved son of Prophet Ya‘qūb (Jacob, عليه السلام). He had eleven brothers, but because their father loved him deeply for his good character and purity, jealousy grew in their hearts.
One night, young Yūsuf had a dream:
“O my father, indeed I saw [in a dream] eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me.” (Qur’an 12:4)
Ya‘qūb understood this dream meant that Yūsuf would have a great future, with high honor and divine favor. However, he warned his son not to tell his brothers, fearing their jealousy.
Betrayal and Hardship:
The jealousy of his brothers reached the point that they plotted to get rid of him. They threw him into a deep well and lied to their father, saying that a wolf had devoured him.
Yūsuf was later found by travelers and sold into slavery in Egypt. He was purchased by a nobleman, whose wife later tried to seduce him. When he refused and remained loyal to Allah, he was unjustly imprisoned.
While in prison, two fellow prisoners had dreams and asked Yūsuf for an explanation. With Allah’s help, he correctly interpreted their dreams:
One would be freed and serve the king.
The other would be executed.
Yūsuf explained that his ability came not from himself but from Allah’s knowledge:
“That is from what my Lord has taught me. Indeed, I have left the religion of people who do not believe in Allah.” (Qur’an 12:37)
This gift later became the key to his rise in Egypt.
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The King’s Dream:
Years later, the king of Egypt had a troubling dream: seven fat cows being eaten by seven thin cows, and seven green ears of corn and seven dry ones. No one could interpret it.
The man who was once Yūsuf’s fellow prisoner remembered him and told the king about his ability. Yūsuf was summoned, and he gave the interpretation:
Seven years of abundant harvest would come.
After that, seven years of famine would follow.
People should save grain during the good years to survive the famine.
The king was impressed by his wisdom and appointed Yūsuf as the treasurer of Egypt, putting him in charge of the nation’s resources.
During the famine, Yūsuf’s brothers came to Egypt seeking food. They did not recognize him at first, but after several encounters, he revealed his identity and forgave them, saying:
“No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful.” (Qur’an 12:92)
Later, his parents and brothers all came to Egypt, and the earlier dream he saw as a child came true — his family honored him, fulfilling the vision of the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing to him.
Prophet Yūsuf is praised in the Qur’an as:
Truthful (ṣiddīq).
Chaste – resisting temptation despite difficulty.
Forgiving – showing mercy to his brothers despite their betrayal.
Wise and just – managing Egypt’s economy during crisis with fairness.
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CONCLUSION:
Prophet Yūsuf (عليه السلام) is remembered as the prophet of dream interpretation. His ability to explain dreams was not magic but divine knowledge granted by Allah. His story teaches that life’s hardships are part of Allah’s plan, and patience and faith eventually bring success.
From being betrayed by his brothers and sold as a slave to rising as a ruler in Egypt, his journey shows that Allah honors those who remain steadfast. His dream as a child was fulfilled decades later, proving that Allah’s promise always comes true.
For Muslims, his life remains a shining example of patience, chastity, forgiveness, and trust in Allah.
 – The Interpreter of Dreams){kind=link}
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