Years passed and Zainab RA lived with her father in Madeenah hoping that Allah will open the heart of Abul ‘Aas to Islam. After 6 years Abul ‘Aas knocked on Zainab RA’s door. On one of his trading expeditions to the Levant, he was accosted by the Muslim army, who blocked his way and took all his possessions. Abul ‘Aas fled, finding only Madeenah, and in it his wife, as his refuge. He knocked at her door and surprised her. She exclaimed in confusion, “Welcome cousin! Are you at last guided to what is right?”

He lowered his head, then raised it in embarrassment and said, “In fact, I did not come as a Muslim. I came as a fugitive from the Muslims in pursuit of me and I am seeking refuge with you from them. Zainab RA had mixed feelings, pain from the frustrating answer and hope for his conversion. She said, “Welcome Abu ‘Ali. Whoever seeks refuge with the Messenger of Allah will never be disappointed”.

The night passed and the adhan of Fajr prayer was called. Zainab RA felt her father getting ready for the prayer. She prepared herself to do something that no woman had dared to do before her. She would declare loudly that she had offered refuge to Abul ‘Aas; but on second thought, she doubted whether her father would approve of her action. Was it permissible for a woman to offer refuge to anyone? The Prophet ﷺ was about to raise his voice with Takbeer to start the prayer with the worshippers behind him. Zainab RA decided to carry out what she intended to do. She brought her head outside the door and cried in a loud voice, “I have offered refuge to Abul ‘Aas bin Rabee’”. Her cry was heard by everyone. When the Prophet ﷺ had finished the prayer he said, “O people, did you hear what I heard?”

They said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah, we heard as you heard”.

He then said, “By Him in Whose hands my soul is, I did not know about this till I heard what you heard. The Muslims are one hand against their enemies, and we will offer refuge to whomever she has offered it.”

When he ﷺ had finished his prayer, he went to his daughter, who was with Abul ‘Aas. She hurried to her father in anxiety and said, “O Messenger of Allah, Abul ‘Aas is my cousin and the father of my sons, and I have given him refuge”.

The Prophet ﷺ smiled and said, “We offer refuge to whomever you offer it, my daughter. Be hospitable towards him but do not be alone with him since you are not lawful to him”.

The Prophet ﷺ left for his house, and she followed him and asked him to let Abul ‘Aas get back what had been taken from him. The Prophet ﷺ promised to do so. Accordingly the Prophet ﷺ, went to his companions and said, “You know this man, whose property you took, I would like to give back his property. But if you don’t like to do that it will be your booty given to you by Allah.” They all replied, “We would like to give it back messenger of Allah.”

Having returned to Makkah with his prosperous caravan, he began to give back what he had taken from people. He called the people of Quraish to collect their share of the profit. After they all had taken their money, he said to them, “O people of Quraish, is there anyone who has not taken his money?” They said to him, “No, may God reward you the best. We have always seen you as faithful and generous”. Then he pronounced to them, “Then, I testify that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. By Allah, what hindered me from declaring my coming to Islam was that I was afraid lest you should think I wanted to take your money. Now that I have returned your money, I declare my Islam”.

Accordingly Abul ‘Aas went forward to Madeenah to join the Muslim community. There the Prophet ﷺ returned Zainab RA to him. The spouse met again and continued to live in happiness and felicity under the shade of an unblemished belief.

A year later Zainab RA became ill, affected by her fall from the previous year when she was about to emigrate from Madeenah but Quraish obstructed her. Abul ‘Aas RA became so sad he caused the people at her funeral to weep. He kissed his children, wetting them with his tears, whilst remembering the face of his departed darling.

Then came Rasoolullaah ﷺ to bid farewell to her. He said to the women, “Wash her thrice for five times and let the last wash be mixed with camphor and tell me when you’re finished. The women did as he instructed, and when they had finished they told him. He gave them a piece of his clothing and said, “Wrap her in it”. The women took the Prophet ﷺ’s garment, put it on her and buried her. Rasoolullah ﷺ prayed over her.

Zainab RA’s daughter, Umaamah RA remained as the sweet memory of her mother. She was one of the loveliest members of the Prophet ﷺ’s family and dearest to his heart. ‘Aa-ishah RA narrated that the Prophet ﷺ was once given a necklace as a present and said, “I’ll give it to the dearest one in my family”. All the women said, the daughter of Abu Quhaafah (‘Aa-ishah) will take it. But he called Umaamah RA to him and hung it around her neck.

May Allah be pleased with Zainab RA, the Prophet ﷺ‘s daughter! May He reward her with Paradise for her firm belief, patience, endurance and struggle!