Asiya, alternatively Asiyah, sometimes called Asiya bint Muzahim, was the Great Royal Wife of the Ancient Egypt's Pharaoh of the Exodus and the adoptive mother ofMoses in the Islamic tradition. She is revered by Muslims as one of the four greatest women of all time, and according to a prophetic narration found in Sahih al-Bukhari, the second ever. She is believed to have secretly accepted monotheism after witnessing the miracle of Moses in her husband's court. The tradition holds that Asiya worshippedGod in secret and prayed in disguise fearing her husband. She adopted Moses and convinced her husband Pharaoh not to kill him. She died while being tortured by her husband, who had discovered her monotheism and retaliated to her rebellion against his tyranny. ''
Early life
Muslims believe that Asiya came from a rich family and that she was a very beautiful and generous woman. Her marriage to Pharaoh was arranged. Unlike her husband, she was humble and accepted the faith that Moses and Aaron were preaching. Although she had exceeding wealth, she was not arrogant like Pharaoh. She realized that faith was far more important and was thus exalted by God amongst the women of her generation.
Asiya and her maids were at the neighbouring Nile river one day. To their amazement, they found a crate floating in the river. Asiya immediately ordered that the crate be brought out on shore. The maids thought there was a treasure in the crate, but instead found a baby boy, Moses. Asiya instantly felt motherly love towards him. She told Pharaoh about the baby. The incident has been described in the Quran. Asiya then offered Moses's mother to live in their household as his wet nurse and paid her for her services, unaware of their relationship.
Death
When she witnessed the death of a believing woman under her husband's torture, she declared her faith before Pharaoh who tried to turn her away from the faith, but Asiya refused to reject the God and the teaching of Moses. On Pharaoh's order, she was tortured to death.
Legacy
It is said that Asiya was a sincere believer and that she fully submitted herself to Allah, despite being the wife of Pharaoh. According to Hadith, she will be among the first women to enter Paradise because she accepted Moses's monotheism over Pharaoh's beliefs. The Qur'an mentions Asiya as an example to all Muslims
