Ruqayya Daughter of the Prophet
Ruqayya, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), was born to Khadijah bint Khuwaylid. She belonged to the Hashemite lineage as the daughter of the leader of mankind, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah.
The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) married his daughter Ruqayya to Uthman ibn Abi Lahab when she was younger than ten years old. Her sister, Umm Kulthum, was also married to Utaybah ibn Abi Lahab. However, when Surah Al-Lahab was revealed, Abu Lahab, along with his wife Umm Jamil bint Harb ibn Umayyah, commanded his sons, "Separate yourselves from the daughters of Muhammad". Consequently, both Ruqayya and Umm Kulthum were divorced by them before they had officially entered their households. This happened as a result of the intense opposition and animosity displayed by Abu Lahab and his wife.
The Story of the Conversion and Migration of Lady Ruqayya to Abyssinia
Ruqayya embraced Islam when her mother, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, embraced Islam, and she pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) along with her sisters when women pledged allegiance to him.
Lady Ruqayya was born when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was thirty-three years old, and he was forty when he received the prophethood. She embraced Islam along with her mother, Khadijah. Based on this, her age at the time of her conversion was approximately seven years.
She was also known as Umm Abdullah and was sometimes referred to as "the one of the two migrations," signifying her migration to both Abyssinia and Medina.
When Uthman ibn Affan decided to migrate to Abyssinia, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) advised him, saying, "Take Ruqayya with you". Uthman replied, "It is difficult for one of us to be patient with his companion". The Prophet (peace be upon him) then sent Asma bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them both) to bring news about them. Asma returned to the Prophet (peace be upon him) while Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was with him and reported, "O Messenger of Allah, he took a well-fed camel and mounted her. Then he set off towards the sea". The Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked, "O Abu Bakr, these two (Uthman and Ruqayya) are the first to migrate after Lot and Abraham (peace be upon them).
The Marriage of Lady Ruqayya to Uthman ibn Affan
By the divine decree of Allah, Ruqayya was blessed with a righteous and noble husband from the first eight converts to Islam and one of the ten companions guaranteed paradise. That honorable husband was Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), a man of noble lineage, radiant countenance, abundant wealth, and impeccable character.
Uthman ibn Affan was among the wealthy and distinguished young men of the Quraysh, known for his wealth, beauty, prestige, and generosity. His ears were attuned to the warm whispers inviting him to worship the All-Knowing and Wise Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Allah had already honored him with the early acceptance of Islam, immense sacrifices, and the noble privilege of being the son-in-law of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not hesitate to offer such an honorable relationship to companions like Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him). Uthman quickly sought the consent of his daughter, and he understood her acceptance as a gesture of love and honor. Thus, Uthman's marriage to Ruqayya was finalized, and she was moved to her new home.
Uthman knew that the Quraysh would not share in his joy and would react with strong disapproval. However, his faith was dearer to him than anything else, and he sought Allah's acceptance. Ruqayya entered the home of her beloved husband, fully aware that she would share in his devotion, patience, and the difficult path they would tread together until victory was achieved for her father and his followers. Ruqayya rejoiced in this marriage to the pious and pure-hearted Uthman ibn Affan. She gave birth to a son from Uthman, and they named him Abdullah, rejoicing in his birth.
The Death of Lady Ruqayya
Lady Ruqayya (may Allah be pleased with her) passed away during the time of her husband Uthman ibn Affan's preparation for the Battle of Badr, which was a significant event in the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). She was buried in the city of Madinah. Uthman had requested permission from the Prophet (peace be upon him) to stay behind from the expedition to Badr due to Ruqayya's illness, and she passed away on the day before the Battle of Badr, while Zaid ibn Harithah had already arrived from Badr.
Ruqayya was twenty-two years old at the time of her passing, and she was laid to rest in the cemetery of Al-Baqi.
May Allah have mercy on Ruqayya, the heroine of the two migrations, and may His peace and blessings be upon her father, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), in both worlds. May His mercy also extend to her mother, her sisters, her son, and the valiant martyrs of the Battle of Badr. Peace be upon her, as well as upon the dedicated warriors who gave their all in support of the religion of Allah and the defense of the truth and monotheism until the Day of Judgment, striving to uphold the word of Allah.
