Hazrat Asiyah

By: Aleesha Wasee, London, Age: 12 Year

Hazrat Asiyah is a beautiful example for all mankind and was no ordinary woman. Although we don’t have a great deal of information about her life, we do know that she carried in her such a deep faith that she was willing to die forwhat she believed in. It was for this reason that The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned her as one of the greatest woman of all times, also known as the woman of Paradise.Hazrat Anas (ra) narrated that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) is reported to have said: ‘It is enough for you to follow in the footsteps of Mary, daughter of Imraan; Khadijahra, daughter of Khuwailid; Faatimah, daughter of Muhammad (saw); and Aasiyah, wife of Pharaoh, from among all the women of the world’.

Hazrat Asiyah’s story begins in Egypt were she lived with her husband. She was the wife of Pharaoh and the step mother of Prophet Moses (as) Hazrat Asiyah She believed in Allah the Almighty and had an extraordinary relationship with Him.

She is mentioned 2 times in the Holy Quran in 2 different places:

The first is when she finds Prophet Musa (as) as an infant, floating in a basket and gives a suggestion to the Pharaoh that they should keep him:

“And Pharaoh’s wife said, ‘He will be a joy of the eye for me and for thee, slay him not. Haply he may prove to be useful for us, or we may adopt him as a son.’ And they knew not Our purpose. (28:10)”

It is through Hazrat Asiyah’s encouragement and mercy for the child that Prophet Musa (as) was raised in the house of Pharaoh, The second occasion in which she has been mentioned in the Holy Quran is in Surah Al-Tahrim, Here Allah presents her as an example for all of those who believe.

“And Allah holds forth as an example, for those who believe, the wife of Pharaoh when she said, ‘My Lord! Build for me a house with Thee in the garden; and deliver me from Pharaoh and his work, and deliver me from the wrongdoing people;” (66:12)

We do not know whether Hazrat Asiyah professed her faith or chose to keep it hidden from Pharoah but it is clear from this prayer that she totally rejected Pharoah because of his beliefs and disassociated herself from the wrongdoing people. From this prayer it is clear that she pleaded with her God, who she was sincerely devoted to and trusted that only He could bring about a change in her circumstances.

The wife of Pharaoh represents those believers who, though passionately desiring and praying to get rid of sin, cannot fully disassociate themselves from evil influences, represented by Pharaoh. Thus, Hazrat Asiyah possessed such strong faith, despite being married to a tyrannical ruler. Many others in the same position would surely succumb to their circumstances but her faith made her strong.

Hadhrat Asiyah was a true queen. She was the wife of one of the most powerful and controlling men to walk the earth but that didn’t stop her. She lived a life of unparalleled wealth and luxury yet she knew that her true home was in Paradise.

She had no attachment to his life. Hadhrat Asiyah was not defined by the wickedness of the man she married. Her mind and her soul remained independent from her husband. Her heart was not a slave to his beliefs. She chose to devote her soul and her life to God.

She is an everlasting example of a woman who chose the hereafter over all of the glitter in this world.