Hafsa (r.a.) – wife of Rasulullah (saw)
She was the daughter of Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu), who was the second Khalifah of Islaam. She accepted Islaam in the beginning stages of Islaam. She came into Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s Nikah in the year 3 A.H., in Madinah Munawwarah. When Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) received Nabuwwat she was 5 years old. Her first husband was Hadhrat Khunais bin Huzafa (radhiAllaahu anhu), who participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud. He was martyred in the battle of Uhud. She made Hijrat to Madinah Munawwarah from Macca Muazzama, with her husband. After the Shahaadat of her husband, Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) married her after she completed her Iddat. This was after Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) was made Rukhsati to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha) was honoured in that she was the wife of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and the daughter of Hadhrat Umar Farooq (radhiAllaahu anhu). She was the real sister of Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu), whose narrations appear manifold in the Hadith Kitaabs. Her mother was Hadhrat Zainub binti Madh?oon (radhiAllaahu anha) and her uncle was Hadhrat Uthmaan bin Madh?oon (radhiAllaahu anhu).
HER COMING INTO THE SANCTUARY OF NABUWWAT
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar (radhiAllahu anhu), the brother of Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha) relates her nikah to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as follows: “After Khunais bin Huzafa (radhiAllaahu anhu) passed away in Madinah Tayyibah, Hafsa became widowed. My father became concerned about her condition (another Nikah).” Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) met Hadhrat Uthmaan Bin Affaan (radhiAllaahu anhu) and (since his wife had also just passed away) asked him if he would like to get married to Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha). He replied that he would think about it and inform him. After two or three days he said that he had decided not to get married right then. Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) then met Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllahu anhu) and asked him if he would like to marry Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha). He did not reply and remained quiet. Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) says that he felt grieved at the answer of the two persons whom he had approached regarding Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha), but he says that he felt more saddened at Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu)’s silence.
After a few days Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) sent a proposal to Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha). Then she was given in marriage to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Later Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) met with Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) and he (Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu)) told him: “You were probably perturbed at my silence when you asked me if I would take Hafsa into marriage?” Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllahu anhu) replied in the affirmative. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiAllaahu anhu) said: “I was aware that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had intentions to marry Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha), therefore I decided not to make Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s secret known. If he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had changed his mind, then I would certainly have married her.”
COMPANIONSHIP WITH NABI (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)
Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha) remained in Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s nikah for about seven years. She was bold in her speech and attitude, hence she did not hesitate in asking questions and giving answers. Hadhrat Umme Mubasshir (radhiAllaahu anha) reports that she was once sitting with Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha), whilst they were sitting Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Insha-Allaah none of those who took a pledge at my hands under the tree (at Hudaibia), will enter Jahannam. When Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha) heard this she said in surprise: “Is that so?” -(i.e. how can you say that). Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) admonished her for her remark. She said: “But in the Qur?aan Shareef Allaah Ta?ala says: ‘There is none of you except that he will pass through it (Jahannam)’, so how can you (Oh Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say that these persons will not go to Jahannam?” Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Further on Allaah Ta?ala says: ‘Then We will save those who have adopted piety….”
This Aayat mentions regarding the Pul Siraat (bridge over Jahannam). Everyone will have to pass there, but the pious and good people will be made to pass there according to their actions, they will either go across fast or slow, but they will eventually Jannat. The Kuffaar and the evil Muslims will fall therein. The Kuffaar will have to abide therein forever, and the Muslims will, be saved by Allaah Ta?ala after they have ‘served their time’. Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha) was not aware of the entire situation, hence she asked the question.
ONE INCIDENT
Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) reports: “Once some honey came to Hadhrat Zainub binti Jahsh (radhiAllaahu anha) – who was also a wife of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to spend extra time at Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha)’s house, to drink the honey. Hafsa and I made a plan and decided to tell Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) that he seemed to have eaten Maghafeer (a bitter tasting plant /fruit), every time he comes to one of us after having visited Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha). So whenever he came to any of us we told him as we had planned. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said that he had not eaten Maghafeer, but he had eaten honey at Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha)’s house. (To make them happy) He said that he will never eat honey at Hadhrat Zainub (radhiAllaahu anha)’s house. Thereafter Allaah Ta?ala revealed the following Aayat:
“O Nabi! Why do you ban (for yourself) that which Allaah Ta?ala has made lawful to you, seeking to please your wives? And Allaah Ta?ala is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.
Allaah Ta?ala has already ordained for you (O Men), the dissolution of your oaths. And Allaah Ta?ala is your Maula (Master, Protector, etc.) And He is the All-Knower, the All-Wise.”
DIVORCE AND RETURN (REMARRIAGE)
Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) once divorced Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha). The next day Hadhrat Jibraeel (alaihi salaam) came to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and said that Allaah Ta?ala has ordered that he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), have mercy on Hadhrat Umar (radhiAllaahu anhu) and take Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha). In another narration it is reported that Hadhrat Jibraeel (alaihi salaam) came to Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and said to him that he should take Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha) back into his Nikah, because she was one who kept many Nafl fasts and she stayed awake at night, and she is to be your wife in Jannat. Thereafter Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) took her back into his Nikah.
AN INTERESTING INCIDENT
Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha) once displayed extreme intelligence. Hadhrat Aisha (radhiAllaahu anha) reports as follows: “Whenever Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) went on a journey he would draw lots in order to see which wife to take with. Once he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) decided to take two wives, and mine and Hafsa’s name came out. Both of us accompanied him (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). During the journey at nights Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) would sit upon my camel and talk to me. One day Hafsa told me that I should sit in her camel and she would sit in mine. I accepted. When Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) decide to mount a conveyance, he sat on the camel which I normally sit in. Hafsa was on that camel at that particular time. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made salaam and mounted the camel, and sat thereupon until the next stop. I had to spend the night alone on my camel. When we stopped, I alighted from the camel and placed my foot in the shrubs and chastised myself (at being tricked out of my place and being deprived of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s company) and I wished that Allaah Ta?ala let a scorpion or a snake bite me.”
IBAADAT
Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha) excelled in Nafl fasts and Salaat. As one may see from the incident regarding her divorce from Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), as to her excellence in Nafl Salaat and fasts. Hadhrat Naf?i (radhiAllaahu anhu) said: “Hafsa passed away owing to her excessive fasting.”
DEMISE
Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha) passed away in the year 45 A.H. Haafiz Ibn Katheer has recorded the following:
“The Majority (of the historians) have reached a consensus regarding this that she (Hadhrat Hafsa (radhiAllaahu anha)) passed away in Shabaan in the year 45 A.H. at the age of 60. Some have even stated that she reached the era of the Khilaafat of Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiAllaahu anhu).”
Hadhrat Abu Huraira and Abdullah bin Umar (radhiAllaahu anhuma) were present for her Janaaza.
By Mufti Elias
Courtesy: www.everymuslim.co.za ?
