The Story of Yusuf and Zulaikha
The Story of Yusuf(pbuh) and Zulaikha is an amazing tale of attempted seduction. Zulaikha is mentioned as the Quran as the “wife of Aziz” . The story is also mentioned in jew and christian traditions where she is known as the Potipher’s Wife. Prophet Yusuf(pbuh) was the Prophet of Allah and the son of Prophet Yaqub . There is a Whole Surah named after him-Surah Yusuf(Chapter 12, Quran).

Yusuf (peace be upon him) lived for years in the house of Zulaikha, a woman of beauty, power and influence. Day in and day out, Zulaikha was exposed to his physical allure, a composition so stunning that the Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him and his family] said “Yusuf AS has been given half of all beauty” [Muslim]. Zulaikha suppressed her desire for Yusuf AS until she could no longer control it. She waited until her husband left the home. Alone with Yusuf AS, she locked the doors and called him to fulfill her lust.

The Love of Zulaikha
When he went to jail for his own safety as the women had started to throw themselves at him, Zulaykha became restless. She made sure to send Yusuf (AS) whatever he needed in prison because she loved him deeply. But seeing that he was comfortable in prison and was still not accepting her indecent proposal, she cut him off and gave orders to torture him in prison thinking that he would give into her advances.

While Yusuf AS was jailed, Zulaikha felt like a piece of her was missing. She let herself go, cried her eyes out, and broke all her useless idols which couldn’t deliver. She gave her possessions to people and released her servants. Only a few of them refused to go and stayed by her side. All Zulaikha wanted was Yusuf; the love of her life. Ra’eel as she is also known in certain sources suffered for something close to 30 years from lovesickness. Her husband had died and her big house became empty. Zulaikha also became blind but like Yusuf’s father, she could smell his smell. So when Yusuf AS walked around the city or preached, she tracked him by his smell. She had also become a beggar that people of city including little rascals made fun of because of her obsession over Yusuf (AS).
Some reports say that Yusuf AS married Zulaikha because she crossed his path one day and was afflicted by famine. Feeling pity for her, he had decided to support her. They even go and say that Yusuf (AS) asked her what were her needs and she replied her youth. Other say she wanted her sight back to see him one last time.

Conclusion of the Story :”Zulaikha and Yusuf”
In conclusion, Zulaikha experienced the normal path of the sinner. She went through highs and lows. In the end, she was copiously rewarded.
Yusuf [alayhi as’salam] was a prophet of Allah who was in control of his desires. Zulaikha, like you and I, was not. She allowed her desires to overcome her love for Allah. She found herself to be living with the object of her want, Yusuf (alayhi as’salam). Zulaikha eventually diagnoses the root cause of her disease when she says:
Yet I claim not that my soul [nafs] was innocent — surely the soul of man incites to evil — except inasmuch as my Lord had mercy; truly my Lord is All-forgiving, All-compassionate.’ [12:53]