The story of the Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) and the woman who tried to seduce him - in the Quran

The story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) and the woman who tried to seduce him is mentioned in Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12) of the Quran. It tells the story of how Yusuf was sold into slavery in Egypt and became the servant of the Aziz, a high-ranking official. The Aziz's wife became infatuated with Yusuf and tried to seduce him, but he refused her advances due to his fear of Allah. The woman then accused Yusuf of trying to seduce her and had him imprisoned. Eventually, Yusuf's innocence was proven and he was released from prison, gaining the favor of the king and eventually rising to a position of power in Egypt.

Prophet Yusuf was the son of Prophet Yaqub (Jacob) and was favored by his father due to his good character and intelligence. This led to jealousy among his brothers, who plotted to kill him but eventually sold him into slavery instead. Yusuf was then taken to Egypt and sold to the Aziz, the chief minister of Egypt and one of the king's closest advisors.

The Aziz's wife, who was known for her beauty and status, became infatuated with Yusuf and tried to seduce him several times. However, Yusuf resisted her advances and reminded her of Allah's commandments, saying "And certainly, she did desire him, and he would have inclined to her desire, had he not seen the evidence of his Lord. Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen, guided slaves." (Quran 12:24)

One day, when the Aziz's wife was alone with Yusuf, she tried to seduce him again but he fled from her. In her anger and frustration, she tore his shirt from behind and accused him of trying to seduce her. The Aziz's wife then called for the other women of the city to witness her claim, and they too believed her.

Yusuf was then imprisoned, but he continued to rely on Allah and maintained his innocence. He was eventually released from prison when two of the king's former servants who had been imprisoned with him had dreams that Yusuf interpreted correctly. The king was informed of Yusuf's abilities and summoned him to interpret his own dream. Yusuf not only interpreted the dream but also provided wise counsel to the king, who was so impressed with Yusuf's abilities that he made him a minister in his court.

There are 12 verses in the Quran that mention the story of the Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) and the woman who tried to seduce him.

"And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, 'Come, you.' He said, '[I seek] the refuge of Allah. Indeed, he is my master, who has made good my residence. Indeed, wrongdoers will not succeed.'" (Quran 12:23)

"And certainly did she, in whose house he was, seek to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, 'Come, you.' He said, 'I seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, he is my lord and has made good my residence. Indeed, the wrongdoers will not succeed.'" (Quran 12:32)

"And she certainly determined [to seduce] him, and he would have inclined to her had he not seen the proof of his Lord. And thus [it was] that We should avert from him evil and immorality. Indeed, he was of Our chosen servants." (Quran 12:24)

"So they raced to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back, and they found her husband at the door. She said, 'What is the recompense of one who intended evil for your wife but that he be imprisoned or a painful punishment?'" (Quran 12:25)

"[Joseph] said, 'It was she who sought to seduce me.' And a witness from her family testified. 'If his shirt is torn from the front, then she has told the truth, and he is of the liars.'" (Quran 12:26)

"But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied, and he is of the truthful." (Quran 12:27)

"So when her husband saw his shirt torn from the back, he said, 'Indeed, it is of the women's plan. Indeed, your plan is great.'" (Quran 12:28)

"Joseph, ignore this. And, [my wife], ask forgiveness for your sin. Indeed, you were of the sinful.'" (Quran 12:29)

"And women in the city said, 'The wife of al-'Azeez is seeking to seduce her slave boy; he has impassioned her with love. Indeed, we see her [to be] in clear error.'" (Quran 12:30)

"So when she heard of their scheming, she sent for them and prepared for them a banquet and gave each one of them a knife and said [to Joseph], 'Come out before them.' And when they saw him, they greatly admired him and cut their hands and said, 'Perfect is Allah! This is not a man; this is none but a noble angel.'" (Quran 12:31)

"She said, 'That is the one about whom you blamed me. And I certainly sought to seduce him, but he firmly refused; and if he will not do what I order him, he will surely be imprisoned and will be of those debased.'" (Quran 12:32)

"He said, 'My Lord, prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me. And if You do not avert from me their plan, I might incline toward them and [thus] be of the ignorant.'" (Quran 12:33)

The story of Prophet Yusuf and the woman who tried to seduce him is about how Yusuf, who was sold into slavery in Egypt, was confronted with advances from the wife of the Aziz, a high-ranking official, and how he refused her advances due to his fear of Allah. The woman accused Yusuf of trying to seduce her and he was imprisoned. Yusuf maintained his innocence and continued to rely on Allah, and was eventually released from prison and became a minister in the king's court. The story highlights the importance of faith, patience, and forgiveness.