Spiritual Guidance for Women Given in Surah Al-Qasas: An Analytical Study

Abstract

Surah al-Qasas presents a Qur’anic narrative in which women are not marginal or passive figures but spiritually alert, morally responsible, and active agents within the unfolding of divine wisdom. This article analyzes the female role models associated with the story of Prophet Musa (AS): the mother of Musa (AS), the sister of Musa (AS), the women of Madyan, especially the daughter of Shu’ayb (AS), and Asiyah, the wife of Pharaoh. Through a qualitative, thematic, and analytical reading of Qur’an 28:7–13, 28:23–26, 28:9, and the related verse 66:11, the article argues that Surah al-Qasas constructs a comprehensive model of female spiritual formation. The mother of Musa (AS) embodies tawakkul (reliance upon Allah), divine inspiration, obedience, and courage amid fear. His sister represents vigilance, patience, responsibility, and wise communication. The women of Madyan display haya (modesty rooted in faith), dignity, purposeful speech, and ethical public conduct. Asiyah embodies compassion, spiritual independence, and moral resistance within an oppressive household. Read together, these figures demonstrate that Qur’anic spirituality is inseparable from ethical action. It appears through emotional resilience, moral clarity, disciplined speech, compassionate intervention, and commitment to truth. The study concludes that Surah al-Qasas offers contemporary Muslim women a balanced framework for God-conscious identity, moral refinement, and spiritual strength in family, public, and institutional life.

Keywords: Surah al-Qasas; Women in the Qur’an; Spiritual Guidance; Female Role Models; Mother of Musa (AS); Sister of Musa (AS); Faith and Trust in Allah; Patience and Perseverance; Qur’anic Women’s Studies; Islamic Spirituality.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21237704