The Four Women Promised Jannah

Ibn Abbas reported:

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best of women among the people of Paradise are Khadija bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Maryam bint ‘Imran, and ‘Asiyah bint Muzahim, the wife of Pharaoh.”

These 4 women reached true yaqeen, meaning a state of belief with no doubt and thus are positive role models for believing women and men today. In this article we will look at each woman’s different contribution to Islam.

Maryam Bint Imran (May Allah Be Pleased With Her)

Allah says in the Quran ‘And [mention] when the angels said, “O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.”’ (3:42)

The story of Maryam is one of struggle and great difficulty for two reasons. The first is when she gave birth to Prophet ‘Isa  عليه  السلام when she was alone and in pain. The second is that when she returned to her people, she was accused of adultery and chastised for bringing disrepute to the family name. However, Maryam was sent comfort from Allah in the form of angels and a tree full of fruit whilst she was in labour. Furthermore, when Maryam returned to her people, she did not run away, nor did she hide despite knowing she was going to be shunned. Rather she relied on Allah alone knowing he would protect her and thus she showed strong tawakkul. Prophet ‘Isa عليه   السلام then spoke from the cradle and exonerated her. 

From the above, it is clear to see the commitment Maryam had on the path to Allah and Allah says she is an example for those who believe.

Asiyah Bint Muzahim (May Allah Be Pleased With Her)

“And Allah presents an example of those who believed: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, “My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people.”

– Surah At Tahrim, Verse 11

Asiyah was married to one of the worst men to walk this earth –  Pharaoh. He was an arrogant man who said to his people, “I am your Lord, the Most High.” When Asiyah declared her faith, her husband began torturing her. She was then presented with a choice: she either disbelieves from Islam or faces death. Asiyah chose to remain a believer and thus was martyred.

Therefore, from the above it is clear to see that Asiyah did not give into her husband’s demands, nor did his cruelty impact her confidence in Allah. She teaches believing women and men that we must solely obey and worship Allah regardless of who our spouses are.

The story of Asiyah is vital because she sets an example that women, like men, must choose belief on their own and distinguish the good choices from the bad.

Fatimah Bint Muhammad (May Allah Be Pleased With Her)

Aisha reported: I have not seen anyone more closely resemble the disposition, mannerism, and characteristics of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, than his daughter Fatima, may Allah honor her countenance. If she entered his home, the Prophet ﷺ would stand for her, take her by the hand, kiss her, and seat her in his place.

Fatimah Bint Muhammad (RA) was the youngest child of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Sayyidah Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her). Her life consisted of constant struggles as she lost her mother at a young age and grew up seeing her father being mistreated and humiliated by the disbelievers. For example, one day in the early days of Islam, Muhammad ﷺ was praying in front of the Ka’aba and Abu Jahal, Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt and Shayba were discussing who should take the guts of a camel and dump it on the back of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

Uqbah volunteered and returned with the filth and threw it on the Prophet ﷺ while he was still prostrating. Imagine the emotions of Fatimah, a young child, seeing her father being humiliated in this way. However, she did not stand by, rather she went up to her father and removed the filth and then stood firmly before the group of Quraysh.

The persecution of the Prophet ﷺ, his family and his followers continued after the migration of the first Muslims to Abyssinia. The Prophet ﷺ and his family were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in a rugged valley. Fatimah RA was just twelve years old at the time and had to undergo months of hardship as a young child due to the Quraysh not allowing food and contact with the Muslims. The boycott lasted for three years. Finally, when it was lifted, more sadness followed as Sayyidah Khadija departed from this world. 

Fatimah was greatly saddened by her mother’s death to the point that her health began to deteriorate. After Khadija RA passed away, Fatimah became more protective of her father and rushed to fulfil his needs. From then onwards she was called “Umm Abi-ha – the mother of her father”.

She is crowned as the ‘leader of the women of Jannah’.

Khadija Bint Khuwaylid (May Allah Be Pleased With Her)

Considered as the best women from her time, Khadija RA is a shining example of loyalty. Her excellent character gave her the name ‘at tahira’ – ‘the pure one’.

Despite being a rich businesswoman, she married the Prophet ﷺ because of his truthful and honest character and supported him throughout his journey. When the Prophet ﷺ would go to contemplate in the cave of Hira, she stood by his side and didn’t question him. It was she who would climb up the mountain, despite her old age, to come and give food to the Prophet ﷺ.

Abu Huraira reported: The Angel Gabriel came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he said, “O Messenger of Allah, here is Khadija coming to you with a dish of stew, food and drink. When she arrives before you, greet her with peace on behalf of her Lord and myself. Give her glad tidings of a palace in Paradise…”

When the Prophet ﷺ received the first revelation and came to her shaken, she supported him and was the first person to become a Muslim. Even when people rejected the Prophet ﷺ, she stood by him, despite once having a high position in society. She gave up her life of royalty and financially and emotionally supported him. She herself was affected by the torment that the Muslims faced and in her old age was subject to the boycott.

The same woman who was brought up in a life of luxury and riches was being forced to starve. When Khadija RA passed away as a result of this boycott, the Prophet ﷺ was devastated; this year became the year of sorrow. He had lost his wife and support.

After her death, he remembered her fondly as the one who stayed by his side through everything,

“She believed in me when no one else did; she accepted Islam when people rejected me; and she helped and comforted me when there was no one else to lend me a helping hand.” Khadija was a woman who gave up her life of luxury and comfort for the luxury and comfort of the hereafter. She gave up what she had to support the Prophet ﷺ for the sake of Allah, and Allah rewarded her with the promise of a palace in Paradise.

May Allah help us to sacrifice and work hard for his sake and may he grant us all a palace in Jannah. Ameen.