The Personal Attendant of Fir’oun’s Daughter
There is a kitaab by the name of Raudhatus Safa. In it is mentioned that Fir’oun’s daughter had a personal attendant/a handmaid who saw to all her affairs. She would also comb the hair of Fir’oun’s daughter.
This handmaid had embraced Imaan and taken Musa (Alaihis Salaam) as a Nabi. However, out of fear for Fir’oun she did not reveal her Faith.
One day, she was combing the hair of Fir’oun’s daughter when the comb slipped from her hand. She read, “Bismillah,” and picked it up.
The princess asked: “What did you say? Whose name did you take?” The handmaid replied: “It is the Name of That Being Who created your father and gave him this kingdom.”
The princess was taken aback. “Is there anyone greater than my father!” Saying this, she ran to her father and told him what had happened.
Fir’oun became furious. He summoned the handmaid and shouted and threatened her. But the handmaid said clearly, “Do whatever you want to do. I am not going to forsake my Imaan.”
What did Fir’oun do? He ordered that she be pinned down and nails be pierced into her hands and feet. Then burning embers were placed on her.
But even this did not make her leave her Imaan.
Then Fir’oun ordered that the handmaid’s baby be flung into a fire. The baby was thrown into a fire, but it spoke: “Ammaa! Be patient! Don’t ever leave your Imaan.”
The handmaid thus remained resolute, until the poor lady was also flung into the burning pit of fire.
In Para Amma, Surah Burooj, a similar incident is mentioned of a woman and her child being flung into a trench of fire.
Lessons
- Just look how indomitable she was in her Imaan.
- Ladies! Imaan is a priceless treasure.
- Do not weaken you Imaan for the pleasure of your nafs, or out of avariciousness, or due to some adversity and difficulty.
(Behshti Zewar)