Joseph Sold as a Slave
بيع يوسف كعبد
The heart-wrenching moment when Prophet Joseph (Yusuf) was sold into slavery marks a crucial turning point in his remarkable life story, a narrative of profound patience and divine wisdom beautifully recounted in Surah Yusuf. After being cast into a well by his jealous brothers, Joseph was discovered by [a company of travelers]. Upon sending their water drawer, who joyfully exclaimed, ["Good news! Here is a boy,"] they recognized a potential commodity. These travelers then [concealed him, taking him as merchandise], before proceeding to Egypt. There, in a moment that seems like a deep injustice, [they sold him for a reduced price - a few dirhams], indicating their low regard for the young boy's inherent worth. This act, though seemingly an ultimate betrayal and a plunge into utter vulnerability, was in fact an intricate part of Allah's divine plan. It was through this humiliating experience that Joseph began his extraordinary journey towards leadership, prophethood, and the eventual reunification of his family, teaching believers about enduring patience (*sabr*) and unwavering trust in God's ultimate justice and wisdom, even in the darkest of times.
Quran 2 verses
وَجَآءَتْ سَيَّارَةٌ فَأَرْسَلُوا۟ وَارِدَهُمْ فَأَدْلَىٰ دَلْوَهُۥ قَالَ يَٰبُشْرَىٰ هَٰذَا غُلَٰمٌ وَأَسَرُّوهُ بِضَٰعَةً وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ
Wa jaaa'at saiyaaratun fa-arsaloo waaridahum fa adlaa dalwah; qaala yaa bushraa haaza ghulaam; wa asarroohu bi-daa'ah; wallaahu 'aleemum bimaa ya'maloon
And there came a company of travelers; then they sent their water drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said, "Good news! Here is a boy." And they concealed him, [taking him] as merchandise; and Allah was knowing of what they did.
(اب خدا کی شان دیکھو کہ اس کنویں کے قریب) ایک قافلہ آوارد ہوا اور انہوں نے (پانی کے لیے) اپنا سقا بھیجا۔ اس نے کنویں میں ڈول لٹکایا (تو یوسف اس سے لٹک گئے) وہ بولا زہے قسمت یہ تو (نہایت حسین) لڑکا ہے۔ اور اس کو قیمتی سرمایہ سمجھ کر چھپا لیا اور جو کچھ وہ کرتے تھے خدا کو سب معلوم تھا
Commentary
وَشَرَوْهُ بِثَمَنٍۭ بَخْسٍ دَرَٰهِمَ مَعْدُودَةٍ وَكَانُوا۟ فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلزَّٰهِدِينَ
Wa sharawhu bisamanim bakhsin daraahima ma'doo datinw wa kaanoo feehi minaz zaahideen
And they sold him for a reduced price - a few dirhams - and they were, concerning him, of those content with little.
اور اس کو تھوڑی سی قیمت (یعنی) معدودے چند درہموں پر بیچ ڈالا۔ اور انہیں ان (کے بارے) میں کچھ لالچ نہ تھا
Commentary
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