Description

LINEAGE

Hazrat Ruqayya bint Ali ibn Abu Talib (R.A) was the daughter of Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) cousin and son-in-law Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (R.A). According to some sources, she was the sister of Al-Abbas ibn Ali (R.A) and also the wife of Muslim ibn Aqeel.

LIFE

According to one school of thought among historians, the daughters of Hazrat Ali (R.A) were instructed by their father to go to Sindh and Hind to preach the Islamic faith. It was prophesied that their mission would achieve success. The events of the massacre at Karbala caused many relatives of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) including Ruqayya (R.A) to migrate to Makran where she preached Islam for several years. The Hindu Raja of Jaisalmer felt threatened by her missionary work. Umayyad rulers were also displeased and a number of Umayyad spies were dispatched to assassinate her. Among such potential assassins was Muhammad Bin Qasim who later switched allegiances and became a supporter of Ruqayya (R.A) after learning of the sufferings experienced by the family of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW).

However, continued threats to Ruqayya’s (R.A) life caused her to cross the Indus River to settle in Lahore. The local Hindu ruler there attempted to arrest her, but this failed when his son, Prince Bakrama Sahi, accepted Islam and became impressed with Ruqayya’s (R.A) work. This enabled Ruqayya (R.A) to continue her missionary activities in peace for some more time. Eventually, fearing disgrace at the hands of the Hindu Raja’s army when they were again dispatched to arrest her and the other five ladies, she gathered her female kin and made a collective prayer for rescue. As a fulfillment of their wishes, the ground split, and their camp went underground. A shawl remained to mark the spot of that event.

Another school of thought among historians argues that there was no reason for these Muslim women to settle in the Hindu-ruled Lahore.

LEGACY

Today, the legacy of Ruqayya bint Ali (R.A) endures as a symbol of resilience, integrity, and spiritual strength. Her life serves as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the indomitable spirit of those who strive to uphold truth and righteousness, regardless of the challenges they face.