Hazrat Hafsah (R.A)

Hafsah 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 (Radhiyallaho anho), who was one of the
very early Muslims. He first emigratedto Abyssinia and then to Madinah
. He participated in Badr, and was fatally wounded in Badr (or in
Uhud) and died of the wound in the year l or 2 A. H. Hadhrat Hafsah
(Radhiyallaho anha) had also emigrated to Madinahwith her husband.
When her husband died, Hadhrat Umar (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 anha) the daughter of the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho
Alaihe Wasallam) and the wife of Hadhrat Usman (Radhiyallaho anho)
died.
Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anha) went to Hadhrat Usman (Radhiyallaho
anho) and offered Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anha's) handto him. He
declined by saying, "I have no mind to marry for the present." Hadhrat
Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) complained of this to the Prophet Mohammad
(Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam).
The Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) 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 anha) as (next wife, and
gave his own daughter Hadhrat Umme Kulsum (Radhiyallaho anha) in
marriage to Hadhrat Usman (Radhiyallaho anho). Hadhrat Abu Bakr
(Radhiyallaho anho) later said to Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):
"When you offered Hafsah's hand to me, I keptquiet as the Prophet
Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) had expressed to me his
intention of marrying her. I could neither accept youroffer nor
disclose the Prophet Mohammad's (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) secret to
you. I, therefore, kept quiet. If theProphet Mohammad (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 Salaat. She would often fast during the day and spend
the night in prayers.Once the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe
Wasallam) , for some reason, was displeased with Hafsah and even
pronounced the first divorce to her. �Hadhrat Umar (Radhlyallaho anho)
was naturally very much shocked over this. Jibraeel Alayhis came to
the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho 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 Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) therefore took her
back. Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anha) died in Jamadil oola, 45 AH,
at the age of 63.