Daughter of the Prophet ﷺ, Wife of Uthman
Ruqayyah was born about three years after Zaynab. She was first married to Utba ibn Abi Lahab, but he divorced her — before they lived together — when his father Abu Lahab ordered it after the revelation of Surah al-Lahab. She was then married to Uthman ibn Affan, and the two emigrated for their faith twice to Abyssinia and afterward to Madinah, reaching it even before the Prophet ﷺ. 1 Stories of the Sahabah · pp. 260 — Zakariyya Kandhlawi — Ruqayyah's birth, her divorce by Utba ibn Abi Lahab after Surah al-Lahab, her marriage to Uthman, and their emigrations.
Death at the Time of Badr
When the Muslims marched to Badr, Ruqayyah lay gravely ill, and the Prophet ﷺ ordered Uthman to stay in Madinah to care for her. She died of that illness just as the news of the victory reached the city — the people were returning from her burial when the glad tidings of Badr arrived, so the Prophet ﷺ was not present at her grave. A son born to her in Abyssinia, Abdullah, outlived her but died in 4 AH. 2 Stories of the Sahabah · pp. 260–261 — Zakariyya Kandhlawi — Ruqayyah's fatal illness during Badr, Uthman staying to nurse her, her death as the Badr news arrived, and her son Abdullah.
Life Timeline
Born in Makkah
Daughter of the Prophet ﷺ, three years after Zaynab.
Divorced by Utba ibn Abi Lahab
At his father's order after Surah al-Lahab was revealed; then married to Uthman.
Emigrates with Uthman
Twice to Abyssinia, then to Madinah.
Dies in Madinah
Of illness, as news of the victory at Badr arrived.
References
- Stories of the Sahabah — Zakariyya Kandhlawi — life sketch of Ruqayyah: her first marriage, marriage to Uthman, emigrations, and death at the time of Badr pp. 260–261