Page 218 - Mary: An Exemplary Muslim Woman
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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 water-
ing 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 the Prophet Moses
(pbuh) 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 the
Prophet Moses (pbuh) 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 chasti-
ty, 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 the Prophet Moses' (pbuh) wife.
Balqis, Queen of Saba
Thanks to Allah's grace and gifts, the Prophet Solomon (pbuh) es-
tablished a great kingdom, one that is still admired, with his armies
Mary: An Exemplary Muslim Woman