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The pious woman in Islam: her qualities in the Quran and Sunnah
The pious woman (al-mar’ah as-salihah) is described by the Prophet ﷺ as the best treasure of this world. Here are her qualities and role models.
The pious woman in the Quran
“So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in (their husband’s) absence what Allah would have them guard.”
Surah An-Nisa, 4:34The ten qualities of the pious woman
- Faith and fear of Allah (taqwa), the source of all other qualities.
- Prayer performed on time, see how to pray.
- Modesty (haya) in dress, gaze and speech; see the hijab in Islam.
- Reading the Quran and remembering Allah (dhikr).
- Kindness to her parents, her husband and her children.
- Patience in hardship, like Asiyah facing Pharaoh.
- Generosity: the women at the time of the Prophet ﷺ gave their jewellery in charity (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1431).
- Seeking knowledge, like ‘Aishah, who transmitted more than 2,000 hadiths.
- Good speech and keeping away from backbiting.
- Faithfulness and keeping the secrets of the home.
The role models of the pious woman
| Woman | What she teaches |
|---|---|
| Maryam | Purity and devotion; a surah bears her name |
| Asiyah | Firm faith in the face of Pharaoh’s tyranny (66:11) |
| Khadijah | Unfailing support for the Prophet ﷺ from the first revelation |
| Fatimah | Simplicity, patience and love of the Prophet ﷺ |
| ‘Aishah | Knowledge and teaching the religion |
A supplication for a pious family
“Our Lord, grant us from our spouses and offspring comfort to our eyes, and make us leaders of the righteous.”
Surah Al-Furqan, 25:74Read also the place of women in Islam, marriage in Islam and all our duas.
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You may be wondering…
What is a pious woman in Islam?
She is a believer who fears Allah (taqwa), performs her prayers, guards her modesty and treats her family with kindness. The Prophet ﷺ said: “This world is an enjoyment, and the best enjoyment of this world is a righteous woman (al-mar’ah as-salihah)” (Sahih Muslim, 1467).
What are the qualities of the pious woman in the Quran?
Surah An-Nisa describes righteous women as devoutly obedient and guarding in their husband’s absence what Allah has ordered to be guarded (4:34). Surah Al-Ahzab (33:35) lists believing women who are submissive, truthful, patient, humble, charitable, fasting, chaste and who remember Allah often.
Who are the best women of Islam?
The Prophet ﷺ named Maryam daughter of ‘Imran, Asiyah wife of Pharaoh, Khadijah daughter of Khuwaylid and Fatimah daughter of Muhammad as the best women of the worlds (At-Tirmidhi, 3878).
How does she enter Paradise?
“If a woman prays her five prayers, fasts her month, guards her chastity and obeys her husband, it will be said to her: enter Paradise by whichever gate you wish” (Ahmad, 1661, judged good by several scholars).
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