Many may wonder
what does Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) have to do with the Pyramids of Giza?
In this article, I will explore, by His permission, how the Pyramids may have been constructed at Yusuf’s request or under his direct supervision.
The key to understanding this possibility lies in one crucial element:
the treasure Yusuf sought to protect.
First, we need to identify the TREASURE that Yusuf wants to maintain in his narration.
PROPHET YUSUF SAID:
12:55
He said: Place me (in authority) over the treasures (khazāinuhu) of the land, surely I am a good keeper, knowing well.
THE TREASURES: khazāinuhu
What is the greatest treasure of life?
15:21-22
And not (is) anything but with Us (are) its treasures (khazāinuhu), and not We send it down except in a measure known. And We have sent the winds fertilizing, and We sent down from the sky water,
and We gave it to you to drink. And not you of it (are) retainers.
Treasures = WATER
To really appreciate water as the greatest gift (of life), we need to go in depth about how much water is available on Earth for land creatures (non-sea life creatures) to sustain life.
The world is mostly water. Pictured is the Pacific Ocean and by itself, it encapsulates half the world.
Most people don't realize that 97.5% of Earth's water is locked in the vast, salty expanse of oceans—completely unsuitable for direct consumption.
That leaves 2.5% Fresh Water, the essential resource that sustains all non-marine life.
At birth, our bodies are approximately 75% water. We can’t live a week without FRESH WATER.
Yet, even within this limited supply, accessibility is alarmingly constrained:
within the 2.5% Fresh Water on earth that's not sea water
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Only 0.3% of all fresh water exists as surface water, comprising all the rivers and lakes on Earth.
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70% of fresh water is trapped in polar ice caps, inaccessible for direct use.
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27.7% exists as groundwater, the primary source of life-sustaining water.
From the 27.7% of fresh water stored underground:
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70% is consumed by agriculture, feeding the world's population.
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22% is utilized by industries, driving modern civilization.
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Only 8% is available for direct human consumption, including drinking, cooking, cleaning, and hygiene.
Yes, from the 2.5% of all water on earth and the 27.7% groundwater within it,
ONLY 8% (even less) is available for drinking yet land animals survive and prosper.
In other words, when viewed against the Earth's total water supply,
0.0594% (8% of 27.7% of 2.5%) fresh water is the sustainer of all non-sea life.
This tiny fraction supports all terrestrial life, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals.
Despite this extreme scarcity, life flourishes,
an astonishing testament to nature's resilience and efficiency
To continue with Yusuf....
What was the dream of the King?
12:46
Joseph, O man of truth, explain to us the matter regarding seven fat cows being eaten by seven thin ones, and seven green pods and others which are dry
Then perhaps I may go back to the people so they will know."
Fat cows eaten by thin? Green pods go dry?
What can cause this besides lack the lack of water?
Cattle, Herbage and water are all mentioned in another ayat together....
10.24
The likeness of this world's life is only as water which We send down from the cloud, then the herbage of the earth of which men and cattle eat grows luxuriantly thereby, until when the earth puts on its golden raiment and it becomes garnished, and its people think that they have power over it, Our command comes to it, by night or by day, so We render it as reaped seed; produce, as though it had not been in existence yesterday; thus do We make clear the communications for a people who reflect.
From this ayat and common knowledge, we can identify Herbage and cattle (green pods and cows) are dependent on water. The dream foreshadowed a prolonged drought.
Now to link it all to Yusuf and the Pyramids......
First an important discovery.
Slaves Did not Build the Giza Pyramids:
The people were well maintained and were driven by purpose, not forced.
You may ask what has this ANYTHING to do with the Pyramids of Giza?
The River Nile, Egypt’s lifeline,
once flowed directly past the Pyramids of Giza.
Over time, its course shifted.
Today, the pyramids appear distant from any water source, but in Yusuf’s time, they were strategically placed alongside the Nile.
WHAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE COMMODITY ESPECIALLY IN THE DESERT?
WATER
Control the water of a desert, All the people will come to you (as did his brothers)
The accepted purpose of the Pyramids is to house the Fourth Dynasty Egyptian pharaoh, Khufu.
Yet a tomb has never been found, nor any hieroglyphical or historical evidence.
Slaves build tombs, a purpose-built the pyramids. As shown earlier slaves did not build the pyramids but contractors who were well rewarded.
Pictured is a water pumping system, which has been tested
(and works) with the precise architectural design of the Pyramids of Giza internal system.
Research has shown that the internal architecture of the Great Pyramid bears an uncanny resemblance to a hydraulic water pump system.
Yusuf’s economic plan was centered on preserving Egypt’s resources, particularly its most valuable asset—freshwater. Could it be that the pyramids were designed as a sophisticated water distribution system to regulate the Nile’s flow and sustain the people during the seven-year famine?
Water is also identified in another passage within Yusuf's narration.
12.47 He (Yusuf) said:
You shall sow for seven years continuously, then what you reap leave it in its ear except a little of which you eat.
12:48 Then there shall come after that seven years of hardship which shall eat away all that you have beforehand laid up in store for them, except a little of what you shall have preserved:
12:49 Then there will come after that a year in which people shall have rain and in which they shall press (grapes).
We are told in 12:49 the rain returns, so in the seven years of 12.48,
the struggles was only due to lack of water, hence why its return is mentioned.
(Please note: the minor pyramids around Giza could also be to store other commodities of value which would be produced due to the abundance of water, i.e wheat, etc
Yusuf also knew how a water pump system would operate to some degree.
When Yusuf was in a well had plenty of time to study the intricate underground system.
12:15 So when they had gone off with him and agreed that they should put him down at the bottom of the pit/well, and We revealed to him: You will most certainly inform them of this their affair while they do not perceive.
Pictured is an ancient well system.
While trapped in the well, Yusuf had time to study the intricate underground water system. It was there that he received revelation, which may have included the knowledge required to control and maintain Egypt’s most precious treasure—water.
When Yusuf is eventually released from prison, he mentions to the king that he has the required knowledge to control the treasure (water).
Yusuf's life is very detailed, yet nowhere does it mention how he obtained the knowledge of maintaining treasures, unless it was when he was down in the well, where the Quran does say he received knowledge. His confidence suggests that he had acquired specialised knowledge—possibly during his time in the well—that allowed him to take charge of water conservation and management.
12.55 He said: Place me (in authority) over the treasures of the land, surely I am a good keeper, knowing well.
Yusuf helped create the Pyramids of Giza to control the fresh water supply of Egypt.
A compelling theory suggests that Prophet Yusuf may have been Imhotep,
the legendary Egyptian vizier, architect, and physician.
Imhotep was credited with designing the Step Pyramid
and introducing revolutionary building techniques.
His contributions to water management and storage align closely with Yusuf’s mission in Egypt.
To explore this theory further, a video from Jonaid Yousaf, where he believes Imhotep could possibly be Yusuf and therefore, he could have built the pyramids.
The evidence suggests that Yusuf, with his unparalleled wisdom and divine guidance, may have played a pivotal role in the construction of the pyramids—not as tombs, but as a sophisticated system designed to regulate Egypt’s water supply during times of drought.
While history may have obscured his contributions, the Qur’an provides profound insights into the economic and environmental mastery of Prophet Yusuf.
Could it be that one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders is, in reality, a monument to one of Islam’s greatest prophets?
The answer, as always, lies in reflection.
