Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad was one of the daughters of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Lady Khadijah bint Khuwaylid. While her name is mentioned less frequently than that of her sister, Lady Fatima bint Muhammad, Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad lived through some of the most difficult years in the early history of Islam. She experienced the earliest days of the revelation, the public rejection of her father’s message, and growing hostility in Makkah towards the Muslims.
She was married to Uthman ibn Affan who was one of the earliest and most respected companions of the Prophet (SAW) and the third caliph of Islam. Together, they migrated for the sake of their faith, endured hardship, and supported the Prophet (SAW) through some of the most intense periods of his mission. Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad passed away in Madinah shortly after the Battle of Badr, at a time when the Muslim community was still in its formative stage.
Her life is not long in detail, but what we do know offers important insight into the personal sacrifices made by the Prophet’s (SAW) family and the early believers. This article will present what is known about her biography, based on sound historical resources, and reflect on the lessons that can be drawn from her experience.
Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad was born roughly 20 years before the Hijrah. Growing up in the blessed home of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), she was raised with love, humility, and high moral character. She witnessed firsthand the noble conduct of her father, even before the revelation of Islam (his honesty, his kindness to the poor, and his strong sense of justice). When the Prophet (SAW) began receiving revelations at the age of 40, Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad was already a young woman. She embraced Islam alongside her mother and sisters in the earliest days of the call to Tawheed. Living in Makkah during a time when Muslims were ridiculed, persecuted, and socially boycotted, Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad remained firm in her belief and support of her father’s message.
Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad was first married to one of the sons of Abu Lahab, a fierce enemy of Islam. After the Prophet (SAW) began to openly call to Islam, out of sheer enmity, Abu Lahab forced his son to divorce the daughter of the Prophet (SAW) prior to any consummation of the marriage. While the divorce of his daughter was a personal blow to the Prophet (SAW) and his family, it was, indeed, a protection from Allah (SWT). Her release from that household allowed her to marry a man of immense virtue and destiny, the third caliph of Islam, Uthman ibn Affan. Their marriage was one of tranquility and deep mutual respect. The Prophet (SAW) referred to Uthman ibn Affan and Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad as “the most harmonious couple” among the Muslims.
In the face of escalating persecution, Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad and her husband were among the first group of Muslims to migrate to Abyssinia in search of religious freedom. This journey was not only a symbol of their devotion to Allah (SWT), but a great personal sacrifice because they left behind their family, their homeland, and their social standing in Makkah.
This migration was not easy. They faced the hardships of travel and the uncertainty of being in a foreign land. But, under the just rule of Najashi, they were able to practice their faith freely for a period of time. It was during this time that Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad gave birth to a son, Abdullah, who tragically died in infancy. This was a deeply personal grief that tested both Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad and Uthman ibn Affan’s patience and reliance on Allah (SWT).
When the Prophet (SAW) made Hijrah to Madinah, Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad and Uthman ibn Affan soon joined him. However, her health began to decline. It was during the preparation for the Battle of Badr, the first major battle of Islam, that Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad became seriously ill. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) gave permission for Uthman ibn Affan to remain in Madinah and care for her instead of joining the battle. This decision reflected the importance of caregiving and compassion in Islam, even during times of jihad.
Despite Uthman ibn Affan’s attentive care and the prayers of the Prophet (SAW), Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad passed away in Madinah in the year 2 AH, shortly after the victory at Badr. She was just in her twenties. The Prophet (SAW) was unable to be by her side during her final moments due to the battle but, upon his return, he mourned her loss deeply.
She was buried in Jannat ul Baqee, the sacred cemetery in Madinah, where many of the Prophet’s (SAW) family members and companions are laid to rest. Though her life was relatively short and her story not as often recounted as others, Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad left behind a powerful legacy. She was:
- A devoted wife, whose marriage was an example of Islamic harmony and mutual respect.
- A pioneer of Hijrah, leaving her comfort behind for the sake of faith.
- A woman of quiet resilience, who bore personal loss, illness, and separation from her beloved family with patience.
- A daughter of the Prophet (SAW) whose character reflected the noble upbringing of the household of revelation.
Her story is a reminder that not all heroes of Islam stood on battlefields or gave grand public speeches. Some, like Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad, taught us the strength found in devotion, the courage in sacrifice, and the power of patience. In today’s world, where fame often overshadows sincerity, and recognition sometimes replaces righteousness, the story of Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad speaks to the silent strength of a believer. Her life invites Muslim women and men alike to find honor in faith, dignity in trials, and peace in submission to Allah (SWT).
As we remember her, let us make dua for her soul and for all the righteous women who came before us who serve as the quiet lights that helped build the foundation of our deen. May Allah (SWT) be pleased with Lady Ruqayyah bint Muhammad, and may He reunite us with her in the highest gardens of Paradise. Ameen!
