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Living The Quran

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From Issue: 587 [Read full issue]

Splendid Women
Al-Tahrim (Prohibition) Sura 66: Verses 11-12

God has also given examples of believers: Pharaoh's wife, who said: "My Lord! Build me a mansion in heaven near You, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from the wrongdoing folk." And Mary, the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity; and We breathed of Our spirit into her. She accepted the truth of her Lord's words and His revealed books. She was truly devout.

Pharaoh's wife's prayer and her overall position is a shining example of rejecting all temptation that the life of this world can offer, even at its most splendid. Pharaoh was the most powerful king on earth, and his palace offered the best that a woman could desire. Yet his wife chose faith in preference to all this. She did not merely treat it with contempt; she considered it evil and sought refuge with God from yielding to it, praying to be saved from it and its consequences. Pharaoh's wife, on her own, resisted the pressures exerted by society, the palace, the throne, the courtiers and her own royal position, lifting her head to heaven seeking its light. She certainly provides a great example of submission to God, resisting all temptations and overcoming all impediments. Hence she deserved her special mention in God's book, the words of which are echoed throughout the universe as they are revealed from on high.

Mary, the daughter of Imran, provides another example of total dedication. Her distinctive quality mentioned here is her purity. Thus her innocence is made absolutely clear, refuting the vile accusations levelled at her. It was from the breathing of God's spirit into her that Jesus, her son, was born, as detailed in Surah Maryam. The present text highlights Mary's purity, complete faith and total obedience of God.

Both ladies are splendid examples of women who combined firm faith with purity of behaviour and total devotion. God sets these two examples before the believing men and women in all generations.

Compiled From:
"In The Shade Of The Quran" - Sayyid Qutb, Volume 17, pp. 120, 121

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