Muhammad's household was not always peaceful as his wives were in two groups. Muhammad reassured Umar by saying that 'Hafsa will marry one better than Uthman will marry one better than Abu Bakr.' Umar was obviously alluding to the fact that Hafsa was to marry Muhammad and that Uthman was to marry a daughter of Muhammad.

Umar then preceded to Muhammad to discuss the previous two incidents. Abu Bakr did not give him a reply, causing Umar to become even more angry with him than he was with Uthman. Umar became angry with Uthman and asked Abu Bakr the same thing. He approached his friend Uthman who said 'I am of the opinion that I shall not marry at present', after thinking about the proposal for a few days. When he died, Umar sought to find a husband for her. Hafsa, the daughter of Umar, was originally married to Khunais ibn Hudhaifa. He made no attempt to bring those ordeals to an end. During this entire period of more than 1000 days, Umar, like many other Muslims in Makkah, was the silent spectator of the ordeals of his master. He spent three years in that ravine, and during those years of exile, his life was exposed to deadly perils every day and every night. When Umar accepted Islam, the idolaters remained where they were, and nothing changed for them but it was Muhammad who was compelled to leave his home, and had to find sanctuary in a desolate ravine.

But this is only a case of a dominant myth being in conflict with ugly facts.

Some historians claim that Umar was a most awe-inspiring man, and when he accepted Islam, the idolaters were gripped with fear for their lives.

Brave characters in shia history