Allah's Promise is True

 an illustration in Surah Yusuf 

Joseph (12:4)

إِذْ قَالَ يُوسُفُ لِأَبِيهِ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّى رَأَيْتُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوْكَبًۭا وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ رَأَيْتُهُمْ لِى سَـٰجِدِينَ ٤

When Joseph said unto his father: O my father! Lo! I saw in a dream eleven planets and the sun and the moon, I saw them prostrating themselves unto me.

— M. Pickthall

جب یوسف نے اپنے باپ سے کہا کہ ابا جان، میں نے خواب میں گیارہ ستارے اور سورج اور چاند دیکھے ہیں  میں نے ان کو دیکھا کہ وہ مجھ کو سجدہ کر رہے ہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/yusuf/4]

...

Joseph (12:100)

وَرَفَعَ أَبَوَيْهِ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ وَخَرُّوا۟ لَهُۥ سُجَّدًۭا ۖ وَقَالَ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ هَـٰذَا تَأْوِيلُ رُءْيَـٰىَ مِن قَبْلُ قَدْ جَعَلَهَا رَبِّى حَقًّۭا ۖ وَقَدْ أَحْسَنَ بِىٓ إِذْ أَخْرَجَنِى مِنَ ٱلسِّجْنِ وَجَآءَ بِكُم مِّنَ ٱلْبَدْوِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَن نَّزَغَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَتِىٓ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى لَطِيفٌۭ لِّمَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ١٠٠

And he placed his parents on the dais and they fell down before him prostrate, and he said: O my father! This is the interpretation of my dream of old. My Lord hath made it true, and He hath shown me kindness, since He took me out of the prison and hath brought you from the desert after Satan had made strife between me and my brethren. Lo! my Lord is tender unto whom He will. He is the Knower, the Wise.

— M. Pickthall

اور اس نے اپنے والدین کو تخت پر بٹھایا اور سب اس کے ليے سجدے میں جھک گئے اور یوسف نے کہا اے باپ، یہ ہے میرے خواب کی تعبیر جو میں نے پہلے دیکھا تھا میرے رب نے اس کو سچا کردیا اور اس نے میرے ساتھ احسان کیا کہ اس نے مجھے قید سے نکالا اور تم سب کو دیہات سے یہاں لایا بعد اس کے کہ شیطان نے میرے اور میرے بھائیوں کے درمیان فساد ڈال دیا تھا بے شک میرا رب جو کچھ چاہتا ہے اس کی عمدہ تدبیر کرلیتا ہے، وہ جاننے والا، حکمت والا ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/yusuf/100]

The child Joseph (Yusuf عليه السلام) saw a dream, and related it to his father, Jacob (Yaqub عليه السلام), a prophet of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى . 

He understood that it was a true dream. 

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى 's Promises are Always True. 

After many strange events, and many setbacks, twists and turns in the story which would make one wonder if this prophesy was ever going to come true, the sequence of events led up to the realisation of the very thing that was shown to Joseph (Yusuf عليه السلام).

The next ayat in Surah Yusuf records the invocation (dua) of Joseph (Yusuf عليه السلام):

So, in Surah Fatir, we read:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّۭ ۖ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْغَرُورُ ٥

O mankind! Lo! the promise of Allah is true. So let not the life of the world beguile you, and let not the (avowed) beguiler beguile you with regard to Allah.

— M. Pickthall

اے لوگو ! اللہ کا وعدہ سچا ہے تو دیکھو دنیا کی زندگی تمہیں دھوکے میں نہ ڈال دے اور نہ ہی تمہیں دھوکے میں ڈالے اللہ کے بارے میں وہ بڑا دھوکے باز۔

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

[https://quran.com/fatir/5]

Related Readings 

Surah Yusuf (links page) 

The Covenant & Its Ratification 

Deen-e-Qayyimah (Q12:40) 

...

The Constitution & its Amendments

 ...

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan gained independence from the British in 1947. 

The Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan is manmade. As long as humans keep trying to legislate, instead of adopting the Deen of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , and the Shariah Laws, all efforts to legislate and improve the constitution are bound to fall short. Simply because human-devised laws cannot be as encompassing as Divinely-decreed Laws.  

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ has revealed His Deen and Shariah to judge by: 

Excerpt from: Allah's Laws (ٱلدِّينَ) vs The British Legal System: a question for PTI

The Legal System & The Legislators in Pakistan

Pakistan was sought for with the slogan: 

پاکستان کا مطلب کیا لاالہ الا اللہ‎ 

What is the meaning of Pakistan? 

There is no god but Allah.   

Pakistan's Constitution states that: 

https://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part9.html 

Part IX: Islamic Provisions

227 Provisions relating to the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah.

(1) All existing laws shall be brought in conformity with the Injunctions of Islam as laid down in the Holy Quran and Sunnah, in this Part referred to as the Injunctions of Islam, and no law shall be enacted which is repugnant to such Injunctions. 

...   

While the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees that all laws must be brought in conformity with those revealed by Allah, yet throughout the country's existence as an independent state, Pakistan's Senate and Parliament have repeatedly failed, and floundered, in upholding the DEEN. The political parties, elected by the masses, have generally shown little to no sincerity to the DEEN. The politicians in particular, and the masses in general, have not been true to the slogan. 

The job of the elected legislators, Member of National Assembly (MNA) and Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA), is to legislate laws. Whether in opposition or in office, they are required to demonstrate sincerity to the Constitution. In the context of Pakistan, this means demonstrating sincerity to the Laws decreed by Allah, by legislating it into effect, as the Law of the Land. 

All political parties, whether religious or secular, have demonstrated no earnest effort to legislate according to Allah's Deen. The judicial system continues to be governed by the pre-independence legal system installed by the British. The legal system is derived from the English common law, which is based on the subject matter heard in previous cases, and thus, the law is created by the judges. 

...

Last updated on: July 16, 2026

Hurling Truth against Falsehood

 to destroy its head 

The Prophets (21:18)

بَلْ نَقْذِفُ بِٱلْحَقِّ عَلَى ٱلْبَـٰطِلِ فَيَدْمَغُهُۥ فَإِذَا هُوَ زَاهِقٌۭ ۚ وَلَكُمُ ٱلْوَيْلُ مِمَّا تَصِفُونَ ١٨

Nay, but We hurl the true against the false, and it doth break its head and lo! it vanisheth. And yours will be woe for that which ye ascribe (unto Him).

— M. Pickthall

بلکہ ہم حق کو باطل پر ماریں گے تو وہ اس کا سر توڑ دے گا تو وہ دفعةًجاتا رہے گا اور تمھارے ليے ان باتوں سے بڑی خرابی ہے جو تم بیان کرتے ہو

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/al-anbya/18]

Some salient examples from The Quran and Hadith:

...

Adam & Iblis 

When Adam was appointed Khalifa, all angels were commanded to prostrate to him. Iblis (Satan) refused to prostrate to Adam. His arrogance and disobedience was exposed. The evidence was generated against him, and he is on a temporary permit to make as many of Adam's progeny follow him and go astray, as possible.  

The World needs a Khalifa

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Abraham & The King  

The King claimed power over life and death. Abraham challenged him to make the sun rise from the West. The King lost the argument. 

The polytheist nation tried to burn Abraham. The fire cooled down and did burn burn Abraham. 

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ commanded Abraham to purify His House and announce The Hajj. 

The Announcement of Hajj by Abraham

...

Moses & Pharaoh 

The Pharaoh tried to kill all babies, yet adopted Moses and brought him up in his own palace. 

The Pharaoh refused to believe Moses and let the Bani Israel go for three days to offer sacrifice in the desert. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ parted the sea, rescued the Bani Israel from the slavery of The Pharaoh, and The Pharaoh was drowned in sea. He was saved in his dead body as a sign for latter times.  

No ilah but Allah لا إله إلا الله

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Muhammad ﷺ & Polytheist Mecca 

The polytheists of Mecca tried to kill Muhammad ﷺ. They did not succeed. 

The polytheists of Mecca waged wars against the State of Medina which was headed by Muhammad ﷺ. They lost many battles. In the first battle (The Battle of Badr), the leadership of Mecca was eliminated. 

Eventually, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ granted victory to Muhammad ﷺ and his followers, who were able to secure Mecca and purify Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 's House of the idols the polytheists had placed there. 

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 's worship was established all over the Arabian Peninsula, and beyond.  

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 's Deen was established all over the Arabian Peninsula, and beyond.  

The Excellent Uswah in Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

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Muhammad & The Jews of Medina 

The Jews of Medina refused to accept and pledge allegiance to the Messenger of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎, His Last Prophet. 

The Jews of Medina worked against him. 

Eventually, they were rooted out, and exiled.  

The Quran on the Bani Israel

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The True Messiah & The False Messiah 

Jesus is the True Messiah. 

The Jews did not accept him. 

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ raised Jesus to near Himself. 

During end times, when the False Messiah will be ruling and deluding people, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ will send the True Messiah Jesus to destroy the False Messiah. 

Then, the world will know peace. 

Jesus (عليه السلام) – Ascension & Return

... 

The Containment of Gog and Magog 

Gog and Magog have historically corrupted the Earth. 

Dhu al Qarnayn contained them behind an iron and copper wall. 

The wall will remain in place till near end times, as a Mercy from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ . 

The Mighty Corrupters of The Earth

... 

The Destruction of Gog and Magog 

The Gog and Magog will remain contained behind the barrier built by Dhul al Qarnayn till almost end times. 

Then, they will be allowed to break it and swarm the Earth. 

They will spread much corruption. 

People will be powerless against them. 

Then, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ will send a worm to destroy them. 

The Release of The Criminals

... 

The End of This World 

Every person and every place has an expiry date. 

Before the world is about to end, all believers will be granted death. 

They will not have to suffer the terrible events leading to the end of the world. 

Eventually, the mighty earthquake will destroy all civilisation.  

Then the Hereafter will begin. 

World History & Future Implications

Climate Change

.... 

NOW

 the present life 

Family of Imran (3:184-185)

فَإِن كَذَّبُوكَ فَقَدْ كُذِّبَ رُسُلٌۭ مِّن قَبْلِكَ جَآءُو بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَٱلزُّبُرِ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُنِيرِ ١٨٤

Then if they deny you, [O Muḥammad] - so were messengers denied before you, who brought clear proofs and written ordinances and the enlightening Scripture.[1]

— Saheeh International

[1]- The unaltered, original Torah and Gospel, which were revealed by Allāh.

And if they deny thee, even so did they deny messengers who were before thee, who came with miracles and with the Psalms and with the Scripture giving light.

— M. Pickthall

Then if they reject thee, so were rejected messengers before thee, who came with Clear Signs, Books of dark prophecies, and the Book of Enlightenment.

— A. Yusuf Ali

پھر (اے نبی ﷺ اگر وہ آپ ﷺ کو جھٹلا دیں تو آپ ﷺ سے پہلے بھی بہت سے رسولوں کو جھٹلایا جا چکا ہے جو آئے تھے واضح نشانیاں اور صحیفے اور روشن کتاب لے کر

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

پس اگر یہ تم کو جھٹلاتے ہیں تو تم سے پہلے بھی بہت سے رسول جھٹلائے جاچکے ہیں جوکھلی نشانیاں اور صحیفے اور روشن کتاب لے کر آئے تھے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ ٱلنَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ ١٨٥

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

— Saheeh International

Every soul will taste of death. And ye will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which ye have fairly earned. Whoso is removed from the Fire and is made to enter paradise, he indeed is triumphant. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion.

— M. Pickthall

Every soul shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception.

— A. Yusuf Ali

ہر ذی نفس کو موت کا مزہ چکھنا ہے اور تم کو تمہارے اعمال کا پورا پورا بدلہ تو قیامت ہی کے دن دیا جائے گا تو جو کوئی بچالیا گیا جہنم سے اور داخل کردیا گیا جنت میں تو وہ کامیاب ہوگیا اور یہ دنیا کی زندگی تو اس کے سوا کچھ نہیں کہ صرف دھوکے کا سامان ہے۔

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

ہر شخص کوموت کا مزہ چکھنا ہے اور تم کو پورا اجر تو بس قیامت کے دن ملے گا پس جو شخص آگ سے بچ جائے اور جنت میں داخل کیا جائے، وہی کامیاب رہا اور دنیا کی زندگی تو بس دھوکے کا سودا ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/ali-imran/184-185]

We live in the present moment, in the NOW.

The present life is a temporary phase. 

It is an illusion. 

The life of this world is but a delusion. 

What we have in this life is not truly ours. 

It is but a series of questions that we are attempting to solve during the exam of life. 

Eventually, we must die, and then we will surely be raised up again, a promise without fail. 

Then, the result of how we did in the exam will be declared. 

Those who are declared successful will be happy. 

Those who did not make it, will be sad. 

What will be our Orientation: Right or Left?

Our Record in Our Neck is being preserved in the NOW. 

The evidence will be presented, and every soul will agree with its result. 

May we be of those who live the NOW such that we are happy in the Hereafter. 

 

...

The Conditional Pardon  

No Changing His Kalimaat 

Establishing Rights & Reality 

...

...

Hereafter & Thereafter

 after NOW 

Hud (11:105-108)

يَوْمَ يَأْتِ لَا تَكَلَّمُ نَفْسٌ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۚ فَمِنْهُمْ شَقِىٌّۭ وَسَعِيدٌۭ ١٠٥

فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ شَقُوا۟ فَفِى ٱلنَّارِ لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌۭ وَشَهِيقٌ ١٠٦

خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ رَبُّكَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ فَعَّالٌۭ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ ١٠٧

۞ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ سُعِدُوا۟ فَفِى ٱلْجَنَّةِ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ رَبُّكَ ۖ عَطَآءً غَيْرَ مَجْذُوذٍۢ ١٠٨

The Day it comes no soul will speak except by His permission. And among them will be the wretched and the prosperous. As for those who were [destined to be] wretched, they will be in the Fire. For them therein is [violent] exhaling and inhaling. [They will be] abiding therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except what your Lord should will. Indeed, your Lord is an effecter of what He intends. And as for those who were [destined to be] prosperous, they will be in Paradise, abiding therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except what your Lord should will - a bestowal uninterrupted.

— Saheeh International

On the day when it cometh no soul will speak except by His permission; some among them will be wretched, (others) glad. As for those who will be wretched (on that day) they will be in the Fire; sighing and wailing will be their portion therein, Abiding there so long as the heavens and the earth endure save for that which thy Lord willeth. Lo! thy Lord is Doer of what He will. And as for those who will be glad (that day) they will be in the Garden, abiding there so long as the heavens and the earth endure save for that which thy Lord willeth: a gift unfailing.

— M. Pickthall

The day it arrives, no soul shall speak except by His leave: of those (gathered) some will be wretched and some will be blessed. Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire: There will be for them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighs and sobs: They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth: for thy Lord is the (sure) accomplisher of what He planneth. And those who are blessed shall be in the Garden: They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth: a gift without break.

— A. Yusuf Ali

جب وہ دن آجائے گا تو کوئی متنفس بات نہیں کرسکے گا مگر اللہ کے اذن سے تو ان (انسانوں) میں سے کچھ شقی ہوں گے اور کچھ سعید

تو وہ لوگ جو بدبخت ہیں وہ آگ میں ہوں گے جس میں انہیں چیخنا ہے اور دھاڑنا ہے

اسی میں وہ ہمیشہ رہیں گے جب تک کہ رہیں آسمان اور زمین سوائے اس کے جو تیرا رب چاہے بیشک آپ کا رب جو ارادہ کرے اسے کر گزرنے والا ہے

اور جو لوگ نیک بخت ہوں گے وہ جنت میں رہیں گے ہمیشہ ہمیش جب تک رہیں آسمان اور زمین سوائے اس کے جو آپ کا رب چاہے یہ ایسی بخشش ہے جو کبھی ختم نہیں ہوگی

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

جب وہ دن آئے گا تو کوئی جان اس کی اجازت کے بغیر کلام نہ کرسکے گی پس ان میں کچھ بدبخت ہوں گے، اور کچھ نیک بخت

پس جو لوگ بدبخت ہیں وہ آگ میں ہوں گے ان کو وہاں چیخنا ہے اور دھاڑنا

وہ اس میں رہیں گے جب تک آسمان اور زمین قائم ہیں ، مگر جو تیرا رب چاہے بے شک تیرا رب کر ڈالتا ہے جو چاہتا ہے

اور جو لوگ نیک بخت ہیں  وہ جنت میں ہوں گے، وہ اس میں رہیں گے جب تک آسمان اور زمین قائم ہیں ، مگر جو تیرا رب چاہے بخشش ہے بے انتہا

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/hud/105-108]

The is a HEREAFTER.

Heaven and Hell are repeatedly mentioned as the permanent destinations in the Hereafter. 

Heaven and Hell are described in some detail. 

THEREAFTER, The Quran indicates that Heaven and Hell might come to an end. 

So, when all this comes to an end, what next? 

Do we go to what existed prior to Heavens and Earth: HEREBEFORE & THEREBEFORE? 

...

Time: Before and Beyond 

Herebefore & Therebefore

 before NOW 

Explained in Detail (41:19)

وَيَوْمَ يُحْشَرُ أَعْدَآءُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ ١٩

˹Consider˺ the Day ˹when˺ the enemies of Allah will be gathered for the Fire, all driven in ranks.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

And [mention, O Muḥammad], the Day when the enemies of Allāh will be gathered to the Fire while they are [driven], assembled in rows,

— Saheeh International

And (make mention of) the day when the enemies of Allah are gathered unto the Fire, they are driven on

— M. Pickthall

On the Day that the enemies of Allah will be gathered together to the Fire, they will be marched in ranks.

— A. Yusuf Ali

اور جس دن اللہ کے یہ دشمن جمع کیے جائیں گے آگ کی طرف تو ان کی درجہ بندی کی جائے گی۔

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

اور جس دن اللہ کے دشمن آ گ کی طرف جمع کيے جائیں گے، پھروہ جدا جدا کيے جائیں گے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/fussilat/19]

There was a HEREBEFORE. 

There is a purpose and a history behind the creation of the Earth and Skies, that also in just six days. 

It is to generate evidence of how a person leads their life when granted freewill and when they cannot see Allah. Will they keep piety, or will they become indifferent, or will they actively seek to work against Allah and His Laws. 

The Arabic translation of The Bible informs us that, in the beginning, the face of the Earth was surrounded in darkness. It was suffering the consequences of extreme lawlessness. 

The Quran (51:56) informs us that humans and jinns have been created to worship Allah. So, the original purpose of creation was worship. That implies wilfully keeping the Law in personal and public life, and living out the purpose of khilafat (rule in Allah's name over His creatures). 

We are living out The Second Chance. 

The Quran (11:117-120) informs that Allah does not destroy towns if there are people there who are willing to reform. Allah has created humans and jinns to have Mercy upon them. Yet, He has also stated that He will fill Hell with humans and jinns altogether. Therefore, for the sake of transparency and judgment, evidence must be generated, and no soul can claim being wronged in the least. Therefore,  Everything on Record.

Divine Justice is perfect, and Divine Mercy is something we all need to seek.  

...

There is also a THEREBEFORE. 

The Quran (21:16-20) informs that the earth and skies have been not created for amusement. If that was the purpose, there would have been no need to create earth and skies. The amusement could have been created where THEY are. The purpose of the creation of the skies and earth is to hurl the truth against falsehood, to destroys the head of falsehood, so that falsehood vanishes.  

The Problem of Evil has existed for a very long time. 

...

Time: Before and Beyond 

AL-Ra

 ... 

 قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ

اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ

لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ

وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

Say, "He (is) Allah, the One.

Allah, the Eternal, the Absolute.

Not He begets and not He is begotten.

And not is for Him equivalent any [one]."

[Al-Quran 112]

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is One and the Only Deity, worthy of worship. 

The Quran complains that the polytheists refuse to worship without doing shirk, that is, they ascribe partners to Allah, instead of worshipping Him alone. So it was, in every ancient civilisation, that was eventually removed due to their crimes. 

Surah Yusuf traces the outline of Joseph (Yusuf عليه السلام)'s life in polytheist Egypt. It begins with how he ends up there in the first place, and then the various events that unfolded there. The surah begins with the letters: الٓر

Joseph (12:1-3) 

12:1

الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ ١

Alif Lām Rā. These are verses of the enlightening Book.

— T. Usmani 

الر، یہ واضح کتاب کی آیتیں ہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

12:2

إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ قُرْءَٰنًا عَرَبِيًّۭا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ٢

We have sent it down, as an Arabic Qur’an, so that you may understand.

— T. Usmani

ہم نے اس کو عربی قرآن بناکر اتارا ہے تاکہ تم سمجھو

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

12:3

نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْقَصَصِ بِمَآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمِنَ ٱلْغَـٰفِلِينَ ٣

By revealing this Qur’an to you, we hereby narrate to you the best narrative, while before this you were among those unaware (of it).

— T. Usmani

ہم تم کو بہترین سرگزشت سناتے ہیں اس قرآن کی بدولت جو ہم نے تمھاری طرف وحی کیا اس سے پہلے بے شک تو بے خبروں میں تھا

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/yusuf/1-3]

While in Egypt, Joseph (Yusuf عليه السلام) finds himself in a situation where the only way to avoid a sinful life is to get imprisoned. He chooses imprisonment. In prison, he preaches monotheism:  

Joseph (12:38-40) 

12:38

وَٱتَّبَعْتُ مِلَّةَ ءَابَآءِىٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ ۚ مَا كَانَ لَنَآ أَن نُّشْرِكَ بِٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍۢ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِن فَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ ٣٨

and I have followed the way of my fathers, Ibrāhīm, IsHāq and Ya‘qūb. It is not for us that we associate any partners with Allah. All this is a part of the favor Allah has bestowed upon us and upon the people, but most of the people are not grateful.

— T. Usmani

اور میں نے اپنے بزرگوں ابراہیم اور اسحاق اور یعقوب کے مذہب کی پیروی کی ہم کو یہ حق نہیں کہ ہم کسی چیز کو اللہ کا شریک ٹھہرائیں  یہ اللہ کا فضل ہے ہمارے اوپر اور سب لوگوں کے اوپر مگر اکثر لوگ شکر نہیں کرتے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

12:39

يَـٰصَـٰحِبَىِ ٱلسِّجْنِ ءَأَرْبَابٌۭ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيْرٌ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْوَٰحِدُ ٱلْقَهَّارُ ٣٩

O my fellow prisoners, are different gods better or Allah, the One, the All-Dominant?

— T. Usmani

اے میرے جیل کے ساتھیو، کیا جدا جدا کئی معبود بہتر ہیں یا اللہ اکیلا زبردست

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

12:40

مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَسْمَآءًۭ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَـٰنٍ ۚ إِنِ ٱلْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۚ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ٤٠

Whatever you worship, other than Him, are nothing but names you have coined, you and your fathers. Allah has sent down no authority for them. Sovereignty belongs to none but Allah. He has ordained that you shall not worship anyone but Him. This is the only right path. But most of the people do not know.”

— T. Usmani

تم اس کے سوا نہیں پوجتے ہو مگر کچھ ناموں کو جو تم نے اور تمھارے باپ دادا نے رکھ ليے ہیں  اللہ نے اس کی کوئی سند نہیں اتاری اقتدار صرف اللہ کے ليے ہے اس نے حکم دیا ہے کہ اس کے سوا کسی کی عبادت نہ کرو یہی سیدھا دین ہے مگر بہت لوگ نہیں جانتے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/yusuf/38-40]

Their (Ancient Egyptian) pantheon of gods and goddesses were but names that they had named. There is only One God. 

Sovereignty belongs to none but Allah. He is the only God. He has commanded that you shall not worship anyone except Him.  

Joseph (12:108-111) 

12:108

قُلْ هَـٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِىٓ أَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا۠ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِى ۖ وَسُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ١٠٨

Say, “This is my way. I call (people) to Allah with full perception, both I and my followers. Pure is Allah; and I am not among those who associate partners with Allah.”

— T. Usmani

کہو، یہ میرا راستہ ہے، میں اللہ کی طرف بلاتا ہوں بصیرت کے ساتھ، میں بھی اور وہ لوگ بھی جنھوں نے میری پیروی کی ہے اور اللہ پاک ہے اور میں مشرکوں میں سے نہیں ہوں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

12:109

وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًۭا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ ۗ أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۗ وَلَدَارُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ خَيْرٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ ۗ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ ١٠٩

We did not send before you (messengers) other than men from the people of the towns whom We inspired with revelation. Have they not traveled in the land where they could have seen how was the fate of those before them? And surely the abode of the Hereafter is much better for those who fear Allah. Would you, then, still not understand?

— T. Usmani

اور ہم نے تم سے پہلے مختلف بستی والوں میں سے جتنے رسول بھیجے سب آدمی ہی تھے ہم ان کی طرف وحی کرتے تھے کیا یہ لوگ زمین میں چلے پھرے نہیں کہ دیکھتے کہ ان لوگوں کا انجام کیا ہوا جو ان سے پہلے تھے اور آخرت کا گھر ان لوگوں کے ليے بہتر ہے جو ڈرتے ہیں ، کیا تم سمجھتے نہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

12:110

حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا ٱسْتَيْـَٔسَ ٱلرُّسُلُ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ كُذِبُوا۟ جَآءَهُمْ نَصْرُنَا فَنُجِّىَ مَن نَّشَآءُ ۖ وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُنَا عَنِ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ ١١٠

(Punishment was often delayed) until when the messengers were in despair and thought that they were wrong in their estimation, Our help came to them, then saved were those whom We willed. And Our punishment is not averted from the guilty.

— T. Usmani

یہاں تک کہ جب پیغمبر مایوس ہوگئے اور وہ خیال کرنے لگے کہ ان سے جھوٹ کہا گیا تھا تو ان کو ہماری مدد آپہنچی پس نجات ملی جس کو ہم نے چاہا اور مجرم لوگوں سے ہمارا عذاب ٹالا نہیں جاسکتا

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

12:111

لَقَدْ كَانَ فِى قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌۭ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ۗ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًۭا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَـٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ وَهُدًۭى وَرَحْمَةًۭ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يُؤْمِنُونَ ١١١

Surely, in the narratives of these, there is a lesson for the people of understanding. It is not an invented story, rather, a confirmation of what has been before it, and an elaboration of everything, and guidance and mercy for a people who believe.

— T. Usmani

ان کے قصوں میں سمجھ دار لوگوں کے ليے بڑی عبرت ہے یہ کوئی گھڑی ہوئی بات نہیں ، بلکہ تصدیق ہے اس چیز کی جو اس سے پہلے موجود ہے اور تفصیل ہے ہر چیز کی اور ہدایت اور رحمت ہے ایمان والوں کے ليے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/yusuf/108-111]

So, we see in every mythology a pantheon of gods, and an All-Powerful Creator God at the head of the pantheon. 

One of the deities in Egyptian mythology is Ra. He is still very popular today. 

He was thought to be the Creator of all, and the King of gods, enduring throughout, the most sacred of all gods. 

The Quran emphatically negates all mythology, every story invented by the polytheists, stating very clearly that Allah alone is the only god, and there are no other gods. There is no divine family. Allah is not the father of any creation. He is the Master Creator of all creation. 

To Allah belongs sovereignty of the skies and earth. 

Ancient Egyptians depicted Ra in many forms. The Abrahamic religions forbid any image of God. Allah is unseeable in this realm, and nothing is comparable to Him. We cannot imagine Allah. 

... 

DRAFT

It is interesting that some surahs of The Quran begin with Alif Lam Ra. They always mention the 'kitab'. The word 'kitab' and the various usages of the root letters include the meanings of 'book', 'scripture', 'decree', 'ordained', 'prescribed'.   

Surahs 10 through 15 begin with these three letters [الٓر], while Surah 13 adds another letter in-between [الٓـمّٓرٰ]:

• (10) Surah Yunus [الٓر​ تِلۡكَ اٰيٰتُ الۡكِتٰبِ الۡحَكِيۡمِ‏ ١] 
• (11) Surah Hud [الٓرٰ​ كِتٰبٌ اُحۡكِمَتۡ اٰيٰـتُهٗ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتۡ مِنۡ لَّدُنۡ حَكِيۡمٍ خَبِيۡرٍۙ‏ ١] 
• (12) Surah Yusuf [الٓرٰ​ تِلۡكَ اٰيٰتُ الۡكِتٰبِ الۡمُبِيۡن‏ ١] 
• (13) Surah arRa'd [الٓـمّٓرٰ تِلۡكَ اٰيٰتُ الۡكِتٰبِ​ؕ وَالَّذِىۡۤ اُنۡزِلَ اِلَيۡكَ مِنۡ رَّبِّكَ الۡحَـقُّ وَلٰـكِنَّ اَكۡثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ‏ ١] 
• (14) Surah Ibrahim [الۤرٰ​ كِتٰبٌ اَنۡزَلۡنٰهُ اِلَيۡكَ لِـتُخۡرِجَ النَّاسَ مِنَ الظُّلُمٰتِ اِلَى النُّوۡرِ  ۙ بِاِذۡنِ رَبِّهِمۡ اِلٰى صِرَاطِ الۡعَزِيۡزِ الۡحَمِيۡدِۙ‏ ١] 
• (15) Surah al-Hijr [الۤرٰ تِلۡكَ اٰيٰتُ الۡـكِتٰبِ وَقُرۡاٰنٍ مُّبِيۡنٍ‏ ١] 

The Quran uses the word Allah (ٱللَّه) for The God, and ilah (إِلَٰه) for god. 

Even when quoting the polytheists, such as the women in Surah Yusuf, their statement, as recorded in the Arabic text, reads: 

Joseph (12:51-52) 

12:51

قَالَ مَا خَطْبُكُنَّ إِذْ رَٰوَدتُّنَّ يُوسُفَ عَن نَّفْسِهِۦ ۚ قُلْنَ حَـٰشَ لِلَّهِ مَا عَلِمْنَا عَلَيْهِ مِن سُوٓءٍۢ ۚ قَالَتِ ٱمْرَأَتُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْـَٔـٰنَ حَصْحَصَ ٱلْحَقُّ أَنَا۠ رَٰوَدتُّهُۥ عَن نَّفْسِهِۦ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ ٥١

Said [the king to the women], "What was your condition when you sought to seduce Joseph?" They said, "Perfect is Allāh![1] We know about him no evil." The wife of al-ʿAzeez said, "Now the truth has become evident. It was I who sought to seduce him, and indeed, he is of the truthful.

— Saheeh International

[1]- In His ability to create such purity of character.

اس نے پوچھا کہ کیا معاملہ تھا تمہارا جب تم سب نے پھسلانا چاہا تھا یوسف کو انہوں نے کہا کہ اللہ گواہ ہے ہمارے علم میں اس کے بارے میں کوئی بھی برائی نہیں ہے (اس پر) عزیز کی بیوی بھی بول اٹھی کہ اب حقیقت تو واضح ہو ہی گئی ہے میں نے ہی اس کو پھسلانے کی کوشش کی تھی اور وہ بالکل سچا ہے

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

12:52

ذَٰلِكَ لِيَعْلَمَ أَنِّى لَمْ أَخُنْهُ بِٱلْغَيْبِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى كَيْدَ ٱلْخَآئِنِينَ ٥٢

That is so he [i.e., al-ʿAzeez] will know that I did not betray him in [his] absence and that Allāh does not guide the plan of betrayers.

— Saheeh International

یہ اس لیے کہ وہ جان لے کہ میں نے اس کی غیرموجودگی میں اس کی خیانت نہیں کی اور یہ کہ یقیناً اللہ خیانت کرنے والوں کی چال کو کامیاب نہیں کرتا

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

[https://quran.com/yusuf/51-52]

Interestingly, Surah Yusuf does not use the word ilah (إِلَٰه) even once. 

What is does quote is what the women have say about Joseph (Yusuf عليه السلام) when they first see him: 

Joseph (12:31) 

فَلَمَّا سَمِعَتْ بِمَكْرِهِنَّ أَرْسَلَتْ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَأَعْتَدَتْ لَهُنَّ مُتَّكَـًۭٔا وَءَاتَتْ كُلَّ وَٰحِدَةٍۢ مِّنْهُنَّ سِكِّينًۭا وَقَالَتِ ٱخْرُجْ عَلَيْهِنَّ ۖ فَلَمَّا رَأَيْنَهُۥٓ أَكْبَرْنَهُۥ وَقَطَّعْنَ أَيْدِيَهُنَّ وَقُلْنَ حَـٰشَ لِلَّهِ مَا هَـٰذَا بَشَرًا إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا مَلَكٌۭ كَرِيمٌۭ ٣١

So when she heard of their scheming, she sent for them and prepared for them a banquet and gave each one of them a knife and said [to Joseph], "Come out before them." And when they saw him, they greatly admired him and cut their hands[1] and said, "Perfect is Allāh![2] This is not a man; this is none but a noble angel."

— Saheeh International

[1]So distracted were they at the sight of him.

[2]In His ability to create such beauty.

پھر جب اس نے سنیں ان کی مکارانہ باتیں اس نے دعوت دی ان سب کو اور اہتمام کیا ایک تکیہ دار مجلس کا اور ان میں سے ہر عورت کو اس نے ایک چھری دے دی اور (یوسف سے) کہا کہ اب تم ان کے سامنے آؤ پھر جب انہوں نے یوسف کو دیکھا تو اسے بہت عظیم جانا (ششدر رہ گئیں) اور ان سب نے اپنے ہاتھ کاٹ لیے اور وہ پکار اٹھیں کہ حاشا للہ یہ کوئی آدمی تو نہیں ! یہ تو کوئی بہت بزرگ فرشتہ ہے

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

[https://quran.com/yusuf/31]

They exclaim about God [Allah [حَـٰشَ لِلَّهِ]], and state that Joseph (Yusuf) is [مَلَكٌۭ كَرِيمٌۭ], a noble angel. 

Noble angels, fallen angels, jinns, and so the story of divine families are found in polytheistic mythologies across history, all over the world. 

Also read: 

No Duality, No Trinity, No Divine Family 

The Devils among The Angels & The Khilafat of Adam 

The Unique Nafs of Allah 

The Sustainer of the Worlds (رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ) 

THE CREATOR I and THE CREATORS WE 

 

Last updated on: July 12, 2026