Ḥafṣah bint ʿUmar (Arabic: حفصة بنت عمر; c. 605–665), was the fourth wife of Muhammad and daughter of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, the second caliph of Islam. In Islamic writings, her name is thus often prefixed by the title "Mother of the Believers" (Arabic: أمّ المؤمنين, romanized: ʾumm al-muʾminīn).

Early life

Hafsa was the daughter and eldest child of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab and Zaynab bint Maz'un. She was born "when Quraysh were building the House Kaʿbah, five years before the Prophet was sent," i.e., in 605.^[1]

Marriage

She was married to Khunays ibn Hudhafa but became a widow in August 624.^[2]

As soon as Hafsa 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, "Hafsa will marry one better than Uthman and Uthman will marry one better than Hafsa."^[3]

Muhammad married Hafsa in Sha'ban 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.

Notable work

Uthman, when he became Caliph, used Hafsa's copy when he standardized the text of Qur'an.^[6] She is also said to have narrated sixty hadiths from Muhammad.^[7]

Death

She died in Sha'ban AH 45, i.e., in October or November 665. She is buried in Al-Baqi Cemetery next to the other Mothers of the Faithful.^[8][9]

Contrasting Views

Sunni View

Hafsa is seen as scholarly and inquisitive by the Sunnis. She is also respected as a Mother of The Believers.

Shi'a View

Due to certain actions of disobedience to the Prophet,^[10][11] Shi'as have a negative view of Hafsa.