Page 98 - The importance of conscience in the Qur'an

96 The Importance of Conscience in the Qur'an

made me a Prophet. He has made me blessed
wherever I am and directed me to do regular
prayers and give regular charity as long as I
live, and to show devotion to my mother. He
has not made me insolent or arrogant. Peace
be upon me the day I was born, and the day I
die and the day I am raised up again alive.'
(Surah Maryam: 29-33)
Thus, Maryam was supported in the best manner against
her community with a miracle by Allah. Her story shows the
strong and courageous character of someone wholeheartedly
devoted to Allah.

Pharaoh's wife
Asiya (RA) was the wife of the pharaoh who reigned over
the children of Israel in Egypt during Prophet Musa's time. This
righteous woman who was married to a man who has gone
down in history as one of the most oppressive people in the
world, has the honour of being remembered among the most
superior Muslims in history. Her character is given as an
example to the believers in the Qur'an:
Allah has made an example for those who
believe: the wife of Pharaoh… (Surat at-
Tahrim:11)
As wife of the pharaoh she would have enjoyed the highest
status and had access to unlimited wealth and prosperity, while
those who opposed him lived in wretchedness and fear of
severe punishment or death. Yet Asiya was neither lured by the
comfort of riches nor afraid of her husband's wrath. The Qur'an
tells us:
None believed in Musa except for a few of his
people out of fear that Pharaoh, and the