True Story of Prophet Yusuf in Qur’an – 2025
The True Story of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) begins with his blessed lineage and the divine signs that surrounded his early life.
Prophet Yusuf Was The Son Of Prophet Yaqub (Jacob), the grandson of Prophet Ishaq (Isaac), and the great-grandson of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon them all.
His mother was Raheel (Rachel), who passed away while giving birth to his younger brother, Binyamin (Benjamin).
Though Prophet Yaqub had twelve sons, only Yusuf and Binyamin were born from Raheel, and they held a special place in his heart.
Prophet Yusuf was renowned for his unmatched beauty and noble character. Like his mother, he was graceful and pure.
The Qur’an describes his story as the most beautiful of all narratives:
“We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur’an although you were, before it, among the unaware.”
(Surah Yusuf, 12:3)
This verse sets the tone for the extraordinary journey of Yusuf (PBUH)—a story of patience, faith, and divine wisdom.
Prophet Yaqub (PBUH) deeply loved Yusuf.
He would not separate from him, even for a moment. Scholars mention that Raheel, before her death, had made a heartfelt request to Yaqub to care for Yusuf with extra love.
Being motherless and younger than his ten half-brothers, Yusuf was naturally more vulnerable, and this also drew Yaqub closer to him.
But beyond fatherly affection, there was a spiritual insight: Prophet Yaqub saw the Noor al-Nubuwwah (Light of Prophethood) shining on Yusuf’s forehead—a divine sign of the great mission ahead.
Table of Contents
Complete Story of Prophet Yusuf (AS) in the Qur’an
Allah Almighty has dedicated an entire chapter in The Holy Qur’an—Surah Yusuf—comprising 111 verses, solely to the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph, peace be upon him).
This is the only surah that narrates a prophet’s story in such continuous detail, from beginning to end, without interruption.
The Qur’an itself declares this account as the most beautiful of all stories:
“We relate to you the best of stories…”
(Surah Yusuf, 12:3)
The True Story of Prophet Yusuf is far more than just a historical event; it is a timeless tale of jealousy, temptation, trial, trust in Allah, and ultimately, triumph through patience and faith.
This powerful narrative showcases the emotional complexities of human behavior—envy, betrayal, seduction, prison, forgiveness, and divine justice—all portrayed with divine eloquence and depth.
In this Surah, Allah reveals how Yusuf (PBUH) was tested by his own brothers’ jealousy, how he endured the whispers of the nafs al-ammarah (the commanding soul), and how he rose with dignity through patience (sabr), wisdom (hikmah), and absolute trust (tawakkul) in Allah’s mercy.
Throughout the Qur’an, the name of Prophet Yusuf appears 26 times—24 times in Surah Yusuf, and once each in Surah Al-An’am and Surah Ghafir.
Revelation Background (Shan-e-Nuzool) of Surah Yusuf
During the early days of Islam, when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was in Makkah, news of his prophethood reached the people of Yathrib (later Madinah).
The Jewish scholars of Madinah, curious and skeptical, decided to test the Prophet ﷺ through a question they believed only a true prophet could answer.
They sent men to Makkah with the following question:
“Tell us about the Prophet whose son was taken from the land of Ash-Sham to Egypt, and whose father wept until he lost his eyesight in grief.”
(Sahi al bukhari , No :3329)
This question was deliberately chosen because it was unknown to the people of Makkah.
Unlike Madinah, there were no People of the Book (Jews or Christians) living in Makkah who could narrate this story based on the Torah or the Bible.
Hence, the knowledge of this story was inaccessible without divine revelation.
In response to this test, Allah revealed the entire Surah Yusuf—a chapter of 111 verses, unfolding the life of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph, peace be upon him) and his father Prophet Yaqub (Jacob).
This revelation contained such depth, detail, and consistency that even the Torah and Gospel did not present the story with such clarity.
This became a clear miracle of the Qur’an and an undeniable proof of the Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ.
“We relate to you the best of stories…”
(Surah Yusuf, 12:3)
This story, divinely revealed in one uninterrupted chapter, has since become known as the True Story of Prophet Yusuf, inspiring generations with its rich lessons in faith, patience, divine justice, and forgiveness.
The Dream of Prophet Yusuf
Before reaching the age of maturity, Prophet Yusuf (Joseph, peace be upon him) saw a profound dream—one that would shape his destiny and echo across history.
With innocence and awe, he shared it with his father, Prophet Yaqub (Jacob), saying:
“O my father, indeed I have seen [in a dream] eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me.”
(Surah Yusuf, 12:4)
This moment marked the beginning of the True Story of Prophet Yusuf, filled with divine wisdom, future prophecy, and spiritual insight.
Upon hearing the dream, Prophet Yaqub immediately recognized that Yusuf was chosen by Allah for a great prophetic mission.
He foresaw that his son would one day be raised to a high rank by his Lord—one that would bring both honor and trial. But with such honor also came danger.
Knowing the jealousy of Yusuf’s ten older half-brothers, Yaqub warned him gently:
(Surah Yusuf, 12:5)
“He said, ‘O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers or they will contrive against you a plan. Indeed, Satan, to man, is a manifest enemy.'”
This was not just Parental concern—it was prophetic foresight. Yaqub (PBUH) knew the nature of human envy and the influence of Shaytan, who exploits weakness to sow division.
The warning was timely, as it foreshadowed the betrayal Yusuf would soon face.
The dream was a divine message in symbolic form. The eleven stars represented his brothers, the sun symbolized his father, and the moon his mother—all acknowledging Yusuf’s future rank, not out of worldly power, but due to his divinely appointed role as a Prophet.
The Jealousy of Yusuf’s Brothers – A Plot Born of Envy
As part of the True Story of Prophet Yusuf, one of the most emotionally intense moments comes when jealousy turns into betrayal.
Some Qur’anic commentators narrate that while Yusuf (peace be upon him) was describing his dream to his father, a stepmother overheard the conversation.
Later, she disclosed the dream to Yusuf’s ten older half-brothers, who were already envious of him due to their father’s deep love and special attention.
This new revelation—that Yusuf might be destined for a higher rank—fueled their hatred.
“Kill Yusuf or cast him out to some [distant] land so that your father’s attention will be only for you. Then, after that, you can become righteous people.”
(Surah Yusuf, 12:9)
The idea of separation—removing Yusuf from their father’s love—became their shared mission. One of them, however, proposed a less violent option:
(Surah Yusuf, 12:10)
“Do not kill Yusuf, but throw him into the bottom of a well. Perhaps a caravan may pick him up—if you must do something.”
According to many tafsir scholars, this suggestion came from Yahuda (Judah), the eldest of the brothers.
The next day, the ten brothers went to their father, Prophet Yaqub (peace be upon him), with an unusually warm request:
“O our father, why do you not trust us with Yusuf, while indeed, we are sincere well-wishers for him? Send him with us tomorrow so he may enjoy himself and play, and indeed, we will surely protect him.”
(Surah Yusuf, 12:11–12)But Yaqub sensed the danger in their intentions and responded with heartfelt concern:
“Indeed, it saddens me that you should take him, and I fear that a wolf would eat him while you are unaware of him.”
(Surah Yusuf, 12:13)They replied mockingly:
“If a wolf were to eat him while we are a strong group, then surely we would be losers.”
(Surah Yusuf, 12:14)
Their words were meant to reassure, but the deception had already been planned.
This moment in the True Story of Prophet Yusuf reveals how envy can blind judgment, and how even close family members can fall into grave sin when the heart is corrupted by pride and rivalry.
Prophet Yusuf with His Brothers – A Journey of Betrayal and a Hidden Divine Plan
As part of the True Story of Prophet Yusuf, the next heart-wrenching episode unfolds when Yusuf (peace be upon him) is taken away by his own brothers—those who should have protected him, but instead became his betrayers.
On the morning of their journey, Prophet Yaqub (peace be upon him) reminded his sons once again to guard Yusuf carefully.
Out of deep concern, he walked some distance with them. As long as the father remained in sight, they held Yusuf gently, carrying him in their arms.
But the moment Yaqub turned back and was no longer visible, their behavior changed drastically.
They threw Yusuf to the ground and began to beat him. Their hearts, hardened by jealousy and rage, showed no compassion. But then, Judah (Yahuda), the eldest among them, felt a moment of mercy. He intervened:
“Don’t destroy him like this. There is a well nearby. Throw him into it. If he dies from a snake bite or remains trapped, so be it—but if he survives, perhaps a passing caravan may take him away. This way, your aim will still be fulfilled.”(Tafsir al-Qurṭubī , sorah al yosuf, Ayath No :10)
The brothers agreed to this grim plan.
The Qur’an describes this moment in divine words:
“So when they took him away and agreed to throw him into the bottom of the well, We inspired him: ‘You will surely inform them [one day] about this affair of theirs, while they do not perceive [it is you].'”
(Surah Yusuf, 12:15)
This verse shows that even in the darkest moment, Allah was with Yusuf.
He was still a child—some narrations say seven years old, others mention twelve or seventeen—but Allah sent him reassuring revelation that one day he would confront his brothers and remind them of their wrongdoing, while they wouldn’t even recognize him.
This event not only displays the cruelty caused by envy, but also reveals the deeper layers of Allah’s mercy and long-term plan.
What seemed like abandonment was, in fact, a step toward Yusuf’s rise to greatness.
Alone in the Well – Yusuf’s Patience and Allah’s Plan
One of the most heartbreaking yet spiritually profound moments in the True Story of Prophet Yusuf is when he was thrown into the depths of a well by his own brothers.
Islamic scholars like Imam Qurtubi and others describe this scene with great emotional detail.
As the brothers prepared to cast him down, young Yusuf clung tightly to the edge of the well, begging for mercy.
In response, they tied his hands, showing no compassion to their innocent brother. When he pleaded with them in sorrow, they mocked him, saying:
“Call upon those eleven stars you dreamt about—let them save you now!”
(tafseer ibn e kasir , Ayath No: 12)
Then, they lowered him into the well using a bucket. When the bucket reached halfway, they cruelly cut the rope, dropping him into the darkness. But Allah did not abandon His chosen servant.
Though he fell, he was unharmed. According to classical exegesis, Allah either caused him to land on a rock or sent Angel Jibreel (Gabriel, peace be upon him) to gently seat him upon it.
He remained in that dark, cold well for three days.
In one narration, Judah (Yahuda), the brother who had earlier shown mercy, would secretly return each day to lower down food and water in a bucket—without the knowledge of the others.
The Weeping Before Their Father – A Cover-Up of Betrayal
After casting Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) into the dark depths of the well, the brothers were left with a troubling concern: How would they face their father?
To cover their sin, they slaughtered a goat and smeared its blood on Yusuf’s shirt, fabricating a heartbreaking lie.
Under the cover of night, at the time of Isha, they returned to their father crying and wailing, hoping to evoke sympathy and distract from their deceit.
They said:
“O our father, indeed we went racing each other and left Yusuf with our possessions, and a wolf ate him. But you would not believe us, even if we were truthful.”
(Surah Yusuf, 12:17)
But the lie had flaws. While the shirt was soaked in blood, it was perfectly intact—not a single tear. The brothers had forgotten a crucial detail.
Prophet Yaqub (Jacob, peace be upon him), with his prophetic insight and deep love for Yusuf, immediately saw through their deception.
He replied:
“Rather, your souls have enticed you to something. So patience is most fitting. And Allah is the One whose help is sought against that which you describe.”
(Surah Yusuf, 12:18)
Some scholars note that Yaqub sarcastically remarked, “What a clever wolf! It ate my son but didn’t tear his shirt!
This moment in the True Story of Prophet Yusuf is not only tragic but spiritually powerful.
Divine Help Arrives – Yusuf is Discovered by a Passing Caravan
As the True Story of Prophet Yusuf unfolds, we see that even in the darkest of trials, Allah’s mercy never abandons His chosen servants.
While Yusuf (peace be upon him) lay alone in the depths of a remote well, divine help was already on its way.
According to Tafsir al-Qurtubi, a trade caravan traveling from Sham (Syria) to Egypt lost its way and unknowingly entered the deserted wilderness where the well was located.
Desperate for water, they began searching the area. A man from the caravan named Malik ibn Dhibr was sent to fetch water and came across the very well where Yusuf was trapped.
As he lowered his bucket, Yusuf (PBUH) held onto the rope. Feeling the weight, Malik pulled it up—and to his astonishment, he saw a radiant young boy rise from the depths.
“So they sent their water-drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said, ‘Good news! There is a boy.’ And they concealed him as merchandise, and Allah was aware of what they did.”
(Surah Yusuf, 12:19)
The man shouted joyfully, “What good news! Here is a young boy!”—not realizing the divine orchestration behind the scene.
This miraculous rescue wasn’t just physical. It marked the turning point in Yusuf’s journey—from the loneliness of a well to the corridors of Egypt, where destiny awaited.
In a Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described his heavenly meeting with Yusuf (PBUH) during Isra and Mi’raj:
“I met Yusuf, and he had been given half of all worldly beauty.”
(Sahih Muslim)
The radiance of Prophet Yusuf was such that even after being abandoned and left for dead, he still appeared as a source of joy and amazement to those who found him.
Sold by His Own Brothers
In a deeply tragic moment of the True Story of Prophet Yusuf, the betrayal by his brothers reaches a heartbreaking climax.
After days of secretly delivering food to Yusuf (peace be upon him) in the well, the brother assigned to this task arrived one day and was shocked—Yusuf was gone.
Rushing to inform the others, the brothers followed the trail and found the caravan that had rescued Yusuf. Fearing the consequences of being discovered, they resorted to another lie, telling the caravan men:
“This boy is our slave—he ran away from us. Now that he’s of no use to us, you may as well buy him.”
(Ibn Kathir, Ayath No: 20)
Being foreigners in an unfamiliar land, and perhaps fearing trouble from the group of ten strong men, the caravan agreed to the sale.
According to Ibn Mas‘ud and Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them), the brothers sold Prophet Yusuf for only twenty dirhams, and each of them took two dirhams as his share.
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
The Qur’an confirms this sad transaction in clear words:
“And they sold him for a reduced price – a few dirhams – and they were, concerning him, of those content with little.”
(Surah Yusuf, 12:20)
Here, Allah exposes the true worthlessness of their decision, not in terms of money, but in terms of character and conscience.
They sold their own brother, a future prophet of unmatched moral and spiritual greatness, for a price not even worthy of a servant.
In the Market of Egypt – From a Slave to a Symbol of Divine Favor
As the True Story of Prophet Yusuf continues, we reach the bustling marketplace of Egypt, where the young prophet, once thrown into a well, is now presented like a commodity for sale.
The caravan that found him, eager to make profit, brought him to Misr (ancient Egypt) and prepared him for auction.
According to Tafsir al-Mujahid, Yusuf’s brothers followed the caravan secretly, staying nearby until the sale. They even warned the traders, “Bind him tightly, or he may escape again.”
Their fear? That Yusuf might run back to their father and expose the truth.
In Tafsir Ibn Kathir, it is mentioned that once in Egypt, Yusuf (peace be upon him) was put up for sale in the market. The scene was extraordinary.
People began bidding high, fascinated by the beauty, nobility, and grace radiating from the boy.
According to Tafsir al-Qurtubi, the bids were so intense that he was ultimately sold for his weight in gold, musk, and fine silk. Despite being treated like a slave, the honor placed upon him by Allah made him shine, even in chains.The Qur’an briefly yet powerfully captures this moment:
“And the one from Egypt who bought him said to his wife, ‘Make his stay comfortable. Perhaps he will benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son.’ Thus, We established Yusuf in the land…”
(Surah Yusuf, 12:21)
The buyer was none other than Al-Aziz, the powerful Minister of Egypt—in charge of the kingdom’s treasury and administration.
According to Ibn Ishaq, his name was ‘Itfir ibn Ruhayb, and his wife was Ra’il bint Ra’mayil. Most scholars, however, refer to her by the more well-known name: Zuleikha.
This marks a pivotal turn in the story. From being betrayed and sold, Yusuf now enters a new phase of divine training, one that will eventually lead him to rulership and revelation.
conclusion
The True Story of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) is far more than a historical narrative—it is a timeless lesson in faith, resilience, and divine wisdom.
From a beloved son betrayed by his brothers and cast into a well, to a slave sold in Egypt and eventually rising as a ruler, every chapter of his life reflects the perfect plan of Allah.
His unwavering patience during trials, his refusal to fall into temptation, and his grace in forgiving his brothers show the highest moral standard for humanity.
Surah Yusuf remains a masterpiece of the Qur’an, revealing that no matter how dark the trial, those who trust Allah are never abandoned.
His story teaches us that pain has purpose, tests lead to elevation, and Allah’s decree always brings justice in the end. Truly, in Yusuf’s story are signs for those who seek truth.
