It is reported that Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) suggested to Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to propose for Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) saying, “O Abu Bakr! Why do you not propose for Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha)?” Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “I do not think that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) will marry her to me.” Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) responded, “Why will Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) not marry her to you when you are the most honoured of all people to him, and you were the first to embrace Islam!”
Thus, at the request of Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) went to his respected daughter, Hazrat Aa’ishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), and said to her, “O Aa’ishah! When you find the opportune time, when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is at ease, then inform him that I propose for his daughter, Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha). Perhaps Allah Ta‘ala will bless me with her hand in marriage.”
Accordingly, when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to the home of Hazrat Aa’ishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), and she found the right opportunity, then she said, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! My father, Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), asked me to mention to you that he wishes to marry Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha).” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) responded, “I will wait for Allah Ta‘ala to decide in this matter.”
According to another narration, Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) personally spoke to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and proposed. In reply, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “O Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)! Let us wait for Allah Ta‘ala to decide in this matter.”
When Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thereafter mentioned to Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) what had transpired, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said to him, “It seems as though Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has not accepted your proposal.”
Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thereafter intended proposing for Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha).
(Majma’uz Zawaa’id #15211 and Tabaqaat Ibnu Sa’d 8/16 )
(To be continued)