Yakub (Jacob)

Yakub, also known as Jacob in the Biblical narrative, was the son of Is’haq (Isaac) and the grandson of Ibrahim (Abraham). He is mentioned in the Quran (Surah 12) and his story is told through the narrative of his son Yusuf (Joseph). Yusuf was his favourite son and was destined to become the Prophet which would be in keeping with the prophecy that Ibrahim’s progeny would be the Prophets when their time would come. Not much is written about Yakub except what we know about him through his son’s stories. Yakub had four wives and twelve sons. These sons had to become the “twelve tribes of Israel”. Yakub was himself called “Israel” which means the “servant of God”. Hence, the Children of Israel are known to be the descendants of Yakub.

Yakub’s son, Yusuf, had a dream which indicated that he had been chosen to spread the word of God. Yakub knew that his other sons would be envious if they came to know about this dream. Hence, he advised Yusuf that the dream be kept a secret. His jealous sons, however, hatched a plan to get rid of Yusuf by throwing him into a blind well and then tell Yakub that a wolf had attacked and killed him. Yakub, however, knew that they were lying. He grieved and shed tears until he lost his eyesight but he did not complain to God even once as he knew that his son would ultimately be taken care of by the Almighty. Many years later, after Yusuf had survived his dumping in the well and had been sold to Aziz, the Prime Minister of Egypt, he rose to be the Chief Minister of the King of Egypt. The jealous brothers then presented themselves to him although they were not able to recognise him. However, after reuniting with Yusuf, the whole family settled down in Egypt. Even on his deathbed, Yakub told his children about the importance of worship, the significance of patience, and the benefits of complete faith in God.

Reference: Yakub tere gham sati ai Yusuf-e-Misri/Bekal hai shtaabi sati kun’aan ko pahunch tuun (Obaidullah Khan Mubtala),

Yakub, also known as Jacob in the Biblical narrative, was the son of Is’haq (Isaac) and the grandson of Ibrahim (Abraham). He is mentioned in the Quran (Surah 12) and his story is told through the narrative of his son Yusuf (Joseph). Yusuf was his favourite son and was destined to become the Prophet which would be in keeping with the prophecy that Ibrahim’s progeny would be the Prophets when their time would come. Not much is written about Yakub except what we know about him through his son’s stories. Yakub had four wives and twelve sons. These sons had to become the “twelve tribes of Israel”. Yakub was himself called “Israel” which means the “servant of God”. Hence, the Children of Israel are known to be the descendants of Yakub.

Yakub’s son, Yusuf, had a dream which indicated that he had been chosen to spread the word of God. Yakub knew that his other sons would be envious if they came to know about this dream. Hence, he advised Yusuf that the dream be kept a secret. His jealous sons, however, hatched a plan to get rid of Yusuf by throwing him into a blind well and then tell Yakub that a wolf had attacked and killed him. Yakub, however, knew that they were lying. He grieved and shed tears until he lost his eyesight but he did not complain to God even once as he knew that his son would ultimately be taken care of by the Almighty. Many years later, after Yusuf had survived his dumping in the well and had been sold to Aziz, the Prime Minister of Egypt, he rose to be the Chief Minister of the King of Egypt. The jealous brothers then presented themselves to him although they were not able to recognise him. However, after reuniting with Yusuf, the whole family settled down in Egypt. Even on his deathbed, Yakub told his children about the importance of worship, the significance of patience, and the benefits of complete faith in God.

Reference: Yakub tere gham sati ai Yusuf-e-Misri/Bekal hai shtaabi sati kun’aan ko pahunch tuun (Obaidullah Khan Mubtala),