Musnad Ahmad

Ziyad bin Dumrah narrated to Urwah bin Zubair from his father and grandfather, who participated in the Battle of Hunayn with the Prophet (peace be upon him), that the Prophet (peace be upon him) led us in the Zuhr prayer and sat under the shade of a tree. Aqra’ bin Habis and ‘Uyainah bin Hisn stood up and came to the Prophet (peace be upon him). At that time, ‘Uyainah was demanding the blood money for ‘Amir bin Ashja’i, who was the chief of the tribe of Qais, and Aqra’ bin Habis was defending Muhallim bin Jathamah because of Khindaf. Both of them began to argue in front of the Prophet (peace be upon him). We heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: “Take fifty camels of the blood money from us during the journey, and take the other fifty when you return.” ‘Uyainah replied, “No, by Allah, I will not accept the blood money until I inflict the same pain and grief on his women as was inflicted on my women.” Then voices were raised, a fierce dispute broke out, and there was much commotion. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “O ‘Uyainah, will you not accept the blood money?” ‘Uyainah replied in the same manner again, until a man from the tribe of Banu Laith, called Muqaytil, stood up. He was armed and had a sword and shield in his hand. He said, “O Messenger of Allah, I do not see any precedent for this act of the killer, i.e., Muhallim, in the early days of Islam, except as if some goats came to a spring to drink water, and someone killed the first goat, causing the last goat to flee. So, today you establish a precedent, and tomorrow you abolish it.” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Let him pay fifty camels now, and fifty camels when we return to Madinah.” Thus, you had the blood money paid by that man, and this incident occurred during the journey. Muhallim was a tall man with wheat-colored skin, and he was sitting at the edge of the people. While the people were sitting, he made his way through them and sat in front of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Tears were flowing from his eyes, and he said, “O Messenger of Allah, I have committed a sin of which you have been informed. Now I repent to Allah. Please pray for my forgiveness.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Did you kill that man with your weapon in the early days of Islam? O Allah, do not forgive Muhallim.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said this aloud three times. (The narrator) Abu Salamah added: Muhallim stood up after hearing this, wiping his tears with the edge of his cloak. Ibn Ishaq stated that Muhallim’s people said that later the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed for his forgiveness, but outwardly he maintained what he had said before, so that people would not take liberties with one another.