Do You Know? : The Five Women Honored Above All Others

In the billions of Allah's creation, there were many men who attained perfection, but out of the women, none reached that stage except four.

The word “perfection” is used to describe something that is the best, the ultimate in its class.

What is meant here is that they achieved the highest degree of virtue, righteousness and taqwaa. These women were Siddeeqahs [siddeeq: one who speaks or testifies to the truth] and Waliyyahs (close friends of Allaah) from among the awliyaa’ of Allaah.

Maryam Bint Imraan:

The mother of Eesa  عليه السلام and the highest and best of them. She was chosen from all the women of the worlds and is the highest in rank of the women in Jannah. Allah tells us about her exceptional status in many chapters of the Qur'an.

Aasiya Bint Muzahim: 

The wife of Firawn and the adoptive mother of Moosa عليه السلام. Though the story of Moosa عليه السلام is the most detailed in the Qur'an, not much is known about the mother who raised him, since neither Allah nor His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم went into much detail her. What is known is that she chose torture and death and the Hereafter over a life of luxury and royal privilege in this world.

Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid:

The first wife of the Last Messenger  صلى الله عليه وسلم and the best woman of this Ummah. Her exceptional status comes from her unquestioning and unwavering belief in the Message that was revealed to her husband, and she was the pillar that supported him and gave him strength through the worst of the trials. Her virtue is such that Allah sent his Salaam through Jibreel  عليه السلام to her and informed her of her place in Jannah.

Fatimah Bint Muhammad:

The youngest daughter of the Last Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and the Leader of the Women in Jannah, second only to Maryam Bint Imran. 

Aisha Bint Abi Bakr:

The most beloved of creatures to the Last Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and the woman who was defended by Allah Himself, from above the seven heavens, when her virtue was slandered. She was the most knowledgeable of the women of this Ummah and the leaders and rank and file of the Ummah alike benefited from her.

NOTE: She is not included amongst the women who attained completion of faith, but in the same hadith, the Prophet distinguished her virtue and superiority from amongst the women of this Ummah.

The scholars explained the Prophet's statement; meaning the meat in any dish is more virtuous than its stew… and what is meant by its virtue is its benefit, being satisfied by it, the ease of digesting it, its delicious taste, and the ease a person finds in eating what he needs of it quickly and so on, so it is better than all the stew, and all other types of food. Aisha has excess virtue when compared to other women just as meat has excess virtue when compared to stew.

Reference: 

- Tafsir ibn Kathir - Surah at-Tahrim

- Subul as-Salaam.com