Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu) taking into consideration the feelings of Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu)

Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiallahu Anha) was the daughter of Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu). She was first married to Hadhrat Khunais bin Huzaifah (Radhiallahu Anhu), who embraced Islam in the early days. He first emigrated to Abyssinia and then to Madinah Tayyibah. He participated in Badr, and was fatally wounded in Badr (or in Uhud) and passed away due to the wound in the year 1 or 2 A. H. Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiallahu Anha) had also emigrated to Madinah Tayyibah with her husband. When her husband passed away, Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) went to Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu) and said: “I offer my daughter Hafsah to you in marriage if you so desire.” Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu) remained silent and did not say anything.

Meanwhile, Hadhrat Ruqayyah (Radhiallahu Anha) the daughter of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and the wife of Hadhrat Uthmaan (Radhiallahu Anhu), had passed away during that time. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) went to Hadhrat Uthmaan (Radhiallahu Anhu) and offered Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiallahu Anha) in nikah to him if he so wished. He declined by saying. “I have no intention at this time to marry.” Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) mentioned this to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Should I inform you of a husband for Hafsah that is better than Uthmaan, and of a wife for Uthmaan that is better than Hafsah?” (i.e. I will marry Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiallahu Anha), and I will get Hadhrat Uthmaan (Radhiallahu Anhu) married to my daughter). Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then married Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiallahu Anha), and gave his own daughter Hadhrat Umme Kulthoom (Radhiallahu Anha) in marriage to Hadhrat Uthmaan (Radhiallahu Anhu).

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) says: “Hadhrat Abu Bakr’s silence over the matter was more hurtful to me than Hadhrat Uhtmaan’s declining.” (i.e. I felt that at least Hadhrat Uthmaan informed me what he had intended, whereas Hadhrat Abu Bakr had not even given me any reply).   

Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu) later said to Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu): “When you offered your daughter Hadhrat Hafsah to me, I remained silent and did not give you any reply. The reason for me remaining silent was that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had expressed his intention to marry her before me. Hence at that time, I could neither accept your offer nor disclose the secret of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). I therefore remained silent. O Umar, had Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) not married her, I would have married her.” (Fazaail Aa’maal)

Note:

Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu) had taken into consideration the feelings and sentiments of Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) and hence clarified the matter later on. He ensured that the slightest hurt was not caused to Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu).