Before the Prophethood, Abu al-‘As approached the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and said, “I want to marry your eldest daughter, Zaynab.” The Prophet replied, “I will not do so until I ask her permission.” He then asked Zaynab, “Your cousin has come to me and mentioned your name. Do you accept him as your husband?” Her face flushed, and she smiled.
Zaynab married Abu al-‘As ibn al-Rabi’, thus beginning a strong love story. They had two children, Ali and Umamah. A big problem emerged when the Prophet (PBUH) received his divine mission. When Abu al-‘As returned from travel, he found that Zaynab had embraced Islam. She said to him, “I have great news for you.” He walked away, which shocked Zaynab who followed him, saying, “My father has been sent as a prophet, and I have embraced Islam.” Abu al-‘As asked, “Why didn’t you ask me first?” She replied, “I would not have disbelieved my father. He is truthful and trustworthy. I am not the only one who has embraced Islam. My mother, my brothers, my cousin Ali ibn Abi Talib, your cousin Othman ibn Affan, and your friend Abu Bakr al-Siddiq have all embraced Islam.” Abu al-‘As said, “I don’t want people to say I abandoned my people and disbelieved in the gods of my forefathers just to please my wife. I am not accusing your father; he is truthful. Will you excuse me?” Zaynab answered, “I am the one who should excuse you most. But I am your wife, and I must help you and guide you to the truth.” Abu al-‘As remained an unbeliever.
Later, during the migration of Muslims from Makkah to Madinah, Zaynab asked the Prophet, “O Messenger of God, will you permit me to stay with my husband?” The Prophet granted her permission, and Zaynab remained in Makkah until the Battle of Badr. Abu al-‘As decided to join the army of the Quraysh, which meant he would fight against Zaynab’s father. Zaynab wept and prayed, saying, “O God, I fear the day I lose my husband and my children are orphaned, or I lose my father.” Abu al-‘As ibn al-Rabi’ went out with the Quraysh army and participated in the Battle of Badr, which ended with his capture. The news reached Makkah, and when Zaynab learned of the Muslims’ victory, she prostrated in gratitude to God. She inquired about her husband and learned that he had been taken prisoner.
Determined to secure his release, she decided to pay a ransom. She had nothing of value except a necklace she had inherited from her mother. She removed the necklace and sent it to the Prophet with her husband’s brother. The Prophet, who was receiving ransoms and releasing prisoners, saw the necklace, which was once owned by his late wife, Khadijah (may God be pleased with her). He asked, “Whose ransom is this?” and was informed that it was for Abu al-‘As ibn al-Rabi’. The Prophet wept and said, “This is Khadijah’s necklace.” Then he stood and addressed the people, saying, “O people, Abu al-‘As ibn al-Rabi’ is my son-in-law, and he is a man of impeccable character. Will you allow him to be released and for Zaynab to receive her mother’s necklace?” The people agreed to the Prophet’s request.
The Prophet gave the necklace to Abu al-‘As and asked him to tell Zaynab not to part with her mother Khadijah’s necklace. He then spoke privately with Abu al-‘As, informing him that God had commanded him to separate the Muslim wife from her disbelieving husband. The Prophet asked Abu al-‘As to return Zaynab to her father, and he agreed. Zaynab went out to meet Abu al-‘As at the gates of Makkah. When he saw her, he said, “I am leaving.” She asked, “Where to?” He replied, “It is not I who will leave, but you who must go to your father.” She asked, “Why?” He explained and asked her to return to her father. Zaynab then asked, “Why don’t you embrace Islam and accompany me to Madinah?” and he replied, “No.” Zaynab took her son and daughter and went to Madinah. For six years, many men proposed to her, but she refused, hoping that her husband would return to her.
After six years, Abu al-‘As set out with a caravan from Makkah to Syria. During his journey, he encountered a group of the Prophet’s companions who apprehended him. He inquired about Zaynab’s house and knocked on her door just before dawn. When she saw him, she asked if he had come as a Muslim. He replied, “No, I came as a fugitive.” She asked, “Won’t you embrace Islam?” He said, “No.” She said, “Have no fear. Welcome, my cousin, the father of Ali and Umamah.” After the Prophet finished the dawn prayer, a voice came from the back of the mosque saying, “Abu al-‘As ibn al-Rabi’ is under my protection.” The Prophet asked, “Did you hear what I heard?” They replied, “Yes, O Messenger of God.” It was Zaynab’s voice. She said, “O Messenger of God, even if Abu al-‘As leaves me as a wife, he is still my cousin and the father of my children. He is under my protection, O Messenger of God.”
The Prophet addressed the people, stating that he had no doubt about his son-in-law Abu al-‘As’s honesty and trustworthiness. He left the matter to them to either allow him to return to his people with his wealth, or decide otherwise, and that he would not hold them accountable if they chose differently. The people agreed to let him keep his wealth, so the Prophet said, “We have granted protection to whomever you have granted protection, O Zaynab.” The Prophet asked his daughter Zaynab to treat Abu al-‘As with kindness, for he was her cousin and the father of her children.
However, he emphasized that Abu al-‘As should not approach Zaynab, as she was not permitted to marry him. Zaynab went inside and asked Abu al-‘As ibn al-Rabi’, “Is our separation easy for you? Will you embrace Islam and stay with us?” He replied, “No.” Abu al-‘As took his wealth and returned to Makkah. Upon arriving, he stopped and said, “O people, take your wealth. Do you still have anything left with me?” They replied, “No, nothing remains. The best of loyalty.” Abu al-‘As said, “Then I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” He then entered the city at dawn, went to the Prophet, and said, “O Messenger of God, you granted me protection yesterday, and today I come to say it truthfully. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah.” He then asked, “O Messenger of God, will you permit me to take Zaynab back as my wife?”
The Prophet took Abu al-‘As to Zaynab’s house, knocked on the door, and said, “O Zaynab, your cousin has come to me today, asking my permission for you to return to him. Do you accept?” Her face flushed, and she smiled. A year after this incident, Zaynab passed away, and Abu al-‘As wept bitterly, saying, “By God, O Messenger of God, I can no longer bear this world without Zaynab.” He died a year after her... May God be pleased with them both.
