Mustadrak al-Hakim — Hadith 6349

Abd al-Rahman bin Uthman bin Ziyad al-Ashja'i narrates from his father that Sayyiduna Ma'qil bin Sinan al-Ashja'i (may Allah be pleased with him) was a Companion of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and on the day of the Conquest of Makkah he carried the banner of his people. At that time he was a fresh young man. He lived for a long time after that, until al-Walid bin Utbah bin Abi Sufyan (who was the governor of Madinah) sent him on an errand. There Ma'qil bin Sinan and Muslim bin Uqbah (who is known as Musrif) met. During a conversation with Musrif, Ma'qil mentioned Yazid bin Mu'awiyah and said: "I set out reluctantly to pledge allegiance to this man, and my going to him was only by the decree and destiny of Allah. He is a man who drinks wine and commits fornication with forbidden women." Then he disparaged him and mentioned some of his bad traits. Then he said to Musrif: "I wanted to entrust this to you." Musrif said: "By Allah! As for today, I will not tell this to the Commander of the Believers, but I make a covenant and pledge before Allah that if I ever gain power over you, I will strike off your head." Then, when Musrif came to Madinah and carried out the killing there during the days of al-Harrah, Ma'qil bin Sinan was at that time the commander of the Muhajirun. He was brought to Musrif as a captive. Musrif asked: "O Ma'qil bin Sinan! Are you thirsty?" He said: "Yes, may Allah set the Amir right." He said to his servants: "Prepare an almond drink for him." When they had given him the drink, he asked: "Have you drunk and quenched your thirst?" He said: "Yes." He said: "By Allah! You will not enjoy it. O Mufarrij! O Nawfal bin Musahiq! Stand up and strike off his neck." So he stood up and killed him while he was held captive. The Battle of al-Harrah took place in Dhu al-Hijjah in the year 63 AH. Then a poet of the Ansar composed these verses: "Behold! Those Ansar are mourning their chiefs, and the tribe of Ashja' is mourning Ma'qil bin Sinan."