Uncertain economic conditions, climate crises, and escalating wars\nhave left society anxious about the threat of economic crises. History\nproves that such crises can utterly disrupt the fabric of life.<\/p>\n
This threat can be mitigated by understanding past events, as\neconomic crises have recurred throughout history. Humanity has faced\nthem repeatedly, including in the life of Prophet Joseph (peace be upon\nhim).<\/p>\n
According to traditional sources from various religious traditions,\nProphet Joseph\u2019s life took a dramatic turn when he interpreted a king\u2019s\ndream.<\/p>\n
It is said that a king in the Middle East dreamt of seven fat cows\nbeing devoured by seven lean cows. Then, there were seven plump ears of\ngrain and seven withered ones. The king was greatly perplexed by this\ndream and immediately summoned all his wise men to decipher its\nmeaning.<\/p>\n
Some interpreted it as a harbinger of misfortune. Others dismissed it\nas mere fantasy not to be taken seriously. However, Joseph offered a\ndifferent view. He believed the dream pertained to economic\ndynamics.<\/p>\n
He predicted a period of prosperity followed by hardship. There would\ncome a time of great happiness when crops would flourish and livestock\nwould thrive. But afterwards, the people would face suffering, with\ndrought leading to a food crisis. If they endured it, happiness would\nreturn.<\/p>\n
To the king, Joseph\u2019s interpretation seemed the most logical, as it\ncould apply to his own kingdom. Consequently, Joseph, who had been\nimprisoned, was freed and appointed as the royal treasurer\u2014a position\nakin to a modern finance minister.<\/p>\n
Joseph\u2019s appointment as royal treasurer stemmed from his recognised\ncapacity to manage finances. One traditional Islamic source describes\nhim as \u201ca person skilled in safeguarding and knowledgeable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Throughout his life, Joseph was known as steadfast, intelligent, and\nan excellent communicator. He never betrayed those who entrusted him\nwith responsibilities. Moreover, he was adept at foreseeing future\nsituations.<\/p>\n
One example is his advice to the king to prepare the people for the\ncrisis. He urged the populace to cultivate crops as usual for seven\nconsecutive years. When harvesting, they should leave some on the stalks\nto allow regrowth.<\/p>\n
Why did Joseph recommend this? Because he foresaw seven years of\nhardship ahead, with widespread drought. The stored produce from the\nprevious seven years would thus save the people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen after that will come seven hard years which will devour what\nyou have stored up for them, except a little of what you have\npreserved,\u201d states Surah Yusuf, verses 46 to 49.<\/p>\n
Only then would the people enjoy happiness again, as a time of\nprosperity would follow.<\/p>\n
In the contemporary context, Joseph\u2019s journey offers valuable\nlessons. First, the state must select competent and trustworthy\nindividuals to manage large sums of money. Second, the national\ntreasurer must prepare and plan policies to address economic crises.<\/p>\n
For instance, the treasurer could ensure domestic food production\nmeets demand through subsidies and protections for farmers, thereby\nsecuring national food needs. Alternatively, the treasurer could\nregulate the economy to keep it running and support grassroots\ncommunities.<\/p>\n
If these measures are in place, society will be somewhat protected\nwhen a crisis strikes. People will not face starvation or hardship, even\nas the storm of crisis hits.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Prophet Joseph implies the importance of efficiency, or\nthriftiness. This is reflected in his words: \u201cwhatever you harvest,\nleave it on the stalks except a little for your consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ultimately, Joseph\u2019s opinion, backed by clear planning, yielded\nresults. The kingdom\u2019s economy was saved despite the crisis. The people\nfaced difficulties but emerged from the eye of the economic storm.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/learning-from-prophet-joseph-how-the-state-protects-its-people-from-crisis-1774093875", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }