The story of Prophet Yaqub (يعقوب), known as Jacob in English, is a
significant part of the Abrahamic tradition, particularly in Islam. Yaqub was the son of Prophet Ishaq
(Isaac) and the grandson of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). Here is a summary of the
story of Prophet Yaqub:
1.Family and Children: Yaqub had twelve sons, who later became the heads of the twelve tribes
of Israel. His sons include well-known figures such as Yusuf (Joseph), who played a prominent role in Yaqub's story.
2.Yusuf and the Coat of Many Colors: Yusuf was Yaqub's favorite son, and this preference led to jealousy and rivalry among Yusuf's brothers. Yaqub gifted Yusuf a special coat of many colors, which further fueled the brothers' resentment.
3.Yusuf's Envy and Plot Against Him: The envy of Yusuf's brothers grew to the point where they plotted against him. They convinced their father that Yusuf should accompany them on a journey and threw him into a well. They later lied to Yaqub, showing him Yusuf's bloodied shirt and pretending that he had been devoured by a wild animal.
4.Yusuf's Rise in Egypt: Yusuf was found in the well by travelers and sold into slavery in Egypt. In Egypt, he faced trials but eventually rose to prominence due to his ability to interpret dreams. Yaqub's sons, in the meantime, returned to their father, maintaining the lie about Yusuf's fate.
5.Reunion with Yusuf: Years later, during a severe famine, Yaqub's sons traveled to Egypt to buy food. There, they encountered Yusuf, who had become a high-ranking official. Yusuf recognized his brothers but did not reveal his identity immediately. Eventually, he disclosed his identity, and Yaqub and his family were reunited with Yusuf.
6.Migration to Egypt: Yusuf invited his family, including Yaqub, to settle in Egypt to escape the famine. Yaqub and his sons migrated to Egypt, where they were reunited withYusuf and lived under his protection.
7.Yaqub's Blindness and Death: Before his migration to Egypt, Yaqub had lost his eyesight due to grief over the separation from Yusuf. However, upon receiving the glad tidings of Yusuf's survival, his sight was miraculously restored. Yaqub lived in Egypt for a period and passed away, leaving behind a righteous legacy.
The story of Prophet
Yaqub emphasizes themes of family, trust in Allah's wisdom, the consequences of
jealousy, and the eventual triumph of good over evil. It is a narrative of
patience, forgiveness, and the fulfillment of divine plans.
