Aasiya, Pharaoh's Wife

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Narrated Abu Musa (radhi Allahu 'anhu), Allah's messenger (salal-lahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said,

" Many among men reached the level of perfection but none among women

reached this level except Aasiya- Pharaoh's wife, and Mary- The daughter

of Imran. And no doubt, the superiority of 'Aishah to other women is like the

superiority of Tharid (i.e. a meat and bread dish) to other meals."

-Sahih Al Bukhari, vol 4 hadith no 623


Not much is known about Aasiya, the wife of Pharaoh. We do know that she brought the great Prophet Moses into her home when he was a baby, as is recorded in the Qur'an:

'And we inspired the mother of Moses, saying "Suckle him, but when you fear

for him, then cast him into the river and fear not, nor grieve. Verily!

We shall bring him back to you, and shall make him one of our Messengers"

Then the household of Fir'aun picked him up, that he might become for them

an enemy and a cause of grief. Verily! Fir'aun, Haman, and their hosts were

sinners.

And the wife of Fir'aun said:

"A comfort of the eye for me and for you. Kill him not, perhaps he may be

a benefit to us, or we may adopt him as a son."
---The Noble Qur'an 28:7-9



Later, few believed in the Prophethood of Moses except some children of his People, because of the fear of Pharaoh and his chiefs. They feared
persecution of Pharaoh as certainly Pharaoh was mighty on Earth and one who transgressed all bounds. Yet, Aasiya, Pharaoh's own wife recognized the truth of Moses's message. She answered Moses' call and became a Muslim, despite the fact that she was the wife of Pharaoh- the man who claimed to be God himself- and despite all that she possessed through being the wife of a king. She refused all that and chose to be in God's company.

This is a great example of how a woman chose the Hereafter over and above the wealth of this world. She remained firm on her faith in God despite persecution of all sorts:


'Pharoah said "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? Surely this

must be your leader who has taught you magic! Be sure I will cut off your

hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will have you crucified on trunks

of palm trees: so shall ye know for certain, which of us can give the more

severe and the more lasting punishment!"
---------The noble Qur'an 20:71


The Qur'an sets her as an example for the believers to stay away from evil and sin despite the full assualt of the devil:


'God sets forth an example for those who believe- the wife of Pharaoh who

said: "My Lord, build for me with You a house in Heaven, and save me from

the Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from an unjust people."
---------- The Noble Qur'an 66:11


-weekly Mirror International.
 
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