The Beautiful Patience of Ya'qub عليه السلام

This is a true story from the Quran, about Prophet Ya'qub عليه السلام and a very long wait.

Ya'qub عليه السلام had many sons, among them young Yusuf عليه السلام and Yusuf's younger brother. The other brothers felt that their father loved these two more than them. Jealousy grew in their hearts, and they made a plan. "Send Yusuf out with us tomorrow," they said. "We will look after him."

"It saddens me that you should take him," Ya'qub answered, "and I fear that a wolf may eat him while you are not watching."

They took him all the same, and left him at the bottom of a well. But even there, Allah inspired Yusuf: one day, he would tell them about what they had done.

That night, the brothers came home weeping. "A wolf ate him," they said, and they held out Yusuf's shirt, stained with blood. But the blood was a lie.

"No," said Ya'qub عليه السلام. "You have talked yourselves into something. So I will be patient, with a beautiful patience. It is Allah alone whose help I seek to bear what you are saying." In the Quran's Arabic, his words are sabrun jamil: beautiful patience. Ya'qub would need those words again.

Years passed. Summers and winters came and went, but Ya'qub never stopped remembering his son.

Hard times came, and the brothers travelled to Egypt for food. The man in charge of Egypt's storehouses gave them food, but told them to bring their younger brother next time, or there would be none. They did not know he was Yusuf عليه السلام himself, all grown up.

When they asked to take the younger brother, Ya'qub said, "Shall I trust you with him, as I trusted you with Yusuf before? But Allah is the best guardian, and He is the Most Merciful of the merciful." They swore a solemn promise by Allah, and he said, "Allah is watchful over what we say." Only then did he let him go.

In Egypt, Yusuf quietly told his younger brother who he really was. By a plan from Allah, he was able to keep him there. The eldest brother, remembering their promise, would not leave Egypt until his father allowed it, or Allah decided for him. The rest came home with heavy news.

Now Ya'qub عليه السلام had lost Yusuf, the younger brother, and his eldest son too. Again he said, "I will be patient, with a beautiful patience. Perhaps Allah will bring them all back to me together. He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise."

He turned away from them and said, "Oh, my sorrow over Yusuf!" His eyes turned white from grief and his sight faded, for he held his sorrow inside.

"By Allah," his sons said, "you will never stop remembering Yusuf until you have ruined your health, or even died."

"I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah," Ya'qub replied, "and I know from Allah what you do not know. My sons, go and search for news of Yusuf and his brother. And do not despair of relief from Allah."

Back in Egypt, Yusuf عليه السلام at last told his brothers, "I am Yusuf, and this is my brother." They admitted they had done wrong, and he forgave them. Then he gave them his shirt. "Lay this over my father's face," he said. "He will see again."

The caravan set off from Egypt. Far away at home, Ya'qub said to the family around him, "I can smell Yusuf, even if you think my mind has grown weak."

When the bearer of good news arrived, he laid the shirt over Ya'qub's face, and Ya'qub could see again. "Did I not tell you," he said, "that I know from Allah what you do not know?"

His sons said, "Our father, ask forgiveness for our sins. We truly did wrong." Ya'qub answered, "I will ask my Lord to forgive you. He is the Forgiving, the Merciful."

At last the whole family travelled to Egypt. After all those long years, Allah had brought them all together, just as Ya'qub عليه السلام had hoped, and Yusuf held his parents close.

Ya'qub عليه السلام grieved for years, and his patience did not mean he stopped feeling sad. It meant not grumbling about what Allah had written. It meant holding on to Allah the whole time he waited, taking his grief to Him and never giving up hope.

So if something feels heavy in your heart tonight, like a long wait or someone you miss, do what Ya'qub did. Tell Allah about it in your own words. He hears you, and He knows what you do not know.

Then let your heart rest. Allah is the best guardian, and He is the Most Merciful of the merciful. Close your eyes now. Goodnight.