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.

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

Hafsah Bint 'Umar was born five years before the Messenger of Allaah
became a Prophet. She was six years older than her brother 'Abdullaah
. She was a beautiful and pious woman.
Her first marriage was to Khunays Ibn Huthaafah Ibn Qays as-Sahami who
was from Quraysh. He took part in the two emigrations (to Abyssinia
and Al-Madeenah). He fought in the battles of Badr and Uhud. In the
latter battle he was fatally wounded and died shortly thereafter in
Al-Madeenah. Hafsah was 18 years old at that time.
'Umar was depressed because of his daughter's affliction, since she
had become awidow at such a young age. Whenever he went home and saw
his sad daughter, he grieved.After thinking for a long period, he
decided to choose a husband for her, to provide her with what she had
lost of repose for six months or more.
'Umar approached Abu Bakr the dearest person to the Prophet and
offered her handin marriage to him.
'Umar thought that Abu Bakr would not refuse to marry a young, pious
woman who was the daughter of the man by whom Allaah supported Islam.
Having sympathetically listened to him, Abu Bakr did not respond.
'Umar went back with a broken heart and almost did not believe what
had happened. He then went to 'Uthmaan Ibn 'Affaan whose wife,
Ruqayyah the daughter of the Prophet had recently died.
'Umar offered him his daughter in marriage, but 'Uthmaan apologized by
saying: "I think I would not like to marry at the present time."
'Umar's gloom increased by 'Uthmaan's refusal. He became upset and
angry with his two companions, mentioning it to theProphet complaining
about Abu Bakr and 'Uthmaan .
Thereupon the Prophet smiled and said: "Hafsah will get a husband who
is better than 'Uthmaan and 'Uthmaan will get a wife better than
Hafsah." [Al-Bukhaari]
After that, the Prophet himself married Hafsah and 'Uthmaan in turn
married Umm Kulthoom, the Prophet 's other daughter .
Accordingly, 'Umar was elated to receive such a great honor which he
had never imagined possible, earlier. He went off to tell the good
news towhomever he met.
When Abu Bakr met him, he realized the source of his joy. 'Umar told
him of his unhappiness at Abu Bakr's refusalto reply when he had
offered Hafsah's hand to him.
Abu Bakr congratulated him and apologized by saying: "Do not be angry
with me, 'Umar, the Prophet mentioned Hafsah before, and I could not
disclose the secret of the Prophet . Had he left her, I would have
married her."
Since the Prophet had mentioned Hafsah to him, he did not want to
disclose the Prophet's 's secret.
The people of Al-Madeenah were pleased with the Prophet's marriage to
Hafsah Bint 'Umar . It was contracted in the month of Sha'baan in the
3rd year of Hijrah.
Thus, Hafsah joined the rank of the pure wives of the Prophet the
Mothers of the Believers, who were by then, Sawdah and 'Aa'ishah ; and
became a member of the household of the Prophet .
Sawdah was happy to see her but 'Aa'ishah, may Allaah be please with
her, was upset because Hafsah was within her age group and she feared
that Hafsah would share the love of the Prophet .
'Umar knew very well that the Prophet loved 'Aa'ishah more than any of
the other wives and at times tried to make his daughter aware of this
fact. He once said to her: "You are not like 'Aa'ishah and your father
is not like her father."
When the Prophet deserted his wives because they became too demanding,
'Umar once again advised Hafsah to be careful saying: "You should not
be deceived by the one who has been motivated by her beauty and the
love of the Prophet for her (referring to 'Aa'ishah)."
When the Prophet married his other wives 'Aa'ishah began to realize
that her protestations were in vain and she made a friend of Hafsah .
Among the other wives of the Prophet 'Aa'ishah was the most intimate
and the closest one to Hafsah . It wasHafsah and 'Aa'ishah who
supported each other against theProphet in a domestic intrigue which
is mentioned in the Quran.
It is also mentioned in a traditionreported in the book of Imaam Al-Bukhaari :
'Aa'ishah narrated: "Allaah's Messenger used to drink honey in the
house of Zaynab BintJahsh and would stay there with her. So Hafsah and
I agreed secretly that if he comes to eitherof us she would say to
him: 'It seems you have eaten Maghaafir (a kind of flower whose nectar
is sucked by the honey bee, and hasslightly bad smell) for I smell in
you the smell of Maghaafir,' (we did so) and he replied: 'No, but I
was drinking honey in the house of Zaynab, the daughter of Jahsh, and
I shall never take it again. I have taken an oath as to that, and you
should not tell anybody about it.'" [Al-Bukhaari]
The idea was to suggest to him that this bad smell came from hismouth
because of his taking that particular honey.
The Prophet has always disliked strong smells especially on his
breath. He then forbade honey unto himself for which Allaah revealed
(what means): "O Prophet, why do you prohibit (yourself from) what
Allaah has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives?
And Allaah is Forgiving and Merciful. Allaah has already ordained for
you (Muslims) the dissolution of your oaths. And Allaah is your
Protector, and He is The Knowing,The Wise." [Quran 66: 1-2]

Umm Salamah- II

Her widowhood and marriage to the Prophet
In the third year of Hijrah(Migration of the Prophet from Makkah to
Madeenah), Abu Salamah fought in the Battle ofUhud. In that historic
andcrucial battle, his arm was wounded by a poisoned arrow shot by the
enemy. He later recovered after treatment, but could survive only for
a few months. His wound relapsed and ultimately he died.
Umm Salamah was immensely grief-stricken at the demise of her loving
husband. When the Prophet, sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam, heard about
this, he sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam went to offer condolences to her
and asked her to havepatience and bear the calamity with fortitude.
According to one narration, when the Prophet sallalaahu alayhi wa
sallam paid a condolence visit to Umm Salamah after the death of her
husband, hesallalaahu alayhi wa sallam asked her to pray Allaah to
grant Abu Salamah the lofty rank of the righteous and grant her a
better husband than him.
At this, Umm Salamah wondered who could be a better husband for her
than Abu Salamah . Seeing the forlorn state of Umm Salamah aftershe
was widowed, Abu Bakr sent her a proposal for marriage, which Umm
Salamah declined.
The Prophet, sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam, was greatly impressed with
the courage, which Umm Salamah displayed in facing the misfortunes and
adversities of life. He sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam was also highly
moved for her tragic situation and sent the proposal for marriage to
her through 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab . Umm Salamah consented, and in
Shawwal, the 4th year of Hijrah, her marriage to the Noble Prophet,
sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam, took place.
A Historical example of her wisdom
In the 6th Hijrah year, theProphet accompanied by his 1,400 companions
decided to perform 'Umrah (minor Pilgrimage). When Quraysh learned
about this, they decided to stop the Muslims from performing the
pilgrimage; but when theMuslims decided to fight them they feared and
signed a treaty with the Muslims, which consisted of several terms and
conditions which appeared to be unfair forthe Muslims as it prevented
them from performing 'Umrah that year.
The Prophet accepted these conditions in adherence to the Divine
Command instructing him to do so. Then the Prophet ordered the Muslims
to slaughter animals in sacrifice (indicating the end of the'Umrah
rites). But the Muslims hesitated in offering the sacrifice, which
grieved the Prophet .
Umm Salamah who was with the Prophet on this journey, heard this and
suggested to theProphet to offer the sacrifice, shave his head and
take off the Ihraam. The Prophet did so acting on her advice. When the
companions saw that the Prophet's command was irrevocable, they at
once sacrificed their animals and shaved their heads.
Her character:
Umm Salamah led a very simple and austere life. She was a devout
worshiper. Every month, she fasted for three days (other than the
fasting of Ramadhaan). Once, she wore a necklace, which had a little
amount of gold in it.The Prophet did not like her wearing even this
little amount of gold.So Umm Salamah immediately took it out.
Umm Salamah was very generous. She implored others also to give away
in the cause ofAllaah. Whatever she had, she would readily give away
to a beggar or a needy person.
Once, a few destitute people came to her begging for charity
importunately. Umm Salamah ordered her maid not to send them back
empty-handed, and if there was nothing in the houses, she should give
them just a few dates.
Umm Salamah has narrated 378 Hadeeths ofthe Prophet . In moral
excellence and nobility ofconduct, she ranks, among the Prophet's
wives, next only to 'Aa'ishah . She was an excellent reciter of
theQuran, and her style was much similar to the Prophet's. She was
endowed with exceptionally beautiful countenance, deep knowledge,
intelligence and sound judgment.
Her death:
After a life filled with faith and righteous deeds, the Mother of the
Believers, Umm Salamah died in the year 61 A.H., aged 84 and the
venerable Companion, Abu Hurayrah led the people in her funeral
prayer, after which she was buried in Al-Baqee' Cemetery in Madeenah.

Umm Salamah- I

Her real name was Hind; while her title was Umm Salamah . She came
from the family of Makhzoom, which belongs to the Quraysh tribe. Her
father's name was Abu Mugheerah Ibn 'Abdullaah Ibn 'Umar Ibn Makhzoom
and her mother was 'Aatikah Bint 'Aamir who belonged to the family of
Faraas.
Umm Salamah was first married to her cousin Abu Salamah Ibn
'Abdul-Asad. He was a young man with exceptionally good nature and
unblemished conduct. It was improbable for this young man of
exceptionally lofty moralsto remain unmoved by the noble and
life-giving message of the Noble Prophet, Muhammad sallalaahu alayhi
wa sallam.
Defying his tribesmen, Abu Salamah embraced the new faith and entered
the fold of Islam. Umm Salamah followed suit.
Thus, the couple joined the rank of those noble souls, who had won the
unique distinction of embracing the new faith in its early phase.
These noble souls suffered all kinds of hardships and harassment in
the cause of Islam, but they did not budge even an inch from the right
path. As the number of the people who had embraced the new life-giving
faith increased, the persecution and torture meted out to them also
increased in intensity.
When this persecution reached intolerable levels, the Noble Prophet
sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam gave permission to his followers to
migrate to Abyssinia , which was ruled at that time by a kind-hearted
king, in order to protect their lives and preserve their religion.
According to an authentic narration, Abu Salamah and Umm Salamah who
has already enteredthe fold of Islam, also migrated to Abyssinia .
They came back to Makkah after spending some time in exile. From
Makkah, they left for Madeenah on their second migration. Those days,
Abu Salamah had only one camel with him. He they seated Umm Salamah
and his young son, Salamah, at the saddle. Holding the reins of his
camel, he started his long journey on foot.
When her family came to know about the couple's planned destination,
theyintercepted the camel and told Abu Salamah that he could proceed,
but they would not allowtheir daughter (Umm Salamah ). They took away
the reins of the camel from Abu Salamah and forced Umm Salamah to
dismount. In the meantime, Banu 'Abdul-Asad, the members of Abu
Salamah's clan, appearedon the scene and snatched Umm Salamah's child
from his mother and threatened Banu Mugheerah that if they did not
allow their daughter to accompany her husband, they would also not
allow the child to accompany his mother. As for Abu Salamah they said
thathe was free to go anywhere liked.
By this time, the Noble Prophet, sallalaahu alayhiwa sallam, had given
permission to his Companions to migrate to Madeenah, where they could
live in peace and safety from the torture of Quraysh. Abu Salamah left
for Madeenah, leaving his wife and child behind. Umm Salamah was
staying with Banu Mugheerah while her child was in the custody of Banu
'Abdul-Asad. Thus, the three of them – the father, the mother and the
child – were undergoing the pain of living separately.
Umm Salamah was grief-stricken due the separation from her childand
husband. Everyday she would go and sit forlorn on a hillock, crying
and longing to join her husband and son. A whole one year passed like
this.
One day, a kind-hearted and influential man from the clan of Banu
Mugheerah saw her pathetic condition and was moved by her agony.He
called out the people of his tribe and said: "This woman is our own
flesh and blood, how long will we keep her away from her husband and
child? By Allaah! Our tribe is very brave and honorable; we can't
tolerate persecution of innocent people."
Hearing this, her tribesmen gave permission to Umm Salamah they to
join her husband in Madeenah. When Banu 'Abdul-Asad heard of this,they
also took pity and sent her child, Salamah, to her. She took the child
and a camel to ride alone to Madeenah. At At-Tan'eem (in the outskirts
of Makkah), she met 'Uthmaan Ibn Talhah Ibn Abu Talhah a chivalrous
and decent man of Makkah. When hesaw Umm Salamah traveling alone with
a small baby, he thought: "How unbecoming of me,if I did not escort
this lonely woman traveler of Quraysh to Madeenah!"
He took the reins of Umm Salamah's camel and started for Madeenah.
Whenever they stopped on the way,'Uthmaan would withdraw to rest under
the shade of a tree. Whenthey reached Qubaa', where Abu Salamah was
staying, 'Uthmaan returned to Makkah and Umm Salamah rejoined her
husband, who thanked Allaah for once again reuniting his family.
Umm Salmah always remained grateful to 'Uthmaan for his thoughtful and
kind gesture. She used to say: "I have never seen a more gallant and
compassionate man than 'Uthmaan Ibn Talhah."