Journal of Interreligious Studies on the Quran and the Bible

Journal of Interreligious Studies on the Quran and the Bible

The Representation of Joseph and Zulaikha's Privacy in Abrahamic Traditions and Its Reflection in Painting Art

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohsen Badreh 1
Saleheh Khodadadi 2
1 Assistant Professor, Department of family and women's studies, faculty of social sciences and economics, Alzahra University, Tehran, IRAN.
2 PhD in Women's Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Free researcher of women’s studies, Tehran, IRAN.
10.22034/qb.2025.2064223.1044
Abstract
The story of Joseph and Zulaikha is one of the most frequent stories in Muslim culture, and to a lesser extent, among Jews and Christians. This article uses a comparative analysis method, first presenting the story as narrated in the Old Testament, then examining the additions and embellishments made by Jews. Following that, it reviews the Quranic narrative and subsequent retellings by authors of the Qaṣaṣ al-Quran (Stories of the Quran) and some commentators. The two narratives, specifically the Torah and Quranic versions, and more broadly, the Jewish and Islamic ones, are then briefly compared. Next, the representation of Zulaikha's character and her adventures with Joseph in Jewish-Christian and Muslim art are analyzed comparatively using an iconological approach. In the works of Western painters, the focus is primarily on Joseph's rejection of Zulaikha's advances, and the inspiration from the Torah narrative is clearly evident. In Muslim miniatures, two events, Joseph's escape from Zulaikha and Zulaikha's banquet to change the judgment of the Egyptian women, have received more attention than other events. Although other events, such as the reunion of Joseph and Zulaikha, have also been a focus for some Islamic artists, these events are inspired by the poems of Persian poets, especially Jami. In the works of Western painters, mainly, the part related to the rejection of the request of illegitimate relationship by Yusuf is taken into consideration and the inspiration of the Torah narrative is clearly evident. Among the works of Muslim artists, the two themes of Yusuf's escape from Zuleikha and the establishment of the famous Zuleikha party to change the judgment of Egyptian women have received more attention than other events.
Keywords
Zulaikha in Judaism
Zulaikha in Islam
Zulaikha in art
Joseph and Zulaikha
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Journal of Interreligious Studies on the Quran and the Bible
Volume 2, Issue 1 - Serial Number 3
October 2025
Pages 227-260