The life of the children of Israel in Egypt
Selections from the Book The Prophet Minister Joseph al-Siddiq…
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (30)
The story of the Children of Israel began in Egypt after Joseph (peace be upon him) came there, and invited his father and brothers to reside there, after he gained power and became the second man there. Surah Yusuf tells us the wondrous and exciting events that happened to Joseph (peace be upon him), from the time he was a small child who was hated and jealous of by his older brothers, until he became a great man surrounded by the care of Almighty Allah.
Indeed, Allah favored Joseph by saving him from the consecutive plots that befell him. He granted him the knowledge of interpreting dreams, which elevated his status among people, and bestowed upon him authority in the land of Egypt. One of the greatest blessings upon him was that Allah chose him to be a prophet and a messenger, completing His favor upon him just as He completed it upon his honorable forefathers: Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham, peace be upon them.
Joseph, peace be upon him, assumed the position of minister in Egypt and established a plan to provide for the country during a famine that affected Egypt and the land of Canaan. The Quran praised his brilliant plan, which saved the country from inevitable destruction. During those times, his brothers came to seek provisions from him, not recognizing him while he recognized them. Eventually, he revealed his identity to them, as we have previously discussed, and then asked his brothers to bring the entire family of Jacob to Egypt.
Jacob (peace be upon him) and his children, their wives, and grandchildren immigrated to Egypt at the invitation of its king and his deputy, Joseph (peace be upon him), in the sixteenth century BC. Jacob was one hundred and thirty years old, and his son Joseph received him warmly. Then He was received by the King of Egypt - he was a Hyksos - and the king welcomed Joseph’s father and his brothers with the most beautiful welcome, and he said to Joseph: Your father and your brothers have come to you. This is the land of Egypt before you, so stay with your father and your brothers in the best land.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Prophet Minister Joseph al-Siddiq, pp. 624-625.
- Moses Kalimullah, p. 63.
- The Children of Israel in the Scales of the Qur’an, Al-Bahi Al-Khouli, Dar Al-Qalam for Printing and Publishing, first edition, 1990, p. 227.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of The Prophet Minister Joseph al-Siddiq on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
