Āsiyah, the free‑spirited and faithful lady in history, withstood Pharaoh’s tyranny and remained steadfast in her faith, becoming a symbol of courage and conviction amid the darkest moments of ancient Egypt.
The Book Women in the Quran by ʿAli Dawānī
In Women in the Quran, ʿAli Dawānī shares the stories of several women, portraying both virtuous and flawed characters mentioned in the Quran. The series serves as a moral guide for understanding the Islamic and Qur’anic perspective on women and nurturing Muslim women’s self‑formation according to Allah’s and the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) teachings.
Āsiyah, the Pharaoh’s Wife
Āsiyah bint Muzāhim is one of the notable women named in the Quran. As the queen of Egypt and Pharaoh’s wife—a ruthless, power‑hungry tyrant—she lived in the seat of oppression. Pharaoh claimed divinity and promoted idol worship while oppressing his people. In contrast, Āsiyah embodied grace, dignity, and purity. Despite her proximity to tyranny, she stood firm in her faith and refused to bend under its pressure.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) declared that only four women achieved perfection: Āsiyah (Pharaoh’s wife), Maryam bint ʿImrān, Khadījah bint Khuweyd, and Fāṭimah bint Muḥammad (peace be upon them), with Fāṭimah being the foremost among them.
He also stated that the best women in Paradise are those four—Āsiyah included—placing her among the highest honored in Heaven.
Her Compassion and Courage
Despite being married to a brutal despot, Āsiyah remained immune to his cruelty. She was deeply pained by her cruel husband’s actions, especially his killing of the expectant mothers from the lineage of Jacob to destroy their unborn sons, fearing they might one day challenge his tyranny. She never showed the slightest approval of Pharaoh’s brutality.
When they pulled the chest from the waters of the Nile, Āsiyah decided to adopt him, saying to Pharaoh, “No! Let him live—he might benefit us or become our son.” Pharaoh reluctantly agreed, and Muṣā was raised in Āsiyah’s care.
Faith in Secret and Stand for the Truth
Growing under her nurturing, Moses became a messenger of God. Āsiyah privately embraced monotheism, concealing her faith from Pharaoh. But when her belief was eventually exposed, Pharaoh did everything to force her back—through threats and bribery—but she remained unwavering in her devotion to the one God.
Refusing palace luxury and fearing neither Pharaoh nor his status, her only concern was guiding him toward justice. Unwilling to renounce her faith, she chose the path of submission—to God—over submission to Pharaoh. When forced to choose, she opted for belief over obedience.
In her final moments, she prayed:
“My Lord, build for me near You a home in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people.” (Qur’an 66:11)
Āsiyah’s story ended with her martyrdom—tortured to death by her husband. Yet her legacy achieved immortality: her name is eternally honored in Islamic tradition and the Quran as one of the greatest women of faith.
From: hawzanews