Hafsah Bint ‘Umar: the Prophet’s wife in Paradise -II

We learn from the book of Imaam Al-Bukhaari that Hafsah was a bit
short-tempered and sometimes would even answer the Prophet back. One
day, her father, 'Umar bin al-Khattaab who had come to know this, went
to her and asked: "I have heard that youtalk to the Noble Prophet as
ifyou were on an equal footing with him. Is it true?" Hafsah replied:
"Of course! I do".
'Umar said: "My daughter, I warn you of Allaah's punishment.Do not
compete with 'Aa'ishah, who is proud of her beauty due to the
Prophet's love for her."
Hafsah would never hesitate in asking the Noble Prophet questions on
any topic or problem. Once the Prophet said: "The companions of Badr
and Hudaibiyyah will not enter Hell."
Hafsah quickly said: "O Prophet ! Allaah Says that everyone of you
will pass over Hell."
The Prophet answered her: "Yes! But Allaah also says in Soorah Maryam
(what means): "Then We will save those who feared Allaah and leave the
wrongdoers within it, on their knees." [Quran 19:72]
The Prophet divorced Hafsah once when she sided againsthim and
disclosed his secret (mentioned before, in the story regarding
'Aa'ishah and the Prophet 's oath not to drink honey). But Jibreel
came to him, and told him to take her back and said: "Take Hafsah back
because she is keeping fasts and is observing prayer in the last parts
of the night, and she is going to be your wife in Paradise ."
Allaah Says (what means): "And (remember) when the Prophet confided to
one of his wives a statement; and when she informed (another) of it
and Allaah showed it to him, he madeknown part of it and ignored a
part. And when he informed her about it, she said: 'Who told you
this?' He said: 'I was informed by the All-Knowing, the Acquainted.'If
you two (wives) repent to Allaah, (it is best), for your hearts have
deviated. But if you cooperate against him – then indeed Allaah is his
Protector, and Gabriel and the righteous of the believers and the
angels, moreover, are (his) assistants." [Quran 66: 3-4]
Ibn 'Abbaas narrated: "For the whole year I had the desire toask 'Umar
bin al-Khattaab regarding the explanation of a verse (in Soorah
At-Tahreem), butI could not ask him because I respected him very much.
When he went to perform Hajj, I too went along with him. On our return
while we were still on the way home 'Umar went aside to answer the
call of nature by the Arak trees. I waited until he had finished then
I proceeded with him and asked him: 'O Chief of the Believers, who
were the two wives of the Prophet who aided one another against him?'
He said: 'They were Hafsah and 'Aa'ishah.' Then I said to him: 'By
Allaah. I wanted to ask you about this a year ago, but I could not do
so owing to my respect for you.' 'Umar said: 'Do not refrain from
asking me. Ifyou think that I have knowledge (about a certain matter),
ask me; and if I know (something about it), I will tell you.'
Hafsah realized the gravity of what she had done to her noble husband
when she disclosed his secret. However, after the Prophet forgave her,
she livedin tranquility and repose again.
Hafsah seemed to be very attached and close to her father, who used to
consult her in matters relating to women. Once he noticed a woman
reciting poetry about her husband who was away on Jihaad. 'Umar was
disturbed, and asked Hafsah how long a woman may remain without her
husband. Shesaid six months, upon which 'Umar issued a decree to all
of his commanders to relieve every warrior after every six months.
When the Prophet died and Abu Bakr succeeded him, it was Hafsah who
was chosen to keep the first copy of the Noble Quran.
She continued worshipping Allaah devoutly, fasting, praying, and
keeping the copy of the Muslims' constitution, the immortal miracle
and the source of legislation and belief: the Quran.
When the second compilation of the Quran was made during the caliphate
of 'Uthmaan she was asked to bring that copy, which she did, after
putting the condition that when the work was completed, her copy would
be returned to her.
After the standard copy was made, 'Uthmaan had decided that all the
different versions of the Quran should be destroyed, but he was unable
to do it with Hafsah's copy because of the condition she had attached.
It was only after her death that the copy was discovered and
destroyed.
Hafsah occupies a high position as far as scholarship andpiety are
concerned. She reported60 Ahaadeeth from the Prophet . Out of these,
four are agreedupon, six are in the book of Imaam Muslim and the
remaining are in the other books of traditions.
When her father, the Caliph of theMuslims, felt he was about to die
after being stabbed by Abu Lu'lu'ah the Zoroastrian in the month of
Thul-Hijjah 23 AH, Hafsah was the guardian of what he left of
inheritance.
Hafsah took custody of all hisimportant documents including his copy
of the Glorious Quran, which was compiled during the time of Abu
Bakr's Caliphate.
Before her death, she made a willto 'Abdullaah bin 'Umar that her
property at Gahba should be donated in charity. Hafsah had no children
from the Prophet .
Hafsah, may Allaah be pleased her, lived with the Prophet in
Al-Madeenah for eight years, and lived on for another thirty-four
years after his death; witnessing with joy the victories and expansion
of Islam under her father's guidance, and with sorrow the troubles
that beset the Muslim community after the murder of 'Uthmaan . She
passed away during the reign of Mu'aawiyyah bin Abu Sufyaan in 47 AH
at the age of sixty-three.