How should we understand the verse “thus do We reward those who do right.” (Yusuf, 12/22) ? Does Allah reward everybody that does right? Does the rewarding take place in the hereafter or in this world?
Dear Brother / Sister,
The translation of the mentioned verse is as follows: “When Joseph attained his full manhood, We gave him power and knowledge: thus do We reward those who do right.”
What is meant by who do right in the verse is Hazrat Yusuf (Joseph) in the first place. It is an unmatched nice act and perfection that he showed patience against the troubles and misfortunes that he had been exposed to since his childhood and that he rejected the illegitimate offer of a noble lady, who was his owner, at a young age when it is very easy to be tempted by such an offer. In the verse, that unmatched patience and the state of Yusuf that originated from that wonderful chastity are pointed out.
That solemn, patient, grateful and dignified character of Yusuf was rewarded by his Lord; and he was given judgment, wisdom and knowledge apart from many other things.
The reward emphasized in the verse “thus do We reward those who do right” is “judgment/wisdom and knowledge”. Those two elements are means of happiness both in the world and in the hereafter.
Doubtlessly, the expression “thus do We reward those who do right” was used for Hazrat Yusuf but it is in question in general for the people who have the same characteristics.
However, the point emphasized in the expression, “thus do We reward”, does not necessitate the same reward as given to Hazrat Yusuf. That likening has a general meaning like “there is a reward for every good deed” instead of a certain reward like “judgment-knowledge”; it has a general scope.
Therefore, it is possible for the reward to take place in the world or in the hereafter or both.
Questions on Islam
- When Hz. Yusuf (Joseph) became an administrator in Egypt, had he started the duty of prophethood? Did he decree based on the laws of Allah when he was the prime minister in Egypt?
- Will you summarize the life of Hazrat Yusuf?
- Prophet Yusuf [Joseph] (Peace be upon him)
- Was Hz. Yusuf sent only to teach his brothers?
- Life in the Grave is True
- How did Hz. Yaqub manage to show so much patience? How did he manage to continue praying though Yusuf was eaten by a wolf?
- "Allah may delay the penalty of oppression but He will never ignore it." Will you explain this statement?
- The slander that Allah does not know the deeds that man will do..
- Why do we follow a madhhab?
- Does the phrase “until We test” mentioned in verse 31 of the chapter of Muhammad mean Allah does not know the future?
