Women of Paradise: Exemplary Muslim Females
There are four women in Islam that acquired perfection in faith by virtue of their devotion, patience and character. May their stories of sacrifice and perseverance enlighten your path and be a constant reminder of the greater goal in life.
Maryam Bint Imran
The woman who has a whole Surah in the Quran named after her. Maryam RA was the mother of Prophet Esa AS. She never married in her lifetime; hence, she was astonished when Angel Jibrael informed her that she would bear a son. Maryam, the only woman mentioned in the Quran, was mentioned by name and not necessarily associated as being the mother of Prophet Esa, for her status and the person she was in her own right. In fact, Maryam was mentioned in the Quran more times than Prophet Esa. She was an example to all women in greatness, perseverance, and her devotion to Allah.
Khadija Bint Khuwaylid
Khadija Bint Khuwaylid, a woman well ahead of her time. She was known among Muslims as “Mother of the Believers”. Khadija was known as one of the richest traders among the tribe of Quraysh, with a reputation for fair trading. She declared her interest in marrying Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and was the one to propose to him. As well as being financially successful, Khadija was also a key part of Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) spiritual journey. She was the first person to wholeheartedly believe in the Prophet’s message. Khadija championed her husband, at a time when few people did, encouraging and supporting him right until her death in Makkah in 619 AD. Allah Almighty greeted Khadija with “salam” (peace) - one can only aspire to reach that level of greatness.
Asiya Bint Muzahim
Where does one begin with Asiya? Despite being married to Ancient Egypt’s oppressive Pharaoh, Asiya was a pure-hearted woman of perfect iman (faith). Asiya was a beautiful and gentle queen who had no children of her own. When Prophet Musa (Moses) was born, the Pharaoh was paranoid that he would be overthrown, so he ordered the slaughter of baby boys in the land, every other year. By the grace of the Almighty, in a year that baby boys were to be killed, Prophet Musa ended at the Pharoah’ home, where Asiya convinced her unsuspecting husband to keep him. Later on, Prophet Musa started preaching the message of the one true God, and Asiya believed in the message wholeheartedly. She stood up to the Pharoah and announced that she believed in the one true God (Allah), whereupon the Pharoah starved and tortured her to no avail.
During the last painful seconds of her life, she prayed:
“My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from the Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people.”
رب ابن لي عندك بيتا في الجنة ونجني من فرعون وعمله ونجني من القوم الظالمين
Fatima Al-Zahra (RA)
She was the youngest daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his wife Khadija (ra). Fatimah was said to be of high intelligence and was educated by the Prophet himself on Islamic theology. Her faith and devotion to God remained remarkably strong — despite being witness to some of the most trying days of early Islam. Fatimah constantly saw her father (pbuh) being insulted and mistreated by the disbelievers, but bravely stood by him. After moving to Medina, Fatimah married Ali (ra), the Prophet’s cousin. Fatimah was an example of her father’s unshakable morals and nobility.