Asiyah, Maryam and Khadijah as Role Models for Contemporary Muslim Women

Abstract

Islam envisions a society built upon individual contribution and mutual cooperation towards a greater goal. Its aim is the achievement of piety at personal level and the establishment of the creed of Islam at a societal level. Thus, in a Muslim society success is not defined by the exploits and worldly achievements of a particular person, man or woman. Rather it is about the role of individuals towards creating a harmonious society where men and women evaluate each other, encourage one another and help and support themselves to establish the Deen of Allah in the land. This is the example of the role of the individual we receive from the Quran, the Ahadith of our Prophet (S) and from the women we meet in the Seerah of our Prophet Muhammad (S). This article strives to highlight the examples of three women from various periods of the history of Islam who played crucial roles at critical moments to provide support and shelter to three major prophets. The three ladies are Asiyah Bint Muzahim, Maryam Bint Imran and Khadijah Bint Khuwailid. The first was the wife of the Pharaoh of Egypt, the second was the first and only mother to give birth to a child without any male intervention, the third a powerful businesswoman of Makkah. But their stature and honour in Islam is not based on their personal positions or achievements. It is due to their roles in protecting and nurturing three prophets of the highest caliber – Musa (A), Isa (A) and Muhammad (S) respectively. They epitomized how women can utilize their full potential not only for personal gain but also to create a better environment in the world in conjunction with their male counterparts. Their examples can provide a guideline for modern women as to how Muslim women today may achieve individual spirituality while contributing effectually towards the betterment of the society they live in.