The first woman to memorize the entire Quran was Umm al-Mu’minīn Ḥafṣa bint ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (رضي الله عنها), daughter of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab and wife of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Historical Islamic sources unanimously affirm her as the foremost female Ḥāfiẓa among the Sahābiyyāt (female Companions).
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Hafsa bint Umar (RA) Was the First Woman Hafiz of the Quran
Hafsa bint Umar (RA) holds the distinguished title of the first woman hafiz of the Quran in Islamic history. As a wife of the Prophet (PBUH) and a scholar, she was entrusted with the original written manuscripts of the revelation.
Unlike many in her time, Hafsa (RA) was literate. She combined her ability to read and write with oral transmission, memorizing verses directly from the Prophet (PBUH). This unique skill set solidified her status as a primary female hafiz of Quran.
Her memorization was not just personal piety; it was a state responsibility. Caliph Uthman relied on her personal copy to standardize the Quran. Every woman hafiz of the Quran today owes the preservation of the text to her vigilance.
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Key Evidence of Ḥafṣa was the first woman hafiz of the Quran
The strongest proof lies in her role as the chosen guardian of the original Islamic manuscripts. Historical records confirm she was entrusted with the Suhuf, verifying her status as the first woman hafiz of the Quran.
1. Explicit Historical Recognition
Renowned scholars like Al-Dhahabi in Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ and Ibn Kathir in Al-Bidāya wa-l-Nihāya identify Ḥafṣa as the first woman to achieve complete Quranic memorization during the Prophet’s lifetime.
She was literate and memorized verses directly from the Prophet (PBUH). This direct transmission is the same standard used by Riwaq Al Quran’s tutors to certify students today.
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2. Hafsa Was the Guardianship of the Quranic Manuscript
After Caliph Umar passed, the official compiled verses were given solely to Hafsa (RA). This immense responsibility signifies she was a master of the text, widely recognized by the Companions as a leading female hafiz of Quran.
3. Basis for the Uthmanic Standardization
When Caliph Uthman standardized the Quran, he relied exclusively on the Mushaf of Hafsa. Her preservation of the text ensured the accuracy of every copy we read today, cementing her legacy among women hafiz in Islam.
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Other Early Female Ḥuffāẓ Among Sahābiyyāt
While Hafsa (RA) is the primary answer, women hafiz in Islam were numerous and highly skilled. Several female Companions memorized the entire revelation directly from the Prophet (PBUH) and taught it to others.
1. Aishah bint Abu Bakr as a Female Hafiz of Quran
Aishah (RA) was a scholar, jurist, and a prolific narrator of Hadith. As a first female hafiz of Quran in terms of scholarship, she reviewed the text annually with the Prophet (PBUH) and corrected the recitation of others.
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2. Umm Waraka the Martyr and Quran Memorization
Female Quran memorizers history honors Umm Waraka (RA), whom the Prophet (PBUH) called “The Martyr.” She memorized the Quran entirely during his lifetime and was even appointed by him to lead her household in prayer.
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Why Ḥafṣa Precedes ʿĀʾisha in Memorization?
While both were profound scholars, Hafsa (RA) is often ranked first due to her unique selection as the custodian of the Suhuf. Her combination of literacy and memorization made her the primary reference for the Caliphs.
1. The Decisive Role of the Suhuf
The ultimate proof of her precedence is that Caliph Abu Bakr and Caliph Umar entrusted the only official written copy to her, not Aishah (RA). This confirms she was viewed as the most reliable female hafiz of Quran.
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2. Literacy as a Memorization Aid
Unlike many Companions, Hafsa (RA) could read and write fluently. This allowed her to record verses immediately upon revelation, solidifying her Hafsa bint Umar Quran memorization through both visual and oral channels, a rare advantage.
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3. Chronological Maturity in Medina
Hafsa (RA) was older than Aishah (RA). Azhari historians note that her maturity during the heavy Madinan revelations allowed her to capture and retain the complex legislative verses earlier, establishing her firmly among the first women hafiz in Islam.
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Conclusion
Ḥafṣa bint ʿUmar’s distinction lies in more than early memorization; it rests in collective trust. Her literacy, precision, and mastery of the Quran led the Companions to entrust her with the Suḥuf, confirming her rank as the foremost female ḥāfiẓa.
Her guardianship shaped Islamic history at a critical moment. When Caliph ʿUthmān unified the Quranic text, it was Ḥafṣa’s preserved manuscripts that ensured textual accuracy, securing the Quran’s transmission for every generation that followed.
Other Sahābiyyāt, including ʿĀʾisha and Umm Waraqah, also reached remarkable levels of memorization and teaching. Yet Ḥafṣa’s unique convergence of memorization, literacy, and state responsibility places her unmistakably at the foundation of women’s Quranic preservation.
