The Story of Asiya (Wife of Pharoah)

The story chosen to be featured today is a story of a remarkable woman who has given every possible luxury in this life to be close to Allah, who has traded this world for the world of eternity, who understood that there is no comparison between what she gave up and what she will get from Allah. It is a story of Asiya bin Muzahim, best known as and referred to in the Quran as a “wife of Pharaoh”.

Though this astonishing woman is a legend, yet there is not much information about her, according to most scholars.  Most of the details that have been narrated about her are from the Israa’eeliyyaat (stories from Jewish sources) and are not proven in any saheeh texts. Her story that is confirmed and backed by hadith and Quran is presented as follows. 

Asiya was brought up in palaces as a princess and lived a life of a queen as wife of Pharaoh. She lived a life beyond comfort and leisure with numerous maids and servants. Regardless of the luxurious life that was given to her, Asiya witnessed and despised the unjust and unfair ruling of her husband to others. 

The story of Pharaoh, her husband, is a story that is explained extensively in the Quran in numerous verses.  Even though no single word would explain the mischief of Pharaoh adequately, it is sufficient for now to mention two verses that sums up and show the level of arrogance he reached as a ruler of Egypt. Allah (SW) said in the Quran:

 “Behold, thy Lord did call to him (Musa) in the sacred valley to Tuwa― (16) "Go thou to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds. (17) "And say to him `Wouldst thou that thou shouldst be purified (from sin)? (18) "`And that I guide thee to thy Lord, so thou should fear Him?' "(19) Then did (Moses) show him the Great Sign. (20) But (Pharaoh) rejected it and disobeyed (guidance); (21) Further, he turned his back, striving hard (against Allah). (22) Then he collected (his men) and made a proclamation, (23) Saying "I am your Lord, Most High." (79:16-24)

“Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke up its people into sections depressing a group among them: their sons he slew, but he kept alive their females: for he was indeed a maker of mischief.” (Qasas, 28:4)

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