Yusuf and Zulaikha: A Romantic Reimagining

For Zulaikha rejoiced in being enchanted by Yusuf.

Similarly, Iqbal expressed this theme:

“O Ghanī! Behold the misfortune of the elderly father of Canaan,
Whose blessed son brings light to Zulaikha’s eyes.”

A Sacred Story Transformed into Romance

The Quran narrates the story of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) as a lesson in patience and piety. It was meant to impart wisdom, yet over time, it has been reshaped into a romantic tale comparable to Layla and Majnun or Shirin and Farhad. This tale, which should have been a means of spiritual reflection, has instead been filled with fanciful imaginings, including elements considered forbidden or disapproved of by Islamic scholars.

May Allah guide us to respect the stories of the Prophets as lessons in righteousness, keeping them free from distortion and excess. 🔗 Source: Translated from the original Arabic article by Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwi
Disclaimer: This translation has been done with the help of AI to enhance accessibility. Minor differences may exist.
https://t.me/DrAkramNadwi/5595

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Yusuf and Zulaikha

✍️ By: Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwi, Oxford

During our studies at Zia-ul-Uloom, we read Jami’s Yusuf and Zulaikha under the guidance of our respected teacher, Maulana Abdul Ali Sahib (may Allah have mercy on him). Jami, born Nuruddin Abdur Rahman (817-898 AH), hailed from a small town in Afghanistan named Jam, hence his title, Jami. A prominent Sufi and Naqshbandi saint, Jami was a disciple of Maulana Ubaydullah Ahrar and is celebrated in Persian literature for his profound poetry and mystical thought. His notable works include Yusuf and Zulaikha and his commentary on Kafiya, which were once part of the curriculum in India.

In Yusuf and Zulaikha, Jami uses his creative license extensively, embellishing the story beyond recognition. If this story hadn’t involved a noble Prophet, we might have refrained from criticism. However, Jami’s portrayal disregards the sanctity of Prophet Yusuf’s life and directly contradicts Quranic narrations. Initially, scholars in India were strongly critical of this text, but it somehow made its way into the educational syllabus.

Criticisms of Yusuf and Zulaikha

It’s puzzling that some scholars vigorously criticize authors they dislike, even for perceived disrespect to the Companions, yet they overlook Jami’s indiscretions in this book. Instead, they incorporated it into the syllabus and even referenced its romantic verses in sermons and lectures.

Jami begins the book with beautiful verses of praise for Allah, followed by poignant verses of praise for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), including these lines:

> “In sorrow, the soul of the world cries out,
Have mercy, O Prophet of Allah, have mercy.
You are the mercy for all worlds,
How can you neglect the deprived?”

Following these introductory verses, Jami describes Prophet Yusuf’s unparalleled beauty, narrating a fictional account in which Adam sees his descendants and, upon seeing Yusuf’s beauty, is mesmerized. This depiction, though beautifully written, strays into myth and exaggeration.

The Descriptions of Zulaikha

Jami embellishes Zulaikha’s beauty excessively, describing her physical attributes in minute detail, to the point where it becomes inappropriate. For instance, he describes her waist as “thinner than a single hair strand” and her hips as large as a mountain, leading our teacher Maulana Abdul Ali (may Allah have mercy on him) to remark on how distorted such a description would make her appear.

Moving beyond even this, Jami proceeds to describe each part of her body in explicit detail. At one point, he stops and says:

> “From below the navel to above the knee,
I won’t describe any detail, new or old.”

This raises the question of why Zulaikha’s upper body was deemed acceptable for description while the lower part was spared.

Yusuf’s Capture in Egypt and Zulaikha’s Obsession

When Prophet Yusuf is brought to the market in Egypt, his beauty is widely spoken of. Aziz of Egypt buys him, and Zulaikha, captivated, tries to draw closer to Yusuf. This unrequited love is elaborated on by Jami in detail, eventually concluding with Yusuf’s marriage to Zulaikha.

Through Jami’s compelling style, he romanticizes this relationship to the extent that readers are drawn into the intensity of Zulaikha’s love and her eventual triumph. However, the detailed portrayals of their interactions are, at times, unsettling.

The Literary Impact of Yusuf and Zulaikha

Jami’s poetic style and elegant expression have made Yusuf and Zulaikha an enduring classic in Persian literature, leaving an impact far beyond Persian-speaking regions. This story inspired other poets and writers across South Asia, the Arab world, and Turkey, leading to numerous adaptations and references.

Famous Urdu poet Ghalib alluded to it: