Assalamu Alaykum WA Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh WIVES OF THE PROPHET (S.A.W) SERIES 8 Hafsah bint Umar She was the daughter of Umar Farooq bin Al-Khataab(R.A) and the niece of another famous Sahabi (Companion), ‘Uthman bin Maz’oon (R.A) who was fortunate to have the Prophet (S.A.W) lead the funeral prayer and bury him himself in jannatul Baqi- he was the first Sahabi to be buried there. Her uncle from the paterbal side, a martyr and a general of the Muslim army was Zaid bin Khattab. ‘Umar Farooq (R.A) acknowledged the superiority of his brother when he said that Zaid (R.A) accepted Islam before him and attained martyrdom before him. ‘Abdullah bin Umar (R.A) who was declared by the Prophet (S.A.W) to be an excellent man, was her brother. Hafsah (R.A) was an extremely religious lady who used to spend her time in prayer and fasting. An excellent writer and orator an ardent follower of Islam. Seven of her family members had taken part in the battle of Badr; her father Umar bin Khattab (R.A), her paternal uncle i.e Umar’s brother-Zaid bin Khattab (R.A), her husband Khanees bin Hathafah(R.A), three of her mother brothers i.e her maternal uncles, ‘Uthman bin Maz’oon(R.A), Qudamah bin Ma’zoon (R.A), and Abdullah bin Maz’oon(R.A) and also his son Sa’ib bin Abdullah bin Maz’oon (R.A). All of them had taken part in the Battle of Badr and fought so courageously in the cause of Islam that the Prophet (S.A.W) said that they would surely enter paradise. Hafsah (R.A) had such noble qualities and such an amiable nature, her life was exemplary brought up as she was by a companion of the calibre of Umar Farooq bin Khattab (R.A) , who was her Father. She was born in the family of a great warrior and wrestler, Umar bin Khataab(R.A) was well known for his martial skills. In her growing years, she was brought up in a completely Islamic environment, both her parents and her aunts and uncles having already converted to the new religion. When she was old enough, she was married to Khanees bin Hazafah Sehmi. He was influenced by the teaching of Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A) and had accepted Islam. When the leaders of the Quraish first leaders about Khanees bin Hazafah Sehmi (R.A) becoming a Muslim, they were enraged, and he was also subjected to the worst cruelty and oppression possible. He therefore joined the caravan of the persecuted migrants leaving for Abyssinia. It is said that this was around the time when the Prophet (S.A.W) had not started educating the new converts. But Khanees bin Hazafah Sehmi (R.A) was very homesick there and just could not settle down. He solely missed Makkah where he spent his childhood and youth and decided to return. Again he faced the sufferings that were inflicted on the followers of the new religion. After some time the call was given by the Prophet (S.AW) to migrate to Al-Madinah. Khanees (R.A) answered the call thus becoming one of the few faithful followers who went through the rigors of migrating twice in obedience to the Prophet’s call. This time around, he was with his wife, Hafsah (R.A). Both Khanees and Hafsah (Radiyallahu anhuma) loved their new life in Madinah. Hafsah made special arrangements to memorize the Ayat of the Qur’an as and when they were revealed. Then she would give deep thought and attention to the meaning and interpretation of the Ayat. Her husband meanwhile was enthusiastically preparing himself for Jihad and improving his martial skills. He was constantly alert to the movements of the enemy and was ever ready to meet them head on. News came that the Quraish of Makkah-after making elaborate preparations for a war to wipe out the Muslims –were matching towards Madinah. Abu Jahl had sworn to reach the plains of Badr, camp there for three days, slaughter camels and have an orgy of dance and Music before attacking the small band of Muslim soldiers. He believed that once people heard of his huge forces,no Arab tribe would have the courage to face them. Even if the puny Muslim army dared to confront him, he would teach them a lesson they would never forget. The heavily armed forces of Abu Jahl set out; the Muslims under the leadership of the Prophet, practically unarmed, reached Badr and set up camp taking control of the only source of water. All they had with them was their strong faith in Allah. When the army of Abu Jahl was sighted, the Prophet (S.A.W) prayed to the Almighty that if this small band of the faithful were destroyed there would be no one left on the face of the earth to pray to Him. Khanees bin Hazafah (R.A), ‘Umar Farooq (R.A) and the maternal and paternal uncles of Hafsah (R.A) and her cousin were all part of this courageous band. Her husband was determined to win the battle for Allah and bring to dust the pomp and grandeur ofAbu Jahl’s forces. Finally the forces met and Khaness bin Hazafah (R.A) went tearing through the ranks of the enemy. He was seriously wounded, but most of the leaders of the believers were killed and Islam triumphed. It is one of the greatest battles fought in history where a handful of unarmed and outnumbered men routed a powerful and well-equipped army. The Prophet (S.A.W) stayed at Badr for three days, while the injured were attended to; then he led the victorious and jubilant Muslim forces back to Madinah. When Hafsah (R.A) heard of her husband’s heroic deeds , she was very happy, and praised his valour in battle; but she also realized that in his condition he would need the best care possible. She immediately recited the Ayat of Surah Al-Anfal which was revealed in connecton with the Battle of Badr, “Allah made it only as glad tidings, as that your hearts be at rest therewith. And there is no victory except from Allah. Verily, Allah is All-mighty, All-Wise.”(8:10) These words of Allah promising victory inspired her and she happily turned to the task of nursing her husband back to health. But it was not to be, for he was to be blessed with an exalted position. A few days later, he succumbed to his injuries and joined the ranks of those who are blessed with eternal life. When the Prophet (S.A.W) heard of this, he arrange for his funeral and buried him in Jannatul Baqi , close to Hafsah’s uncle, he (S.A.W) personally led the funeral prayers. Hafsah(R.A) was naturally grief stricken, but being a true believer, she respectfully submitted to the will of Allah. She turned towards Allah and courageously gave herself even more than before to Prayer and meditation. She was at this time barely twenty one years old. Her father, Umar Farooq(R.A) was sad to see his daughter in this state so he approached Abu Bakr (R.A) and said; “I want to give Hafsah in marriage to you.” Abu Bakr (R.A) kept quiet and said nothing. Meanwhile Ruqayyah (R.A) the daughter of the Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) and the wife of Uthman bin Affan (R.A) had died also. Umar (R.A) went to Uthman (R.A) and offered his daughter, Hafsah (R.A) hand in marriage to him. He declined by saying, “I have no mind to marry for the present.”Umar (R.A) complained of this to the Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W). The Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) said: “I tell you of a husband for Hafsah better than Uthman and of a wife for Uthman better than Hafsah.” He then took Hafsah (R.A) as next wife, and gave his own daughter Umm Kulthum (R.A) in marriage to H.A Uthman (R.A). Hafsah (R.A) was a very pious woman, and very much devoted to Salaat. She would often fast during the day and spend the night in prayers. Once the Prophet Mohammad (R.A), for some reason, was displeased with Hafsah(R.A) and even pronounced the first divorce to her. Umar (R.A) was naturally very much shocked over this. Angel Jibril came to the Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) and said: “Allah wants you to take Hafsah back, as she is fasting often and spending her nights in Salaat, and also Allah wants it for Hadhrat Umar‟s (R.A) sake.” The Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) therefore took her back. She died in the year 41th after Hijrah aged 59. At the time of her death, she was fasting. The funeral was led by the then governor of Madinah, Marwan bin Hakam. Abu Hurayrah (R.A) and Abu Sa’eed Khudri(R.A), the eminent companions of the Prophet (S.A.W) were among those who carried the shroud to Jannatul Baqi. Her two brothers, ‘ Abdullah bin Umar(R.A) and Asim bin Umar (R.A) placed her gently into her final resting place. So a righteous and learned writer and reciter of the Qur’an who devoted herself from her youth to prayer, fasting and meditation passed into history. MAY ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH HER
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 21:56:14 +0000