In difficult and trying times like our own, in which we are searching for moral support and strength, what better place is there to turn to than the Qur’an? Scholars have said that the Quran has three basic topics: Allah and His attributes; commands and prohibitions; and stories. While much attention is given to the first two topics, the importance of stories in the Quran is oftentimes not given enough emphasis.
The stories of the Quran contain the secret of its effect in utterly transforming people. Instead of simple “do’s” and “don’ts,” stories have a compelling style that attracts the listener to listen and get absorbed. Their lessons are subtle and many-layered such that a person can listen to them again and again, drawing new lessons each time. Your experience with a Quranic story only grows richer as your iman grows stronger.
What’s extremely relevant is that Quranic stories contain within them the secret behind Muslims holding onto their faith in times of extreme difficulty. They contain the secret to how in their darkest hours, heroes come forth to uphold the truth. The stories demonstrate how truth and virtue always win in the end, strengthening our conviction that if a person is true to Allah, He will take care of them. Quranic stories help us to see that Allah has a plan, and that no matter how difficult our circumstances becomes, our job is to stay patient. Eventually, we will see the wisdom in Allah’s plan.
Patience, Prophecy, and a Promise: Tafsir of Sura Yusuf focuses on one key story of the Quran—the life story of the Prophet Yusuf, upon him be peace. The twelfth chapter of the Quran, Sura Yusuf is unique in being the longest story told within a single Sura. It is also of the most detailed of Quranic stories. The life of the Prophet Yusuf contains within it deep lessons that each of us can relate to and find strength in, and this course will give you a first-hand appreciation of this story’s tremendous beauty.
Studying Sura Yusuf will help you to appreciate the soothing effect of the Qur’an on the early Muslim community as they faced unimaginable difficulties in upholding their religion, and in turn you will be able to experience how you too can draw from it the same soothing effect. You will also receive life-changing lessons in patience, forgiveness, reliance on Allah, modesty, and other core Islamic values.
Lessons will consist of a verse-by-verse explanation of the Sura, focusing on drawing out subtle life lessons. Particular emphasis will be placed on the linguistic style, allowing you to feel the power, beauty, and subtlety of Qur’anic expression so that you can gain a closer relationship with the Book of Allah. Studying a Qur’anic story in detail is an excellent way to learn how to interact with the other great stories in the Qur’an.
By the end of this course, you will able to mention the key lessons to be learned from the various verses. You will know the meaning of key words and be able to point out occasions of linguistic subtlety in the Sura. This course is perfect for every Muslim.