Islamic Narrative of Joseph: Qur'anic Differences from Biblical Tradition and Artistic Depictions

The Qur'an presents a distinct narrative of Joseph, known as Yusuf in Muslim communities, diverging significantly from the biblical version. Unlike typical Qur'anic allusions, Joseph's story receives detailed treatment. Key differences include the absence of Joseph's colorful coat, though his prophetic dreams remain. His brothers deceive their father Jacob to send Joseph with them, then abandon him in a well before selling him to travelers bound for Egypt. There, Joseph becomes enslaved to an official called al-Aziz, analogous to Potiphar. When al-Aziz's wife attempts seduction, Joseph flees, tearing his garment. In the Qur'an, a witness examines the torn robe, proving Joseph's innocence, yet he still ends imprisoned to avoid scandal. While imprisoned, Joseph interprets the King of Egypt's dream predicting famine. After proving his innocence regarding the seduction attempt, Joseph becomes chief minister. During famine, his brothers travel to Egypt; Joseph secretly reveals himself to Benjamin before testing his brothers. Ultimately, Joseph sends his shirt to heal his father Jacob's blindness, a miracle absent in the Bible. The unnamed seductress is popularly called Zulaikha in later Islamic tradition, where poets expanded her story to include marriage to Joseph, allegorizing spiritual longing. Artistic depictions from various periods illustrate these episodes, including works in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and The Cleveland Museum of Art.