A woman of resilience: Sarah (RA)'s Inspiring Journey.

The wife of Prophet Ibraheem (AS).

Growing up surrounded by idol worship, questioning who his Lord is. Having to live with his father who was a pagan. Facing rejection as he tried to persuade him later to worship none but Allah. Prophet Ibraheem (AS) faced great disappointment at the hands of his own people so much that Allah granted him the permission to leave his hometown.

However, despite all the pain, distress and rejection Allah blessed him with a loyal companion, his wife, Sarah (RA) who provided her unwavering support and loyalty to him.

Sarah (RA) was said to be among one of the most attractive women and was blessed with beauty and grace. Her modesty, strength and integrity were unmatched. Her character was that of piety and righteousness as she followed the truth and stayed on the right path.

She stood alongside him as far as leaving behind her whole family to embark on a journey with him, one in which their faith, patience and trust in Allah would be tested. She was more than just his wife, but his pillar of strength, his partner in faith for despite the trails that came his way Sarah (RA) accompanied him with resilience and patience throughout.

They encountered many foreign lands and travelled through harsh deserts and climates yet through every hardship that came his way Sarah (RA) was a beacon of light and hope for her husband as her support allowed him to continue spreading his message of monotheism and guide people to worship Allah alone.

Allah (SWT) ordered Prophet Ibraheem (AS) and Sarah (RA) to go to a place called Ilya which is modern day Jerusalem or Palestine. During their journey, they passed through a route that led them to Egypt where they came across a group of people who seeing them and the extreme beauty of Sarah (RA) informed the tyrant and oppressive ruler of Egypt. The king was indeed evil and took every woman he found to be another man's wife.

Hearing about the beautiful woman passing through his territory, the king ordered that if the man is the woman's husband, the man should be killed and the woman brought to his palace.

However, before they arrived, Angel Jibraeel (AS) descended and informed Prophet Ibraheem (AS) and Sarah (RA) about how the soldiers would come and inquire whether they both are a couple and kill Prophet Ibraheem (AS) if so.

Prophet Ibraheem (AS) upon hearing this turned to Sarah (RA) and said to her, 'Oh Sarah, you know there is no one but you and me who are believers on this land, so when these people come to ask who am I to you, tell them that I am your brother.'

He said these words to her because his life was at stake and so was his wife's honor and dignity. Secondly, if he were to be killed who would spread the message of truth? It was anyway the will of Allah to make sure he lives.

Upon encountering the soldiers as they took away Sarah (RA) to the king, she did exactly what her husband asked her to. She relied on Allah alone to protect her from the cruel king. The fact she had to leave her husband, Prophet Ibraheem (AS), didn't trouble her much for she knew her Lord will never abandon her alone.

As the king came near her, trying to touch her, she made a Duaa, 'Oh Allah, if you know that I have guarded my chastity, my dignity, my honor, my body, from any other man, except my husband then do not let this disbeliever, this tyrant ruler touch me'. And at that very instant the king's arm got paralyzed which scared him to the core. So, she prayed to Allah to release him. A second time he tried to touch her again and again the same thing happened and then the third so much that he got frightened wondering if she may be a magician. Subsequently, he was angered and asked his soldiers, 'What kind of woman have you brought me?' She is nothing but a witch, a sorcerer take her away from me.'

Afraid that she might come back to him, the king gave her his female servant whose name was none other than Hajar (RA), as a gift who too would later on become another wife of Prophet Ibraheem (AS).

This story makes us realize how Sarah (RA) was a noble woman who had unwavering faith in her Lord and relied on Allah alone for her salvation. It also highlights how she supplicated to Allah in the time of distress and at a point where she was in a vulnerable position knowing her honor and dignity had to be protected at any cost in the absence of her husband.

Furthermore, when she faced the tyrant king instead of giving in to despair, she remained calm and courageous infront of him. This portrays her resilience in the face of danger and her trust in Allah at a time when she was all by herself.

Not only was she brave but her heart was full of compassion and mercy as she prayed for the king's arm to be released after he was paralyzed.

Her patience and forbearance can be seen through how she and Prophet Ibraheem (AS) didn't have any children for many years yet with time Allah blessed them with Ishaq (AS) as the angels came to give them the glad tidings.

Allah mentions this in the Quran:

وَٱمْرَأَتُهُۥ قَآئِمَةٌۭ فَضَحِكَتْ فَبَشَّرْنَـٰهَا بِإِسْحَـٰقَ وَمِن وَرَآءِ إِسْحَـٰقَ يَعْقُوبَ ٧١

And his wife was standing by, so she laughed,1 then We gave her good news of ˹the birth of˺ Isaac, and, after him, Jacob. (Surah Hud, Verse 71)

قَالَتْ يَـٰوَيْلَتَىٰٓ ءَأَلِدُ وَأَنَا۠ عَجُوزٌۭ وَهَـٰذَا بَعْلِى شَيْخًا ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَشَىْءٌ عَجِيبٌۭ ٧٢

She wondered, "Oh, my! How can I have a child in this old age, and my husband here is an old man? This is truly an astonishing thing!" (Surah Hud Verse, 72)

قَالُوٓا۟ أَتَعْجَبِينَ مِنْ أَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ رَحْمَتُ ٱللَّهِ وَبَرَكَـٰتُهُۥ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ ٱلْبَيْتِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ حَمِيدٌۭ مَّجِيدٌۭ ٧٣

They responded, "Are you astonished by Allah's decree? May Allah's mercy and blessings be upon you, O people of this house. Indeed, He is Praiseworthy, All-Glorious." (Surah Hud, Verse 73)

Throughout his journey of preaching the message of monotheism and his migration, Sarah (RA) stayed loyal to him and was more than just a loving partner. She supported him through all the trials and tribulations and was his confidant. Her life is an example that teaches us of the importance of having a supportive partner, someone who stands by you through thick and thin and has strong faith in Allah even when you don't know what's in store for you.

May we follow the examples of the noble women in the history of Islam and strive to implement their qualities in ourselves as carriers of the generations to come. Aameen❤

The name Sarah means: 'the one who brings happiness'. I'm truly blessed for having been given this beautiful and honorable name by my parents. May Allah (SWT) reward them for this gift, for surely a good name can have a significant impact on a person's life.