A Timeless Tale of the Beacon of Faith and Resilience

Nelson Mandela once said, “the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”  This quote gives us hope that we can only rise and move upward every time we fall and are met with any adversity. As believers of Islam, we should have complete faith in Allah SWT that He is the disposer of all our affairs.  The beautiful dua- “Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal wakil”- can be found in Verse 173 of Surah Ale-Imran. When we talk about overcoming calamities in life, we should always remember Allah SWT as this dua translates to “Allah is sufficient for us, and it is He who is the disposer of affairs.”  The story of Asiya RA. portrays a woman who only rose in her status as a true Muslim because of  her unbelievable tawakkul, reliance on and trust, in Allah SWT.  Allah SWT truly teaches us that He has taken care of our affairs in this world and in the Hereafter.  Even when the odds are against you, remember Asiya RA. because she found the Light living in an environment full of darkness. 

Asiya bint Muzahim RA was the wife of Pharaoh who was one of the most vicious rulers in history. Despite being a queen and having all the luxury and amenities, she had the most powerful thing of all: a heart of gold and her devotion to Allah SWT.  Asiya’s heart was a sanctuary of faith and piety. Her life serves as an example of a true believer’s unwavering reliance on Allah SWT.  She faced many trials from her own husband as Pharaoh was known for his cruelty and arrogance, and he had declared himself God.  Despite this, Asiya RA rescued Musa AS and nurtured him under the same roof as Pharaoh.  Allah SWT protected Musa AS and guided Asiya to take care of him, keeping him safe in Pharaoh’s palace. When Musa AS was given the message of Prophethood and commanded to call people to believe in one true God, Asiya RA accepted this message immediately.  

However, when Pharaoh discovered that she was worshipping Allah SWT, he tried to force her to give up her faith.  He ordered his men to bring a large stone and commanded them to throw it on her if she did not give up her belief in Allah SWT. Prior to this, he had tortured her relentlessly under the hot sun. However , it has been narrated by Ibn Jarir that the angels shaded her with their wings to protect her.  Her suffering caused her to make a dua to Allah SWT. Her faith can be recognized in that dua: “My Lord, build for me a house in Paradise near You and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds, and save me from the wrongdoing people” (Surah Tahrim, Verse 11).  The supplication of Asiya RA proves her reliance on Allah SWT and her goal of seeking only eternal bliss in the Hereafter.  She could have asked for her pain and suffering to end in this world, however, she was looking for comfort in the Hereafter.  SubhanAllah, Allah SWT comforted her during her trials by opening up the Heavens and guaranteeing her a house in Jannah near Him.  Allah SWT took her soul before the stone could harm her and showed her in the sky what was waiting for her in the Hereafter (Tafsir Ibn Kathir).  In addition, her dua was also preserved in the Quran- a true testament to her faith as she endured until her last breath. She refused to give in to her husband’s cruelty and dedicated her heart and soul to Allah SWT, and as a result, her reward from Allah SWT is an example for each and every true Muslim that yearns for the ultimate reward of Paradise.  

Her story is a timeless tale that shines a beacon of hope and teaches resilience to all the Muslims. She is one of the four women who have been granted Jannah.  In a hadith, the Messenger of Allah SAW drew four lines on the ground, then he said, “Do you know what this is?” We said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The best of the women of Paradise are Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Asiyah bint Muzahim (the wife of Pharaoh), and Maryam bint ‘Imran – may Allah be pleased with them” (Narrated by Ahmad, 2663).  Moreover, even the Prophet SAW regarded Asiya AS as one of the “most perfect women” alongside Mariam AS. The hadith mentioned in Sahih Bukhari (Vol. 5, Book 57-  Hadith # 113) reads, “Many amongst men attained perfection but amongst women, none attained perfection except Mary, the daughter of Imran, and Asiya, the wife of Pharaoh.” What a beautiful hadith and what an honor to be praised by the Prophet SAW.  Her piety was recognized by the Prophet SAW and she set an example for all believing women. 

Asiya’s story resonates with us forever.  We live in a world obsessed with pleasures and materialistic distractions, but the rewards of the Hereafter are nothing compared to the temporary worldly pleasures we chase. Her story teaches us that true peace comes from sincere “tawakkul” in Allah SWT.  Her dua is mentioned in the Quran and encourages us to make our own sincere duas to Allah SWT and then trust that He will hear us and also be the disposer of our affairs.  We find strength in her story as it is narrated in the Holy Quran and Hadith and hence, serves as an inspiration to all Muslims. Allah SWT presents her as an example for all believers in the Quran: “And Allah sets forth an example for the believers: the wife of Pharaoh” (Surah Tahrim, Verse 11).  Moreover, her iman (faith) was high and strong, therefore, Allah SWT glorified her name and made her a martyr for her faith.  In conclusion, we should never let our external affairs or circumstances define our self worth.  Asiya RA clung to her faith firmly despite the hurdles she faced from her own husband, Pharaoh. Allah SWT recognized her and rewarded her to be from among the people who are guaranteed Jannah.  What more could a believer ask for? 

(Dedication: I would like to dedicate this piece to my daughter, Aasiyah. I love her unconditionally: she is my prayer answered, Alhamdulillah. I would like her to remember the story of Asiya RA in every walk of life. I hope her actions as a believer can also lead her to Paradise, InshAllah. Ameen)