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STEADFASTNESS ON THE PATH OF ALLAH (SWT)
Aasiyah,
the daughter of Muzahim and the wife of Firo’un (the cruel ruler during
the time of Moses) is regarded as one of the four best women who will
enter the Paradise before everyone else. The other three are:
Maryam
(Mary, the mother of Jesus), Khadeejah (the wife of the Holy Prophet)
and Fatima (the one and only beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet) –
Peace be upon them all.
Although
Aasiyah was the wife of Firo’un, a tyrant ruler who claimed to be god,
she was a Mumina ‘a believer’. It is narrated that:
In the
days of Firo’un, there lived a very pious man called Hizqeel. Firo’un
murdered him because of his faith in Moses (a.s.) and One God. Hizqeel
had a wife who was a hairdresser and two sons. They too, were the
followers of Moses (a.s.). One day, as Hizqeel’s wife was combing the
hair of Firo’un’s daughter, her comb fell and she picked it up saying
Bismillah meaning ‘in the Name of Allah’. Firo’un’s daughter was
surprised by this utterance, so she asked, “The Allah, whose name you
have just uttered, is he my father or somebody else?” Hizqeel’s wife
replied, “I have remembered Allah Who has created you, your father
and me”.
Firo’un’s
daughter reported the matter to her father who was extremely annoyed and
furious with such remarks. He summoned Hizqeel’s wife with her two sons
and asked,
“Who is
your creator?”
She
courageously replied,
“Your God
and my God is the creator of this world”.
Firo’un
became even more upset and ordered his soldiers to burn Hizqeel’s wife
together with her two sons alive.
Soon
after their torturous death, Firo’un proudly came up to his wife Aasiyah
and informed her about the incident thinking that she would be happy to
know what he had done. Instead, she was furious and clearly expressed
her disgust towards him. Firo’un realized that his own wife had also
become a believer of Moses (a.s.) and therefore tortured her too, to her
death. He used a very violent method to eliminate her. He made her lie
down on the earth and nailed her hands and legs. However, Aasiyah
remained steadfast in the path of Allah (SWT). Mentioning her with
praise in the Quran, Allah (SWT) says:
“And Allah has given an example to the believers, of Firo’un’s wife.
When she said: O Lord! Build me a house in the garden, and deliver me
from Firo’un and his deeds, and deliver me from the unjust people”.
(66:16)
LEARNING
POINT:
We must
always remain steadfast on the path of Allah (SWT) whatever the
difficulties. This indeed is the lesson we learn from the above episode.
Aasiyah was the beloved wife of Firo’un. She was a queen and had
everything one would desire for in this life. However, when she believed
in Moses (a.s.), she realized that the rewards of the Hereafter were
much better. What could the short-life of this world have to offer?
“…and be steadfast (in your faith) as you are commanded, and do not
follow their vain desires…”
(42:15)
Imam Ali
(a.s.) has said, “The best happiness (is
achieved through) steadfastness of faith (religion)”. (Ghurar al-Hikam)
He (a.s.)
has also said, “Action! Action! Then (look
at) the end; the end, and (remain) steadfast; steadfast……..Allah, the
Sublime says: ‘Verily the angels descend
on those who say: ‘Allah is our Lord’ and then remain steadfast, saying:
Do not fear, nor grieve. Receive the glad tidings of the garden which
was promised to you’ (41:30) You have
said: ‘Our Lord is Allah’. Then keep steadfast to His Book, to the way
of His command and to the virtuous course of His worship…” (Nahjul-Balaghah/Sermon
176)
Mulla
Mujaheedali Sheriff
mulla@almahdi.org.uk |