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Hafshah bint Umar ibn Khatab

Hafshah bint Umar bin Khaththab was the daughter of a man who was the best and knew the rights of Allah and the Muslims. Umar ibn Khaththab was a just ruler and had a very solemn heart. The Prophet's marriage to the Hafshah is a testament to his love for the believer who had been widowed after the abandonment of her husband, Khunais bin Hudzafah as-Sahami, who fought in the way of Allah, once migrated to Habasyah, then to Medina, and died in the Battle of Badr.

After the husband of his son died, with a feeling of sadness, Urnar faced the Prophet to preach the fate of his widowed son. Hafshah was eighteen years old. Hearing Umar's words, the Prophet gave him glad tidings by saying that he was willing to marry Hafshah.

If we mention the narna Hafshah, our memory will be fixed on his great merits towards the Muslims at that time. She was the Prophet's wife who first kept the Qur'an’an in the form of writing on the skin, bones, and date palms, until then it became a very great book.

The full name of Hafshah is Hafshah bint Umar bin Khaththab bin Naf’al bin Abdul-Uzza bin Riyah bin Abdullah bin Qurt bin Rajah bin Adi bin Luay from the Adawiyah Arab tribe. His mother was Zainab bint Madh’un bin Hubaib bin Wahab bin Hudzafah, sister of Uthman bin Madh’un. Hafshah was born in a very famous year in the history of the Quraysh, which was when Rasullullah . moved Hajar Aswad to its original place after the Ka’bah was rebuilt after it collapsed due to flooding.

In that year also was born Fatima az-Zahra, the youngest daughter of the Prophet of the four daughters, and her birth was welcomed by him. A few days after Fatima was born, Hafshah bint Umar bin Khaththab was born. Hearing that he was born a baby girl, Umar was very angry and restless, as was the custom of the Arab fathers of Quraysh when he heard the news of the birth of his daughter. At that time they considered that the birth of a daughter had brought disgrace to the family. And if Umar knew that the birth of his daughter would bring good luck, Umar would be the happiest, because the child named Hafshah would become the wife of the Prophet.

In Thabaqat, Ibn Saad said, “Muhammad bin Umar said that Muhammad bin Zaid bin Aslam, from his father, from his grandfather, Umar said, ‘Hafshah was born at the time the Quraysh built the Ka’bah, five years before 1um the Prophet was sent to be an Apostle.”

Sayyidah Hafshah radhiallahu ‘anha was raised by inheriting the traits of his father, Umar bin Khaththab. In terms of courage, she is different from other women, her personality is strong and her speech is firm. Aisyah describes the nature of Hafshah as the same as her father. Another advantage that Hafshah has is her intelligence in reading and writing, even though at that time the ability is not commonly owned by women.

Hafshah was not among the first to convert to Islam, because at the beginning of the spread of Islam, his father, Umar bin Khaththab, was, still the main enemy of Muslims until one day Umar was interested in converting to Islam. When Umar learned of the Islam of his sister Fatima and her husband Said bin Zaid, he was very angry and intended to torture them. Arriving at his sister's house, Umar heard the recitation of the Qur’an flowing in the house, and his anger peaked when he entered the house. He mercilessly slapped them until blood poured out of his second forehead.

However, the unexpected happened, Umar's heart was touched when he saw blood pouring from his brother's forehead, then he took the Qur’an that was on them. When he read the beginning of Thaha's letter, it was a miracle. Umar's heart began to be illuminated by the light of truth and faith. Allah has granted the Prophet a prayer that expects Allah to open the hearts of one of the two Umar to Islam. The Prophet referred to by two Umar is Amr bin Hisham or better known as Abu Jahl and Umar bin Khaththab.

After that incident, from his sister's house he immediately went to the Prophet and declared Islam before him, Umar bin Khaththab like a star that began to illuminate the Islamic world, and began to raise the flag of jihad and da'wah until a few years after the Prophet died. After declaring Islam, Umar bin Khaththab immediately met his relatives to invite them to embrace Islam. The whole family accepted Umar's invitation, including the ten-year-old Hafshah.

Umar's Islam brought great fortune to the Muslims in the face of the cruelty of the Quraysh. The news of Umar's Islam motivates the muhajirin who are in Habashah to return to their original land after a long time abandoned. Among those who returned was a young man named Khunais bin Hudzafah as-Sahami. The young man loved the Prophet as much as he loved his family and his hometown. He emigrated to Habash to save himself and his religion.

Upon his arrival in Mecca, he immediately visited Umar ibn Khaththab, and there he saw the Hafshah. He asked Umar to marry him to Hafshah, and Umar approved of him. A marriage between the mujahid and the noble believers took place. Their households are very happy because they are based on sincerity and piety.

When Allah enlightened the people of Yathrib to embrace Islam, the Prophet found a new foundation that could help the Muslims. That is why he allowed the Muslims to emigrate to Yathrib to keep their faith while guarding them and the torture and tyranny of the Quraysh. In this hijrah, Hafshah and her husband went to Yathrib.

Once the Muslims were in Medina and the Prophet united them in a strong line, it was time for them to confront the polytheists who had been hostile and took their rights. In addition, God's command to fight against the polytheists has come.

The first battle between the Muslims and the Quraysh was the Battle of Badr. In this war, God has shown victory for His sincere servants, though their numbers are few. Khunais was one of the members of the Muslim army, and he suffered severe injuries upon his return from the war. Hafshah was always by his side and healed his wounds, but God was willing to call Khunais a martyr in the first battle against evil and injustice, so Hafshah became a widow. At that time the Hafshah was only eighteen years old, but the Hafshah had had patience for the trials that befell him.

Umar was very sad because his son had become a widow at a very young age, so in his heart he was asked to marry Hafshah to a pious Muslim so that his heart was calm again. For that he went to Abu Bakr's house and asked for his willingness to marry his daughter. But Abu Bakr remained silent, not answering. Then Umar met Uthman ibn Affan and asked for his willingness to marry his daughter. However, at that time Uthman was still in grief because his wife, Ruqayah bint Muhammad, had just died. Uthman refused Umar's request. Facing the attitude of his two best friends, Umar was very disappointed, and he grew saddened at the thought of his daughter's fate.

Then he met the Prophet with the intention of complaining about the attitude of his two companions. Hearing Umar's words, the Prophet said, “Hafshah will marry someone better than Uthman and Abu Bakr. Uthman would marry someone better than Hafshah.” At first Umar did not understand the meaning of the Prophet's words, but because of his wits, he then understood that the Prophet would invite his daughter.

Umar was very honoured to hear the Prophet's intention to marry his daughter, and joy appeared on his face. Umar immediately persuaded Abu Bakr to express the intention of the Prophet. Abu Bakr said, “I did not mean to reject you with my words, for I know that the Messenger of Allah has mentioned the name of Hafshah, but I cannot reveal his secret to you. Had the Prophet allowed it, I would have married Hafshah.” Umar understood why Abu Bakr refused to marry his daughter.

While Uthman's attitude was only saddened by Ruqayah's death and he intended to edit his brother, Umm Kulthum, so that his staff could continue to connect with the Prophet. After Uthman married Umm Kulthum, she was nicknamed dzunnuraini (owner of two lights). The Prophet's marriage to the Hafshah is considered more of a tribute to Umar, as well as Hafshah was the widow of a mujahid and muhajir, Khunais bin Hudzafah as-Sahami.

In the house of the Prophet, Hafshah occupied a special room, similar to Saudah bint Zum’ah and Aisha bint Abu Bakr. In humane terms, Aisha was very fond of Hafshah because they were the same age, other than Saudah bint Zum’ah who considered Hafshah as a noble woman daughter of Umar bin Khaththab, a dear friend of the Prophet.

Umar understood how high Aisha was in the heart of the Prophet. He also knew that the one who caused the anger of Aisha was the same as causing the anger of the Messenger of Allah, and that the one who was idolatrous towards Aisha was a ridha against the Messenger of Allah. So Umar told his daughter to try to get close to Aisha and love her.

In addition, Umar requested that Hafshah keep his actions so that between the two of them there was no dispute. However, it is very human if among them there is still a misunderstanding that comes from jealousy. With the airy chest of the Prophet reconciled them without causing sadness among his wife – wives. One example is the incident when Hafshah saw Mariyah al-Qibtiyah coming to meet the Prophet in an affair. Mariyah was away from the mosque, and the Prophet told her to go into the house of Hafshah who was going to her father's house, she saw the veil of her bedroom covered, and she saw the veil of her bedroom covered, the Prophet and Mariyah were in it.

It is only natural that the wives of the Prophet were jealous of Mariyah, because she was the only woman who gave birth to the Prophet's son after Siti Khadijah radhiallahu ‘anha. The incident soon spread, but the Prophet had ordered to cover the secret. The news was finally known by the Prophet until he was very angry.

After the incident, the Prophet divorced Hafshah, but a few moments later he referred him back because he saw Hafshah's father, Umar, was very restless. While other accounts say that the Prophet intended to divorce Hafshah, Jibril came to him with the intention of ordering him to keep Hafshah as his wife because she was a strong-minded woman. The Prophet also defended Hafshah as his wife, especially because Hafshah deeply regretted his actions by opening secrets and breaking the Messenger of Allah.

Umar ibn Khaththab reminded his daughter not to arouse the anger of the Prophet and to always obey and seek his pleasure. Umar ibn Khaththab placed the pleasure of the Prophet in the most important place that the Hafshah should do. Basically, the Prophet married Hafshah because he saw the existence of Umar and felt sorry for the Hafshah left by her husband. Allah sent down the following verse in anticipation of the spread issues.

“Hi Prophet, why do you forbid what Allah has justified for you, - do you seek the pleasure of your wives? And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful, Verily, Allah has made it obligatory upon you to free yourself and your oaths; and Allah is your protector and He is All-Knowing, All-Wise. And remember when the Prophet spoke in secret to one of his wives (Hafshah).

So when (Hafshah) recounted the event (to Aisha) and Allah made it known (all the talk between Hafshah and Aisha) to Muhammad then Muhammad told him some (which Allah told him) and hid others (to Hafshah). So when (Muhammad) told the talk (between Hafshah and Aisha) then Hafshah asked, ‘Who has told you this?’ The Prophet replied, ‘It has been told to me by Allah, the All-Knowing, the All-Knowing.

If you both repent to Allah, then surely your hearts are both inclined (to receive good); and if you both help to trouble the Prophet, verily Allah is his protector (and so) Gabriel and the righteous); and the angels are his helpers. If the Prophet divorces you, perhaps his Lord will reward him with wives better than you, obedient, faithful, obedient, repentant, worshiping, the fasting, the widowed, and the virgin.” (Qs. A-Thatrim:1-5)

Hafshah always asked the Prophet in various matters, and it caused Umar's anger towards Hafshah, while the Prophet always treated Hafshah with meekness and compassion. He said, “Believe thee to women well.” The Prophet was angry with his wives when they asked for extra money so that Umar immediately went to the house of the Prophet. Umar saw the wives of the Prophet were gloomy and sad, it seemed that there had been a dispute between them and the Messenger of Allah.

In particular Umar called his daughter, Hafshah, and reminded her to stay away from behavior that could arouse her anger and realize that she did not have much wealth to give them. Out of anger, the Prophet vowed not to gather with his wives for a month until they realized his mistake, or to divorce them if they did not realize the mistake. In connection with this, God says,

“Hi Prophet, say to your wives, if you will the life of the world and all its jewels, then come here, I will fulfill your wish and I will divorce you well. And if you desire (praise) Allah and His Messenger and (pleasure) in the afterlife, surely Allah will provide for good servants among you a great reward (QS. Al-ahzab)

The Prophet stayed away from his wives for a month in a room called treasure, and a slave named Rabah sat at the door of the room.

After the incident there was a disturbing news that the Prophet had divorced his wives. The most distraught was Umar ibn Khaththab, so he soon met his crying daughter. Umar said, “It looks like the Prophet has divorced you.” With sobbing Hafshah replied, “I don't know.” Umar said, “He has divorced you once and referred you again because of me. If he divorces you once more, I won't talk to you forever.” Hafshah wept and regretted her negligence towards her husband and father.

After a few days the Prophet was alone, no one could be sure whether he divorced his wives or not. Out of impatience, Umar went to the treasure to meet the aloof Messenger. Now Umar met the Prophet not because of his son, but because of his love for him and felt very sad to see his situation, in addition to wanting to ensure the spread of the issue. He felt that his daughter was the cause of his grief. Umar also asked for an explanation from him even though on the other hand he was very sure that he would not divorce his wife – wife.

And it is true that the Prophet would not divorce his wives, so Umar asked permission to announce the good news to the Muslims. Umar went to the mosque and reported that the Prophet did not divorce his wives. The Muslims welcomed the news, and of course the happier were his wives.

After even a month the Prophet stayed away from his wives, he returned to them. He saw regret drawn from their faces. They returned to Allah and His Messenger. To be more convincing, he announced their regrets to kaurn muslimin.

Hafshah can be said to be the most regretful wife of the Apostle so that she draws herself to Allah with all her heart and makes her a ransom for the Messenger of Allah. The hafshah multiplies worship, especially fasting and night prayer. The custom continued until after the Prophet's death. Even during the caliphate of Abu Bakr and Umar, he followed the development of major conquests, both in the east and west.

Hafshah felt very lost when his father died at the hands of Abu Lu’luah. He lived up to the caliphate of Uthman, when there was a great slander between Muslims who demanded revenge for the death of Caliph Uthman until the time of’atan Ali bin Abi Talib as caliph. At that time, Hafshah was in the stronghold of Aisyah as he expressed, “My opinion is as Aisyah.” thinks However, he was not included in the class of people who declared themselves to be’iat to Ali ibn Abi Talib because his brother, Abdullah bin Umar, was, ask him to stay at home and not come out to declare ba’iat.

About the death of Hafshah, some accounts say that Sayyidah Hafshah died in the forty-seventh year during the reign of Mu’awiyah bin Abu Sufyan. He was buried in Baqi’, next to the graves of the other wives of the Prophet.

Hafshah's great work for Islam is the collection of the Qur’an in her hands after the deletion because she is the only wife of the Prophet who is good at reading and writing. In the time of the Apostle, the Qur’an was preserved in the chest and memorized by the companions to be written on date palms or sheets that were not collected in a special book.

During the time of the caliph Abu Bakr, the memorizers of A1-Qur’an many died in the battle of Riddah (the battle against the apostates). Such conditions prompted Umar bin Khaththab to urge Abu Bakr to collect the scattered Qur’an. At first Abu Bakr was worried that collecting the Qur’an in one book was a fabrication because in the time of the Apostle it was never done. However, at Umar's insistence, Abu bakr finally ordered the Hafshah to collect the Qur’an, as well as save and maintain it. The original Mushaf of the Qur’an was in the house of Hafshah until he died.

May the grace of Allah be with Hafshah, and may Allah give him a worthy place by His side. Aamiins.