HAFSAH BINT UMAR (The Custodian of the Book of ALLAH)

Hafsah was one of the daughters Umar ibn al-Khattaab (The Second Caliph). Her full name was

Hafsa bint Umar b. al-Khattab b. Nufayl b. 'Abdul-'Uza b. Riyah b. 'Abdullah b. Qurt b.Razah b. 'Adi. In Arabic, Hafs is one of the names given to the lion. The Prophet (SAW) would often address Umar (RA) as Abu Hafs (the father of Hafs, i.e. Hafsah). Hafsah was born 16 years before the Hijra; 3 years before the Prophet Hood of Muhammad (SAW) and was among the Mothers of the Believers.

Before she was married to the Prophet (SAW) she was married to
Khunais ibn Hudhafah. He witnessed the Battle of Badr and then fell ill at Madeenah and passed away, leaving Hafsah widowed. When Hafsah became a widow it worried and distressed Umar. One day he walked to the house of Abu Bakr (RA) and offered his daughter in marriage to him. Abu Bakr remained silent and did not say a word. Umar left his house upset and confused. He then went to Uthman and thought that since the Prophet’s daughter Ruqayyah, who was Uthman’s wife, had passed away, he would probably respond favorably. But Uthman replied, "I do not want to marry today." This was because Uthman was still not over the death of his beloved wife. Umar, clearly upset, left and this was when the Prophet (SAW) saw him and asked him as to why he looked so worried. Umar informed him of what had happened and the Prophet (SAW) said, "Hafsah shall marry someone who is better than 'Uthman and 'Uthman shall marry someone who is better than Hafsah." Umar (RA) left the Prophet’s company relieved, but confused over what the Prophet (SAW) had meant. When Umar met Abu Bakr, he told him what the Prophet (SAW) had said. Abu Bakr smiled and said, "I have heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) mentioning Hafsah. But I did not want to reveal his secret. If he had not shown his interest in marrying her, I would have married her. So do not bear any grudge against me." That is how the Prophet (SAW) married Hafsah when she was 19 in the month of Shaban three years after the hijra and 'Uthman married Umm Kulthum.

Hafsah now luckily had the prestigious title of being called the ‘Mother of the Faithful’. Hafsah (RA) was a devout worshipper; she fasted during the day and prayed at night. However, Hafsah’s personality had a tinge of what her name suggested, as she had a strong and tough personality. It was because of this that the Prophet (SAW) divorced her once and then took her back. Ibn Sa'd recorded that Muhammad (SAW) divorced Hafsah once and then took her back because the Jibreel (AS) said to him, "Take Hafsah back, for she frequently fasts and prays in the night and she is your wife in Paradise." This statement of Jibreel (AS) shows that the place of Hafsah in Jannah is certain. Uqbah ibn 'Aamir narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) divorced Hafsah, Umar's daughter. When Umar heard this, he scattered sand over his head and said, "Allah will no more care about Umar and his daughter after she has been divorced by the Prophet (SAW)" So Jibreel (AS) came to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) the following day and told him, "Allah commands you to take back Hafsah as a way of showing compassion to Umar (her father)." Abu Saleel, in his version of the narration said: Umar entered Hafsah's place while she was crying and asked whether the Prophet (SAW) had divorced her. He said to her, “He divorced you once and has taken you back only because of me. If he divorces you again, I will never speak to you again." After this, Hafsah was keen never to annoy the Prophet (SAW) again until he passed away after 8 years of matrimony with Hafsah bint Umar.

Hafsah showed her righteous quality when the rumours went round that Aisha (RA) had committed adultery. The Prophet (SAW) came to Hafsah and asked her what she thought about the allegations and she said, “I don’t know anything about Aishah but good” when others would have seen it as an opportunity to get rid of a rival. Unlike other men and women at that time, she could read and write. Also, it was in her home that the materials upon which the Qur’an had been recorded were kept. She was given this duty because she was worthy and respected by the Sahaba. She was entrusted with this material in the time of the Prophet (SAW), right up until the time of Uthman. When Uthman (RA) decided to compile the Qur’an into a single book form, the verses which were with Hafsah were considered primary resources to be relied upon when undertaking this great and momentous task. She was thus known as the custodian of the Book of Allah. She preserved the Qur'an in her heart, as well as in her house. Mother of the Believers Hafsah bint Umar departed this world in the month of Shaban 45AH during the reign of Muawiya bin Abu Sufyan and joined the company of her most dear ones, her Husband and Messenger Muhammad (SAW) and his Companions. She was 61 years of age and she never had a child for the Prophet (SAW). Islamic historians say she was fasting on the day she passed away; scholars of Hadith have narrated no fewer than 60 authentic Ahadith from Hafsah bint Umar.

May Allah be pleased with Hafsah bint Umar and her with ALLAH, Amin.

LESSONS

• Islam always made sure widows were taken care of that was why there were hardly single widows around.
• Hafsah didn’t take advantage of the rumours against Aishah to take her place, she showed that justice was justice and rivalry was rivalry.
• Hafsah took part in the compilation of the Qur’an, this shows that Muslim women were not excluded from community service.
• Scholars narrated from Ahadith from Hafsah bint Umar (a woman), this shows that as long as a woman’s statement is found to be true; it is taken with utmost seriousness. It was pushed aside because she was woman.