When the prayer was over and the congregation dispersed, Abul Aas went over to the Prophet and said, ‘I’ve come to take Zainab with me.’
The Prophet was surprised. ‘Do you know that she has embraced Islam?’
‘Yes, sir, I know.’
‘Do you also know that Islam forbids such relationships?’
‘Does it mean that Zainab has divorced me?’
‘If indeed she has, then?’
‘Nothing. Good luck to her with her new-found devotion for God and His Prophet. I’d like to see her once, then return home, and never see her face again. But don’t blame me if the Quraish tribe wants to pick a fight with you for this.’
‘I do not want to have a fight with the Quraish.’
‘In that case, allow Zainab to come with me. Then I’ll be the target of the tribe. No calamity will befall you or your disciples.’
‘Will you try to turn Zainab away from God?’
‘I consider it inhuman to violate anyone’s religious freedom.’
‘People will put pressure on you to divorce Zainab.’
‘I’ll part with my life before parting with Zainab.’
Abul Aas’s words reassured the Prophet. He held Abul Aas in high esteem. He allowed Abul Aas to meet Zainab in the women’s part of the house.
Abul Aas said to Zainab, ‘I’ve come to take you home. I hope embracing the new religion has not turned you against me?’
Zainab fell at his feet, crying, and said, ‘No, my lord. Our hearts are bound together. I am yours, no matter where I am. But will the community allow us to stay together?’
‘If the community does not allow us to live together, then I’ll leave it. There are many places in the world where we can live in peace. You know very well I’m a champion of religious freedom. I’ll never interfere with the matters of your religion.’
As Zainab was leaving, Khadija gave her a necklace of precious pearls as a gift.5
The non-Muslims increased their torment of the Muslims. Earlier, the Muslims were simply ignored, but now they were threatened. The enemies conspired to wipe them out. Help was sought from tribes living afar. The Muslims did not have the power to face the enemies in armed combat. Hazrat Muhammad decided to leave Mecca and go elsewhere. In Mecca, the Muslims were scattered in different parts of the city. They couldn’t provide help to each other in times of crisis. Muhammad wanted to settle in a place where all of them could live together and face the combined forces of the enemies collectively. Eventually he settled for Madina and sent word to all his followers. The devotees got together and one day they migrated from Mecca to Madina. This is what is known as ‘hijrat’.
The Muslims found new energy and a new spirit when they reached Madina. They began to observe their religious rituals fearlessly. There was no need now to hide themselves from their neighbours.
They gained greater self-confidence. The non-Muslims mobilized themselves against them. Both sides began to assemble their own armies. The non-Muslim Arabs resolved to wipe out the name of Islam from the face of the earth. The Muslims, too, resolved to give them a fitting reply.
One day, Abul Aas came and told his wife, ‘Zainab, our leaders have declared war on Islam.’
Scared, Zainab said, ‘These people have already left Mecca. What is the need for war now?’
‘They may have left Mecca, but they haven’t left Arabia! Their audacity is increasing. There was no other option except declaring jihad on them. It’ll be necessary for me to take part in the jihad.’
‘If you feel so strongly about it, then you must go. I’ll also accompany you.’
‘Accompany me?’
‘Yes, I’ll look after the injured Muslims there.’
‘Of course.’6
A fierce battle took place. Both sides fought valorously. Brothers fought with brothers, and fathers fought with sons. It was proved that the bond of faith was stronger than the bonds of blood and lineage.
Both sides fought with courage. The difference was—the minds of the Muslims were filled with religious fervour; they expected heaven after their death. They had the firmness of belief, as is usually found among new converts. This spirit of ‘sacrifice’ was missing among non-Muslims.
The battle went on for several days. Although the Muslims were lesser in number, their religious fervour triumphed in the end. A large number of non-Muslims were killed, many were injured, and many more were taken prisoners. Abul Aas was one of them.
The moment Zainab heard that Abul Aas had been taken prisoner, she immediately sent ransom money to Prophet Mohammed. It was the same precious necklace given to her by Khadija. Zainab didn’t want to place her father in a tricky situation, which would have risen if no ransom money was available. He couldn’t have released Abul Aas even if he wanted to.
All the prisoners were presented before the Prophet. Many had accepted the new religion, while others were released when they paid the ransom money. The Prophet looked at Abul Aas, who was standing aloof with his head hung. He looked deeply embarrassed.
The Prophet said, ‘Abul Aas, Islam wouldn’t have triumphed if God had not come to its support.’
Abul Aas replied, ‘If, as you put it, there’s one God in the world, then he can’t allow one of his people to kill another fellow being. The Muslims won because of their martial spirit.’
One of the companions of the Prophet asked, ‘Where is your ransom money?’
The Prophet remarked, ‘Abul Aas’s necklace is undoubtedly priceless. What is your decision? You very well know that he is my son-in-law.’
Abu Bakr said, ‘You have Zainab with you, for whom even a thousand necklaces can be sacrificed.’
Abul Aas asked, ‘So are you implying that Zainab should
