Hazrat Hafsa Bint Umar Khattab (RA), who is amongst the Umm-ul-Momineen (Mothers of the Believers), remains a true inspiration for Muslim women, even now 1400 years later. Her piety, coupled with the values she lived by, hold profound lessons for us all. The fact that she was one of the few women from amongst the thousands living in Arabia at the time, whom Allah chose as a wife for the Prophet (PBUH) is in itself a proof of her extraordinary personality.
Hazrat Hafsa was amongst the earliest converts of Islam, believing in Allah’s Oneness before Hazrat Umar. Therefore, she has the distinct honor of being amongst the “Sabiqoon Al-Awwaloon” – a title which literally means “Forerunners”.
Allah gave this title to those who accepted Islam in its earliest stages. These companions of the Prophet (PBUH) were the dearest to Allah, as they entered the fold of Islam when idol worship, Shirk, and all forms of evil blanketed Mecca.
Today, for Muslim women to be a part of “Sabiqoon Al-Awwaloon” they have to realize the deeds Allah loves deepest are those done without any hesitation/reluctance. Allah loves those who race towards rewarding actions. In Surah Waqeyyah, He made a promise to these position holders, saying “As for the Foremost, they will be the Foremost! They shall be near-stationed (to their Lord).” Therefore, a solid way to follow Hazrat Hafsa’s example is to seize any and all opportunities to do a good deed, be it giving out Sadqah, engaging in Dhikr, doing Nawafil, or committing time in Dawah. By rushing towards these actions, with haste and eagerness, we too can be included in the Sabiqoon Al-Awwaloon.
By: Humna Salman
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