Legacy of Honor: Three Inspiring Women in Islamic History

Three Women. One Faith. Endless Reward.

Throughout history, Muslims have endured severe oppression. Prophets were killed, and believers were tortured and executed in the most brutal ways. Among these countless stories of sacrifice, three martyred women stand out. One is mentioned in the Qur’an, and the other two are preserved in the Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ.

Asia: The Wife of Pharaoh

Asia, the daughter of Muzahim and the wife of Pharaoh, is honored as one of the four greatest women ever to live. Her faith in the message of Moses enraged the tyrant, who unleashed horrific torture upon her.

She was pinned with metal rods, starved, parched, whipped relentlessly, and stretched with ropes under the scorching sun. Despite all that, she did not waver. Asia’s soul yearned not for escape but for reward from her Lord. Her final words were a prayer (Du^a') mentioned in the Qur’an, which means:

“My Lord, build for me a house in Paradise” [Surat At-Tahrim, 66:11]

Do you think she was the only woman to endure such agony?

The Hairdresser of Pharaoh’s Daughter

A righteous woman, who served as the hairdresser of Pharaoh’s daughter was once combing the hair of the Pharaoh’s daughter when the comb slipped from her hand. She bent down to bring and back and uttered: “In the name of Allah.” That short phrase sparked a chain of anger in the hearts of the disbelievers.

When she was summoned by Pharaoh and was commanded to renounce her faith, she refused. The Pharaoh wanted to torture her. Her children — one by one — were thrown into a pot of boiling water before her eyes. Her youngest, a nursing infant, was the last to be thrown in with her.

The Prophet ﷺ said that he smelled a beautiful fragrance from her grave. It was a scent that reflected her honor and high rank.

Sumayyah: The First Martyr of Islam

Sumayyah, the mother of ^Ammar the son of Yasir, was among the first to publicize her Islam in Mecca. She was frail in body but a mountain in spirit. The non-believers of Quraysh tortured her and her family for their faith.

When she refused to deny her belief in Allah, she was killed, stabbed by a spear in her private part in front of her son. She became the first martyr of Islam.

The Prophet ﷺ comforted them with words that echo to this day which means:

“Patience, O family of Yasir. You’re promised Paradise (For their patience and steadfastness).”

Why Were They Tortured?

They were not criminals. They harmed no one.

Their only “crime” in the eyes of the non-believers was believing in Allah.

They chose the everlasting truth over the worldly ease.

They chose Paradise over the Pharaoh and disbelief.

Each woman faced a different torment; each died as a martyr. They shared one thing which is steadfastness in the face of cruelty. Their pain was horrific but brief. Their reward is everlasting.

Allah, the One True God, never leaves the sacrifices of the patient Muslims (like those) to go unrewarded.

Their pain was temporary.

Their reward is everlasting.