LIFE IN TRAGEDY
Rivalry distracts and has the propensity to poison and, at times, destroy relationships.
The intended fratricide of Yusuf by his ten brothers is the most extreme parable of sibling rivalry in the Quran.
Allah often sketches the most extreme cases in the Quran to extend the gamut of the lesson, whether we are operating at the extremities or any range in between.
The heartbreaking story of Yusuf is profoundly tragic. It’s not a single tragedy that shapes him. Tragedy repeatedly folds in on his life until it bears him to a world ready to receive the man he’s become.
Yusuf refused a life of extraordinary difficulty to make a cynic of him. Instead, by observing beautiful patience and remaining connected to God, he transformed misfortune into fortune, not just for himself, but for nations that would eventually owe their lives to his forbearance, wisdom, and guidance.
Fatefully, and with Yusuf’s full conviction, the tragedy ends happily, elevating Yusuf from a slave to the second-highest rank in Egypt, which then was the centre of the world. His life provides the model for familial repair through sincere amends-making, forgiveness and kindness: ‘laa tathreeba alaykumul youm, You will hear no reproaches today. May God forgive you: He is the Most Merciful of the merciful’ [12:92].
And just like Yusuf (as), Jacob (as) extends forgiveness and kindness too, when he (as) reminds his sons who sinned against his beloved Yusuf (as): ‘And never give up hope of Allah’s Soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah’s Soothing Mercy, except those who have no faith’ [12:87].
The magnanimity of Yusuf’s benevolence removes the shame that often inhibits familial repair. But what he did not do was avoid the conflict. He dealt with it, not with haughtiness but with graciousness. Yusuf reminded his brothers of their deeds but swiftly blamed it on ignorance: Do you now realise what you did when you were ignorant?
The high order of Yusufs’ generosity was not dispensing grain for their needs in a time of famine, but his charitable excuse for their actions: that they knew not what they did. Unlike us, who would say: You knew exactly what you did, regardless of whether the consequences were protracted, as in the case of Yusuf, or not.
On the other spectrum, exists a story of unequal munificence, where one brother’s kindness conferred upon the other the highest station in life.
Moses asked God to bless his brother Aaron with the gift of prophethood. The scholars comment that no brother has been more beneficial to his sibling in the history of the world than Moses was to Aaron.
It is every parent’s wish that their children are kind towards and care for each other.
Alexandra, the founder of Big Life Journal, explains that kindness is like a muscle. And that exercising our children’s kindness muscle only happens through example. Lectures won’t do. Only practice, connection, and real-life lessons will.
She encourages parents to create a safe environment for their children by regularly committing to the promise: “Nothing you do or say will make me love you any less.”
THE ALPHA ORDINANCE
What is the eternal habit?
Reading, obviously.
However, the obviousness today is no more.
Many have replaced reading, the first commandment, albeit subconsciously, with a pseudo ordinance. One that may still be of God, but not in the Divine sequence of importance.
The Prophet (s) taught us that tarteeb (sequence) in wudu (ablutions) and salah is an arkan (principle) for their correctness.
Similarly, we must apply reading as the alpha ordinance to reorder our lives.
Only eat when you’re hungry.
That sounds obvious.
Yet so many people aren’t aware that they often feed pseudo-hunger. If true, it challenges the occupation of all our other perceived needs.
Here I’m reminded of the profound words of the English philosopher and historian, Arnold Toynbee, who said, ‘To be able to fill leisure intelligently is the last product of civilisation.
Until next week, InshaAllah
P.S. Remember to write weekly to the President
Zaahied Sallie
Author of The Beloved Prophet – An Illustrated Biography in Rhyme
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