Page 99 - The importance of conscience in the Qur'an

Examples of the Rightly-Guided in the Qur'an 97

elders, would persecute them. Pharaoh was
high and mighty in the land. He was one of the
profligate. (Surah Yunus: 83)
Asiya shared the same house with this cruel person and his
close circle. She also knew how he oppressed those who said
they believed in Allah. In such an atmosphere, when believers
were so exposed to oppression, she submitted to the righteous
religion communicated by Prophet Musa. Her conscience
confirmed Allah's existence and that all the beliefs prevailing
across Egypt were false. It must not be forgotten that she
possessed limitless wealth and possessions. However, she
turned away from such distractions and submitted to Allah's
religion. Too frequently we see those who own only a fraction
of her wealth and possessions exceeding in arrogance and
transgression. Their behaviour provides a good comparison to
help us understand the worth of this righteous woman.
The prayer of Pharaoh's wife in the Qur'an as
communicated by Allah is an expression of her sincerity. She
asked Allah of His paradise by completely dismissing the
prosperity she owned:
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 and rescue me from Pharaoh
and his deeds and rescue me from this wrong-
doing people…' (Surat at-Tahrim: 11)
It is important to bear in mind that in the Qur'an, there is
no discrimination between men and women. All messengers and
all people with taqwa who are quoted as examples by Allah
possess the same superior qualities. The common characteristic
of these people is their wholehearted obedience to Allah. As a
result, good manners and character are displayed which are
given as an example to the world.