Early life[edit]

Hafsah was the daughter of Umar ibn al-Khattab and Zainab bint Madh'uwn. She was born "when
Quraysh were building the House [Ka'abah], five years before the Prophet was sent," i.e., in 605. [1]

Marriage[edit]
She was married to Khunais ibn Hudhaifah but became a widow in August 624.[2]
As soon as Hafsah had completed her waiting period, her father Umar offered her hand to Uthman
Ibn 'Affan, and thereafter to Abu Bakr; but they both refused her. When Umar went to Muhammad to
complain about this, Muhammad replied, "Hafsah will marry one better than Uthman and Uthman will
marry one better than Hafsah."[3]
Muhammad married Hafsah in Shaaban AH 3 (late January or early February 625). [4] This marriage
"gave the Prophet the chance of allying himself with this faithful follower," [5] i.e., Umar, who now
became his father-in-law. Uthman married Muhammad's daughter, Umm Kulthum.