Did Zuleikha and Prophet Yusuf (ʿAlayhi al-Salām) Marry? The Reality Explained
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil, Masāʾil al-Nikāḥ, Vol. 1, p. 326
❖ Question
Did Prophet Yusuf (ʿalayhi as-salām) and Zuleikha marry? Some people say that Zuleikha repented, became young again, and then they were married, as it is mentioned in Aḥsan al-Tafāsīr. Kindly clarify so that we may act upon the truth and be rewarded by Allah.
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
In some Tafāsīr, such as Aḥsan al-Tafāsīr and other books, it has been mentioned that Prophet Yusuf (ʿalayhi as-salām) and Zuleikha were married. However, this narration is entirely baseless and unreliable.
The following reference makes this clear:
In Rūḥ al-Maʿānī, Vol. 13, p. 5, it is stated:
«وَشَاعَ عِنْدَ الْقُصَّاصِ أَنَّهَا عَادَتْ شَابَةً إِکْرَامًا لَّه عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ بَعْدَ مَا کَانَتْ ثَيِّبًا غَيْرَ شَابَةٍ وَهٰذَا مِمَّا لاَ أَصْلَ لَه ، وَخَبْرُ تَزَوُّجِهَا أَيْضًا مِمَّا لاَ يَعُوْلُ عَلَيْهِ الْمُحَدِّثِيْنَ۔»
“And among storytellers it became widespread that she (Zuleikha) was made young again, as an honor for Prophet Yusuf (ʿalayhi as-salām), after she had been an older widow. But this has no basis at all. Likewise, the report of their marriage is also something upon which the Muḥaddithīn place no reliance.”
❖ Conclusion
◈ The story of Prophet Yusuf (ʿalayhi as-salām) marrying Zuleikha is found only in storytelling traditions.
◈ According to the Muḥaddithīn, these narrations are unreliable and cannot be accepted as Sharʿī or historical evidence.
◈ The tale of Zuleikha becoming young again and repenting is without chain and baseless.
Hādhā mā ʿindī wallāhu aʿlam biṣ-ṣawāb
