Muhammad bin Sallam al-Jumahi narrates: Malik bin Awf bin Sa'd bin Rabi'ah bin Yarbu' bin Wathilah bin Dahman bin Nasr bin Mu'awiyah bin Bakr bin Hawazin. Ibn Sallam says: Awf was a chief and a bold leader. His mention and his fame began on the Day of al-Fijar, when he was with his people; on that occasion he performed great deeds. He was the commander of Hawazin when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) faced Hawazin, and he had brought their wealth and their families along with the people. Durayd bin al-Simmah opposed him, but he persisted and refused, so the whole matter came to rest on his decision, and they did not praise his opinion. He was their chief in those days. When he saw the rout of his companions, he made for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), for he was a man of fierce boldness, intending to harm him. Sayyiduna Marthad bin Abi Marthad al-Ghanawi (may Allah be pleased with him) confronted him and fought him. He spurred his horse Muhaj to charge, but it did not advance; then he urged it again and shouted at it, but it did not advance. So he recited these verses: "Advance, O Muhaj, this is a dreadful day! One like me against one like you defends and wheels back to attack, and strikes a blow that tears and terrifies, from which blood gushes out of the belly, and in which the spearhead of the striker breaks, when band after band rises up." After he had accepted Islam, he took part in the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, and there he recited these verses: "Advance, O Muhaj! These are their horsemen; and let not any man's strangeness (that is, his being different) frighten you." He had fled from Hunayn and gone to Ta'if. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If he comes to me, I will grant him safety and give him one hundred (camels)." Then he came, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did that for him, and then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent him to fight the people of Ta'if. Sayyiduna Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) once wrote to Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) asking him for reinforcements, and Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote back to him: "You are asking me for reinforcements while you have ten thousand men with you; you have Malik bin Awf, and you have Hanzalah bin Rabi'ah," this being the one who is called Hanzalah the Scribe. Ibn Sallam narrates: One of his people told me that he said to Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him): "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave me (wealth) in order to reconcile my heart to Islam. I did not like to take a payment for accepting Islam, so I intend to return it." Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave it to you only because he (peace and blessings be upon him) considered it your right."
Al-Tabarani recorded it through Khalifah bin Khayyat from Muhammad bin Sallam al-Jumahi, and both of them are thiqah (trustworthy).