Her name was Asiya bint Mazahim. And in her, we find a example of patience, perseverance and steadfastness on the truth.
وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّـهُ مَثَلًا لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱمْرَأَتَ فِرْعَوْنَ إِذْ قَالَتْ رَبِّ ٱبْنِ لِى عِندَكَ بَيْتًا فِى ٱلْجَنَّةِ وَنَجِّنِى مِن فِرْعَوْنَ وَعَمَلِهِۦ وَنَجِّنِى مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And Allah presents an example of those who believed: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, “My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people.” (al-Tahrim: 11)
Because of her belief in Allah, she was subject to immense torture and persecution by her own husband, Firawn.
And Firawn was someone who was so controlling and oppressive, that there was no freedom of religion. He was also ruthless in his aggression, that he didn’t even spare his wife when he found out that she believed in Allah and the message that Musa (as) brought.
Abu Hurairah (ra) said, “Fir’aun had fastened four spikes on his wife in both her hands and feet. Whenever they would go away from her the angels would shade her. She said, ‘My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people.’ So Allah removed the veil (of unseen) from her and showed her, her house in Jannah.” [al-Silsilah al-Sahihah]
Despite the torture, Asiya didn’t waver from her belief. Instead she turned to her Rabb and made dua. “My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise.” Notice how she said ‘near You’ first and then ‘a house in Paradise’. That’s because she chose the neighbour before the dwelling. Al Jaar Qabla Al Daar. She chose Allah.
This profound du’a of hers is also evidence that we should ask Allah exclusively at times of distress. If someone is in an abusive relationship, then alongside seeking counselling and getting external help, also encourage them to make this du’a.
Asiya persevered. Being the wife of a ruler, she had everything to lose – her status, her position, her comfort and her wealth. But despite that, she didn’t give up on her faith. She held on to it regardless of the trials she was put in. And earned the status of being among the best women of Paradise.
Ibn ‘Abbas (ra) said, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ drew four lines on the ground and said, ‘Do you know what these lines represent?’ They said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He g said, ‘The best among the women of Paradise are Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Maryam bint ‘Imran and Asiyah bint Muzahim, wife of Fir’aun.’” [Musnad Ahmad]
