Quran Universe

The Women of the City, Who cut their hands

In the Quran

In the QuranWho cut their hands

The Women of the Cityنسوة في المدينة

Traditional date, disputedEgypt

Noblewomen of Egypt who gossiped about the Aziz's wife, then cut their hands at the sight of Yusuf.

They whispered that the Aziz's wife was chasing her servant. She invited them to a banquet, handed each a knife, and called Yusuf out. Struck by him, they cut their hands and said: this is no man, this is a noble angel. Later, questioned by the king, they testified: we know nothing bad about him.

What does the Quran say?

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

12:30-3312:50-51

The lesson

Those quick to judge others often fail the same test.

Who else is linked?

Egypt (Misr)YusufThe Wife of the Aziz

Who lived at the same time?

YusufThe Aziz of EgyptThe Wife of the AzizThe Witness from Her FamilyThe Brothers of Yusuf

Source: the Quran

Everyone and everything in the timeline

People named in the Quran and the hadith, the Prophet's ﷺ family and Companions, scholars, rulers, the nations of the Quran, the world's empires and the places where it all happened. Where scholars differ, each entry says so.

People of the Quran