The Qur’an is not an arbitrary book that we read and store in an adorned cover on a pretty shelf. The Qur’an is a book of mercy that came to help and guide us intellectually, spiritually and emotionally.

“We have sent the Scripture down to you explaining everything, as guidance, mercy and good news to those who devote themselves to God.” [Qur’an 16:89]

Its words can have powerful effects on readers and listeners to relieve suffering, and to act as a form of assurance. One of the ways that the Qur’an does this, is through setting out examples of people in difficult situations, describing their behaviours and responses; so that we can learn from them, take strength from them, and use them as a recourse in challenging times.

This article looks at the lessons we can learn from Asiyah, her conviction and resolve to always speak the truth in the face of power always.

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This is part of a three-part series on Women in the Qur’an. Click here to read the first part on Maryam (peace be upon her).

If one of your goals this Ramadan is to improve your relationship with the Qur’an then you should sign-up to the Reflective Tafseer Course which focuses on 20 key lessons you can learn from the Qur’an, starting from 14 April.

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Asiyah was the wife of Firawn and was mentioned in the hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as one of the greatest women of all time…

“The best of women among the people of Paradise are Khadija bint Khuwaylid, Fatima bint Muhammad, Maryam bint ‘Imran, and ‘Asiyah bint Muzahim, the wife of Pharaoh.”

The Qur’an narrates her story and describes her as an example for all believers, men and women:

God has also given examples for the believers: Pharaoh’s wife…[Qur’an 66:11]

From her story and actions, we can learn many lessons, 6 of which we will discuss below:

1. Reflect on what privileges you have compared to others and how you can use those privileges to help others

Asiyah was a woman who was dedicated to her belief in Allah and to acts of kindness and mercy. She was married to the most tyrannical and oppressive husband; a mass murderer of children; a racist arrogant despot who thought he was god and enslaved the whole nation of Banu Israil based on their ethnicity. She could have followed in his ways, accepted her husband the Pharaoh as god, and been complicit in the oppression. She could have capitalised on her role as ‘Queen’ or ‘wife of the Pharaoh’ and used her position amongst society to garner respect and privileges, for this would have surely been the easier way out.

Instead, she shows her autonomy, and uses her privilege and position for good; to infiltrate the Pharaoh’s ways, and try to save lives where possible. 

How does Asiyah use her privilege? When she sees a baby floating along the river, she knows her husband would not have given a second thought before having that child killed. She calls out to him to save the innocent life, with a plea to what humanness is left in him:

“And the Pharaoh’s wife said, ‘He will be a joy to behold for me and for you! Do not kill him: he may be of use to us, or we may adopt him as a son.” [Qur’an 28:9]

2. Advise people based on their background and situation, and what you think would be the most effective way

Asiyah uses her intimate knowledge of the Pharaoh’s deepest desires to save the life of this mysterious baby from the river – an infant who would otherwise have been condemned to a horrific death. Her perceptiveness and emotional intelligence are evident from her statement. She calls out to his selfishness and reasons with him: ‘he may be of use to us!’, his human need to experience joy and peace, and his desire for a son to continue his legacy and rule.

Her statement is a brave and courageous one; she trusted in Allah for the best outcome after pronouncing her carefully chosen words. This is also a lesson from the hadith of the Prophet ﷺ which tells us ‘talk to people at their own distinct level’ – i.e. personalise your advice, using emotional intelligence.

3. Though tyranny and oppression may apparently seem strong, mighty and powerful, in reality it is always weak and fragile. Strength comes from trust in Allah, kindness and sisterhood

The Qur’an’s description of the Pharaoh suggests that although mighty and powerful, his kingdom was fragile and he lived in constant fear of opposition, rebellion and overthrow. In fact, his very decision to kill baby boys was partly based on his fear that one of the boys of Banu Israil would grow up to take over his kingdom. The Qur’an speaks of the Pharaoh’s distrustful nature later on in the story, where he threatens to kill Mūsā (AS) under the accusation of causing corruption; and again when he kills a group of magicians based on the suspicion that their belief without his permission was a plot devised to drive the people out of the city:

“And the Pharaoh said, ‘Leave me to kill Moses- let him call upon his Lord!- for I fear he may cause you to change your religion, or spread disorder in the land.” [Qur’an 40:26]

But the Pharaoh said (to the magicians), ‘How dare you believe in Him (Allah) before I have given you permission? This is a plot you have hatched to drive the people out of this city! You shall soon see (my punishment)!’ [Qur’an 7:123] 

4. Be courageous, confident and always have a good opinion of Allah for the best outcome in every situation

The Pharaoh’s cynical nature meant that suggestions he didn’t approve of could be met with punishment, particularly when her suggestion to save this child went against his usual law to kill baby boys. A suggestion to save this baby boy, flowing freely in the river, clearly from the Banu Israil tribe, who should have been killed by the Pharaoh’s mercenaries, could have been a cause for suspicion. Asiyah’s cruel husband could have accused her of colluding with the Banu Israil, of wanting to thwart his rule, and undermine his authority and decisions. Her trust in Allah, her intelligence, courage and confidence in the face of this oppressive and frightening tyrant are something we can learn from.

Her autonomy and independence from the Pharaoh is, in and of itself, a powerful statement: a woman can be one of the greatest women of all time, despite being married to one of the greatest tyrants of all time. The most important thing for her, as for any person – is her trust in Allah and her relationship to Him at all times.

5. Despite the environment around you – your family, spouse, community – not seeming to be conducive to piety, in the end, our own strength should come internally, just as Asiyah’s did

Allah sometimes places us in situations where those closest to us are our biggest tests. Asiyah, for example, lived under her oppressive husband’s rule, until she cries out to Allah in her pain and loneliness. Allah hears her call, and cites her words in the Qur’an:

“She said, ‘Lord, build me a house near You in the Garden. Save me from the Pharaoh and his actions; save me from the evildoers,’” [Qur’an 66:11] 

Asiyah’s speech in the Qur’an is the last instance of female speech in the Qur’an, and it gives a voice to women in this tragically common social reality – women in oppressive marital relationships. Apart from asking for freedom from the Pharaoh, she calls to Allah with unique words; nowhere else in the Qur’an is there a call for a home in Jannah. It suggests that although she may have lived amongst the aristocrats, in beautiful palaces with immense luxury, she never felt at home because of having to live under domestic tyranny with the Pharaoh. That Allah hears her call and sees her reliance upon Him in her testing situation, acts as a consolation for those under oppression, and more specifically, for women under domestic oppression like Asiyah. It confirms that their intimate calls to Allah too, are heard; that their reliance upon Allah does not go unseen and unrewarded; and that their cries will not go unheeded.

6. Your intimate calls to Allah and trust in Him are heard and seen by Allah. It does not go unrewarded and unheeded

One of the most important parts of tawakkul is dua, turning to Him and crying out about our deepest desires. Asiyah asked Allah to relieve her of her oppressive community of wrongdoers, from the tyrants and aristocrats that surrounded her. Her cry of loneliness reflects her strong relationship with Allah – her understanding that Allah was the only one she could turn to and fully rely upon for assistance. From her example, we learn how she shows her tawakkul through her duas.

Each character from the Qur’an teaches us lessons and acts as guides from a distant past, as if their stories reach out to us and affect different instances in our lives. There are many more female guides mentioned in the Qur’an, and learning about their lives can transform the way that we approach our relationship to Allah and our beautiful religion.

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Sign-up to the Reflective Tafseer Course which focuses on 20 key lessons you can learn from the Qur’an and practically apply to your life, starting from 14 April.

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