What is the correct way to write the name "Asiya," and is it the name of Pharaoh's wife mentioned in the Quran? And what is the origin of the name "Saba," and is it the name of a kingdom or a queen, and what do both names mean in the Arabic language?
Asiya: She is the wife of Pharaoh -may Allah be pleased with her- and is written with the feminine haa (ة). The Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him- said concerning her: "Many men reached perfection, but no woman reached perfection except Mary, the daughter of 'Imran, and Asiya, the wife of Pharaoh."
As for Saba': The correct view is that it is the name of a man. It is narrated in Sunan al-Tirmidhi that the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him- said: "It is neither a land nor a woman, but rather a man. He fathered ten Arabs; six of them became Yemenites and four became Shamites." His name was Abd Shams, and he was called Saba' due to his frequent raiding and taking captives.
And Balqis: She is the queen of the people of Saba', and her name is Balqis bint Sharahil.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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