Bismillah,
We don’t choose our family.
But we can choose how we treat them.
It can be difficult, but it is essential to treat our family with kindness.
Today, we delve into the life and teachings of Prophet Yaqub (AS), known for his unwavering patience towards his family and offspring.
Background:
Prophet Yaqub (AS), also known as Jacob, was the son of Prophet Ishaq (AS) and the grandson of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
Yaqub (AS) was the father of 12 sons, each becoming a tribe of the Israelites.
Explaining his other given name, Israel.
His life was marked by trials and tribulations, including familial challenges and personal hardships.
Despite these difficulties, Yaqub (AS) remained steadfast in his faith and commitment to Allah.
Prophethood:
Yaqub (AS) was chosen by Allah (SWT) as a prophet and messenger to his people.
He preached monotheism and righteousness, calling his community to worship Allah (SWT) alone and to uphold moral values.
Yaqub (AS) faced numerous tests throughout his life, including the loss of his beloved son Yusuf (AS), yet he maintained patience and trust in Allah’s wisdom.
Yusuf’s (AS) brothers betrayed him out of envy and later repented, serving as a test of patience for Yaqub (AS) in Allah’s (SWT) decree.
Allah’s (SWT) plan was to elevate the ranks of Yusuf (AS) in Egypt and then return Yusuf (AS) to Yaqub (AS).
Legacy:
Prophet Yaqub’s (AS) legacy is characterised by profound patience and unwavering trust in Allah (SWT).
All the Israelite Prophet’s descend from his progeny such as Musa (AS), Dawud (AS), and Isa (AS).
From which Judae-Christian religions descend from.
His (AS) story serves as a timeless example of resilience in the face of adversity and the importance of maintaining good family relations during challenging times.
Application Today:
The story of Yaqub (AS) demonstrates the necessity of patience with family members, despite their flaws.
Yaqub’s (AS) sons lied and betrayed their own blood out of envy.
But Yaqub (AS) responded with patience, good character and trust in Allah’s (SWT) plan (see verse below).
We must demonstrate patience and forgiveness with our family members!
Our family members aren’t (hopefully) plotting to kill us or abandon us like Yusuf’s (AS) brothers.
If Yaqub (AS) can forgive and show patience in these circumstances, then I’m sure we can get over a miniscule family argument.
May we emulate his virtues in our daily lives and strive to cultivate patience with our family members and trust in Allah’s (SWT) decree.
Ameen!
وَجَآءُو عَلَىٰ قَمِيصِهِۦ بِدَمٍۢ كَذِبٍۢ ۚ قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًۭا ۖ فَصَبْرٌۭ جَمِيلٌۭ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَAnd they brought his shirt, stained with false blood. He responded, “No! Your souls must have tempted you to do something ˹evil˺. So ˹I can only endure with˺ beautiful patience! It is Allah’s help that I seek to bear your claims.”
SURAH YUSUF (V 18)