Is Zulaikha an Arabic name? What does it mean? Read on to find out more, including the meaning of the name Zulaikha, its origin, pronunciation and if relevant, popularity.
What does Zulaikha mean in Arabic?
Zulaikha means unclear (read below to find out more).
The origins of this name are largely unknown. Many sources claim it means ‘beautiful’ or ‘bright’, however there is no evidence in Arabic, Coptic or Persian to suggest this is true,
The Quran relates the Islamic narration of the Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) and Zulaikha in Chapter 12. According to the Quran, a young Yusuf is sold into slavery and Zulaikha, the wife of Yusuf’s master, becomes so enchanted by Yusuf’s beauty that she falls in love with him desires to make illicit advances towards him. Yusuf refuses her advances and eventually, he becomes so disturbed by Zulaikha that he prays to God to imprison, as he would rather be in jail than engage in an illicit relationship with Zulaikha. God answers his prayers, and he is jailed.
According to some narrations, Zulaikha does eventually marry Yusuf. When she becomes of old age and a widow, some narrations claim that she prayed to God to make her young and attractive again, so that Yusuf may wish to marry her – a prayer that God accepts. However, according to some narrations she does not marry Yusuf.
The tale of Yusuf and Zulaikha has gone on to develop a poetical, mystical and romantic narrative in literature across the East. Literature inspired by Yusuf and Zulaikha can be found in Turkish, Persian, Urdu, Punjabi and Bengali.
Zulaikha is a female name.
How to write Zulaikha in Arabic:
Zulaikha is written as زليخة
How to pronounce Zulaikha:
Zulaikha is pronounced Zou-lay-khaah.
Spelling variations of Zulaikha
Zulaykha, Zuleykha, Zuleikha, Zulekha, Zoleikha, Zuleyha (Turkish)