The Qur’an

“Joseph and his Father”

Sura 12

Yusuf

93. Take this my shirt and cast it on my father’s face, he will (again) be able to see, and come to me with all your families.
94. And when the caravan had departed, their father said: Most surely I perceive the greatness of Yusuf, unless you pronounce me to be weak in judgment.
95. They said: By Allah, you are most surely in your old error.
96. So when the bearer of good news came he cast it on his face, so forthwith he regained his sight. He said: Did I not say to you that I know from Allah what you do not know?
97. They said: O our father! ask forgiveness of our faults for us, surely we were sinners.
98. He said: I will ask for you forgiveness from my Lord; surely He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
99. Then when they came in to Yusuf, he took his parents to lodge with him and said: Enter safe into Egypt, if Allah please.
100. And he raised his parents upon the throne and they fell down in prostration before him, and he said: O my father! this is the significance of my vision of old; my Lord has indeed made it to be true; and He was indeed kind to me when He brought me forth from the prison and brought you from the desert after the Shaitan had sown dissensions between me and my brothers, surely my Lord is benignant to whom He pleases; surely He is the Knowing, the Wise.
101. My Lord! Thou hast given me of the kingdom and taught me of the interpretation of sayings: Originator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art my guardian in this world and the hereafter; make me die a muslim and join me with the good.
102. This is of the announcements relating to the unseen (which) We reveal to you, and you were not with them when they resolved upon their affair, and they were devising plans.
103. And most men will not believe though you desire it eagerly.
104. And you do not ask them for a reward for this; it is nothing but a reminder for all mankind.
105. And how many a sign in the heavens and the earth which they pass by, yet they turn aside from it.
106. And most of them do not believe in Allah without associating others (with Him).
107. Do they then feel secure that there may come to them an extensive chastisement from Allah or (that) the hour may come to them suddenly while they do not perceive?
108. Say: This is my way: I call to Allah, I and those who follow me being certain, and glory be to Allah, and I am not one of the polytheists.
109. And We have not sent before you but men from (among) the people of the towns, to whom We sent revelations. Have they not then travelled in the land and seen what was the end of those before them? And certainly the abode of the hereafter is best for those who guard (against evil); do you not then understand?
110. Until when the apostles despaired and the people became sure that they were indeed told a lie, Our help came to them and whom We pleased was delivered; and Our punishment is not averted from the guilty people.
111. In their histories there is certainly a lesson for men of understanding. It is not a narrative which could be forged, but a verification of what is before it and a distinct explanation of all things and a guide and a mercy to a people who believe.

The Bible

“Joseph and his Father”

Genesis

Chapter 45

25. And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,
26. And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not.
27. And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:
28. And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

Genesis

Chapter 46

1. And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beer-sheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.
2. And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
3. And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
4. I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.

COMMENTARY

In the Qur’an:

1. Joseph sent brothers to bring his shirt to Jacob in order to heal his father Jacob’s eyesight.

2. After receiving news about Joseph, Jacob reminded his sons that he never believed that Joseph was dead. The sons asked for forgiveness from their father and he promised to pray for them.

3. The brothers bowed down before Joseph and he reminded his father about the dream that he dreamed long ago.

4. The Qur’an mentions that Joseph’s story is “… certainly a lesson for men of understanding. It is not a narrative which could be forged, but a verification of what is before it and a distinct explanation of all things and a guide and a mercy to a people who believe.”

In the Bible:

1. Joseph asked his brothers to go back to Jacob and to bring him and all their families to Egypt to live. There is no mention of his shirt to be used to heal his father’s eyesight. We read in Genesis 48 : 9-11

 And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them. Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them. And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.

2.  Even after his sons told Jacob that Joseph was alive and well in Egypt, Jacob (Israel) did not believe them until he heard all the words from Joseph and saw all the wagons laden with gifts that Joseph sent to him.

3.  Joseph doesn’t remind his brothers about his old dream.

4. Question: which is the real story about Joseph, the one in the Bible? Or is the one in the Qur’an “…a tale invented...”? For they are quite different from each other.