We’re joining in with the Women’s History Month series hosted by Multicultural Kids Blog. There are so many strong and respected Muslim women throughout history, from the time of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa salam and after him but for today’s post I have chosen a woman who’s story is mentioned in Quran, from the time of Prophet Musa (Moses) alayhi salam – Her name is Asiya Bint Muzahim.
The stories of women in Islamic history are important personalities for my children to learn about as Muslims, especially in today’s social climate where there are a lot of misconceptions about Islam and the value of women. It’s good to know and love the stories of strong women in our history and to be proud of those amazing women who’s stories have been preserved in our Book and in our traditions.
Who is Asiya Bint Muzahim?
Asiya Bint Muzahim (آسيا بنت مزاحم) is also often referred to as Asiya Zawjatu Firawn or Asiya, wife of the Pharaoh.
Asiya is the one who found the baby Musa (Moses) floating in a crate in the Nile river and rescued him, bringing him home to live in the palace as her own child, hiring his own mother as a wet nurse for him.
During that time, Firawn ordered all baby boys born to the Children of Israel to be killed, after a worrying dream had come to him showing that one of these boys would grow up to adulthood and then take his thrown from him. This is why the baby Musa had been floating in the river, in an attempt by his mother to save his life – which was successful.
Firawn was one of the greatest tyrants of history, demanding that he should be worshipped as a god. He could not stand to see anyone worshipping anyone or anything other than himself, so monotheism and worshipping Allah was outlawed and punishable by torture and death. He insisted “I am your Lord, Most High!”
In this society, despite being a very rich queen, and being married to the most powerful man, Asiya Bint Muzahim was kind and merciful and knew wrong from right. In the end she was not afraid to stand against her husband, the Pharaoh and speak for what is right by declaring her belief in God, accepting the monotheism and the message of the Prophet Musa alayhi salam.
When Firawn found out that Asiya was following the message of Musa alayhi salam, he had her tortured and killed and Allah showed her her home within paradise. Because of her conviction of faith, and what she suffered, she will be one of the first women to enter Paradise.
Asiya Bint Muzahim in the Quran
The story of Asiya is given as an example to us in Surah Tahrim, as one of the women of Paradise.
And God sets forth, as an example to those who believe the wife of Pharaoh: Behold she said: ‘O my Lord! Build for me, in nearness to Thee, a mansion in the Garden, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong’
وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اِمْرَأَةَ فِرْعَوْنَ إِذْ قَالَتْ رَبِّ ابْنِ لِي عِندَكَ بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَنَجِّنِي مِن فِرْعَوْنَ وَعَمَلِهِ وَنَجِّنِي مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ[Chapter 66 : Verse 11]
Listen to the ayah here:
Printables to learn about Asiya Bint Muzahim
Download and print the story of Asiya Bint Muzahim in PDF here
Download and print some questions sheets to go with the story in PDF here
From How a Pearl Develops: A Khutbah for Muslim Women
Islam is filled with many mu’minahs who completed their taqwa of Allah…
One of these women was Aasiyah, the wife of Fir’own. Her eman in Allah thrived under the shadow of someone who said, “I am your Lord, Most High!” When news reached Fir’own of his wife’s eman, he beat her and commanded his guards to beat her. They took her out in the scalding noon heat, tied her hands and feet, and beat her perpetually. Who did she turn to? She turned to Allah! She prayed, “My Lord, build for me a home with you in Paradise, save me from Fir’own and his deeds, and save me from the transgressive people.”
You can watch this whole lecture here to find out more about Asiya Bint Muzahim, and other respected women in Islamic history. The age range for the video is more suitable for teen and upwards.
More Women’s History
Follow along with the series at Multicultural Kid Blogs to find out more about respected women in history from all cultures and traditions.
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
Great post jazakallahu khayran! Thank you for the printouts too 🙂
Looking forward to learning about other women from different cultures and traditions in the series.
in islam and Quran women also have some rights. a surah specific for women name suarh Nisa.
So important for our women and girls to learn about women in Islam. With all the influences no days it’s easy to take up the wrong role models, but when you look at the women in our traditions, without a doubt, they have character and Iman to aspire to emulate.