News reached Medina that a richly laden Koraysh caravan was homeward bound from Syria. When the Prophet (sa) learned of the news he placed Zayd in command of a cavalry of one hundred and seventy and sent them after it. The expedition was successful and the Koraysh merchandise confiscated, including silver that belonged to Safwan.

There were also captives, but several managed to escape amongst whom was Al As, the son-in-law of the Prophet (sa). Shortly after the encounter, Al As who had lost everything, made his way to Medina where, his estranged wife, Lady Zaynab lived with their daughter Umama. Al As waited until all was still in the City and under the cover of night made his way to Lady Zaynab's house.

Lady Zaynab was indeed surprised to see him after such a long time and invited him into her home. A while after, Bilal arose to call the believers to prayer and so Lady Zaynab left Al As and Umama in the house whilst she went to pray. After the Prophet (sa) had exalted Allah, their was a brief pause and Lady Zaynab announced for all to hear, "O people, I have given protection to Al As, Rabi's son." Then she joined the congregation in prayer.

The Protection of the Weakest Is Binding

At the conclusion of the prayer the Prophet (sa) asked the congregation, "Did you hear what I heard? By Him in whose hand is my soul, I knew nothing of this until now. The protection of even the weakest Muslim is binding upon all other Muslims."

Then the Prophet (sa) went to his daughter telling her to treat her estranged husband honorably but not to allow him the rights of a husband, because, by law he was no longer her husband. Lady Zaynab told her father that Al As, who was one of the most trusted men of Mecca, had gone to Syria on behalf of several Koraysh to trade for them and was deeply troubled because he had lost it all.

The Prophet (sa) approached those who had confiscated his trusts saying, "This man is related to us, and his property has come to you. If you would like to return it to him that would please me, but if you choose not to, then it is bounty which Allah has given you and you have a better right to it." None of the companions choose to keep the merchandise and everything was handed back to him, including old water-skins, some small leather bottles and a few pieces of wood.

A Standard to Be Emulated

Now that everything had been returned one of the companions asked him, "Why don't you enter Islam and keep these things for yourself; they are the property of idolaters?" But Al As replied, "If I did such a thing then my entrance into Islam would not be good and I would have betrayed my trust." Shortly afterward, Al As took his leave from his family and set off to Mecca.

Upon reaching Mecca, Al As wasted no time and distributed his trust whilst asking everyone if they considered they had received their dues. Everyone was in agreement that everything was in order whereupon he returned to Medina to embrace Islam and was reunited once more with his wife and daughter.