Sahih al-Bukhari 4005

Abu al-Yaman narrated to us: Shuʿayb informed us, from al-Zuhri, who said: Salim ibn ʿAbdullah informed me that he heard ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (may God be pleased with them both) relate that, when ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab’s daughter Hafsa was widowed after her husband Khunays ibn Hudhafa al-Sahmi—one of the Companions of the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) who had been at Badr—died in Medina, ʿUmar said: I met ʿUthman ibn ʿAffan and offered him Hafsa. I said, “If you wish, I will marry you to ʿUmar’s daughter Hafsa.” He said, “I will consider the matter.” Some nights passed, then he said, “I have decided not to marry at this time.” ʿUmar said: I then met Abu Bakr and said, “If you wish, I will marry you to ʿUmar’s daughter Hafsa.” Abu Bakr remained silent and gave me no answer. I was more upset with him than I had been with ʿUthman. Some nights passed, then the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) proposed to her, and I married her to him. Abu Bakr later met me and said, “Perhaps you were upset with me when you offered me Hafsa and I did not answer you.” I said, “Yes.” He said, “The only reason I did not answer your offer was that I knew the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) had mentioned her. I could not disclose the Messenger of God’s secret. Had he left her, I would have accepted her.”