The Quran uses stories to give examples and lessons.
Surah Yusuf, describing the story of Yusuf and his father Yaqub (Joseph & Jacob) and the trials of Yusuf in childhood and in the court are described in the Surah referred to as the the best of stories.
Yusuf is bought as a slave by the Chief Minister.
Verses 30:34 describe the story of the Obsession of the Chief Minister’s wife with the slave boy. There was gossip.
Zulaikha ( named in literature not the Quran) was an intelligent, pious woman so it was uncharacteristic of her.
The gossip reached Zulaikha’s ears and she decided to prove to them that her passion was justified and had they been in her place they too would perhaps do the same.
A banquet was organized and dinner invitations sent out. The ladies of the great city entered Zulaikha’s beautiful house on the day of the feast.
After the delicious dinner, when the ladies were happily sated, Zulaikha presented each lady with a plate of tangerines and knives and once they were busy with peeling and cutting them she called out to Yusuf to enter.
‘Come out and show yourself to them!’ The ladies had heard of Yusuf’s beauty and charismatic appearance but no one was prepared for Husn e Yusuf!
for the man who entered the room. His manliness, innocence and charm flustered the ladies, who became heedless of the knives in their hands and the task at hand, and all of them cut their hands!
There were stunned murmurs. One said, ‘This
is not a mortal being!’
Another whispered in disbelief, ‘This is a noble
angel?
excerpted from
Tales from the Quran and Hadith . You can read the full story there.
Tho there’s nothing in the Quran to prove or disprove their marriage, Zulaikha ‘s love for Yusuf was taken as soul’s quest for God in Sufi tales.
image: Jami’s Haft Awrang
Depicts the marriage of Yusuf and Zulaikha. @NatAsianArt
#sufism
@juggernautbooks
https://amzn.in/d/2zcPqBD
