The importance of piety, patience, and goodness in empowering Joseph, peace be upon him

Selections from the Book The Prophet Minister Joseph al-Siddiq…

Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...

Episode  (23)

One of the important conditions for empowerment that Joseph, peace be upon him, fulfilled and embodied in his life was the fear of Almighty Allah. The fear of Allah creates a barrier between the servant and what he fears from his Lord in terms of His anger, wrath, and punishment. It serves as a shield to protect him from that. It entails obeying Allah's commands in the hope of His reward and refraining from His disobedience out of fear of His punishment. This is what Joseph, peace be upon him, did, and the great fruits of his piety became evident in his life.

- Emerging from every difficulty and hardship.

- Ease and facilitation in matters.

- Facilitation of beneficial knowledge.

- Enlightenment of insight.

- Love of Allah, His angels, and acceptance in the earth.

- Allah's support, assistance, and guidance.

- Blessings from the heavens and the earth.

- Protection from the schemes and cunning of enemies and other such fruits...

He mentioned piety before patience because of its importance: {Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient} for it is the foundation upon which steadfastness in faith is built. Patience without piety is worldly, without consideration for the Hereafter, akin to one who abstains from adultery out of fear of shame and disease, not out of fear of Allah. And he appended patience because fearing Allah in worship, gratitude for His blessings, and steadfastness therein require persistent patience.

Patience is necessary in obeying Allah's commandments and abstaining from His prohibitions, as well as in enduring every affliction decreed by Allah. Piety and patience are the believer's weapons and his assurance in all circumstances and trials, especially in times of adversity and tribulation. The mention of these two qualities is appropriate in the context, as Joseph (peace be upon him) feared Allah and exercised patience in the face of his brothers' scheming and the Aziz's wife's attempt to seduce him.

And He said: {Indeed, he who} applies to every person who fears Allah and endures". The present tense form is used to indicate continuity and ongoing relevance. For one may cease to uphold piety and patience, experiencing fluctuations in their state, and may ultimately end with an unfavorable outcome, may Allah protect us from such an ending.

Episode references:

- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Prophet Minister Joseph al-Siddiq, pp. 540-541.
- Jurisprudence of Victory and Empowerment, (6/37).

- Objective Interpretation, (4/220).

- Joseph, O Truthful, p. 386.

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: