Ruqayyah

Ruqayyah bint Muhammad, commonly known simply as Ruqayya, was a daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his wife Khadijah. She was one of Muhammad’s four daughters, the others being Zaynab, Fatimah, and Umm Kulthum. In early Islamic tradition, Ruqayya is most noted for her marriage to Uthman ibn Affan, who would later become the third caliph.

Ruqayya and Uthman are described in Muslim sources as part of the early Muslim community. They reportedly faced persecution in Mecca and were among those who sought refuge or relief during the period of early trials for the Prophet and his followers. Details about their movements during this period vary among sources, and accounts differ on specifics of their travel to Abyssinia.

After the Hijra to Medina, Ruqayya is said to have died there in the early 620s CE, during the lifetime of Muhammad. Her death is commonly placed before her husband’s later tenure as caliph. Following Ruqayya’s death, Uthman is traditionally said to have married her younger sister Umm Kulthum, another daughter of Muhammad.

The name Ruqayyah is used as a feminine given name in many Muslim communities. It has several transliterations, including Ruqayya, Ruqayya, Ruqaiyah, and Ruqaiyah. In Arabic, the name is derived from roots associated with gentleness and elevation, and it remains a common choice in honor of the Prophet’s family.