Musnad Ahmad

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Unais that once the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) called me and said: "It has come to my knowledge that Khalid bin Sufyan is gathering people to fight against me. At this time, he is in Bathn ‘Urnah. Go to him and kill him." I said: "O Messenger of Allah! Please tell me a sign by which I may recognize him." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When you see him, you will feel the hair of his body standing up." So I took my sword and set out. At the time of ‘Asr, while he was still in Bathn ‘Urnah with his women who made travel easy for him, I found him. When I saw him, I found in him the description given by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). I started walking towards him, then I thought that if conversation started between me and him, the ‘Asr prayer might be missed. So, while walking, I performed the prayer by making gestures for bowing and prostration. When I reached him, he said: "Who are you?" I said: "A man from among the Arabs who has heard about you and about this person (the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him) gathering an army against you, so I have come to you." He said: "Very good, I am engaged in this very purpose." I walked with him for a short distance, and when I gained control over him, I raised my sword over him until I killed him. Then I left from there and left his women bending over him. When I presented myself before the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and he saw me, he said: "This face has succeeded." I said: "O Messenger of Allah! I have killed him." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "You have spoken the truth." Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stood up with me and entered his house, and brought out a staff and gave it to me. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Abdullah bin Unais, keep this with you." I took that staff and went out, and people stopped me and began to ask: "What is this staff?" I told them: "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has given it to me and has commanded me to keep it." The people said: "Go and ask the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about it." So I returned and asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "O Messenger of Allah! Have you given me this staff for any particular reason?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "This will be a sign between me and you on the Day of Resurrection. On that day, very few people will have a staff." So Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Unais kept it with his sword, and it always remained with him. When the time of his death came, by his command, it was included in his shroud, and we all together buried him.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Unais that once the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) called me and said: "It has come to my knowledge that Khalid bin Sufyan is gathering people to fight against me. At this time, he is in Bathn ‘Urnah. Go to him and kill him." So I took my sword and set out, and at the time of ‘Asr, while he was still in Bathn ‘Urnah, I found him. Then I thought that if conversation started between me and him, the ‘Asr prayer might be missed. So, while walking, I performed the prayer by making gestures for bowing and prostration. When I reached him... Then the narrator mentioned the entire hadith.