Why did the people of Prophet Yusuf (pbuh) say that he will be the last?

[Ruhi_Rose]

 




My query is regarding Verse 40:34 of Surah Al-Momin which I quote:

"And verily Joseph brought you of old clear proofs, yet ye ceased not to be in doubt concerning what he brought you till, when he died, ye said: Allah will not send any messenger after him. Thus Allah deceiveth him who is a prodigal, a doubter."  [40:34]

Who were these people and why did they wrongly think there would be no more messengers after Prophet Yusuf (or Joseph)?

[Zainab_M]

Salaam sis!  These were the people of Egypt.  If you think back of the history of Prophet Yusuf in the Noble Quran, he was kidnapped by his brothers and dumped in a pit (or probably a dry well).  He was found by some people (or a caravan) who found him when they lowered their pail into the pit to draw water.  Prophet Yusuf was a young boy then.  These people sold him in Egypt and that's how Prophet Yusuf ended up in the wealthy household of the ruler of Egypt to be adopted by them, his status being more or less that of a slave boy.  He later went to prison because of false charges brought against him by the wife of the ruler because he refused to yield to her advances.  She was angry and this is how she took her revenge on an innocent man.  While in prison, Prophet Yusuf interpreted the dreams of two prison inmates very accurately.  One of those inmates after being freed was assigned to work for the ruler of Egypt.  Then, the ruler had a strange dream which none were able to interpret.  The ex-prison inmate remembered Yusuf and mentioned about him to the ruler.  Yusuf was able to interpret it correctly and sensibly.  By his very accurate interpretation he saved the country from a huge famine by helping the king to make the right decisions to store food for difficult times ahead.  The king was so impressed that he ordered to free Yusuf.  Subsequently it was also acknowledged that the charges brought against him by the ruler's wife were false and that Yusuf was a man of very high morals.  Yusuf was then appointed as the custodian of the storehouse.  Thus, Yusuf's successes, by the help and will of Allah, and how Yusuf was able to establish himself in the land of Egypt was amazing.  The people were highly impressed.  And as it's the habit of folks to gossip and construct their own unfounded stories when they want to glamorize someone, thus after the death of Yusuf they began saying that there will be no more Prophets to come.  Of course, they were totally wrong because after Prophet Yusuf came several other Prophets.  Of those we know are Prophets Moses, David, Solomon, Essa son of Maryam and Mohammed who is indeed the final one.  Peace on them all.    

[Ruhi_Rose]

Aha .... ok, I get it now.  Thank u for explaining so articulately sis.  The reason I was getting a bit confused was because the history of Prophet Yusuf stated in the Quran is upto the time when his problem with his brothers was resolved and his entire family including his parents came to visit him in Egypt.  Apparently Prophet Yusuf was still a young man, and his later life uptil the time of his death is not mentioned.  However, being a Prophet and a chosen person of Allah, he was obviously successful in his life till the end and (in a way) this verse can be taken as an evidence for that, but a clear refutation of the wrong presumption of the people.  Thanks again for the clarification.  Walaikum Salaam, dear sis

[Zainab_M]

  However, being a Prophet and a chosen person of Allah, he was obviously successful in his life till the end and (in a way) this verse can be taken as an evidence for that, but a clear refutation of the wrong presumption of the people.  Thanks again for the clarification.  Walaikum Salaam, dear sis

Yes, right.

You're welcomed sis ..