A short time before the Conquest, Abū al-ʿĀṣ set out for Syria on a trading journey, carrying both his own capital and a large sum that belonged to Quraysh. On his return he was intercepted by a Muslim detachment, which seized the goods he was escorting while he himself slipped away and escaped. The detachment brought the captured property back to Madinah.
Abū al-ʿĀṣ travelled by night until he reached Zaynab’s house. He sought her protection and she granted it, for he had come to recover his wealth.
At dawn the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came out to lead the prayer; when he pronounced the takbīr and the congregation followed, Zaynab called out from the women’s section: “People! I have granted protection to Abū al-ʿĀṣ ibn al-Rabīʿ.”
The Prophet ﷺ then sent word to the detachment that had taken his property, saying, “This man is related to us, as you know, and the goods you have seized belong to him. If you would act graciously and return what is his, we would like that; but if you refuse, it is booty Allah has granted you, and you are entitled to it.” They replied, “Rather, we shall return it,” and they handed everything back.
Abū al-ʿĀṣ took the goods to Mecca and restored to every owner what was due. Then he announced, “People of Quraysh, is there anyone whose property is still with me?” They answered, “No. May Allah reward you with goodness—for we have found you loyal and generous.” He said, “Then I testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. By Allah, nothing kept me from accepting Islam while I was with him except my fear that you would think I only wanted to appropriate your wealth.”
He then returned to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ; Ibn ʿAbbās relates that the Prophet ﷺ reinstated Zaynab to him on the basis of their original marriage contract, without requiring any new act or dowry.
Among the captives was al-Walīd ibn al-Walīd ibn al-Mughīrah al-Makhzūmī, who was taken by ʿAbdullāh ibn Jahsh—though some say by Salīṭ al-Māzanī. His brothers Khālid ibn al-Walīd and Hishām ibn al-Walīd came to ransom him, paying four thousand dirhams and taking him away. After his ransom he embraced Islam, and when people asked him about this he said, “I did not want anyone to suppose that I…"