Hazrat Hafsa (r.a)

Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anha) was the daughter of 'Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) who was born in Mecca five years before the Nubuwwat. She was first married to Hadhrat Khunais bin Huzaifah (Radhiyallo anho), who was one of the very early Muslims. He first emigrated to Abyssinia and then to Madinah. He practiced in Badr (or in Uhud) and died in the wound in the year 1 or 2 A. H. Hadrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anho) went to Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) and said:
"I want to give Hafsah in marriage to you."

Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) kept quiet and said nothing. Meanwhile Ruqayyah (Radhiyallaho anho) the daughter of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and the wife of 'Hadhrat Usman (Radhiyallaho anho) died. 'Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) went to Hadhrat Usman (Radhiyallaho anho) and offered Hadrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anho's) hand to him. He declined by saying, "I have no mind to marry for the present." Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) complained of this to the Prophet. The Prophet said:

"I tell you of a husband for Hafsah better than 'Usman, and of a wife for 'Usman better than Hafsah."

He then took Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anho) as his next wife, and gave his own daughter Hadhrat Umme Kulsum (Radhiyallaho anha) in marriage to 'Hadhrat (Radhiyallaho anho) later said to 'Hadhrat 'Usman Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):

"When you offered Hafsah's hand to me, I kept quiet as the Prophet had expressed to me his intention of marrying her. I could neither accept your offer nor disclose the Prophet's secret to you. I, therefore, kept quiet. If the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) had changed his mind, I would have gladly married her.

'Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho ) says:

"Abu Bakr's silence over the offer was in fact more shocking to me than 'Usman's rejection."

Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anha) was a very pious woman, and very much devoted to Saalat. She would often fast during the day and spend the night in prayers. Once the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), for some reason, was displeased with Hafsah and even more pronounced the first divorce to her. 'Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) was naturally very much shocked over this. Jibra-eel Alayhis came to the Prophet (Sallallaam alaihe wasallam) and said:

"Allah wants you to take Hafsah back, as she is fasting often and spending her nights in Salaat, and also Allah wants it for Hadhrat Umar's (Radhiyallaho anho) sake."

The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) therefore took her back. She died in Jamadil oola, 45 A. H., at the age of 63.