The Acceptance of Islam by Hazrat Abul Aas 

Last updated on July 14th, 2024 at 03:31 pm

Hidaayat (Divine Guidance) is in the Control of Allah Alone. What a thought-provoking story is the story of Hazrat Abul Aas (Radhiyallahu anhu).

He was a special friend and the son-in-law of Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam). The daughter of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was in his home but he wasn’t a Muslim. He had so much love for his wife that despite the pressure applied by the mushrikeen he did not divorce her. He was captured during the Battle of Badr and after being freed, he sent his wife to Madinah Munawwarah. However, he did not accept Islam as yet. Then, when Allah Rabbul Izzah gave him hidaayat, he gladly entered the fold of Islam.

This is how it happened: Before the Conquest of Makkah, Hazrat Abul Aas went with a caravan on a business trip to Shaam. In a partnership with the Quraish he had taken along a lot of their wealth for business. When he returned, an armed force of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) under the command of Hazrat Zaid Bin Haarithah (Radhiyallahu anhu) attacked the caravan, took their wealth and captured some people. Hazrat Abul Aas was not captured. He managed to escape and fled to Madinah Munawwarah.

In the darkness of the night he went to Hazrat Zainab (Radhiyallahu anha) and sought asylum. She granted him asylum.

When Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was complete with Fajr Salaah, Hazrat Zainab (Radhiyallahu anha) called out: “O people! I have given Abul Aas asylum.” Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) faced the Sahaabah and asked: “Did you hear what Zainab has said?” Those present replied: “Yes, we have heard.”

Having listened to the response of the Sahaabah, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “I take an oath by that Being in whose Control my life is! I did not know that Abul Aas is in Madinah before this, and that Zainab has given him protection. I have come to know of it only now when you heard the announcement of Zainab.” Then he said, “Even if an ordinary Muslim gives protection to someone, then it is incumbent on all Muslims to honour it.”

Having said that, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) went to Hazrat Zainab (Radhiyallahu anha) and told her, “Treat Abul Aas in a good manner, but do not have husband-wife relations with him because you are not halaal for him.” Hazrat Zainab said: “He has come to fetch his possessions.”

Listening to this, Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) gathered the armed force that had taken the possessions and said: “You all know of my relationship with this person (Abul Aas). His possessions which are in your hands are a bounty from Allah because it is the wealth of a non-Muslim in a Darul Harb.  It is my desire that you render him a favour by returning the possessions you have taken from him. However, if you do not carry this out then I will not compel you to do so. You have a right over it.”

Listening to this everyone said, “We will return his wealth.” They acted upon what they said and whatever wealth was taken, they returned.

Hazrat Abul Aas (Radhiyallahu anhu) took the wealth and returned to Makkah Mukarramah. He repaid whatever he owed to anyone and after that he recited the Kalimah Shahaadat, “Ash-hadu allaa ilaaha Illallaah, wa anna Muhammadar Rasulullah,” with a sincere heart.

He said to the people of Makkah: “I have made an effort to come here, and instead of reading the Kalimah in Madinah I have recited it here, because if I had accepted Islam there, you people would have thought that I have become a Muslim to rob you of your wealth. I have now fulfilled all your rights and accepted Islam.”

Hazrat Abul Aas (Radhiyallahu anhu) thereafter departed for Madinah Munawwarah and Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) married him again to his daughter, Hazrat Zainab (Radhiyallahu anha). (It is also said that the two were united in marriage based on the first marriage.)

(Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam Kee Saahbzaadiya)