Leadership Traits in the Story of Yusuf (Peace Be Upon Him)
Keywords:
Story of Yusuf, Sura Yusuf (Joseph), EgyptAbstract
Leadership is a timeless concept, deeply analyzed across cultures and histories. In Islamic tradition, Hazrat Yusuf (Joseph) (peace be upon him) emerges as a paragon of exemplary leadership through his narrative in Sura Yusuf. His life, marked by dramatic turns—from being betrayed by his brothers to rising as Egypt’s Vizier—offers reflective insights into effective leadership. Hazrat Yusuf’s (peace be upon him) story is remarkable not only for its histrionic elements but also for the deep lessons it imparts about leadership. Betrayed and abandoned by his own brothers out of jealousy, Yusuf (peace be upon him) was sold into slavery. Despite these severe trials, his firm faith and integrity shine through, emphasizing the importance of maintaining one’s moral area within adversity. Yusuf’s (peace be upon him) resilience highlights how steadfastness in values can guide a leader through even the most challenging situations.
References
Qur’an 21:73.
Narrated by Khatib Baghdadi in Tarikh Baghdad, 10:184; Ibn ‘Asakir in Tarikh Dimashq, 33:313; and Daylami in al-Firdaws, 2:324, §3473.
Qur’an 12:55.
Ibid., 6:162.
Ibid., 32:24.
Ibid., 12:23.
Ibid., 31:17.
Ibid., 12:36.
Ibid., 29:9.
Ibid., 12:43–49.
Ibid., 12:55.
Ibid., 53:39.
Ibid., 12:92.
Ibid., 65:3.