Description

The Prophet Joseph in the Qur’an, the Bible, and History

by Dr Louay Fatoohi

The Qur’anic sura (chapter) of Yusuf (Joseph) deals almost entirely with the story of this noble Prophet, his brothers, and their father Prophet Jacob. Since the revelation of the Qur’an fourteen centuries ago, there have been numerous attempts to interpret this sura. The present study is not a review of previous exegetical attempts, but a genuinely new look at the sura – including careful examination of the historical background of its story and detailed comparison with the corresponding Biblical narrative. While referring to interpretations from classical exegetical works, this book offers new insights into the meanings and magnificence of this Qur’anic text.

The author is not only concerned with analysing each verse individually; he is equally focused on showing how various verses are interrelated, explicitly and subtly, to form a unique textual unit. He shows particular interest in unveiling subtle references and meanings that are often overlooked or missed by exegetes. Through this comprehensive study, the author elucidates why the Qur’an has always been firmly believed to be a unique book that could have only been inspired by Allah.

Through and scholarly but easy to read, this book is intended for both the general reader and the specialist.