Divorce Section · 24 – When is a wife returned to a Muslim man who converts after marriage?
It is narrated from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said:
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, returned his daughter Zaynab to Abu al-As through her previous marriage without mentioning anything (regarding a dowry). In the narration of Muhammad ibn Amr, it is stated that this occurred after six years. Hasan ibn Ali states that it was after two years. [198]
**Explanation:**
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, had his daughter Zaynab married to Abu al-As. Zaynab was a Muslim while Abu al-As was not a Muslim. He was captured at Badr and was released on the condition that he send his wife, Zaynab, to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. Indeed, he sent her from Mecca to Medina.
Four years later, the verse prohibiting a disbeliever from having a Muslim woman in marriage descended. After Zaynab’s arrival in Medina, six years passed until this verse was revealed; two years later, As embraced Islam and came to Medina, desiring to marry his wife, Zaynab. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, returned Zaynab to As in their previous marriage without adding anything to her former dowry.