The Children of Prophet Joseph
Historical sources provide various accounts regarding Prophet Joseph (peace be upon him), including details about his wife and children. However, Islamic jurisprudence does not affirm or deny these narratives; they are primarily derived from biblical references, allowing Muslims the discretion to accept or disregard them, particularly when these accounts do not impact their legal rulings. Concerning Joseph’s marriage, it is said that he wed Zuleikha, the same woman who had attempted to seduce him after leaving her husband. Some narratives suggest that he may have married someone else. As for Prophet Joseph’s offspring, it is reported that he had two sons: Ephraim and Misha. Ephraim is noted to be the father of Nun, who was the father of Joshua, and Rahma, the wife of Job (peace be upon him).
Trials Faced by Prophet Joseph
Prophet Joseph (peace be upon him) endured numerous trials throughout his life. Below are some of the significant challenges he faced:
Separation from His Father
Prophet Joseph (peace be upon him) was the favorite son of his father, Jacob, which ignited jealousy among his brothers. In their effort to remove him from their father’s affection, they devised a plan to eliminate him from his father’s sight. They feigned a day of play and took Joseph with them, only to cast him into a deep pit when they were out of their father’s view. To further deceive their father, they took his shirt, stained it with false blood, and claimed that a wolf had devoured him. Consequently, Joseph (peace be upon him) remained in the pit until God, in His wisdom, sent a caravan that rescued him, taking him far away from his father. Joseph endured many years of separation and anguish from his father, Jacob (peace be upon him).
The Temptation of the Wife of the Honorable Man
Among the significant events highlighted in the Quran regarding Joseph’s life is his experience with the wife of the honorable man, who purchased Joseph and brought him into his household. The wife became infatuated with Joseph (peace be upon him) and attempted to seduce him. One day, she invited him into her chamber and locked the doors behind him, pursuing him with great desire. In response, Joseph (peace be upon him) sought to escape the situation and tried to leave, only to find her husband at the door. In an act of deceit, the wife falsely accused Joseph of attempting to harm her, but God protected him from her lies and vindicated his innocence.