Lu'lu' wal-Marjan

Hazrat Salamah bin Al-Akwa’ (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that before the Fajr adhan, I went out (towards Ghabah outside Madinah). The milch camels of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to graze at Dhat al-Qard. He narrated that on the way, I met the slave of Abdur Rahman bin Awf (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the camels of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had been seized. I asked, “Who seized them?” He replied, “The people of the tribe of Ghatafan.” He narrated that then I called out loudly three times, “Ya Sabahah!” He narrated that I made my voice reach both ends of Madinah, and after that, I ran forward quickly and finally caught up with them. At that time, they had dismounted to water the animals. I began shooting arrows at them—I was skilled in archery—and I kept reciting this verse: “I am the son of Al-Akwa’; today is the day of the destruction of the lowly!” I kept reciting this rajaz and eventually recovered the camels from them, and even thirty cloaks of theirs came into my possession. Hazrat Salamah narrated that after this, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also arrived with the companions (may Allah be pleased with them). I said, “O Messenger of Allah! I kept shooting arrows at them and did not let them drink water, and they are still thirsty. Please send an army after them at once.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “O son of Al-Akwa’! When you overpower someone, then be gentle.” Sayyidah Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated, “Then we returned, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) made me ride behind him on his camel until we returned to Madinah.”