Musnad Ahmad

It is narrated from Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that my uncle Anas bin Nadr could not participate in the Battle of Badr with the Prophet (peace be upon him), and he was regretful about it. He used to say, "I could not participate in the very first battle with the Prophet (peace be upon him). If now Allah grants me the opportunity to go to any battle with the Prophet (peace be upon him), then Allah will see what I do." Thus, he participated in the Battle of Uhud with the Prophet (peace be upon him). On that occasion, when the Muslims were scattered, he said, "O Allah! I seek excuse from You for what my companions have done, and I declare my disassociation from the attack of the polytheists." Then he moved forward and saw Hazrat Sa'd bin Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) coming towards him from the front. He said to him, "Abu Amr! Where are you going? By Allah! I am smelling the fragrance of Paradise from behind Uhud." Hazrat Sa'd (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I am with you." But later he used to say, "What Sa'd bin Mu'adh did, I could not do." And more than eighty marks of spears, swords, and arrows were found on his body. We used to think that this verse was revealed about Hazrat Sa'd bin Mu'adh and other companions like him: "Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah; some of them have fulfilled their vow, and some are still waiting."