The death of Joseph (peace be upon him)
Selections from the Book The Prophet Minister Joseph al-Siddiq…
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (32)
The children of Israel lived in Egypt surrounded by honor and various privileges, and they lived happily ever after in Egypt. Joseph (peace be upon him) was highly respected in Egypt, and Almighty Allah mentioned for us in his dear book a final supplication for Joseph (peace be upon him), and the Almighty said: {My Lord, You have given me [something] of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous} [Yusuf: 101]. The final scene appears to be that of a devoted servant supplicating to his Lord to preserve his Islam until his last breath, and to join him with the righteous in His presence.[1]
The Holy Qur’an referred to the death of Joseph (peace be upon him) on the lips of a believer in the family of Pharaoh, when he addressed his people and called them to monotheism; This was mentioned in the Almighty’s saying: {And Joseph had already come to you before with clear proofs, but you remained in doubt of that which he brought to you, until when he died, you said, ‘Never will Allah send a messenger after him.’ Thus does Allah leave astray he who is a transgressor and skeptic} [Ghafir: 34].
The Prophet of Allah, Joseph (peace be upon him), lived in Egypt, calling for the monotheism of Almighty Allah and singling Him out for worship in his prison and in his palace. He used his great position as a propagandist, and presented clear signs of his prophecy and proofs of his call. So those whom Allah guided, except a few people, believed in him, {but you remained in doubt of that which he brought to you} [Ghafir: 34]. The Egyptians expressed their opposition to the call of Joseph (peace be upon him) after his death. As soon as he died, they said: God will not send a messenger after him, as if they were relieved because they had gotten rid of him and his call .
Perhaps the Holy Qur’an expressed Joseph’s death, because the people of Egypt did not respond to the call of Joseph (peace be upon him). Only Allah knows.
The Qur’anic and Hadith texts do not talk about the Children of Israel after Joseph (peace be upon him), they do not refer to what happened to them during this period near the era of Moses (peace be upon him), They do not indicate how long the Children of Israel remained in Egypt in honor and dignity, and they do not specify the period in which the Pharaohs’ persecution and torture began. Although the Holy Qur’an has explained the reason for this torture, which is Pharaonic superiority and disapproval.
And we conclude our discussion on the death of Joseph, peace be upon him, with what the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said on the night of Isra and Mi'raj. It is reported by Bukhari and Muslim from Malik ibn Sasaa'ah that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said in the lengthy Hadith of the Mi'raj: "Then we ascended to the third heaven. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel said, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is with you? Gabriel said, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' 'Yes,' said Gabriel. 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!' (The Prophet Muhammad added:). There I met Joseph and greeted him, and he replied, 'You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet’’!
Almighty Allah placed Joseph, peace be upon him, in the third heaven to welcome Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, during his ascension to the highest heavens. As for the location of Joseph's grave on Earth, it remains uncertain and unspecified. However, his body therein does not decay because the Earth does not consume the bodies of the prophets.
The body of Joseph, peace be upon him, remained in Egypt. Some historical books mention that Joseph continued to take care of his brothers and oversee their affairs until his death approached. He enjoined them to follow the same guidance given by their father Jacob. Additionally, he enjoined them to transfer his pure body with them when they returned to Canaan so that he could be buried alongside his forefathers there (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon them).
The narrations vary regarding the estimated age of Joseph, peace be upon him, ranging between 110 to 120 years. His life in Egypt after the death of his father Jacob (peace be upon him) is estimated to be between 60 to 70 years. When he passed away, his brothers and their descendants remained in the land of Egypt, multiplying in number until the time of Moses (peace be upon him). Moses led them out of Egypt to Sinai, and Allah saved them from Pharaoh and his army, who were drowned in the sea. I have detailed the story of Moses and the Children of Israel during his time in my book titled "Moses Kalimullah, the Enemy of the Arrogant, and the Leader of the Oppressed". Regarding the extraction of Joseph's body by Moses, peace be upon him, there is a narration from Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, may Allah be pleased with him, stating: "Two Bedouins came to the Prophet. He took a covenant with us from Allah that we would not leave Egypt’’.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Prophet Minister Joseph al-Siddiq, pp. 629-631.
- Quranic Stories, (2/256).
- The Jewish Personality of the Jew, p. 66.
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:
[1] Moses Kalimullah, p. 69.
