Abu al-As

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Abu al-As
أبو العاص
Abu al-As.png
Islamic calligraphy of Abu al-As
Born
Mecca, Arabia
DiedFebruary 634
Mecca, Arabia
OccupationMerchant
Known forBeing a son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad
Spouse(s)Zaynab bint Muhammad (m.610–629)
Children
  • Ali ibn Zainab
  • Umamah bint Zainab
Parents
  • Al-Rabi ibn Abduluzza (father)
  • Hala bint Khuwaylid (mother)
Relatives
List

Abu al-As (Arabic: أبو العاص بن الربيع, ’Abū al-‘Āṣ ibn al-Rabī‘, died in February, AD 634), was a son-in-law and companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. His original name was said to have been Hushaym or Yasser.

A wealthy merchant from the Banu Abd Shams clan, Abu al-As was among the most popular Meccan businessmen. He married Muhammad's daughter Zaynab, and had two children with her, a son named Ali, and a daughter called Umama. After Muhammad started preaching Islam, Abu al-As didn't became a Muslim, though he stayed with Zaynab, who had become a Muslim. He participated in the Battle of Badr against the Muslims, in which, he was captured by Abd Allah ibn Jubayr.

After the Muslims migrated to Medina, Abu al-As remained in his hometown Mecca, and had separated from Zaynab. In 628, he migrated to Medina, and reunited with Zaynab. Afterwards, he returned to Mecca, and didn't took part in the early Muslim conquests. In February 634, Abu al-As died in his hometown.

Origins and family[]

Abu al-As was born in Mecca, Arabia and his birth name is recorded as Hushaym or Yasser.[1] His mother Hala bint Khuwaylid was a sister of Khadija. Khadija regarded Abu al-As as her 'own son'.[2] It is also said that she frequently visited his home.[3] His father Rabi ibn Abd al-Uzza belonged to the Abd Shams clan of the Quraysh.[3]

Life[]

Marriage with Zaynab[]

He was a prosperous merchant, and was considered an important person in Mecca.[4][5] In due course Khadija asked her husband Muhammad to find him a wife. Muhammad gave Abu al-As their eldest daughter, Zaynab, apparently with some reluctance.[5]: 313  Later, however, he spoke "warmly" of Abu al-As,[5]: 314  "who told the truth and kept his promises"[6] and in whom he "found no fault as an in-law."[7]: 22  Abu al-As and Zaynab had two children: Ali, who died in childhood, and Umama, who was later married to the fourth Caliph Ali.[7]: 21 

Opposition to Islam[]

When Muhammad started preaching Islam, the Quraysh ordered Utba ibn Abi Lahab and Utayba ibn Abi Lahab, to divorce Muhammad's daughters Ruqayya and Umm Kulthum, which they both did. Similarly, the Quraysh pressured Abu al-As to divorce Zaynab, saying they would give him any woman he liked in exchange. However, though Abu Al-As didn't became a Muslim,[7]: 21  he replied that he did not want any other woman and he remained with Zaynab.[5]: 314  His love for Zaynab made Muhammad quite happy.[4] When the Muslims emigrated to Medina, Zaynab, although a convert, remained in Mecca with Abu al-As.[4]

Abu al-As' poetry after seperation

I remember Zaynab when she leaned on the waymark

I said to a person who lived in the Haram, Water!

For the daughter of the Trustworthy. May God reward her!

Virtuous she is, and every husband praises.

In 624, Abu al-As fought in the Battle of Badr, on the side of the Quraysh, and was captured as a prisoner.[4] Zaynab sent his mother Khadija's necklace for him.[4] At the sight of the necklace, Muhammad remembered Khadija and was moved. He sent Abu al-As back to Mecca without taking any of the ransom, on condition that Zaynab be sent to Medina. Hence Abu al-As was separated from Zaynab for the next four years.[7]: 21–22 [5]: 313–314 [8] In her absence, he wrote poetry for her:[7]: 22 

Conversion to Islam[]

In October 627, he was returning from Syria with a caravan of merchandise, which was attacked by Muslim horsemen, led by Zayd ibn Haritha. Though some of his goods were stolen, Abu al-As escaped capture, and crept into Medina by night to meet his daughter and wife. After knocking on her wife's door, Abu al-As entered and Zaynab granted him protection. When dawn was near, Zaynab entered in the Prophet's Mosque and openly announced that she grant protection to Abu al-As. After Muhammad got to know about this announcement, he respected it and ensured protection for his son-in-law. He then talked with Zaynab, who told about the stolen goods of her husband.[9] Muhammad suggested that his son-in-law's goods be returned to him, and his companions compiled, returning Abu al-As' goods. The Sahaba advised Abu al-As to convert to Islam, though the latter refused, replying "It would be a bad beginning to my Islam if I were to betray my trust."[10]

Abu al-As continued his journey to Mecca and returned all his neighbours' investments to them. He then announced that he was a Muslim, "and I would have become a Muslim when I was with [Muhammad], but that I feared that you would think that I only wanted to rob you of your property." He emigrated to Medina in May or June 628.[5]: 317 

Muhammad allowed Abu al-As to live with Zaynab again without requiring a new contract or dower.[7]: 23 [5]: 317  Alternative traditions, however, assert that Abu Al-As did make a new contract and pay a new dower.[7]: 23  Their reconciliation only lasted about a year, for Zaynab died in mid-629.[7]: 24 

Death[]

As a widower, Abu al-As returned to Mecca.[3] According to Ibn Hajar, Abu al-As married again to Fakhita bint Sa'id, and had a daughter called Maryam.[11] He never fought in any of the Islamic wars.[3] He died in Mecca in February 634.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ Ibn Hajar, Al-Isaba vol. 7 #10173, p. 224
  2. ^ Phillips 2009, p. 178.
  3. ^ a b c d Ibn Hajar, Al-Isaba vol. 7 #10176.
  4. ^ a b c d e Phillips 2009, p. 274.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Muhammad ibn Ishaq. Sirat Rasul Allah. Translated by Guillaume, A. (1955). The Life of Muhammad, p. 313. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  6. ^ Muslim 31:6002.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Muhammad ibn Saad. Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir vol. 8. Translated by Bewley, A. (1995). The Women of Madina, p. 21. London: Ta-Ha Publishers.
  8. ^ Abu Dawud 14:2686.
  9. ^ Ramadan 2007, p. 147.
  10. ^ Abdulmalik ibn Hisham. Notes to Ibn Ishaq's Sirat Rasul Allah. Translated by Guillaume, A. (1955). The Life of Muhammad, p. 740 note 397. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  11. ^ Ibn Hajar, Al-Isaba vol. 8 #11567.
  12. ^ Ibn Hajar, Al-Isaba vol. 7 #10176; vol. 8 #11567.

Bibliography[]

  • Phillips, Rodney J. (2009). The Muslim Empire and the Land of Gold. University of Michigan: Strategic Book Publishing. ISBN 9781606932896.
  • Ramadan, Tariq (2007). In the Footsteps of the Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Muhammad. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199741113.
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