Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was going (towards the mosque) to perform prayer, when he passed by a man who was in prostration. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) finished the prayer and returned, he saw that the man was still in prostration. The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stood there and said: "Who will kill him?" A man stood up, rolled up his sleeves, drew his sword, and brandished it, but then said: "O Messenger of Allah! May my parents be sacrificed for you, how can I kill a man who is in prostration and bearing witness that Allah alone is worthy of worship and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is Allah's servant and Messenger?" But the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) again said: "Who will kill him?" The same man stood up, rolled up his sleeves, drew his sword, and brandished it, but his hand began to tremble and he said: "O Messenger of Allah! How can I kill a man who is in prostration and bearing witness that Allah alone is worthy of worship and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is Allah's servant and Messenger?" The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "By Him in Whose hand is my soul! If you had killed him, it would have been the first and last trial (fitnah)."