As Islam achieved greater success in Makkah the hostility to it also kept rising. The disbelievers did not let any opportunity pass in which they could inflict hardship on the Holy Prophet (sas). Sometimes they gave the Holy Prophet (sas) physical hardship and on other occasions, they caused him emotional suffering.
Two of the daughters of the Holy Prophet (sas), Hazrat Ruqayyah (ra) and Hazrat Ummi Kulthum (ra), were engaged to marry two of Abu Lahab’s sons. After the Holy Prophet (sas) claimed to be a prophet of God, both of them broke their ties with the daughters of the Holy Prophet (sas), according to the wishes of Abu Lahab.1 Some of the leaders of the Quraish tried to force Hazrat Abul-‘As (ra) to divorce Hazrat Zainab (ra) as well. As an encouragement they offered to marry Hazrat Abul-‘As (ra) to a girl from another honourable tribe of the Quraish. Their goal was to cause emotional pain to the Holy Prophet (sas).
However, Hazrat Abul-‘As (ra) loved Hazrat Zainab (ra) very much and he completely rejected this evil offer of the Makkans. Although he had still not changed his religion at the time of the migration of the Holy Prophet (sas) to Madinah, the Holy Prophet (sas) liked him and praised him highly.2
In the thirteenth year of his advent, the Holy Prophet (sas) migrated from Makkah to the city of Madinah. During this period Hazrat Zainab (ra) was living with her in-laws. Soon after the migration, the first battle of Islam was fought between the Muslims and disbelievers of Makkah. This battle was called the Battle of Badr. Hazrat Abul-‘As (ra) fought on the side of the Makkans against the Muslims.3
1 Azwaj-e-Mutahharat wa Sahabiyat Encyclopedia, Dr. Dhul-Fiqar Kazim, p. 247, Published by Baitul-‘Ulum, Lahore
2 Azwaj-e-Mutahharat wa Sahabiyat Encyclopedia, Dr. Dhul-Fiqar Kazim, p. 247, Published by Baitul-‘Ulum, Lahore
3 Azwaj-e-Mutahharat wa Sahabiyat Encyclopedia, Dr. Dhul-Fiqar Kazim, pp. 247-248, Published by Baitul-‘Ulum, Lahore