Abiding by the Qur'an leads one to the right path, for "News has come to them that contains a threat: consummate wisdom..." (Surat al-Qamar: 4-5). In another verse, Allah reminds us that the Qur'an's verses and accounts of past people provide many examples and much advice: "There is instruction in their stories for people of intelligence. This is not a narration that has been invented, but a confirmation of all that came before, a clarification of everything, and a guidance and a mercy for people who believe" (Surah Yusuf: 111).

Allah mentions the devout women who submitted to Him from the depth of their hearts so that believers could learn about their exemplary character traits and then emulate them. Also, these verses speak of women who persist in their unbelief despite being invited to believe, and thus distance themselves from His mercy.

In the following pages, we will explore the good character examples of the devout Muslim women mentioned in the Qur'an

The Good Character of Pharaoh's Wife

Allah mentions two female role models for believers: Maryam (Mary, mother of Jesus) and Pharaoh's wife. From the very beginning of this book, we have shown how Allah chose Maryam above all other women because of her chastity, heart-felt devotion to Him, and strong faith in Him. The character of Pharaoh's wife is described below:

Allah has made an example for those who believe: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said: "My Lord, build a house in the Garden for me in Your presence, rescue me from Pharaoh and his deeds, and rescue me from this wrongdoing people." (Surat at-Tahrim: 11)

Pharaoh's wife is another role model for believing women. She witnessed from close up Pharaoh's violent nature, the extremes to which he took his denial, and how he oppressed the Jews.

As "Pharaoh was high and mighty in the land. He was one of the profligate" (Surah Yunus: 83) reveals, Pharaoh was a merciless and wicked man who subjected his people to violence. For example, he did not harm women but killed their male children. This punishment was unbearable. All of Egypt belonged to him, and he lived in great wealth and grandeur. No one dared to disagree with him or rebel against him, for he was, by Egyptian tradition, claiming to be the god of the Egyptians and the Israelites.

Allah sent Prophet Musa (Moses) (as) as a reminder to Pharaoh and as a savior to the Israelites ("as" is short for alayhis salam, which means "peace be upon him"). Upon Prophet Musa's (as)inviting the Egyptians to Allah's true religion and calling them to forsake their idols for Allah, Pharaoh threatened everyone that: "If you take any god other than me, I will certainly throw you into prison" (Surat ash-Shu'ara': 29). As a result, only a few young people believed: "No one believed in Musa, except for a few of his people, out of fear that Pharaoh and the elders would persecute them" (Surah Yunus: 83). The court magicians who answered Prophet Musa's (as) call to faith by believing in him came face to face with Pharaoh's wicked and violent methods:

Pharaoh said: "Have you believed in him before I authorized you to do so? This is just some plot you have concocted in the city to drive its people from it. I will cut off your alternate hands and feet, and then I will crucify every one of you." (Surat al-A'raf: 123-24)

Another verse reveals the reason for such cruelty:

[The magicians said:] "You are only avenging yourself on us because we believed in our Lord's Signs when they came to us. Our Lord, pour down steadfastness upon us and take us back to You as Muslims." (Surat al-A'raf: 126)

Pharaoh's wickedness toward people who rejected his rule by believing in Allah was clearly visible. But his wife, despite knowing all of this, did not fear Pharaoh's retribution or cruelty, for she considered winning Allah's good pleasure, love, and closeness to be far more important. Her devotion and submission to Him, as well as the patience, faith, and courage that she showed while concealing her belief under difficult circumstances, are exemplary lessons for all believers.

In addition, it must not be forgotten that since only Pharaoh owned all of Egypt's treasures and gifts, she was willing to give all of these up in order to win Allah's good pleasure and live by Islamic morality. In other words, she considered all of her husband's possessions worthless. Her sincerity is clearly visible in her prayer:

... when she said: "My Lord, build a house in the Garden for me in Your presence, rescue me from Pharaoh and his deeds, and rescue me from this wrongdoing people." (Surat at-Tahrim: 11)

Her superior character proved that she was not attached to this worldly life but only desired Allah's good pleasure, mercy, and Paradise. Allah relates her genuine faith as an example for all Muslims and made her superior in both worlds.

The Devotion of Prophet Musa's (as) Mother

Allah reveals that Pharaoh was a transgressor, a wicked ruler who oppressed his people and slaughtered the male children of his nation:

Pharaoh exalted himself arrogantly in the land and divided its people into camps, oppressing one group by slaughtering their sons and letting their women live. He was one of the corrupters. (Surat al-Qasas: 4)

Prophet Musa (as) was born in Egypt during this oppressive rule. Allah chose him and commanded him to struggle against Pharaoh's oppression. Allah informed his mother that she should protect him:

When We revealed to your mother: "Place him into the box and place it upon the sea. The sea will wash it up on the shore, where an enemy of Mine and his will pick it up." (Surah Ta Ha: 38-39)

We revealed to Musa's mother: "Suckle him and then when you fear for him, place him upon the sea. Do not fear or grieve; We will return him to you and make him one of the Messengers." (Surat al-Qasas: 7)

Allah reminded Prophet Musa's (as) mother not to fear or grieve. Rather, she was to put her newborn baby into a box and then place it upon the water. Carrying out such an order requires one to have a most genuine faith and trust in Allah, not to mention submission. But his mother was tried with such an event and passed this test, which revealed her superior character as well as her devotion to and trust in Him. Thus, she became an example for all believers until the Day of Judgment.

After she had carried out His order, and knowing that this test would try her to the limits, Allah strengthened her heart with patience and perseverance:

Musa's mother felt a great emptiness in her heart and she almost gave him away; only We fortified her heart so that she would be one of the believers. (Surat al-Qasas: 10)

As the following verse reveals, Prophet Musa's (as) mother asked his sister to follow him without being seen so that she could know what happened to her son: "She said to his sister, 'Go after him.' She kept an eye on him from afar, and they were not aware" (Surat al-Qasas: 11).

Allah determined a destiny for Prophet Musa (as) and created everything so that it would unfold as He willed. He had Prophet Musa (as), who was to fight Pharaoh, brought to his palace and raised by his family. Allah also had him suckled by his true mother, for his sister advised Pharaoh's family to raise him and suggested her own mother as his wet nurse:

We first made him refuse all wet nurses, so she asked: "Shall I show you to a household who will feed him for you and be good to him?" (Surat al-Qasas: 12)

Subsequently, Allah reunited Prophet Musa (as) with his mother for the following reason:

That is how We returned him to his mother so that she might delight her eyes and feel no grief, and so that she would know that Allah's promise is true. But most of them do not know this. (Surat al-Qasas: 13)

As the verse makes clear, Allah tested the devotion of Prophet Musa's (as) mother and, in return for her patience, submission, and strength of character, arranged events so that she could take care of him. Allah also made this event a cause for Prophet Musa (as), who would one day assume great responsibilities in Egypt and fight to free the Israelites from Pharaoh's oppression, to be brought up in Pharaoh's palace in close proximity to him. Allah reveals:

The family of Pharaoh picked him up so that he might be an enemy and a source of grief to them. Certainly Pharaoh, Haman, and their troops were in the wrong. (Surat al-Qasas: 8)

The wife of Pharaoh said: "A source of delight for me and for you; do not kill him. It may well be that he will be of use to us, or perhaps we could adopt him as a son." They were not aware. (Surat al-Qasas: 9)

Allah creates everything according to a specific destiny and tries people with events within this destiny. As He reveals, our Lord gives good news to those who are patient, as in the case of Prophet Musa's (as) mother, and will guide them to goodness with His mercy:

We will test you with a certain amount of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth, life, and fruits. But give good news to the steadfast. (Surat al-Baqara: 155)

The Women Prophet Musa (as) Helped

Allah reveals that after leaving Egypt, Prophet Musa (as) went east toward Madyan. There, he saw two women who were waiting near a well so that their animals drink. When he asked them about this, they told him that because their father was too old to do this job, they had to bring their animals. However, they had to wait because of the shepherds who were already at the water. Allah reveals this situation:

When he arrived at the water of Madyan, he found a crowd of people drawing water there. Standing apart from them, he found two women holding back their sheep. He asked: "What are you two doing here?" They said: "We cannot draw water until the shepherds have driven off their sheep. You see, our father is a very old man." So he drew water for them. (Surat al-Qasas: 23-24)

Their behavior shows that they were strictly chaste women who sought to protect themselves in environments that they considered unsafe and unbecoming. The shepherds caused them to stay away from the well. Prophet Musa's (as) trustworthy appearance convinced the women that it would be alright to speak with him. After learning of their plight, he took it upon himself to help them by watering their animals.

The behavior of these two women is a good example for all Muslim women. In spite of being in need, they preferred to guard their chastity even though it complicated matters for them. Knowing that it was more important to please Allah, they chose to wait. Consequently, Allah sent them a trustworthy person to help them.

Allah gave them a great blessing by sending Prophet Musa (as) to them, who then watered their animals and prayed: "My Lord, I am truly in need of any good You have in store for me" (Surat al-Qasas: 24). Later, one of the women returned and said that her father had invited him to his house in return for his help:

One of them came walking shyly up to him and said: "My father invites you so that he can pay you your wage for drawing water for us." (Surat al-Qasas: 25)

One of them said: "Hire him, father. The best person to hire is someone strong and trustworthy." (Surat al-Qasas: 26)

Clearly she meant to inform her father that she considered Prophet Musa (as) to be a trustworthy person. After seeing the truth of his daughter's words, their father asked him to consider marrying one of his daughters.

These women's behavior, especially their protection of their chastity, is a good example for all Muslims. In return for their devotion in this respect, Allah eased their burden with a trustworthy person and let one of them become Prophet Musa's (as) wife.

Balqis, Queen of Saba (Sheba)

Thanks to Allah's grace and gifts, Prophet Sulayman (Solomon) (as) established a great kingdom, one that is still admired, with his armies formed of men and jinns. His palace was built using the most advanced technologies of that era and displayed a great aesthetic style. The Qur'an relates that Balqis, the queen of Saba, entered into an economical and political dialogue with Prophet Sulayman (as). No doubt, there is much wisdom and advice in this information for believers.

Allah reveals that a hoopoe in Prophet Sulayman's (as) army brought him some important news about the queen of Saba:

However, it was not long delayed, and then it [the hoopoe] said: "I have comprehended something you have not and bring you accurate intelligence from Saba. I found a woman ruling over them who has been given everything. She possesses a mighty throne. I found both her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah. Satan has made their actions seem good to them and debarred them from the Way, so they are not guided and do not prostrate to Allah, Who brings out what is hidden in the heavens and Earth, and knows what you conceal and what you divulge." (Surat an-Naml: 22-25)

First, the hoopoe gave Prophet Sulayman (as) some information about the queen's qualities: She had everything in abundance, ruled the kingdom of Saba, and had a great throne. He drew the attention thereby to the power of her kingdom and her rule.

Based on this information, Prophet Sulayman (as) wrote a letter to Balqis and invited her to believe in Allah and surrender to him. The queen immediately realized the significance of this letter and discussed it with her inner circle. This event is related in the Qur'an:

She said: "O council! A noble letter has been delivered to me. It is from Sulayman and says: 'In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Do not rise up against me, but come to me in submission.'" She said: "O council. Give me your opinion about this matter. It is not my habit to make a final decision until I have heard what you have to say." (Surat an-Naml: 29-32)

Her council responded: "We possess strength and great force. But the matter is in your hands, so consider what you command" (Surat an-Naml: 33). This shows that she had great power over her kingdom.

She took up the advice of her aids and chose caution:

"When kings enter a city, they lay waste to it and make its mightiest inhabitants the most abased. That is what they too will do. I will send them a gift, and then wait and see what the messengers bring back." (Surat an-Naml: 34-35)

Her primary goal was to discover his true intention. Prophet Sulayman (as), who understood her strategy, rejected the gifts and sent her another message:

[Sulayman said to the messenger:] "Return to them. We will come to them with troops they cannot face, and will expel them from it abased and humiliated." (Surat an-Naml: 37)

He warned her once more of his army's irresistible power and warned her to surrender. He also requested that his army's leaders bring her throne to him, for it symbolized her rule. A demon from among the jinns brought it in the time it takes to blink, and Prophet Sulayman (as) then had it altered. When Balqis finally came to him, he asked her whether this throne belonged to her:

Then when she came, she was asked: "Is your throne like this?" She said: "It is exactly like it. We were given the knowledge before it, and we were submissive." And what she worshipped besides Allah impeded her. She was from an unbelieving people. (Surat an-Naml: 42-43)

In spite of being from a land of sun worshippers, the queen of Saba was quite affected by the genuine manner of Prophet Sulayman's (as) letter, his rational style, power, and most impressive palace. All of this led her to believe and become a Muslim. Allah reveals her submission to him:

She was told: "Enter the courtyard." But when she saw it, she supposed it to be a pool and bared her legs. He said: "It is a courtyard paved with glass." She said: "My Lord, I have wronged myself, but I have submitted with Sulayman to the Lord of all the worlds." (Surat an-Naml: 44)

This account of the queen of Saba and Prophet Sulayman (as) contains wisdom and advice. The queen's ability to reason correctly enabled her to see the truth and act accordingly. In spite of her very different beliefs, she surrendered to Allah and believed in Him without hesitation when she realized the truth. This is an example of exemplary behavior.

Source:

http://www.womaninthequran.com/