It is narrated from Ibrahim bin Ishaq al-Harbi that Abu al-As bin al-Rabi' was the husband of Sayyidah Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her), the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and her maternal cousin; his mother, Halah bint Khuwaylid, was the sister of Sayyidah Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her). Abu al-As's (actual) name was Muhashshim, and he was given the title "Jarw al-Batha'". Two children, Ali and Umamah, were born to Abu al-As from Sayyidah Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her). Abu al-As died in the year 11 AH during the caliphate of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him).

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) returned Sayyidah Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her) to Abu al-As on the basis of the first marriage itself, and no new marriage was added between them. This chain is sahih (authentic) on the condition of Imam Muslim.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr bin al-As (may Allah be pleased with them both); he said: Sayyidah Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her) accepted faith one year before her husband Abu al-As. Then, when Abu al-As accepted faith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) returned her (Zaynab) to him with a new marriage.