Sayed Mohamad El-Husseini: We recommend young people to read the story of Joseph “p” for it is an exemplary and enlightening school from which to learn from and rely on.
Talk of the soul: I sat alone asking myself and wondering about some of the hard challenges that plagued prophets and how they survived them as winners. Such as the test of Joseph “p” with a beautiful, rich and elite married woman exposing herself to him and seducing him. (And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, "Come, you."). Joseph “p” could have pleased her request and obeyed the devil and failed the test. Even more than that, after being exposed to enticement, he was subjected to intimidation for not doing such indecency. Despite all that, he endured and tolerated all what was happening. Instead, he obeyed God and asked for his gratitude. He worked for the hereafter and sought God’s assistance. (He said, [I seek] the refuge of Allah. Indeed, he is my master, who has made good my residence). He chose God’s obedience over the sin, the hereafter over this world and heaven over hell (He said, "My Lord, prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me).
Joseph “p” passed the challenge, succeeded his test and won. Truth was on his favor, even after sometime, as he became one of the truthful and close honorees. Yet the question to myself and to you is “what about us?” Has Zulaykha been exposed to us? Have we seen her charm and beauty? Has she seduced us and made us desire her yet we rejected?
How would we do and how would we behave if we were talking to a woman over the internet, phone or social media and happened to us what happened to Joseph “p”? Should we choose the sin and obedience to desire and fancy or reject and choose obedience to God? This is the greater Jihad. The Jihad of the soul and the defeat of fancies word and deed. This is the test in which we are either honored or offended.
Dear beloved, Joseph “p” is a live and present model for us and an idol to follow throughout all what he passed through. Whenever we are placed in a situation like the situation of Joseph and Zulaykha, we should remember Joseph “p” and rely on God Almighty to strengthen us with faith. I conclude with this prayer “Oh God, protect me with what you guard the righteous to protect themselves from their desires and never let me fall in a sin ever”.#mohamad_el_husseini#sayedelhusseini