Mu'jam Kabir Tabarani 2943 — A man called Hawdhah came to Mu'awiyah

Al-Sha'bi narrates: A man called Hawdhah came to Mu'awiyah. Mu'awiyah said to him: "O Hawdhah! Were you present at Badr?" He said: "Yes, O Commander of the Believers; against me, not for me." Mu'awiyah asked: "How old were you then?" He said: "On that day I was a robust young man, like a solid rock. It is as if I can see them now, having formed a long row facing us, and as if I can see the gleam of their swords like the rays of the sun through gaps in the clouds. I had not yet come to my senses when the charge of the enemy came upon us. At their head was Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), like a mighty lion tearing through the enemy, saying: 'You will not eat dates in the valley of Makkah again! You will not eat dates in the valley of Makkah again!' Behind him was Hamzah bin Abd al-Muttalib, with a white feather on his chest as a mark, like a camel trampling dry grass. I was terrified of them both, and the two of them turned upon Hanzalah," meaning Mu'awiyah's brother. Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Enough of that; give thanks to Allah. Well, tell me, when did you get away, O Hawdhah?" He said: "By Allah, O Commander of the Believers, I did not get away until I saw the hills of Arthad. Then I said to myself: If only I knew what became of Hanzalah." Mu'awiyah said: "Your remembering Hanzalah is like a rich man remembering his poor brother, for he is hardly remembered except when drowsy or feigning drowsiness."