It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prepared an army against the polytheists, among whom were Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both). He (peace and blessings be upon him) appointed the two of them as commanders, and said to them and to all the people: "Travel with all speed, for between you and the polytheists there is a water source; if the polytheists reach that water before you, it will be hard on the people, and you, your animals and your mounts will be overcome by severe thirst." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) stayed behind with eight men, he (peace and blessings be upon him) being the ninth. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said to his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them): "Would you like us to halt and rest a little, and then catch up with the people?" They said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. So they halted to rest, and nothing woke them except the heat of the sun. When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions woke up, he (peace and blessings be upon him) said to them: "Get up and attend to your needs." They did so and then returned to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) asked them: "Does any of you have water?" One of them said: O Messenger of Allah, there is an ablution vessel with a little water in it. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Bring it." He brought it, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) took it, wiped it with his palms and prayed for blessing. Then he said to his Companions: "Come and perform ablution." They came, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) began pouring water for them until they had all performed ablution. Then one of them gave the call to prayer (adhan) and the iqamah, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) led them in prayer. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said to the owner of the ablution vessel: "Take good care of this vessel of yours, for soon it will have a special story." Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions mounted and arrived ahead of the army. He (peace and blessings be upon him) asked his companions: "What do you think the people have done?" They said: Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) know best. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Abu Bakr and Umar are among them, and they will guide the people rightly." When the rest of the people arrived, the polytheists had already taken that water first, so hardship came upon the people, and they, their mounts and their animals became severely thirsty. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Where is the owner of the ablution vessel?" He said: O Messenger of Allah, here I am. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Bring your vessel." He brought it, and there was a little water in it. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said to all of them: "Come and drink." So the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) began pouring water for them until they had all drunk their fill; they also watered their animals and mounts and filled every vessel, waterskin and water bag. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions advanced towards the polytheists. Allah Almighty sent a wind that struck the faces of the polytheists, and Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, sent down His help and gave the Muslims the upper hand over the enemy. So they killed a great many of them, took many captives and gathered a great deal of spoils, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and all the people returned safe, sound and victorious.
Hadith Referenceمسند أبي يعلى الموصلي / مسند أنس بن مالك / 4238
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسناده ضعيف
Hadith Takhrij«حکم الحدیث مسند ابی یعلی محققاً تنسیق حسين سليم أسد - مکتبہ شاملہ :قال حسين سليم أسد: إسناده ضعيف . » «قال سعيد بن محمد السناري: منكر بهذا السياق» «أخرجه ابن عدى في "الكامل" [3/ 402، مسند ابویعلیٰ ترقیم الاثری: 4223»