Abu l-As b. al-Rabi'

Abu l-As b. al-Rabi'

Personal Information
Teknonym	Abu l-'As
Lineage	Quraysh
Well-Known Relatives	Holy Prophet (s) (father in law), Lady Khadija (a) (aunt), Zaynab (wife)
Place of Birth	Mecca
Muhajir/Ansar	Muhajir
Place(s) of Residence	Mecca, Medina
Death/Martyrdom	12/634
Religious Information
Migration to	Medina
Known for	Son in law of the Prophet (s)

Abū l-ʿAṣ b. al-Rabīʿ b. ʿAbd al-ʿUzzā b. ʿAbd al-Shams (Arabic: ابُوالعاص بن الرَبیع بن عَبدالعُز‌ّی بن عَبدالشَّمس), (d. Dhu al-Hijja, 12 /February-March, 634), was the son-in-law of the Holy Prophet (s) and the nephew (sister's son) of Lady Khadija (a). He was captured by Muslims in the Battle of Badr and was released. He converted to Islam around 6/627-8, and migrated to Medina.

Before Migration of the Prophet (s)

He was known by his teknonym, Abu l-'As. There are different reports about his real name in the sources. Some named him al-Qasim or Muqassim and some named him Hashim or Muhashshim, but it is mostly believed that his name was Laqit. He was a trustworthy, wealthy businessman and very famous in Mecca. His mother was Hala, the sister of Lady Khadija (a), and she considered him, her son.

Abu l-'As married Zaynab, the eldest daughter of the Holy Prophet (s), before bi'tha. After bi'tha, the family of the Prophet (s) converted to Islam, yet, he remained a polytheist.

In the Battle of Badr

He participated in the Battle of Badr in polytheists' camp and was captured by Muslims. When people of Mecca paid ransom to free their captives, Zaynab sent the ransom of Abu l-'As to Medina, which included a necklace she had inherited from Khadija (a). It is said that when the Holy Prophet (s) saw it, he got upset remembering Khadija (a), and after getting agreement of Muslims, released Abu l-'As and sent the ransom back to Zaynab and take Abu l-'As' promise to let Zaynab free. After he returned to Mecca, he sent Zaynab along with the Holy Prophet's companions to Medina.

Conversion to Islam

In Jumada I of 6/Septemeber- October 627, he headed to Syria with a caravan of people of Mecca and their capital. The caravan could not resist against Muslim's attack led by Zayd b. Haritha, so some of them fled and some were captured. Abu l-'As was able to flee, get to Medina at night and take refuge at Zaynab's house. Zaynab harbored him and reported the incident to the Holy Prophet (s) at Muslims presence in the mosque and the Holy Prophet (s) granted him the asylum. Asked by Zaynab, the Holy Prophet (s) ordered to return the caravan to the polytheists. Abu l-'As returned to Mecca with the caravan and announced that he had converted to Islam.

Return to Medina

After a while, he went to Medina and in Muharram of 7/May-June 628 the Holy Prophet (s) sent Zayanb to him based on their previous marriage. However, it is said that there was a new marriage contraction with new mahr. Their marriage led to a son named 'Ali and a girl named Amama who later married Imam Ali (a).