Misconception Surah 89 · Ayah 4

Structure that Pharaoh ordered Haamaan to build in verse 40:36-37

Question
I would like to know, when Pharaoh ordered Haman to build something higher than the clouds so that he would be able to see the God of Moses, what did they build? Is it the pyramids of Giza or something else? Where has that building gone? What do our historical books say?

Answer

Praise be to Allaah.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
The scholars differed in opinion on whether or not Haamaan (Haman)built the tower for Pharaoh in the first place. Al-Aloosi said, “The order that was given to build the tower does not mean that it was built, and the scholars differed in opinion about this: some said that he did build it, and Allaah knows best about its characteristics, and some said that it was not built. According to this second view, the order of Pharaoh was to confuse his people and to give them the impression that he was going to achieve this matter.”
According to the view that it was built, then only Allaah knows how it was built and what happened to it afterwards.
The stories of the Israelites mentioned that it was built, that it was a tower that was unique in its kind, and that Jibreel (Gabriel) destroyed it after it became a fitnah (temptation) for the people of Pharaoh.
Al-Qurtubi said:
“When Pharaoh ordered his minister Haamaan to build the tower, he gathered the workers – it was said that they consisted of fifty thousand builders excluding the laborers and hired people – and ordered that the bricks and plaster be prepared; they laid the wood and drove the nails (into the wood), and they built it very high, higher than any other building ever since Allaah created the heavens and the earth. The builders themselves could not get unto its roof until Allaah willed that they be tempted by it. As-Suddi reported that Pharaoh climbed upon the tower and threw an arrow towards the sky, so it came down stained with blood. So Pharaoh said, 'I killed the God of Moosa (Moses).' It was reported that when Pharaoh said this, Allaah sent down Jibreel who struck the tower with his wing and cut it into three pieces: one piece came down on the soldiers of Pharaoh and killed one million, and a second piece fell in the sea, and a third piece fell in the West, and all those who worked in this tower were destroyed. Allaah knows best about the authenticity of this narration.”
This is the news of the Israelites, which we can neither deny nor believe in. In brief, it cannot be asserted that this tower was built.
According to the view that it was built, only Allaah knows how it was built and what happened to it afterwards. There is no decisive evidence in this regard.
Allaah knows best.

Question
Assalaamu alaykum. I have two questions; I hope you answer them both. 1. How did Aasiya, the wife of Pharaoh, die? Did Pharaoh kill her when she accepted Islam and became Muslim? 2. Why are camels and horses the great privileges in Islam? What is the reason behind it?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
We did not come across any text from revelation about the death of the wife of Pharaoh, but some interpreters of the Quran mentioned some stories about it, and Allah knows best about their authenticity.
For example, the Tafseer (exegesis) of Al-Qurtubi reads:
"Abu Al-'Aaliyah said, 'Pharaoh found out about the belief of his wife, and he went out in public and said to them, 'What do you know about Aasiya bint Muzaahim?' They praised her. He said to them, 'She worships a Lord other than me.' They said to him, 'Kill her.' So he had her arms and legs tied to logs. She said: {My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise} [Quran 66:11]; and this coincided with the presence of Pharaoh; so she smiled when she saw her house in Paradise. Then Pharaoh said, 'Are you not astonished at her madness! We are torturing her, and she is smiling.' Then her soul was taken away.' Besides, Salmaan Al-Faarisi said in the narration reported from him by 'Uthmaan An-Nahdi, 'She was tortured by being exposed to the extreme heat of the sun, and when she was harmed by the heat of the sun, angels would spread their wings and shade her.' It was also said, 'She was tied up by her hands and feet in the sun, and stones where put on her back, then Allah showed her her place in Paradise.'"
As regards your second question, please refer to fatwa 310531.
Allah knows best.