Yusuf ‘Alaihissalam [The Special One-Part 2]
“Aminah, did you know, Yusuf (AS)’s older brothers threw him in the well, and went back to their house and told their father a lie, that a wolf had killed him.”
Abdullah continued to narrate the story of Yusuf (AS) to Aminah as they both sat in their comfortable room, eating marshmallows served with hot chocolate. Nearby, Ummi sat reading a book, whilst sipping on a cup of freshly brewed green tea at the house balcony.
The Dark Well
“So then, Yusuf (AS) ran and screamed as he was thrown in the dry well and none of his brothers came to rescue him. He was alone in the darkness of the well.”
“Wow.” replied, Aminah. “I’m trying to imagine how it must have felt to be in the bottom of a dark hole.”
“How do you think he was feeling, Aminah?” Abdullah asked and then popped a marshmallow into his mouth.
“Hmm..’ Aminah put on her thinking face. “He must have felt really cold, hungry, scared, alone, afraid.. actually terrified.”
“Yes, Aminah. But you know what is amazing, he put his trust in Allah, and sought the help from Almighty Allah.” Abdullah added.
“It was at this time Yusuf (AS) knew he has one God who will never fail him. His brothers were not his true helpers. The true helper was Allah, the Lord of the Kingdom.”
“Abdullah, Aminah!” Ummi called out from the balcony.
“Yes, ummi.” they both replied.
“Abi will be home soon. I need you to help me cook, please.”
“Sure!” Aminah, replied.
“Oh man.” Abdullah sighed. “But we were in the middle of a story.”
“That’s okay.” Ummi walked over. “You can always continue the story in the kitchen.”
Abdullah still didn’t look impressed.
“What are we cooking, Ummi?” Aminah asked excitedly.
“You and Abdullah will be making nutella stuffed french toasts whilst I will cook the main dish, chicken fajitas.”
“DELICIOUUUUSSSS. I can’t wait to eat it!” Aminah was jumping up and down out of joy. She loved chocolate.
A few minutes later, everyone was in the kitchen. Aminah was cracking and whisking eggs whilst Abdullah melted the butter.
“Abdullah…” Ummi took off her oven glove. “Do you think Yusuf (AS) brothers were intelligent as they had the most brilliant ideas to make Yusuf disappear from his father’s sight?” Ummi asked thoughtfully.
“Umm,I don’t think so. Ya’qub (AS) was a prophet of Allah, their ideas would not be a clever escape, the truth would always prevail. Allah would certainly guide Yusuf (AS) and his father from their difficulties. Also, throwing someone in a well is not an intelligent thing to do.” Abdullah answered to Ummi’s captivating question.
Aminah smiled.
“You’re right, Abdullah.”
“Aminah,.”
“Yes, ummi.”
“Could you recite the first 5 verses of Surah Yusuf, please? You were supposed to memorise them this week.”
“Ummm..” Aminah bit her lower lip. “I…I didn’t memorise, Ummi.”
“Oh, but you told me you did.”
Abdullah looked at his sister in dismay.
“Umm, I.. umm… lied, Ummi.” tears began to fall from Aminah’s eyes. She was so upset with herself that she unknowingly dropped a whole egg on the floor.
Abdullah gasped.
Ummi hurriedly grabbed the cloth from the sink and began wiping the trickles of egg yolk that were falling from the counter.
Aminah ran off in anger.
After Ummi and Abdullah had cleaned the mess from the floor, they went to check on Aminah who had plunged herself onto the couch and was still weeping quietly.
“Oh, Aminah.” Ummi began. “Please don’t beat yourself up. When you make a mistake or commit a sin, you immediately ask for forgiveness and then learn from it so you don’t fall into it again, right?”
“Yes, Ummi.” Aminah said through sniffles.
Abdullah’s face lightened up. “The brothers of Yusuf (AS) told a lie to Yaqub (AS) and it wasn’t an intelligent thing to do…”
“- But” Ummi raised her eyebrows at Abdullah.
“Adam (AS) and his wife also made a mistake when they ate from the forbidden tree, yet when they turned back to Allah, he forgave them.”
“Oh, oh.. and later on in the story of Yusuf (AS), the brothers were forgiven by Allah for their mistakes and sins that they had committed earlier on in life.”
“Exactly.” Ummi said.
Aminah sat up. “O Allah, forgive me for lying like you forgave the brothers of Yusuf (AS) and Adam (AS).”
“Ameen!” Ummi and Abdullah said in unison.
“Now… Abi wil be home in five minutes, whilst we wait, who wants to read some Surah Yusuf?”
“Me!” Aminah said gleefully.
“Me too.” Abdullah followed.
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