Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I saw myself (in a dream) that I was in a strong coat of mail and a cow was lying slaughtered. I interpreted that the strong coat of mail is Madinah and the cow—by Allah!—it is goodness and blessing." Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to his companions: "If we remain settled in Madinah and they attack us, then (by staying in our city) we will fight them." The companions said: "O Messenger of Allah! Even in the days of ignorance, no one attacked us in this city, so why should it happen now in Islam?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "(Alright) your opinion is correct." (This answer is in the narration of Affan.) Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) put on his (battle) armor. The Ansar said among themselves: "We did not accept the opinion of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) (this is a risky matter)." So they came and said: "O Prophet of Allah! Your opinion should be acted upon." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When a Prophet puts on his battle armor, it does not befit him to take it off before fighting."