Women in Islam
Asiya (Wife of Pharaoh)
Āsiyah
The believing wife of Pharaoh who secretly held faith in Allah, raised the infant Musa, and is praised in the Quran as a model for the believers.
Who was Asiya?
Asiya was the wife of Pharaoh — the tyrant who oppressed the Children of Israel and claimed divinity in the time of Musa. Despite living in the household of the greatest tyrant of her age, Asiya secretly believed in Allah and is honoured in the Quran as a model of faith for all believers, men and women alike.
Her Story
When the baby Musa was placed in a basket on the river and brought into Pharaoh's palace, it was Asiya who took him in and persuaded Pharaoh to spare and adopt him, saying he might be a comfort to them. In doing so she became, by Allah's plan, the protector of the very child who would one day confront Pharaoh with the message of truth. Asiya came to believe in the God of Musa. When her faith was discovered, Pharaoh subjected her to terrible torture to force her to renounce it, but she held firm. In her final moments she made the supplication that the Quran preserves forever: "My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise, and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds, and save me from the wrongdoing people."
Asiya in the Quran
- "And Allah presents an example of those who believed: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise..." (66:11)
- Her words are cited as a model for all believers, not only women.
Her Virtues and Legacy
Asiya is a timeless example that faith can flourish in the most hostile of circumstances, and that no power on earth can force a sincere heart to abandon Allah. The Prophet ﷺ named her among the greatest and most perfected women, alongside Maryam. Her story teaches that true freedom is the freedom of the soul that belongs to Allah, even when the body is in chains, and that the believer's gaze is fixed on the home that lasts — Paradise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Asiya praised in the Quran?
Because she believed in Allah and remained steadfast despite being the wife of the worst tyrant of her time, enduring persecution rather than abandoning her faith. Allah presents her as an example for all believers (66:11), and her dying prayer for a house in Paradise is among the most beloved in the Quran.
Was Asiya one of the best women?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ named the perfected and greatest women, including Asiya the wife of Pharaoh, Maryam the daughter of Imran, Khadija, and Fatima. Her rank reflects the strength of her faith under extreme trial.
Etymology & origin
Asiya (آسية) means "one who consoles, heals, or tends [the wounded]", from the root associated with healing and comfort. She is remembered as the believing wife of Pharaoh, named in the Sunnah among the greatest women.
References
- Quran:
- 28:9, 66:11
- Hadith:
- Bukhari 3411 / Muslim 2431 (Asiya the wife of Pharaoh among the perfected women, with Maryam); Tirmidhi 1834 (the superiority of Khadija, Fatima, Maryam, and Asiya); Ahmad (the example of Asiya's faith)
Related terms
Ibrahim
Abraham, one of the five greatest prophets and "Khalilullah" (Friend of Allah). Father of Ismail and Ishaq, he built the Kaaba and is the patriarch of monotheism.
Jannah
Paradise — the eternal abode of bliss prepared for the believers in the Hereafter, containing rewards no eye has seen nor ear heard.
Maryam (Mary)
The mother of the Prophet Isa (Jesus), the only woman named in the Quran and the one after whom a surah is named. A model of purity, chastity, and faith.
Musa
Moses, one of the five greatest prophets and "Kalimullah" (the one who spoke with Allah). He confronted Pharaoh, led the Children of Israel from Egypt, and received the Torah.
Sabr
Patience — steadfast endurance in obeying Allah, avoiding sin, and bearing trials without complaint; mentioned over 90 times in the Quran.