Reclaiming Maryam and Asiya as Revolutionary Icons in the Quran

By V.A. Mohamad Ashrof, New Age Islam 13 June 2025 The Quran does not merely elevate women; it ignites their narratives, portraying them not as passive recipients of grace but as dynamic protagonists of divine will. These accounts stand as potent challenges to entrenched patriarchal norms, radically redefining spiritual authority and agency. Among the most luminous examples are Maryam (Mary), daughter of Imran, and Asiya, wife of Pharaoh—figures explicitly crowned as paragons for all believers in Quran 66: 11-12. In the Quran, Asiya and Maryam stand as powerful exemplars of women’s spiritual autonomy and agency, challenging patriarchal norms through their direct engagement with the divine. Asiya, facing Pharaoh’s oppression, boldly prays, "My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise" (66:11), bypassing all earthly authority to assert her spiritual independence—a testament to a woman’s unmediated connection to God. Likewise, Maryam is not a passive figure but an active participant in faith, as she "testified to the words of her Lord" (66:12), showcasing her intellectual and theological strength. The Quran honours both as role models for all believers, not just women (66:11-12), breaking gendered hierarchies in piety and affirming that spiritual excellence transcends male dominance. Their stories offer a feminist vision of Islam where women’s liberation is intrinsic to true submission to God. Their sagas transcend mere historical record; they are profound theological declarations of female autonomy, courageous resistance, and undeniable divine favour. Far from being anomalies, Maryam and Asiya exemplify a foundational Quranic vision that robustly affirms women’s dignity and rights across every vital dimension—spiritual, moral, legal, and social. This exploration delves into their revolutionary significance, amplified by further Quranic revelations that illuminate Islam’s intrinsic feminist ethos. Islamic feminism is not an imported ideology but a profound act of reclamation—a return to the Quran's original, untarnished vision. This vision centres women as spiritually sovereign, morally formidable, and divinely honoured beings. The very narratives of Maryam and Asiya shatter patriarchal monopolies on religious authority, offering a sacred blueprint for gender equity rooted in divine wisdom itself. From the primordial equality of creation (4:1) to the mandate of mutual love and rights within marriage (30:21), the Quran consistently champions female agency. This essay unveils how the stories of these remarkable women, interwoven with key Quranic injunctions, construct an irrefutable framework for female self-assertion and liberation within Islam. Hannah’s Naming of Maryam: A Bold Repudiation of Priestly Patriarchy When Hannah, Maryam’s mother, dedicates her unborn child to God’s exclusive service, her declaration resonates with radical power: "I have named her Maryam." (Quran 3:36) This is no simple announcement; it is a profound act of maternal authority, a theological disruption in a milieu where lineage and naming conventions were fiercely guarded male prerogatives. Hannah bypasses the temple patriarchy entirely, seeking no priestly sanction. She boldly claims spiritual guardianship over her daughter’s destiny—an act of sacred defiance against established norms. This resonates powerfully with the Quranic insistence on consent and autonomy, particularly in marriage: "O you who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by force..." (Quran 4:19) This verse shields women’s control over their own lives and bodies, mirroring Hannah's independent resolve. Likewise, the guarantee of financial independence—"For men is a share of what they earn, and for women is a share of what they earn..." (Quran 4:32)—fortifies women against economic subjugation, reinforcing the agency Hannah embodies. The Quran’s visceral condemnation of female infanticide further underscores the inherent, sacred value placed on female life: "And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked, for what sin she was killed." (Quran 81:8-9) Hannah's naming of Maryam is thus not an isolated gesture but emblematic of a divine mandate that honours and protects female worth from the very moment of existence. Maryam as the Embodiment of Truth Maryam's exaltation within the Quran is unparalleled, a distinction that reverberates through its verses: "O Maryam, indeed God has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds." (Quran 3:42) Her designation as As-Siddiqa (The Truthful One, The Affirming One) (Quran 5:75) places her in a spiritual echelon often associated with prophets, signalling unequivocally that divine proximity and spiritual excellence transcend gender boundaries. This shatters the presumption that divine favour is a male province and aligns seamlessly with the Quran’s foundational principle of shared spiritual origin: "O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate..." (Quran 4:1) This verse annihilates notions of inherent gender hierarchy, affirming a common spiritual essence. Maryam’s profound wisdom, implicitly acknowledged even by the prophet Zakariya (Q.3:37), further demolishes the gendering of intellect: "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" (Quran 39:9) Her intellectual and spiritual sovereignty stands as a divine endorsement of women's right to knowledge, leadership, and self-determination, positioning her as a revolutionary archetype of female spiritual authority. Maryam’s Miraculous Sustenance: Divine Endorsement of Female Independence The Quran highlights Maryam’s divinely provided sustenance with striking clarity: "Every time Zakariya entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, ‘O Maryam, from where is this coming to you?’ She said, ‘It is from God.’" (Quran 3:37) This miracle transcends mere provision; it is a potent theological statement. Maryam’s sustenance flows directly from the Divine, unmediated by male figures, thereby dismantling the patriarchal assumption of female dependency. This resonates deeply with the Quranic affirmation of women's economic autonomy: "For men is a share of what they earn, and for women is a share of what they earn..." (Quran 4:32) Her divinely supported independence finds echoes in the Quran's recognition of maternal authority and choice: "Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing..." (Quran 2:233) This verse empowers women with agency over fundamental aspects of motherhood, reinforcing the principle that Maryam’s life choices—sustained directly by God—are divinely sanctioned and liberated from patriarchal constraints. Asiya: A Beacon of Defiant Faith in the Heart of Tyranny Asiya, the wife of the tyrannical Pharaoh, emerges as a blazing symbol of moral courage amidst overwhelming oppression. In an act of profound defiance against her husband's claim to divinity and his brutal regime, she declares her unwavering faith: "My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds..." (Quran 66:11) Her prayer is not merely a plea for escape but a declaration of allegiance to ultimate Truth, a testament to female resistance against systemic injustice. Asiya embodies the Quranic principle of equal moral responsibility and reciprocal rights: "And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable..." (Quran 2:228) Her courage also manifests the ideal of believers, men and women, as mutual protectors and allies in righteousness: "The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong." (Quran 9:71) Asiya's elevation as an exemplary role model for all humanity (Quran 66:11-12) decisively refutes any notion that spiritual leadership or heroic faith is inherently male, proving women can be powerful agents of divine justice even from within the epicentre of tyranny. Weaving Female Liberation into the Fabric of Faith The luminous narratives of Maryam and Asiya are not isolated sparks but constellations within a broader Quranic universe championing female dignity and rights. This divinely architected framework includes: • Economic Justice: Explicit inheritance rights guarantee women a share of familial wealth (Quran 4:7), securing financial standing. She has every right to work and earn (Quran 4:32). • Marital Equity: Marriage is founded on mutual love, mercy, and clearly defined rights (Quran 30:21, 2:187), with provisions for women to initiate divorce (khula') if justice cannot be maintained (Quran 2:229). • Civic Participation: Women's testimony is validated in legal and financial matters (Quran 2:282), affirming their presence and voice in the public sphere. • Bodily Sovereignty: Coercion in marriage or exploitation is unequivocally condemned (Quran 4:19, 24:33), enshrining the principle of consent. These explicit injunctions, illuminated by the powerful lives of Maryam and Asiya, dismantle gender-based hierarchies and champion a theology of profound equality and mutual respect. The Unshackled Spirit Maryam and Asiya stand not as historical footnotes or exceptional figures, but as indomitable spiritual forces and revolutionary ideals challenging centuries of patriarchal misinterpretation. Their stories, fortified by a rich tapestry of Quranic verses affirming female autonomy and rights, provide an authentic, indigenous, and robust foundation for Islamic feminism. From Hannah’s defiant naming to Asiya’s courageous declaration, the Quran consistently elevates women as pivotal agents of divine purpose. They prove that genuine submission to God necessitates the liberation of women from man-made shackles. Thus, Maryam and Asiya endure as living testaments to a faith whose core message transcends gender, empowers the marginalized, and ceaselessly calls humanity towards a world built on justice, equity, and the recognition of the divine light within every soul. ----- V.A. Mohamad Ashrof is an independent Indian scholar specializing in Islamic humanism. With a deep commitment to advancing Quranic hermeneutics that prioritize human well-being, peace, and progress, his work aims to foster a just society, encourage critical thinking, and promote inclusive discourse and peaceful coexistence. He is dedicated to creating pathways for meaningful social change and intellectual growth through his scholarship. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/maryam-asiya-revolutionary-icons-quran/d/135859 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism