How do we reconcile the prohibition of stratagems, cunning, and deception with the stratagem of Yusuf (Joseph), peace be upon him?

The stratagem employed by Yusuf (peace be upon him) was to achieve a permissible objective. Ibn Al-Qayyim explained that stratagems are of three types: a stratagem to repel injustice before it occurs, or to remove it after it has occurred. These two types are permissible. The third type is reciprocating injustice with its like, and this has details: it is permissible if the injustice is related to wealth and one is able to reciprocate it with the like, but it is not permissible if the means used in the stratagem are forbidden due to Allah’s right. As for blameworthy stratagems, they are those used to achieve something unlawful, such as "making Allah’s prohibitions lawful by the slightest stratagems." The ruling of a blameworthy stratagem does not change by altering its form or name. The prohibition of deception and cunning is qualified: there is the blameworthy type, which aims to inflict harm upon others, and there is the permissible type, which aims to lead the deceived person to a benefit, as is done with a child. Allah Himself described Himself as having good cunning (makr).