Introduction
So, what is the story of Yaqub in the Quran? The Quran mentions Prophet Yaqub (AS) (Jacob) as a righteous prophet and father of the twelve tribes. His story intertwines with Yusuf (AS) (Joseph), highlighting patience, faith, and divine wisdom. Let’s explore what the Quran says about Yaqub (AS), supported by Hadith where relevant.
Yaqub (AS) in the Quran: Key Mentions
1. His Prophethood & Righteousness
Allah describes Yaqub (AS) as a chosen guide and he was among the prophets who received revelation.
And We blessed him with Isaac as a son and Jacob as a grandson, as an additional favour, making all of them righteous.
وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ نَافِلَةًۭ ۖ وَكُلًّۭا جَعَلْنَا صَـٰلِحِينَ
Quran 21:72
Indeed, We have sent revelation to you O Prophet as We sent revelation to Noah and the prophets after him. We also sent revelation to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon. And to David We gave the Psalms.
إِنَّآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ كَمَآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ نُوحٍۢ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَٱلْأَسْبَاطِ وَعِيسَىٰ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُونُسَ وَهَـٰرُونَ وَسُلَيْمَـٰنَ ۚ وَءَاتَيْنَا دَاوُۥدَ زَبُورًۭا
Quran 4:163
2. His Patience in Hardship
When his son Yusuf (AS) was taken away, Yaqub (AS) remained steadfast. Despite losing his sight from crying, he never despaired.
He turned away from them, lamenting, “Alas, poor Joseph!” And his eyes turned white out of the grief he suppressed.
وَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَـٰٓأَسَفَىٰ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَٱبْيَضَّتْ عَيْنَاهُ مِنَ ٱلْحُزْنِ فَهُوَ كَظِيمٌۭ
They said, “By Allah! You will not cease to remember Joseph until you lose your health or your life.”
قَالُوا۟ تَٱللَّهِ تَفْتَؤُا۟ تَذْكُرُ يُوسُفَ حَتَّىٰ تَكُونَ حَرَضًا أَوْ تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْهَـٰلِكِينَ
He replied, “I complain of my anguish and sorrow only to Allah, and I know from Allah what you do not know.
قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَشْكُوا۟ بَثِّى وَحُزْنِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Quran 12:84-86
3. His Role as a Father
The Quran shows Yaqub (AS) guiding his sons with wisdom:
Warning About Wolves
When they wanted to take Yusuf (AS) out:
They said, “O our father! Why do you not trust us with Joseph, although we truly wish him well?
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَبَانَا مَا لَكَ لَا تَأْمَ۫نَّا عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَنَـٰصِحُونَ
Send him out with us tomorrow so that he may enjoy himself and play. And we will really watch over him.”
أَرْسِلْهُ مَعَنَا غَدًۭا يَرْتَعْ وَيَلْعَبْ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ
He responded, “It would truly sadden me if you took him away with you, and I fear that a wolf may devour him while you are negligent of him.”
قَالَ إِنِّى لَيَحْزُنُنِىٓ أَن تَذْهَبُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَأَخَافُ أَن يَأْكُلَهُ ٱلذِّئْبُ وَأَنتُمْ عَنْهُ غَـٰفِلُونَ
They said, “If a wolf were to devour him, despite our strong group, then we would certainly be losers!”
قَالُوا۟ لَئِنْ أَكَلَهُ ٱلذِّئْبُ وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّآ إِذًۭا لَّخَـٰسِرُونَ
Quran 12:11-14
Detecting Their Deception
After they lied about Yusuf:
They cried, “Our father! We went racing and left Joseph with our belongings, and a wolf devoured him! But you will not believe us, no matter how truthful we are.”
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَبَانَآ إِنَّا ذَهَبْنَا نَسْتَبِقُ وَتَرَكْنَا يُوسُفَ عِندَ مَتَـٰعِنَا فَأَكَلَهُ ٱلذِّئْبُ ۖ وَمَآ أَنتَ بِمُؤْمِنٍۢ لَّنَا وَلَوْ كُنَّا صَـٰدِقِينَ
And they brought his shirt, stained with false blood.1 He responded, “No! Your souls must have tempted you to do something ˹evil˺. So ˹I can only endure with˺ beautiful patience!2 It is Allah’s help that I seek to bear your claims.”
وَجَآءُو عَلَىٰ قَمِيصِهِۦ بِدَمٍۢ كَذِبٍۢ ۚ قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًۭا ۖ فَصَبْرٌۭ جَمِيلٌۭ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ
Quran 12:17-18
Final Advice Before Death
The Quran records his last counsel:
Or did you witness when death came to Jacob? He asked his children, “Who will you worship after my passing?” They replied, “We will continue to worship your God, the God of your forefathers—Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac—the One God. And to Him we all submit.”
أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَآءَ إِذْ حَضَرَ يَعْقُوبَ ٱلْمَوْتُ إِذْ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنۢ بَعْدِى قَالُوا۟ نَعْبُدُ إِلَـٰهَكَ وَإِلَـٰهَ ءَابَآئِكَ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ إِلَـٰهًۭا وَٰحِدًۭا وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ
Quran 2:133
4. Reunion with Yusuf (AS)
The Quran describes his joy when Yusuf (AS) was finally returned to him:
When the caravan departed [from Egypt], their father said [to those around him], “You may think I am senile, but I certainly sense the smell of Joseph.”
وَلَمَّا فَصَلَتِ ٱلْعِيرُ قَالَ أَبُوهُمْ إِنِّى لَأَجِدُ رِيحَ يُوسُفَ ۖ لَوْلَآ أَن تُفَنِّدُونِ
They replied, “By Allah! You are definitely still in your old delusion.”
قَالُوا۟ تَٱللَّهِ إِنَّكَ لَفِى ضَلَـٰلِكَ ٱلْقَدِيمِ
But when the bearer of the good news arrived, he cast the shirt over Jacob’s face, so he regained his sight. Jacob then said ˹to his children˺, “Did I not tell you that I truly know from Allah what you do not know?”
فَلَمَّآ أَن جَآءَ ٱلْبَشِيرُ أَلْقَىٰهُ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِۦ فَٱرْتَدَّ بَصِيرًۭا ۖ قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ إِنِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Quran 12:94-96
Lessons from Yaqub’s (AS) Story
Trust in Allah’s Plan – Even in grief, he relied only on Allah.
Patience in Trials – His endurance is a model for believers.
Family & Faith – He prioritized faith over worldly concerns.
Conclusion – what is the story of Yaqub in the Quran?
The story of Yaqub (AS) in the Quran teaches unwavering trust in Allah. Though tested with loss and betrayal, his patience and devotion make him a timeless example for Muslims.
