When we study religious history, we see the great reflection of strength of our forefathers. We observe their level of gratitude and sacrifices. We notice their environment echoing with their voices of truth. Amongst such individuals was Hazrat Asiyahh (سلام الله عليها).
Hazrat Asiyah represents the ideal of virtue as one of the four most outstanding women of the world and one of the four “Ladies of Heaven.” The other three ‘Women of Jannah” include: Maryam, the mother of Isa (AlaihisSallam); Khadija, Muhammad ﷺ’s wife; and Fatima, Muhammad ﷺ ‘s daughter عنهن (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ)
It is said that Asiyah was a sincere believer and that she fully submitted herself to Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ), despite being the wife of Pharaoh (Firaun). The Qur’an mentions Asiyah has an example to all Muslims:
وَضَرَبَ اللّٰہُ مَثَلًا لِّلَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوا امۡرَاَتَ فِرۡعَوۡنَ ۘ اِذۡ قَالَتۡ رَبِّ ابۡنِ لِیۡ عِنۡدَکَ بَیۡتًا فِی الۡجَنَّۃِ وَنَجِّنِیۡ مِنۡ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَعَمَلِہٖ وَنَجِّنِیۡ مِنَ الۡقَوۡمِ الظّٰلِمِیۡنَ ۙ ۔
“And Allah presents an example of those who believed: the wife of Pharoah, when she said, “My lord, build for me near you a house in paradise and save me from Pharoah and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people.
[Surah: At-Tahrim:11]
The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) appreciated this great woman with these words:
Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari:
حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مُرَّةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ مُرَّةَ الْهَمْدَانِيَّ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى الأَشْعَرِيِّ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ فَضْلُ عَائِشَةَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ كَفَضْلِ الثَّرِيدِ عَلَى سَائِرِ الطَّعَامِ، كَمَلَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ كَثِيرٌ، وَلَمْ يَكْمُلْ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ إِلاَّ مَرْيَمُ بِنْتُ عِمْرَانَ وَآسِيَةُ امْرَأَةُ فِرْعَوْنَ ”.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The superiority of `Aisha to other ladies is like the superiority of Tharid (i.e. meat and bread dish) to other meals. Many men reached the level of perfection, but no woman reached such a level except Maryam, the daughter of `Imran and Asia, the wife of Pharaoh.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 3433)
Asiyah سلام الله عليها had the great honor to nurture and protect of Musa ( عليه السلام) in the house of Pharaoh. Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) grew to be a great prophet and called his people to the worship of the one God. But because of the fear of Pharaoh, few people believed in him. When Hazrat Asiyah believed in Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and obeyed the Prophet, Pharaoh became her enemy.
When Asiyah, witnessed Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)’s miracle in front of the magicians/ wizards, her heart was lit with the light of iman. She started to believe in Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) but hid her faith from her husband. Faith and love of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) is not something to be concealed. When Pharoh learned about her faith, he forbade her many times and against from believing in Musa and his Rabb; he pressured on her to give up the religion of Islam and the worship of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ). But she never surrendered herself to Pharaoh’s order.
According to Yaqoot Hamvi who famous for his writing, Mu’jam ul-Buldān in which he writes:- “Pharaoh ordered his men to tie her up under the scorching sun and put a heavy stone on her chest and let her to die there.” [1]
When she was breathing her last, she prayed to Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) as is given in the Holy Qur’an:- “O my Lord (Allah) build for me near you a house in paradise and save me from Pharoah and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people. Allah the Exalted, accepted the prayer of this faithful and devoted woman and put her beside some of the best women of the world like Maryam.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (Rahimullah Alaih) said:
One of the virtues of Pharaoh’s wife Asiyah (may Allah be pleased with her) was that she chose to be killed in exchange for the blessings of the world in which she was in the torment and suffering of the world and in exchange for the kingdom. They said about Moses (taking him out of the river): “This is the coolness of my eyes.[2]“
As a matter of fact this great woman became a role model to all the women till the day of resurrection. Through her sacrifice, she conveyed the message to all:- Don’t compromise at your belief and stand fast for his purpose till death and don’t retreat when you are on the way of Allah and Jannah.
May Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) bless her and grant us determination and Iman like her. (Ameen)
[1]Mojem ul Buldan معجم البلدان.Volume.5
[2] Fathul Bari.volume /6 page/ 448
