Early Life and Islam

August is regarded as Women`s month and the end of this week, the 9<sup>th</sup> of August, will see a public holiday celebrating Women`s Day. Therefore, each year, at this time, we focus on the noble women who lived Islam, loved Islam and made tremendous sacrifices for the sake of Islam. This week we will look at the life of the second beloved daughter of Nabi ﷺ, Sayyidah Ruqayyah radiyallahu ‘anha.

Sayyidah Ruqayyah RA’s Birth

Ruqayyah radiyallahu ‘anha is younger than Zainab radiyallahu ‘anha. Her mother is Ummul Mu’mineen Sayyidah Khadijah bint Khuwaylid ibn Asad radiyallahu ‘anha. The scholars write that Ruqayyah radiyallahu ‘anha was born three years after her eldest sister Zainab radiyallahu ‘anha when the age of Rasulullah ﷺ was close to 33. [Tarikh al Khamis vol. 1 pg. 274 – Ruqayyah bint Rasulullah radiyallahu ‘anha]

Sayyiday Ruqayyah RA`s closeness to her sister

Ruqayyah radiyallahu ‘anha was born after her sister Zaynab radiyallahu ‘anha. She was also a source of happiness for her noble parents. Soon afterwards, Umm Kulthoom radiyallahu ‘anha was born, and both of them grew together as if they were twins. Their closeness to one another greatly increased especially since their eldest sister, Zaynab radiyallahu ‘anha had married and moved to her matrimonial home. They then became ever more close and more attached to each other. It is as if both of them had been destined for the same fate from the beginning to the end. The books of Seerah testified to this unique closeness that was between them, for, all historical narrations agreed on the fact that the two noble sisters – Ruqayyah radiyallahu ‘anha and Umm Kulthoom radiyallahu ‘anha – shared almost everything in common.

Sayyidah Ruqayyah RA’s Nurturing

She was nurtured and reached maturity together with her sisters in the care of her father Rasulullah ﷺ. The nurturing of her parents was the main source for the upcoming achievements in her life.

Accepting Islam and Pledging Allegiance

The first woman to accept Islam was Sayyidah Khadijah radiyallahu ‘anha. Her daughters followed suite. When their mother was favoured with Islam, they were also favoured with the same and had the honour of pledging allegiance at the hands of Rasulullah ﷺ.

و اسلمت حين اسلمت امها خديجة بنت خويلد و بايعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم هى و اخواتها حين بايعه النساء

When Sayyidah Khadijah bint Khuwaylid radiyallahu ‘anha accepted Islam, Ruqayyah radiyallahu ‘anha accepted and she pledged allegiance to Rasulullah ﷺ coupled with her sisters when the women pledged allegiance. [Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d vol. 8 pg. 24 – Ruqayyah bint Rasulullah radiyallahu ‘anha]