Jacob, his sons, and his family entered Egypt, where Joseph went out to meet them in a large gathering.
After the long separation, Jacob finally met his son Joseph. The reunion marked the end of many years of grief and longing caused by Joseph's absence.
The material reports that Jacob addressed Joseph with the words “Peace be upon you, remover of sorrows,” reflecting the long period of sadness and weeping that Jacob had experienced during his son's absence.
The Reunion of Jacob and Joseph
When Jacob and his family entered Egypt, Joseph received his parents and placed them upon the throne. Jacob, his mother, and his brothers then prostrated themselves before him.
The material explains that this prostration was understood as a form of greeting and honor used for kings at that time, rather than an act of worship. Worshipful prostration belongs to Allah alone.
Joseph then said to his father:
“O my father, this is the interpretation of my former dream. My Lord has made it come true.”
In this way, Joseph's earlier dream was fulfilled after many years of separation and hardship.
How Long Was Joseph Separated from Jacob?
The material presents several reports concerning the length of time between Joseph's dream and his reunion with his father.
One report gives forty years, while another gives eighty years.
Other reports mention eighteen or twenty-two years as the period of Joseph's separation from Jacob. There are also different accounts regarding Joseph's age when he was thrown into the well and when he eventually reunited with his father.
One account states that Joseph entered Egypt at the age of seventeen and became a minister thirteen years after arriving there.
The material makes clear that these reports differ and that the exact duration is known only to Allah.
The Death of Jacob
When Jacob's death approached, he instructed Joseph to bury him with his father Isaac.
According to the material, Joseph carried out his father's request, taking him to the Levant and burying him near Isaac before returning to Egypt.
Other reports included in the material provide additional details concerning Jacob's death and burial, including accounts of the mourning period and the people who accompanied Joseph.
Joseph's Final Wish
After Jacob's death, Joseph remained in Egypt. When his own death approached, he instructed that he should be carried with the Children of Israel when they eventually left Egypt and buried near his forefathers.
According to the material, Joseph was embalmed and placed in a coffin. He remained in Egypt until Moses took him out when the Children of Israel departed, after which he was buried near his forefathers.
Joseph's Children and Descendants
The material states that Joseph had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and includes reports concerning descendants associated with them.
It also presents several traditions concerning the lineage of later figures. These details are included as transmitted reports, and some accounts differ regarding names and genealogical connections.
Lessons from the Story of Jacob and Joseph
The reunion between Jacob and Joseph carries important meanings related to patience, enduring hardship, and awaiting relief after prolonged trials.
The account also highlights the importance of fulfilling a parent's wishes and maintaining family ties, as well as the attachment of the prophets to their parents and ancestors.
The story demonstrates that events may unfold over many years, while what Allah has decreed ultimately comes to pass, as illustrated by the fulfillment of Joseph's dream after a long period of separation.
Different Reports About the Details
The material includes several reports from works of interpretation and history concerning the ages of Jacob and Joseph, the length of Joseph's absence, the details of Jacob's burial, and the preservation of Joseph's remains in Egypt until the time of Moses.
Because these reports differ in their dates, ages, and details, they are best presented as transmitted accounts rather than as certain facts when there is no definitive evidence establishing one particular version.
What did Joseph say to his father when his dream was fulfilled?
He said: “O my father, this is the interpretation of my former dream. My Lord has made it come true.”
What did the prostration before Joseph mean?
According to the material, it was a form of greeting and honor used at that time, not an act of worship.
Where did Jacob wish to be buried?
The material states that Jacob instructed Joseph to bury him with his father Isaac.
What was Joseph's final request?
He instructed that he should be carried with the Children of Israel when they left Egypt and buried near his forefathers.
What is a key lesson from Jacob's reunion with Joseph?
It illustrates patience through separation and hardship, and the hope that relief may eventually come after years of trials.
