My father’s most beloved chapter of the Qur’an was Chapter/Surah 12 – “Yusuf/Joseph”. This chapter contains 111 verses and recounts the story of Prophet Yusuf – from birth, to youth, to betrayal and trials, and then to acclaim and prophethood. It is a profound story with so many lessons to be learnt. He often quoted from this chapter and used it to impart lessons through his sermons and talks. He knew the verses intimately. It was therefore important for me to be able to translate this beautiful story into art as a way of healing and a way of honouring him. 

Method:

I used cloth as my primary medium, as there were so many references to cloth in the story. 

The base of the artwork is made out of brown cotton, and then each segment of the mandala carries a different cloth with a different pattern, representing a different part of the story.

Segments of the circle:

The middle starts with the last verse, 111.

The second segment represents the dream of his father, where the 11 stars and the sun, and the moon (his family) prostrated to Yusuf

The third segment represents the blood-stained cloth when his brothers lied and said he was devoured by a wolf

The fourth segment represents Yusuf’s garment that was torn by his seducer 

The fifth segment represents the king’s dream that of 7 prosperous years and 7 difficult years. 

The sixth segment represents Yusuf’s garment which was brought to his father by his brothers and restored his father’s sight

Verse 111 

لَقَدْ كَانَ فِى قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَـٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

There is in their story a lesson for men of understanding; it is not an invented narrative but a confirmation of what is before it, and an exposition of every thing, and guidance, and a mercy for people who believe.