Potiphar’s Wife

The story

Potiphar, also known as Aziz in Islam, is a figure in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran.

The story begins with Joseph who is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers.

Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard, purchases Joseph as a slave and, impressed by his intelligence, makes him the master of his household.

Potiphar's wife, Zulaikha, rather known for her infidelities, takes a liking to Joseph, and attempts to seduce him.

Joseph refused her advances and runs off.

Zulaikha retaliates by falsely accusing him of trying to rape her.

Potiphar decides to spare Joseph's life, as rape was punishable by death, but nevertheless has Joseph imprisoned. Because of this there is reason to wonder if possibly Potiphar secretly knew his wife was lying.

As for Joseph, his imprisonment causes him to meet a fellow prisoner who introduces him to Pharaoh. Joseph subsequently rises to become vizier, the second most powerful man in Egypt next to Pharaoh.

This story has been told and retold countless times in many Arabic, Persian, Bengali, Turkish and Urdu.

In a Sufi interpretation, Zulaikha's longing for Yusuf is said to represent the soul's quest for God.