These are some insights gained from the story of Yusuf, may Allah raise his repute and the refute of all the Prophets and Messengers. Indeed Allah related the story unto us in detail, and said at the end of it:

“Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding.” [Surah Yusuf: 111]

A “lesson” is something by which one learns. It steers a person towards a number of ideas and useful principles. It directs a person towards things that are virtuous, and alerts one to the causes of destruction. While all stories of the Prophets are like that, Allah singled this story out with His words:

“Truly there are signs and lessons in [the story] of Yusuf and his brothers for those asking [about the story of Yusuf or for signs of the Prophethood of Muhammad].” [Surah Yusuf: 7]

As such, it contains various signs and lessons for anyone who asks for them and seeks guidance and integrity. This is due to what it contains of one evolving circumstance to another; from one ordeal to another; from facing challenges to being blessed; from humiliation and slavery to honour and authority; from division to unity and fulfilled aspirations; from grief to joy; from abundance to scarcity, from scarcity to abundance, from famine to plenitude and from hardship to ease, amongst the other things this great story embodies. So blessed be the one who narrated it, clarified it and explained it.