Ruqayyah bint Muhammad (ﷺ)

General

Ruqayyah bint Muhammad (Arabic: رقية بنت محمد‎‎) was the second oldest[1] daughter of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and Khadijah bint Khuwaylid.

Family

Ruqayyah had one child Abd-Allah.[2][3][4]

Marriage

Ruqayyah was married to Utbah ibn Abu Lahab. Before the marriage was consummated,[5] Utbahs parents, Abdul-Uzza ibn Abdul-Muṭṭalib and Arwah bint Harb, who were greatly opposed to the message of Islam ordered Utbah to divorce Ruqayyah in an attempt to punish Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ). Their plan backfired when The Prophet (ﷺ) wed Ruqayyah to Uthman ibn Affan, one of the richest and attractive men in Makkah.[6]

Acceptance of Islam

Ruqayyah accepted Islam.[7]

Hijrah

Death

Ruqayyah fell ill with the measles, in the year 2 AH, prior to the Battle of Badr. Longing to see her father who was away at the battle, Ruqayyah passed away with Uthman by her side.[8][9][10]

She was buried at al-Baqee just before Yazeed ibn Harithah entered Madinah to inform of the victory at Badr. When the Prophet (ﷺ) returned and learned of the loss of his daughter, he (ﷺ) went to her grave and prayed for her forgiveness.[11][12]

Various Accounts

Usamah ibn Zayd mentioned that the Prophet (ﷺ) sent Abdullah ibn Rawahah and Zayd ibn Harithah to Madinah to convey the news of the victory at Badr. They arrived shortly after the burial.[13]

References

  1. Jump up↑ Luminaries of Islam, by Dr. Araft K. Al-Ashi, pg.89
  2. Jump up↑ al-Tamheed wa’l-Bayan fi Maqtal al-Shaheed ‘Uthman, p.19
  3. Jump up↑ The Biography of ‘Uthman Ibn’ Affan, Dhun-Noorayn, by Dr. Ali Muhammad As-Sallabi, Translated by Nasir Khattab, pg.12
  4. Jump up↑ Araft K. Al-Ashi, op. cit. pg.92
  5. Jump up↑ Tareekh at-Tabari, 5/441; al-Tamheed wa’l-Bayan fi Maqtal al-Shaheed ‘Uthman, p.19; al-Ameen Dhu’l-Noorayn, by Mahmoud Shakir, p. 364
  6. Jump up↑ The Biography of ‘Uthman Ibn’ Affan, Dhun-Noorayn, by Dr. Ali Muhammad As-Sallabi, Translated by Nasir Khattab, pg.20
  7. Jump up↑ The Noble Life of The Prophet by Dr. Ali Muhammad As-Sallaabee, Volume 1, p.107
  8. Jump up↑ Nisa’ Ah1 al-Bayt by Ahmad Khaleel Jumu’ah, p. 491-504
  9. Jump up↑ As-Sallabi, op. cit., pg.40
  10. Jump up↑ Muhammad Man and Prophet by Adil Salahi, pg.272
  11. Jump up↑ Dima’ ‘ala Qamees ‘Uthman ibn ‘Afin, p. 20
  12. Jump up↑ As-Sallabi, op. cit., pg.40
  13. Jump up↑ Salahi, op. cit., pg.272