HADHRAT HAFSA (RA)

The meaning of Hafsa: Young lioness, she was the daughter of Umar ibn al-Khattab ra (Hazrat Umar
Farooq) and Zainab bint Maz ‘unra from the Banu Adi tribe of the Quraish her first husband was
Khunaisbin Huzaifara she was married to the Prophet Muhamad in the year 3 AH and she passed
away in the year 45 AH.

Born several years before the first revelation from God, she was raised in a family renowned for its
learning and education. Like her father, she was inquisitive, sharp-witted and a courageous woman
who lived up to her name. As stated, she was the daughter of Hazrat Umarra, the second Khalifa of
Islam. Hazrat Umarra earned the title of “Farooq”, meaning the one who distinguishes between right
and wrong. Regarding Hazrat Umarra, the Holy Prophets said:
“If there were to be a prophet after me, it would be Umar.” (Tirmidhi, Vol. 1, book 46)

His son and Hafsa’s brother, Hazrat Abdullah bin Umarra was also a close companion of the
Holy Prophets. A devout Muslim herself, she grew up amidst the senior companions of the Holy
Prophets and embodied their characteristics. She would often observe fasts and stay awake most of
her nights offering Tahajud. Hence, it leaves little to question why she was chosen as one of the
wives of the Prophet of Islam’s in this life and the Hereafter. The archangel Gabriela’s attested to her
traits before her husband:

“She fasts often and frequently prays at night; she will be your wife in Paradise” (Mustadrak al-
Hakim).

Hazrat Hafsa’s first husband Hazrat Khunais bin Huzaifa who, owing to the atrocities of the Quraish,
had migrated both to Abyssinia and Medina to seek God’s pleasure. At the Battle of Badr, he was
severely wounded and later succumbed to his injuries. The account of her marriage to the Holy
Prophets is rather amusing, which Hazrat Umarra narrates in the following words:

“When Hafsa bint Umar lost her husband, a companion of the Holy Prophets, Khunais bin Huzaifa al-
Sahmi, who had fought at Badr and [later] died in Medina, I met Uthman bin Affan and suggested
that he should marry Hafsa, to which he replied, ‘I will think it over.’ I waited for a few days and
then he said to me, ‘I am of the opinion that I shall not marry at present.’ Then I met Abu Bakr and
said, ‘If you wish, I can marry Hafsa bint Umar to you.’ He kept quiet and did not respond. I became
agitated and it [displeased me] more than Uthman’s [response]. Some days later, the Prophet s asked
for her hand in marriage and I married her to him. Later, Abu Bakr approached me and said, ‘Perhaps
you were angry with me when you offered me Hafsa for marriage and I gave no reply to you?’ I said,
‘Yes.’ Abu Bakr replied, ‘Nothing prevented me from accepting your offer except that I learnt that
the Prophet of Allah had referred to the issue of Hafsa and I did not want to disclose his secret, but
had he (the Prophetsa) not married her, I would surely have accepted her.” (Sahih al-Bukhari).

Thirst for knowledge Hazrat

Hafsara learnt to read and write at an early age and had memorized the Holy Quran by heart. Her
knowledge of religious matters was very sound. At least 60 ahadith have been quoted by her. Like
her father, she was inquisitive by nature and would not shy away from asking questions to quench
her thirst for knowledge.

Sahih Muslim mentions an incident that once, the Holy Prophets told Hazrat Hafsara, “Of those who
took the pledge of Aqabah, none would enter hell.” Hazrat Hafsara, who was of a curious disposition,
replied, “[What about the verse which states] ‘There is not one of you, but will come to it.’” The
Holy Prophets pointed her to the next verse which stated, “God shall save the righteous and leave the
wrongdoers therein, on their knees.”(Sahih Muslim)

It ought to be understood that by no means had she meant to question the authority of the Holy
Prophetsa out of defiance, rather it was her keen sense of observation which would often compel her
to inquire and comprehend the intricacies of the Quranic injunctions more deeply.

Custodian of the
Quran During his lifetime, the
Holy Prophets used to entrust Hazrat Hafsara with the parchments on which the Holy Quran was
inscribed for safekeeping. After his demise, a large number of Muslims who had memorized the Holy
Quran laid down their lives in the Battle of Yamama. Hazrat Abu Bakr ra ordered Hazrat Zaidra bin
Thabit to compile the Quran into a single book form. Hazrat Hafsara was also consulted in the matter.
By the end of the second Khilafat, Hazrat Umarra bequeathed the compiled copy to his daughter
which remained with her till her demise. Numerous copies were made from her version of the copy
in the era of Hazrat Uthmanra and distributed throughout the Muslim world.

Another hadith relates that when Hazrat Umarra disclosed his predicament to the Holy Prophets and he
received a response from both the companions, the Messenger of Allahas smiled and consoled him
that Hafsara would get a better husband and Uthmanra would receive a better wife.

She died in the month of Shaban, 45 AH. Her funeral prayers were led by the governor of Medina,
Marwan bin Al Hakam.

Many prominent companions of the Holy Prophets partook in her funeral, including Hazrat Abu
Hurairara. She was buried in Jannat-ul-Baqi alongside the rest of the mothers of the faithful.