Did Prophet Joseph marry Zuleikha/Asenath?

Sources

• ✓ 12:21 · Yusuf

  12:21 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

  وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِى ٱشْتَرَىٰهُ مِن مِّصْرَ لِٱمْرَأَتِهِۦٓ أَكْرِمِى مَثْوَىٰهُ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَنفَعَنَآ أَوْ نَتَّخِذَهُۥ وَلَدًۭا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلِنُعَلِّمَهُۥ مِن تَأْوِيلِ ٱلْأَحَادِيثِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرِهِۦ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

  And he of Egypt who purchased him said unto his wife: Receive him honourably. Perchance he may prove useful to us or we may adopt him as a son. Thus we established Joseph in the land that We might teach him the interpretation of events. And Allah was predominant in His career, but most of mankind know not.

• ✓ Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 12:21

  Sunni

  Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 12:21

  Allah informs us here of His kindness to Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), peace be upon him, by appointing for him the one who bought him in Egypt. This person cared for Yusuf, honored him, instructed his household to treat him well, and saw in Yusuf potential for goodness and success. He said to his wife, "Honor his lodging; perhaps he will benefit us or we may adopt him as a son." The one who purchased Yusuf was a high-ranking official in Egypt, known as "Aziz," who also served as a minister. According to Al-Awfi, quoting Ibn Abbas, his name was Qatifir. Muhammad ibn Ishaq reported his name as Itfir ibn Ruhayb, the Aziz who oversaw Egypt’s treasury during the reign of King Rayyan ibn al-Walid, a man from the Amalekites. The name of his wife is given by some as Ra'il bint Ra'il, and others have cited the name Zuleikha. Furthermore, Muhammad ibn Ishaq narrated from Muhammad ibn Sa’ib, from Abu Salih, who traced back to Ibn Abbas that the man who sold Yusuf in Egypt was Malik ibn Da’r ibn Buwaib ibn ‘Unqa ibn Midyan ibn Ibrahim, though only Allah knows best. Abu Ishaq, citing Abu Ubayda who narrated from Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, stated that among the noblest individuals are three: the Aziz of Egypt who spoke to his wife about honoring Yusuf; the woman who advised her father regarding Musa to hire him, saying, "O my father, hire him; surely the best one you can hire is the strong and trustworthy" (Qur’an 28:26); and Abu Bakr al-Siddiq when he succeeded Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with them all. Allah continues by saying, "And thus We established Yusuf in the land," meaning in the country of Egypt, providing him a secure position. "And to teach him the interpretation of events (ahadith)." Mujahid and As-Suddi explain this as interpreting dreams, a key gift granted to him. "And Allah is dominant over His affair," meaning that when Allah decrees something, no one can thwart or oppose it; His will always prevails. Said ibn Jubayr explained that "Allah is dominant over His affair" means He accomplishes whatever He wills. The phrase, "but most people do not know," indicates that the majority do not comprehend the wisdom behind Allah’s creation and His subtle management of affairs. Regarding "And when he attained maturity," this refers to Yusuf reaching full physical and mental development. "We gave him wisdom and knowledge," meaning prophethood and the special wisdom endowed upon him among people of his status. "Thus do We reward the doers of good," reflecting that Yusuf was righteous in his actions, obedient to his Lord. There is a difference of opinion among scholars about the exact age at which Yusuf reached maturity. Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, and Qatadah said thirty-three years; Ibn Abbas also suggested thirty-five years. Ad-Dahhak said twenty years; al-Hasan said forty years; Ikrimah said twenty-five years; As-Suddi said thirty years; Said ibn Jubayr said eighteen years. Imam Malik, Rabi‘ah, Zayd ibn Aslam, and ash-Sha‘bi interpreted "maturity" as the coming of wisdom. Other views exist, but Allah knows best.