Chapter 67: Wedlock, Marriage (Nikaah)
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar: 'Umar bin Al-Khattab said, "When Hafsa bint 'Umar became a widow after the death of (her husband)
Khunais bin Hudhafa As-Sahmi who had been one of the companions of the Prophet, and he died at
Medina. I went to 'Uthman bin 'Affan and presented Hafsa (for marriage) to him. He said, "I will
think it over.' I waited for a few days, then he met me and said, 'It seems that it is not possible for me
to marry at present.' " 'Umar further said, "I met Abu Bakr As-Siddique and said to him, 'If you wish,
I will marry my daughter Hafsa to you." Abu Bakr kept quiet and did not say anything to me in reply.
I became more angry with him than with 'Uthman. I waited for a few days and then Allah' s Messenger (ﷺ)
asked for her hand, and I gave her in marriage to him. Afterwards I met Abu Bakr who said, 'Perhaps
you became angry with me when you presented Hafsa to me and I did not give you a reply?' I said,
'Yes.' Abu Bakr said, 'Nothing stopped me to respond to your offer except that I knew that Allah' s
Apostle had mentioned her, and I never wanted to let out the secret of Allah' s Messenger (ﷺ). And if Allah' s
Apostle had refused her, I would have accepted her.' "
Sahih al-Bukhari 5122