Compiled by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha (حفظه الله)
Yes, Satan played a role in the events that transpired between Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام) and his brothers.
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Qur'an:
قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تَقْصُصْ رُؤْيَاكَ عَلَىٰ إِخْوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُوا لَكَ كَيْدًا ۖ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لِلْإِنسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ ﴿٥
"He (Ya‘qub) said, ‘O my dear son! Do not relate your vision to your brothers, or they will contrive a plan against you. Indeed, Satan is a clear enemy to mankind.’"
(Surah Yusuf: 5)
This means that Prophet Ya‘qub (عليه السلام) warned his son, Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام), not to share his dream with his brothers, as they might devise a harmful plot against him. It is often advised to keep one’s affairs private, as jealousy can arise from any blessing one receives.
In another verse, Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام) himself attributed the discord between him and his brothers to Satan:
وَرَفَعَ أَبَوَيْهِ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ وَخَرُّوا لَهُ سُجَّدًا ۖ وَقَالَ يَا أَبَتِ هَٰذَا تَأْوِيلُ رُؤْيَايَ مِن قَبْلُ قَدْ جَعَلَهَا رَبِّي حَقًّا ۖ وَقَدْ أَحْسَنَ بِي إِذْ أَخْرَجَنِي مِنَ السِّجْنِ وَجَاءَ بِكُم مِّنَ الْبَدْوِ مِن بَعْدِ أَن نَّزَغَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَتِي ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي لَطِيفٌ لِّمَا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿١٠٠﴾
"And he (Yusuf) raised his parents upon the throne, and they all fell down in prostration to him. And he said, ‘O my father! This is the fulfillment of my earlier dream. My Lord has made it a reality. He was indeed kind to me when He released me from prison and brought you all from the desert, after Satan had sown discord between me and my brothers. Indeed, my Lord is Subtle in what He wills. He is the All-Knowing, the Most Wise.’"
(Surah Yusuf: 100)
Was Satan Involved in the Conflict Between Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام) and His Brothers?
Answer:Yes, Satan played a role in the events that transpired between Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام) and his brothers.
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Qur'an:
قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تَقْصُصْ رُؤْيَاكَ عَلَىٰ إِخْوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُوا لَكَ كَيْدًا ۖ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لِلْإِنسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ ﴿٥
"He (Ya‘qub) said, ‘O my dear son! Do not relate your vision to your brothers, or they will contrive a plan against you. Indeed, Satan is a clear enemy to mankind.’"
(Surah Yusuf: 5)
This means that Prophet Ya‘qub (عليه السلام) warned his son, Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام), not to share his dream with his brothers, as they might devise a harmful plot against him. It is often advised to keep one’s affairs private, as jealousy can arise from any blessing one receives.
In another verse, Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام) himself attributed the discord between him and his brothers to Satan:
وَرَفَعَ أَبَوَيْهِ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ وَخَرُّوا لَهُ سُجَّدًا ۖ وَقَالَ يَا أَبَتِ هَٰذَا تَأْوِيلُ رُؤْيَايَ مِن قَبْلُ قَدْ جَعَلَهَا رَبِّي حَقًّا ۖ وَقَدْ أَحْسَنَ بِي إِذْ أَخْرَجَنِي مِنَ السِّجْنِ وَجَاءَ بِكُم مِّنَ الْبَدْوِ مِن بَعْدِ أَن نَّزَغَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَتِي ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي لَطِيفٌ لِّمَا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿١٠٠﴾
"And he (Yusuf) raised his parents upon the throne, and they all fell down in prostration to him. And he said, ‘O my father! This is the fulfillment of my earlier dream. My Lord has made it a reality. He was indeed kind to me when He released me from prison and brought you all from the desert, after Satan had sown discord between me and my brothers. Indeed, my Lord is Subtle in what He wills. He is the All-Knowing, the Most Wise.’"
(Surah Yusuf: 100)
Key Explanations from Scholars:
- Interpretation of "أَبَوَيْهِ" (His Parents):
- Some scholars say it refers to Prophet Yusuf's biological parents, meaning his mother was alive at that time.
- Others believe his mother had passed away, and the term refers to his father, Prophet Ya‘qub (عليه السلام), and his maternal aunt.
- Meaning of "عرش" (Throne):
- It refers to a royal throne or a high seat of honor where Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام) seated his parents.
- Understanding "خَرُّوا لَهُ سُجَّدًا" (They Prostrated to Him):
- His parents and eleven brothers performed a prostration of respect (sajda of ta‘zeem) before him.
- In the previous laws from Prophet Adam (عليه السلام) to Prophet ‘Isa (عليه السلام), this type of prostration of honor was allowed.
- However, in Islamic Shari‘ah, prostration is exclusively for Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) and has been forbidden for any other purpose.
- "قَدْ جَعَلَهَا رَبِّي حَقًّا" (My Lord Made It a Reality):
- Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام) acknowledged how Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) made his dream come true.
- "وَجَاءَ بِكُم مِّنَ الْبَدْوِ" (And Brought You from the Desert):
- This refers to how Prophet Yusuf’s family moved from their residence in Palestine to Egypt.
- "مِن بَعْدِ أَن نَّزَغَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَتِي" (After Satan Sowed Discord Between Me and My Brothers):
- It signifies that the envy, betrayal, and deception by his brothers were due to Satan’s whispers.
- Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) facilitated the events, granting Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام) wisdom, patience, and the ability to forgive.
- "إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ" (Indeed, He is the All-Knowing, the Most Wise):
- Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) knows the best course for His servants and executes His plans with great wisdom.