Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 35961 — The commander of a raiding party

Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Sayyiduna Alqamah (may Allah be pleased with him) as commander of an expedition, and I was also in that army. When he reached Ra's Uranah, or was somewhere on the way, a group from the army asked his permission. He gave them permission and appointed Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Hudhafah al-Sahmi (may Allah be pleased with him) as their commander, and I was among those who fought alongside him. While they were on the way, the people lit a fire to warm themselves or to cook something on it. Sayyiduna Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) was given to joking. He said: "Is it not binding on you to obey me?" The people said: "Of course." He (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "If I order you to do something, will you carry it out?" The people said: "Yes." He said: "I have resolved concerning you that you leap into this fire." Some people stood up and got ready to leap. When he was certain that they would leap into it, he said: "Hold yourselves back; I was only joking with you." Then when we returned and this was mentioned before the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever orders you to do a sinful thing, do not obey him."