Joseph & Moses’ Virtue In Confronting Situations Of Seduction (1)

                        “Verily there is in their stories a lesson

                         to men possessed of minds; it is not an

                         invented story, rather it is a (divine

                         writ) confirming the truth ..”

                                                        (Qur’an, 12:111).

In the Qur’an we find various stories of historic personalities that are lessons about men having insights. I will try, however, to present only two of them in brief: one about Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) and another about Prophet Musa (Moses).

In this first part of the article our concern will be with the earlier, Joseph. Since his early youth he faced a lot of jealousy, intrigue and terror from his own elderly brothers (from a different mother). His father, Prophet Jacob realized this, so he asked Joseph to be careful in dealing with them, but of course to remain nice in his manners.

Joseph once dreamt that eleven stars, the sun and the moon were prostrating before him. He related this dream to his father, who asked him not to tell his brothers about it:  “O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers, lest they plot against you some plot, (as) truly Satan is to man a manifest foe” (12:5). Prophet Jacob understood from that dream that God will elevate him and impart to him some understanding of the inner meaning of happenings, and will bestow the full measure of His blessings.

Joseph’s brothers being jealous of him plotted to cast him into the bottom of a well so that some caravan might pick him up and take him as a slave to a far country, by which they expect that their father will be solely concerned with them. And they did the plot.

A caravan of merchants came and surprisingly found this handsome boy hanged to their bucket, so took him as a slave. Arriving to Egypt, and for his remarkable beauty the news reached the Governor who bought him and kept him as a servant for they might adopt him as their son.

But when Joseph grew as an adolescent, his charm fascinated the lady of the house, so she tried to seduce him, but he prevented her, until one day she found him in a room, closed the doors and tried to harass him, yet he refused. She pulled his garment when he went forth to the door, and he opened the door when his Master was coming in. The lady immediately accused the innocent young man, and claimed that he tried to harass her. He repelled the accusation and told his master that it was she who tried to harass him and he refused her seduction. After some discussion inside the palace, however, the governor preferred to appease the matter, and told his wife that she was guilty, and asked Joseph to keep silent.

The story of the affair moved swiftly to the aristocratic rank’s families, and some high-life women started talking about the governor’s wife scandal. This smart lady, then, invited those chattering women and prepared for them a repast with a lot of fruits and many kinds of food, and gave each of them a knife. In the meantime she ordered Joseph to appear for them. “And when they saw him, they were in awe of him and cut their hands, and they exclaimed: God preserve us! This is no human being: this is but a noble angel” (12:30). Thereby, the hostess of that gathering victoriously announced: “This, then, is he about whom you have been blaming me! And, indeed, I did try to make him yield himself unto me, but he remained chaste. Now, however, if he does not do what I bid him, he shall most certainly be imprisoned, and shall most certainly find himself among the despised” (12:32).

For a well-guided person like Joseph, he remained firm on his position: he refused to be seduced or to fall into grievous error. Joseph stood up, raising his hands supplicant to God: “O my Lord, prison is more desirable to me than (compliance with) what these women invite me to; for, unless You turn away their guile from me, I might yet yield to their allure and become one of those who are unaware (of right and wrong)” (12:33).

Then comes a period where Joseph goes to prison: The rule of the satanic force won to imprison the innocent. He stayed there for several years. In that period Joseph had plenty of time to meditate, to interact with other prisoners from different kinds of culture and understanding. He tried to teach them whatever he thought they might need to know. They became friendly with him and listened to him. Among what he told them: 

“.. Behold, I have left behind me the ways of people who do not believe in God, and who persistently refuse to acknowledge the truth of the life to come, and I follow the creed of my forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is not conceivable that we should (be allowed to) ascribe divinity to aught beside God: this is (an outcome) of God’s bounty unto us and unto all mankind – but most people are ungrateful” (12:37-38).

Joseph, as a messenger of God, unceasingly tried to give his inmates reasonable lessons, for example, once he said to them: “which is more reasonable: (belief in the existence of numerous divine) lords, each of them different from the other – or (in) the One God, who holds absolute sway over all that exists?” (12.39)

Once upon a time, the King of the country saw a very strange vision in a dream: Seven fat cows being devoured by seven emaciated ones, and seven green ears (of wheat) next to (seven) others that were withered. He wanted to find somebody who could interpret this dream. Suddenly, one of the former prisoners remembered Joseph. He asked the king to allow him to see Joseph to interpret it, as he is the right person to do it. The king gave him the authorization, so he went to Joseph saying: “Joseph, o you the truthful one! Enlighten us about (the meaning of a dream in which) seven fat cows were being devoured by seven emaciated ones, and seven green ears (of wheat appeared) next to (seven) others that were withered – so that I may return (with your explanation) unto the people (of the court, and) that they may come to know” (12:46).

Joseph told him the explanation: “You shall sow seven years consecutively but that which you reap, leave it in the ear, except for a little which you eat. Then after that, there shall come seven hard years which shall devour what you set aside for them, all except a little which you have preserved. Then after that there shall come a year in which the people will be granted relief, and in which they will press (fruit)” (12:47-49).

The king, surprised by such a clear interpretation said: “Bring him to me! And when the messenger came to him, he said: (First) return to your lord and ask him what of the women who cut their hands? Surely my Lord has knowledge of their guile” (12:50).

A God-conscious person as Prophet Joseph has his dignity. There was an unjust sentence taken against him, which led him to prison for some years, while he was innocent. So before acceding the king’s call, he first wanted him to know what would happen to him, and the reason why he was condemned unjustly. Thereupon the King sent for those women, and when they came, he started investigating and questioning, and discovered the scandal. The women said that they did not perceive the least evil conduct on Joseph’s part. Then the wife of Joseph’s former master exclaimed: “Now has the truth come to light! It was I who sought to make him yield himself to me – whereas he, behold, was indeed among the truthful persons” (12:51).

When Joseph learned what had happened in front of the king, and the affair had been cleared up, he said to the king’s messenger: “I asked for this investigation and the clearance, so that my former master might know that I did not betray him behind his back, and that God does not bless with His guidance the artful schemes of those who betray their trust” (see 12:52). And although it was clear for everybody that Joseph was innocent, and was imprisoned unjustly, yet he said humbly: “And yet, I am not trying to absolve myself, for, verily, man’s inner self does incite (him/her) to evil, and saved are only they upon whom my Lord bestows His grace. Behold, my Lord is much-Forgiving, a Dispenser of Grace” (12:53).

Then the King asked Joseph to come to him; they had a long talk, and then the King said to him: From this day on you shall be with us well placed, and fully trusted (see: 12:54).

The Straight Way to God

“Alif laam ra. A Book We have revealed

to you that you may bring forth mankind

from darkness into light by the leave of

                                    their Lord to the WAY OF THE ALMIGHTY,

THE PRAISED, GOD, to Whom belongs all

that is in the heavens and all that is on

earth. And woe to the disbelievers from a

terrible chastisement” (14:1-2).

Human being who was bestowed with multiple faculties, can have great ideas, unlimited vision and imagination. At the same time she/he is imbued with an innate sense of moral failings as well as with a consciousness of God (see: Qur’an, 91:8). She/he is inadequate, hasty and easy to be deceived by glittering materials and false delights. But she/he has been given God’s guidance through His messengers, which can guide him/her to the Straight Way of God and drive away all obstacles she/he may face.

Being given the mastership among all inhabitants of the planet (31:20 and 45:12-13), human being is ordered by his/her Creator to live peacefully and harmonious with the environment, thus be able to initiate and develop civilization by following God’s guidance. God says in the Qur’an: “And that if they stand firm on the STRAIGHT WAY, We shall certainly shower them with blessings abundant” (72:16).

To trace a material way is easy if one takes all necessary means, by investigation. But because of the complexity of the human self, it is not easy to remain steadfast tracing the Straight Way to God, even after one has found it through the Messenger’s guidelines, except with deep cautiousness. Beside mankind, there are other inhabitants on this earth, the invisible Jinn. Some of them are submitted to God’s ordinances, but many are the followers of Iblis, the Satan, whom God has warned mankind to be cautious of.

God says: “O children of Adam! Indeed We have bestowed upon you from on high (the knowledge of making) garments to cover your nakedness, and as a thing of beauty: and the garment of taqwa (= God-consciousness) that is best; herein lies one of God’s signs, so that they might take it to heart. O children of Adam! Let not Satan tempt you, as he caused your parents to go forth from the garden, stripping them of their garments to manifest to them their shameful parts. Surely he (= Satan) sees you, he and his tribe from where you do not see them. Verily, We have placed (all manner of) satanic forces near to those who do not (truly) believe” (7:26-27).

Among the most grievous problems for mankind, in all times, is the indecency in clothing, or near-nakedness, through which usually lust flames among young men or women, thus encouraging immorality.

Islam encourages decency and modesty, as it prevents human beings from indulging into indecency and obscenity. If one lacks modesty, desires will lay complete hold of him/her and he/she will not hesitate to indulge into sin. Modesty is a strong moral deterrent against all evil inclinations.

Abu Hurairah reported : The Prophet (peace and God’s blessings be upon him) said: “Al-Imaan (= the Faith) has over seventy branches –or over sixty branches- the uppermost of which is the declaration that none has the right to be worshipped but God (alone); and the least of which is the removal of harmful object from the road, and MODESTY is a branch of faith” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim in both their Collections of Hadith).

If MODESTY is the outward side of Muslim characteristics, the taqwa (= God-consciousness) is the inward and the motivating power for them to keep following the STRAIGHT WAY, and following the examples of the blessed Prophet.

God said to the Prophet in the Qur’an (and to all its Muslim readers): “Say: Behold, my Lord has guided me onto a STRAIGHT WAY through an ever-true faith, the way of Abraham, who turned away from all that is false, and was not of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside Him. Say: Behold, my prayer, and (all) my acts of worship, and my living and my dying are for God (alone), the Sustainer of all worlds, in whose divinity none has a share: for thus have I been bidden – and I shall (always) be foremost among those who surrender themselves unto Him”  (6:161-163).

Human beings cannot steadfastly continue tracing this STRAIGHT WAY without helping themselves with regular prayer to God at given times. This is why every Muslim has to observe and “utilize” this “vehicle”, saying at least seventeen times a day: “(O God) guide us the STRAIGHT WAY, the Way of those upon whom You have bestowed Your blessings, not of those who have been condemned (by You), nor of those who go astray!”

If such supplication is made earnestly, it will impact upon the supplicant and will enable him/her to hinder the satanic forces and influence on him/her.

To be firm on the STRAIGHT WAY, one should always be careful in following God’s ordinances, for example: “Behold, God enjoins JUSTICE, and THE DOING OF GOOD, and GENEROSITY towards (one’s) fellow-men; and He forbids all that is shameful, and all that runs counter to reason, as well as envy; (and) He exhorts you (repeatedly) so that you might bear (all this) in mind. And be true to your bond with God whenever you bind yourselves by a pledge, and do not break (your) oaths after having (freely) confirmed them and having called upon God to be witness to your good faith: behold, God knows all that you do” (16:90-91).

That is the STRAIGHT WAY which has been traced by all messengers of God to guide people to the right path and to build human civilization of justice, and we have the obligation to follow their steps: “Say (o Prophet): This is my WAY: Resting upon conscious insight accessible to reason, I am calling unto God – I and they who follow me. And (say:) Limitless is God in His glory, and I am not one of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside Him” (12:108).

To people ascribing another divinity beside God, as they used to follow the doctrines of “great philosophers” even if those doctrines are contradictory to God’s ordinances, God says clearly: “Follow what has been sent down unto you by your Lord, and follow no masters other than Him. How seldom do you keep this in mind!” (7:3). This is the STRAIGHT WAY TO GOD.

               

Sincerity in Faith

                                 “And they were not enjoined aught but

                                   that they should worship God, sincere

                                   in their (commitment to) Religion to                                             

                                  Him, turning away from all that is false,

                                  And that they should be constant in

                                  prayer, and that they should pay the

                                  purifying alms (zakat), for this is the

                                  upright Religion”

                                                        (Qur’an, 98:5)

“Deen” in Arabic can mean “Religion” or “Creed”, but it can also mean “the commitment of a person to a religion”.

God asks mankind to perform their duty (the terminology used in the Qur’an says “ibadah”, which means “devotion”) (2:21; 51:56).

Every creation of God has its duty or obligation which cannot be denied, except Mankind and Jinn who have the option to obey or disobey, for which they get their due reward in the hereafter, good or bad:

“Have you not seen that to God prostrate (= perform its duty) all whoever is in the heavens and whoever in the earth, and the sun and the moon, and the stars and the mountains, and the trees and the animals, as well as many of mankind? And for many (of human beings) the chastisement has become due. And he whom God abases, there is none to give him honor. Indeed God does whatever He will” (22:18).

For these two kinds of creation, Mankind and Jinn, which have the option to obey or disobey God, there is guidance, a criterion to measure their deeds. And this is the “Deen” (= the Religion), which was revealed to all Messengers of God. Each human being has a commitment with God to do the best possible in performing his/her duty. A part of mankind’s devotion to God is to stimulate and motivate this commitment, by using his/her intellect, reason and insight to be able to discover some “mysteries” and subdue forces of nature, which are given to him/her by God: “Are you not aware that God has made subservient to you all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth, and has lavished upon you His blessings, both outward and inward? “ (31:20).

If we dig deeper into that guidance of God for Mankind, we will find out that most of those ordinances are moral codes to guide people on how to manage their interactions in personal, familial, social, economic and political matters:

“We have verily sent our messengers with clear signs, and We revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance, so that mankind may uphold justice..” (57:25).  

Beside many indications on how God is favoring them with the most important material sources, which enable them to increase their skills to make tools and anything that can enrich their mode of life, God has mentioned specifically the iron: “.. And We sent down Iron, wherein is great might and (many) uses for mankind, and so that God might mark out those who would stand up for Him and His messengers, even though He (Himself) is beyond the reach of human perception. Verily, God is Powerful, Almighty” (57:25).

“Iron is biologically significant, because it is a component of hemoglobin, a red oxygen-carrying pigment of the red blood cells of vertebrates; iron compounds are important in nutrition; one cause of anemia is iron deficiency. Iron is an abundant element in the universe; it is found in many stars, including the sun. Iron is the fourth most abundant element in the earth’s crust, which it constitutes about 5% by weight. Iron forms such compounds as oxides, hydroxides, halides, acetates, carbonates, sulfides, nitrates, sulfates, and a number of complex ions” (www.encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com).

This indicates that for a Muslim, to be devout to God by only performing prescribed ritual activities is not enough, he/she should rather also be active in different domains, which can be profitable for the society and help develop human civilization: “All shall have degrees according to what they have done. Your Lord is not heedless of what they do” (6:132).

All good initiatives and words, provided they are used within the lawful sphere and done by the believers for God’s sake, could bring them glory in this worldly life and in the life to come: “Whoever desires glory (should know that) all glory belongs to God. To Him ascends good words; and as for righteous action, He exalts it; but those who plot evil, their plotting shall come to nothing” (35:10).        

Pattern For A Moderate Nation

                              “And thus have We willed you to be

                               a Moderate Nation (justly balanced),

                               so that (with your lives) you might

                               bear witness (to the truth) before

                               Mankind, and that the Messenger

                               might bear witness to it before you..”

                                                               (Qur’an, 2:143).

Genuine Muslim individuals are collectively the best nation, a Moderate Nation, which should become a pattern for all other nations, at any time, as God wanted them to be. This can only happen, when they achieve a justly balanced standard in their conducts, like what took place at the time of the Last Prophet (peace and God’s blessings be upon him), and a few centuries after him. And God described it in the Qur’an as follows: “You have become the best nation ever brought forth to men, (as long as you are firmly) bidding to honor, and forbidding dishonor, and believing in God. And had the people of the Scripture believed (in this last message) it would have been better for them; some of them are believers, but the most of them are wicked” (3:110).

The best nation are people who:

1.   firmly have faith in God, in the Resurrection Day, in the Angels, in the Prophets, in the messengers of God and in the messages they brought.

2.    spend out of what have been provided to them for the orphans, the needy, to free people from bondage etc.

3.   constantly observe the obligatory prayers.

4.   pay the purifying alms for people in need.

5.   fulfill their covenant when they have engaged in a covenant.

6.   endure with fortitude misfortune, hardship and peril (2:177).

7.   pay special esteem to their parents (even if they are not of the same religion) (31:14-15).

8.   are upright before God, are witnesses in equity, have no hatred towards people, which might cause them not to be just (5:8); are upright in justice, are witnesses for God, even though it be against themselves or parents and kinsmen (4:135).

9.   should treat people of other religions kindly, as long as they are not enemies and cause no peril (60:8).

God warns Muslims not to say one thing and do another “it is greatly loathsome to God that you say what you do not do”. Muslims are ordered to have their deeds correspond to their assertions of faith (61:2-4). The brotherhood of Muslims should eliminate any tribal or ethnical ardent zeal toward one another (49:10-11).

To be given the opportunity to become the Pattern of a Moderate Nation is indeed a great grace from God, and at the same time it is a great task and responsibility.

Shamefully, the Muslim “Ummah” (= Nation) has been absent from the world scene since centuries now. They are no more the pattern, they are no more the example to follow. They are just a marginalized nation, because they do not fulfill their duties. They are heedless of God’s warning: “…and if you turn away (from God’s guidance), He will replace you with another people, and they will not be the likes of you” (47:38).

God wants to show Muslims that they must strive and fulfill all duties correctly and use all their power (intellectually and materially) to deserve God’s help. If they disobey God’s orders and reject His discipline, they must attribute the defect and humiliation to themselves and not to God (3:165).

God has given many examples of various nations in ancient times, of their conducts, of the result of their actions and of what happened to them: “Ways of life have passed away before you; so travel in the land (study the history of nations) and behold how was the end of those who denied (God’s guidance)! (3:137).

The Qur’an urges its readers to the necessity of learning from man’s past experiences: “Verily there is in their stories a lesson for people of understanding” (12:111).